Jason was allergic to the dye they injected into his epidural space. After a nightmarish day in the emergency room, a nervous breakdown, depositing the baby with a friend for the first time (well, the first time longer than an hour or so.... almost 10 hours!!!... well, I ran back after 4 or 5 hours to nurse), a dozen different drugs being combined by the doctor to try and stop his reaction, tons of saline to try and flush his body out, and a $100 copay - he's finally feeling better. Then we had an appointment to review the results of the stupid test that caused this nightmare, and it looks like he's going to need another surgery - we meet with the surgeon tomorrow.
I'm so, so, so glad that this weekend - and this awful circumstance - are over. And that we lived. I'm far from proud of how I handled a lot of it, though. The stress was pretty overwhelming, and I've never felt so vulnerable in my life, but I'm going to really try and soak in the lesson that God was trying to teach me. How many times does he have to show me that I'm NOT in control??? But He is good, and we're all okay. My family is cozy, and relaxed, and happy again. Jason is significantly better, and now I can breathe again.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Just so we're all caught up.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Ugh. Some days having a baby is harder than others.
Charlotte is a cranky pants. Why? Beats me. She's not napping when she should, sleeping when I don't expect her to, and whining and crying in her sleep all night long.
Add to that - Jason had to work until after 9pm last night (I start to enter into "needing my relief pitcher" around 530pm), in preperation for today. Today, he had to undergo a CTI and myelogram, with sedation. It was hard wrangling the baby in an environment where she could latch onto germs - but needed to be quiet b/c others weren't feeling well. Then we find out that Jason has to lay flat for 24 hours afterwards... this wouldn't be so bad if he weren't miserably vomiting as a fun side effect. *sigh*
Hopefully, tomorrow will bring about a better-feeling husband (who wants to vomit when your back is already hurting you so badly?), and a baby that feels better, as well.
How do you know when your baby is just feeding off of the craziness of your own house, or when she doesn't feel good herself?
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Happy Easter!
Obligatory pictures of my daughter in her Easter outfit...
Friday, March 21, 2008
Beauty from Ashes...
Sorta. :o)
Right after our first nursing session of the morning, I felt the tell-tale rumble that meant Charlotte needed changing. It was one of those ultra-impressive up-the-back, out the sides, someone call the EPA situations, which are the best.
As we're wiping, and hosing, and choking, and navigating around the mess - trying to figure out the best way to handle the situation.... Charlotte laughed, for the first time.
She can poop all over the place anytime she wants, if that's the payout I get. It was perfect.
She makes everyday, the best day ever.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Charlotte's first cold.
My poor little one can.not.breathe. We're doing saline drops, running the humidifier with vaposteam, sitting in a steamy bathroom, using her booger sucker WAAAY more than she is agreeable with.... and still, all you hear is that gurgle-y congested sound. Poor little biscuit.
In really awesome news, my sweet friend Ana's baby boy - who was delivered via emergency c-section at 24 weeks - is coming home tomorrow! One day after his original due date. There' s link to their blog, in my 'people we love' section. Congratulations, Ana & Joe! Jayan is beautiful!!!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
So excited!
I haven't posted an update on my Dad in a while, but he gets to come home this week! Not for good, just for another vacation - but we're so excited that he's going to get to meet Charlotte!
Here are some pictures that he's sent me recently...
Iraq Sunset
Friday, March 14, 2008
my little sleepy head...
For three nights in a row, Charlotte has slept from 1030 - 545... Please God, let this stick! :O)
It's hard to tell, but she's laying in a SnuggleNest which, for our family, was a great investment. It has the incline for her reflux, a thick hard shell around it so that we can't roll over on top of her, and a light at the top - which is great if you need to check and see how cute she is at 2am. It's like she's co-sleeping - but still in her own "space". It also folds up and travels. We started her in a basinette, but our room is pretty small - and it made navigation really cumbersome. I think around 11-12 weeks we're going to bring the basinette back in, put her nest in that, and then from there transition her to her crib in room. We may have a night or two of fussiness, but I don't anticipate an epic struggle or anything because she isn't snuggling with us at night, or really being soothed all that much. We have our fingers crossed! Right now, it's pretty stinkin' cramped in our queen sized bed.
(And before anyone panics, that comforter is only over her because I was laying next to her, and moving around... she doesn't sleep like that). She also begins the night at the top of her nest, and wiggles down the incline while sleeping. The yellow blanket is one of her SwaddleMe blankets - we can keep her swaddled in a regular blanket, but those SwaddleMe's are no challenge to her anymore.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
What a crazy week!
Charlotte has been busy, busy, busy this week! Since we were released from quarantine - we went crazy. There was the Easter adventure at the church, a full Sunday at church, a Duckworth family gathering at Ma & Pa Duck's house, our first (and maybe last/only) La Leche League meeting, we spent a day with Patty & Eliana, we went to Mommy's work, we went to bible study - and went to the pediatrician and got our first set of shots. Whew!
Charlotte is now 10lbs 9oz (big girl!) and 21.5 inches long. That means she's gained over 3lbs, and grown over 2 inches! She's in the 30th percentile for height, 50th for weight, and 75th for head circumference. She's going to be a short, but not tiny, bobblehead like her mother. Those shots are so traumatic, though... I'm not quite sure why the needles have to be so big, but I may never forget the look of terror on her face after the first one. She is NOT a fan. It took us the rest of the night to console her, and 72 hours later - she's still kind of cranky, and not entirely 'herself.' She did get some awesome bandaids, though. I'm not sure she felt she was adequately compensated, but hey - you get what you get, right?
The visit to my workplace turned out to be awesome... I had planned on becoming a SAHM, which felt like the right decision - but was going to be hard. Financially it would be difficult (but doable), but also it would be difficult to put the time out on my career path. After the meeting, though, I've decided I will continue to work. They offered me the opportunity to work part time, from home - as few hours as I need (I'm going to do 10 a week). How could I say no to that? It will dramatically ease the financial burden, and hopefully keep my mind somewhat plugged into an adult world. :o) God is good.
With Great Grandma Duck
With Grandpa Billy
She loves it when Daddy gives her a bath!
Charlotte tooted in the water.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Twitter!
I saw this on another blog and loved it. I often think of something little that I should post here, but then when I sit to blog - can't remember it. I'm going to give twitter a shot - it's kind of an outlet for short little thoughts.
We shall see - maybe I'll be better at that. No go! Twitter YOUR blog, blogfriends!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Fluffy Butts
So many people think we're nuts for using cloth diapers, but really - if you had to poop in your pants, wouldn't you at least want your pants to be soft and cute?
And just because I love this shot...
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Only in Texas...
I was wearing capri's and it was 80 degrees two days ago...
This morning:
And a daily dose of Charlotte:
