Super Bowl Watching

Well, we aren't ready for the reality that Mr. Manning (nor Mr. Manning) are in the Super Bowl, but we did enjoy the game!

~Lone Butterfly )i(

Going Home!

After a very rough night with a very difficult NICU nurse, we've been given the okay to go home.

She's still a bit jaundiced, but we'll see our family doctor tomorrow morning.

Hubby and I had a last meal in the hospital of delicious chicken tenders. I have to give high marks to the food overall, I enjoyed it which is unusual for hospital food!

Baby Larva did NOT like the car seat, but quieted down very quickly once we were in the truck on the way home.

We headed to Cookie's house to have dinner, Hubby wanted to watch the beginning of the Super Bowl on the big screen tv (and I do so enjoy the commercials).

YAY! WE ARE HOME!!!

~Lone Butterfly )i(

Another Update

Baby Larva was (finally) allowed to come back to the Mother/Baby room. She's still a "NICU Baby" and has to wear a monitor while in the room, plus a NICU nurse will be visiting every 2 hours to take blood and check the monitor. If all goes well, we get to go home on Sunday - both of us!

The Caterpillars were able to come visit and hold their baby sister, which was wonderful. she has a touch of jaundice, but we are applying a few old school methods.

Baby monitor w/sensors

Please keep praying.

~Lone Butterfly )i(

24 Hours Later...

It's been 24 hours (or as I call it "8 feedings") since my last post. That's what time has been boiled down to - feedings.

I have OCD, which has quickly become both a blessing and a curse. It's been easy for us to memorize the procedure, but the frustrating repetitiveness is already painful... I cannot imagine having to do this for weeks at a time. I admire any parents/loved ones who go through this with no end in sight.

Basically, beginning from sitting down and feeding Baby Larva, we then start our 3 hour mark. It takes about 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes to actually change her, take her temp and feed her. Then 10 minutes to get back to the room. At that point, I have to change back into my nightgown and I have an hour and a half before needing to leave for the NICU again (to begin the 15 minute entry to NICU procedure).

I've tried sleeping during that time, eating during that time, I did get a shower in today, plus my doctor has me walking to aid in my recovery and Hubby and I have had a few wonderful visitors today.

The good news is that her feedings have been mostly on-target and better than we could have hoped. The poor news is that her last feeding didn't go well at all. That's not correct - a 15 minute feeding for an average preemie is wonderful. Baby Larva has been doing much longer than that, so they were concerned.

They had actually taken her off the IV, but ended up putting her back on it - delaying her escape from the NICU by at least 3 hours.

I know I should be VERY grateful. Originally they told us Sunday at noon would be the earliest and I'm pouting at 9:45 pm on Friday. I just want her back to me ASAP.

If her next feeding (at 11 pm) is more "normal" (ie: "Baby Larva normal") - then it's very likely she'll be brought to us between midnight and 2 am to stay in our room. She'll still be NICU's baby, but that is more in terms of which nurse is responsible for her. We'll be able to hold her and feed her on our own schedule, not someone else's time.

Please keep us in your prayers and that no new developments crop up to spoil the plan.

~Lone Butterfly )i(

Now the News...

Baby Larva is in the NICU, where she will remain for (likely) 72 hours. Her blood glucose level is low (we won't even go into the drama there), but to make a long story short, she's got a tiny little IV in her tiny little hand and I'm scrubbing in every 3 hours to nurse her.

The Handwashing Station, with sterile gowns and scrubby brushes

We're only allowed 4 names (other than immediate family) on the NICU list. Cookie came down with me today to help me get settled nursing her (I have to go in a wheelchair - the walk is very far). The Caterpillars are allowed to visit, but Hubby had to go by their doctor's office and pick up a current certified copy of their immunization records before they could be let in.

Cookie with Baby Larva in the NICU

Please keep us in your prayers. This isn't life-threatening, but it's scary - and it's horrid not having her with us to hold and love on. If all goes well, both Mummy and Baby Larva will be discharged from the hospital on Sunday.

Baby Larva in her NICU warmer

Updates as they are available.

~Lone Butterfly )i(

Finally, Pictures!

Cookie with Baby Larva right after she's born.

Mummy, Daddy and Baby Larva

Daddy changing his first newborn diaper.

She's got a set of LUNGS!

Finally sleeping peacefully with Mummy.

Daddy loving on his baby girl.

Mummy burping the Little Baby Larva.

Mummy and Baby Larva watching Jeopardy.

B10 holding his baby sister for the first time.

~Lone Butterfly )i(

YAY!

At 1:29 pm Baby Larva was born by C-section. She weighs 5 1/2 pounds, is 17 inches long, and is very healthy.

The one issue we were worried about was a possible blocked bowel. Her x-rays indicate that she should be okay, but I've nursed her and now she is going to spend 2 hours in the NICU to confirm.

The C-section was only a bit scary, I have to give credit to my anesthesiologist who was a total hoot and a half. He kept my mind off of much of the tugging and pulling going on in my innards. :D

Pictures will follow as soon as I get a USB cord (and I can take the stupid heart monitor off of my right index finger).

Thank you for all your prayers!

~Lone Butterfly )i(

It's Too Early In the Morning for This Kind of Drama

BooSheep is in the hospital for her induction - they began the medicine around 6 am, so hopefully I'll have another niece very soon.

While I was on the phone with her, hearing about how her labor was progressing - I began bleeding.

So I'm back in the hospital. Baby Larva has turned sideways and there is still some bleeding going on that the doctor hasn't been able to locate the source of. Bottom line is they've started me on antibiotics and they won't even let me have ice chips.

It looks like a C-section is very possible right now. And very possible today. Obviously - I've been a little freaked out, but Baby Larva has a very strong heartbeat, which is a wonderful sound to hear over the monitors.

Please keep all of us in your prayers. For BooSheep and Baby Sheep to have a successful and quick delivery and for Baby Larva to be healthy and come soon - in whichever way in necessary.

~Lone Butterfly )i(

Still No Baby Larva -

- but am I glad to be going home. FYI: A Labor and Delivery bed is NOT made for sleeping in. I've never been so uncomfortable and swollen.

4 bags of IV fluid (which is great-since I wasn't dehydrated in the first place) have left my toes looking like snausages. Vienna snausages. And I'm up to three pretty armbands (red, white, and blue - how patriotic of me).

The specialist came in to see me this morning (he was polite enough to wait until 6:30 am, the vampire who took my blood (very poorly I might add) woke me up at 4:30 am to do so). He's all for me going home, but indicated that he thought I would have Baby Larva anytime now.

Which is great, wonderful, I want her to come VERY soon.

But first I want to go home and shower. And sleep in a real bed for just a couple of hours.

Hubby and I are waiting for the regular doctor to come in and give permission for me to be discharged. Then I might just rip this IV line out myself....

Besides, the excitement isn't in my hospital for the next couple of days - Baby Sheep is due to arrive tomorrow! BooSheep has been scheduled for an induction tomorrow morning, so by tomorrow afternoon, we should have our Little Girl Sheep safe and sound in her Mummy's arms.

I wonder if Little Sheep knows today is his last day as the only Sheep Child?

~Lone Butterfly )i(

At Some Point, I'm Going to Lose My Sense of Humor

Last night the Caterpillars and I stayed over at BooSheep's house with her and Little Sheep. Around 1 am, I woke up to go to the bathroom and felt very cold. By 3 am I had asked B10 to wake up and heat my heating pad, because I couldn't stop shaking from the chills - and I was constantly hurting.

At 6 am I began throwing up everything I had eaten in the last 18 hours, plus - the contractions were coming very close together.

We went straight to the hosptial, where we discovered I had a 102 degree fever and Baby Larva's heartrate was at 190 (very high). I have been hooked up to IVs and they've been trying to figure out where the fever came from all day.

I'm at 3 cm, not progressing very quickly, but the contractions are much stronger and hurt a lot. Her heartrate has come down to the 160s - much better, the oxygen mask helped with that.

Also, they've ruled out dehydration, as when they inserted the IV I managed to spurt blood everywhere. (I mean EVERYWHERE - it was so gruesome I took a picture for B10 to see!)

Please keep praying that the doctors and nurses will be able to determine the cause of the fever this morning (it has dropped down to normal, but not knowing why is a concern). Also, I am growing very weary, the contractions aren't slowing down and are becoming more painful. It's tiring to feel as if no progress is being made.

Pictures when I have a cord to upload them. :)

~Lone Butterfly )i(

*Insert Deep Sigh Here*

So, contractions are currently 5-7 minutes apart - AND I'm 2-3 cm - AND all that other icky stuff like "50% effaced", "blah-blah-blah", "lots more doctor talk".

But, no baby.

I've eaten hospital food and been hooked up to monitors (more than once). In fact, I've been admitted and discharged twice in the last 24 hours. With instructions to "just keep coming back".

Delightful.

She's on her way, literally anytime now. Until then, I'm wandering around the county, walking and contracting.

Updates will come as they come. I will say this, though, the ice chips in Labor and Delivery are DELIGHTFUL! :D

~Lone Butterfly )i(

?????

Contractions are currently 8-10 minutes apart (and have been for almost 2.5 hours) - occasionally they are 5 minutes apart.

After three labors and deliveries I have no idea if this is actually Baby Larva's impending arrival or if my (very painful) "pre-labor" contractions are just being annoying this evening.

Please keep praying - either way...

She's currently at 34 weeks and 4 days by the "new" due date and 35 weeks and 5 days by the "original" due date.

Both Caterpillars were born at 35 weeks, so either one is pretty close to spot-on for my "normal" deliveries.

Right. Pray. Please. I'm a little nervous about going to the hospital too soon (they'll strap me down to monitors as soon as I get there, because she's premature), but nervous about waiting to long.

Updates and news as it comes.

~Lone Butterfly )i(

On the Second Day of Christmas

My true love gave to me...

A day with my family!

The entire family had to wake up early today. Hubby was driving the Royals to the airport for an early flight, while the Caterpillars and I had to make it to the Specialist office for Baby Larva's weight check.

The great news is that Baby Larva is up to 3 lbs 2 oz, which moves her from the 9th to the 11th percentile. The technician also found that she was still not practice breathing, so I'm following all the same doctor's orders that I was given a few weeks ago. I'll be going back in two weeks for yet another weight check.

Schoolwork was the order of the day for Caterpillars, but they didn't have much to do and finished in pretty good time. After a brief nap (CW has been feeling tired, so many things to do this week!) we headed out to BooSheep's house. She and Little Sheep spent the day at home and it was nice to help her break up the day a bit.

Little Sheep loved showing off his new trains and kitchen to the Caterpillars and they enjoyed just being with him. B10 and Little Sheep played and watched a Joe episode of "Blues Clues", Little Sheep even wanted to sit with Hubby in the chair.

CW brought Cletus over to show BooSheep.

Dinner was drive-through Wendy's brought back to the house, but often the best times are those that have the least planning and stress.

From there, we headed home to play another round of Super Mario Galaxy.

It's been a great week and it's not over yet! Cookie and Doc come home tomorrow (we've missed them so much) and we have another week ahead of us to spend time with my side of the family.

Not to mention I have a Caterpillar birthday coming up!

The fun's not over yet. ;)

~Lone Butterfly )i(

Sometimes The News Ain't Great -

Today was my maternal-fetal specialist appointment. It was suppose to be just a quick ultrasound to confirm that everything was hunky-dory, then I'd be on my way (and back to my regular OB next Wednesday).

That's not exactly what happened. Apparently, I've been gaining weight at a good pace. Unfortunately, Baby Larva hasn't seen much of that weight gain (I'm not sure where it's gone!), and is still pretty small.

In fact, even though she's now weighing in at 2 lbs 6 oz, she's gone from being a small baby in the 16% percentile to being a small baby in the 9% percentile. Not what they want to see at all. The fluid around her is good (there's plenty) and the umbilical cord looks good from the brief views they had today. Needless to say, they don't understand the drop, considering I've maintained a good weight gain.

Also, they tried to get a recording of her "practice breathing" - something babies at her stage should be doing regularly. They couldn't get her doing it at all. Now, the nurse seemed much less concerned than the doctor. She kept telling me that the organs are developing fine and as long as Baby Larva can breathe when she's born - that's the important milestone!

Poor Queen was sitting in the waiting room knitting, not knowing why I was taking so long!

So, here's the game plan. This was suppose to be my last visit to the specialist. Instead, I'll be going back next Friday for two tests. One will take a closer look at the umbilical cord (that's the first thing they want to eliminate in her low weight gain). The second will try and capture a more detailed picture of her diaphragm to catch her "practice breathing".

Then I'll go back to the specialist the day after Christmas to have another ultrasound and Baby Larva weight check. Until she's above the 10-15% percentile, they want to see me every week. The specialist is also calling my doctor (who I see next Wednesday) to confer about starting steroids earlier (like now...) and other ways to help me gain weight.

I'm suppose to rest even more (but still not total bed rest, for now), eat more protein and to help with the breathing I have been told to drink one entire 20 oz caffeinated beverage every other day. On the opposite days I'm suppose to eat a king sized candy bar. Apparently the processed sugar will help her kick start into the breathing - or give her hiccups, which count as "practice breathing".

I know most women would be delighted by that prospect, but I can't say it really excites me. I prefer carrots... But for the good of my daughter, I suppose I can force down a king sized Snickers or Hersey Bar every other day.

Please keep us in your prayers. This isn't going to be easy or fun for any of us, but now that the Caterpillars are here through Christmas - I really want to spend as much time as possible with them. Less stress, but still making memories, is my goal for the next 3 weeks!

~Lone Butterfly )i(

The Crib Set

I was thrilled when I found the crib set Hubby and I wanted online - and seeing it now actually on the bed - in the painted room - it's SO exciting!



It's perfect and looks so awesome. The baby positioner was one of my favorite things that I had when CW and B10 were babies. (Thank you, BooSheep, for the new one!)

Hubby's grandmother and aunts gave us the set at the shower yesterday.

The diaper stacker is adorkable! I can't wait to fill it with diapers! (Not that I like changing diapers, but I LOVE organizing diapers!)

I'll post more pictures as we put away more things. CW and B10 are excited to see the room taking shape, also. I think it helps make Baby Larva seem more "real" to them.

In the words of Smith - "I love it when a plan comes together!"

~Lone Butterfly )i(

December Showers Bring Baby Larva Flowers -

Or at least flowery clothes!

HappyOne and The Gardener (who really DOES need a blogname for herself) threw me a wonderful baby shower today.

Edelweiss helped by baking cupcakes that were totally edible by ME! (I just love it when she feels the urge to adapt recipes so I can have treats to eat. I like to think the challenges I present keep her interested in baking.) ;)




Baby Larva and I received many wonderful gifts. Most of which I cannot wait to show you when they are all put up in her room. That, however, requires Hubby's help - and he's a bit preoccupied trying to find silly songs to sing with 6 year old boys tomorrow. (Please, do not ask about the hidden lives of those of us in scouting...)


The room was absolutely beautiful, all decorated with old quilts and baby pictures of Hubby and myself. It was just right for the barn theme that matches Baby Larva's bedroom.


You'll notice BooSheep is sitting beside me as I open presents. Luckily I trust her not to try and sneak off with any girly baby gifts that she might like for Baby Sheep. (Plus, HappyOne was writing everything down, so she couldn't have even if she wanted too!)

(I do NOT know why she is staring at the dog's bottom...)

There were chicken nuggets, hummus with veggies, lime sherbet punch, chocolate covered strawberries (thank you, Cookie!), cupcakes and fresh fruit - all delicious things I can eat!


And they put books on each table, all gifts for Baby Larva's library.

Thank you so much to everyone who came - it was such an awesome time to see family and friends and celebrate the Baby Larva's impending arrival. I hope others who took pictures will email me those.

She's also thankful, or at least that's what I think a foot in my stomach translates too. ;)

~Lone Butterfly )i(

Baby Gift

Baby Larva received a beautiful baby gift from my sister-in-law's mother.



It's a handmade quilt, with wonderful colors and sitching! I can't wait to place it in Baby Larva's room, the underside is so soft...I just know she'll love laying on it!



I'm hoping to get a few more pictures (good ones) before it becomes a favorite of the furry daughter!


Thank you, Mrs. Sister-In-Law's-Mum!


~Lone Butterfly )i(

Baby Larva's Room - Coming Right Along

So, about 5-6 weeks ago we realized we had a dilemma.


The crib (which I love) that was purchased for CW is European. The crib mattress, a gift from Edelweiss (and LG), is American.


This wasn't going to work at all... (except for Bathsheba, who very much enjoyed the stuff in the crib...)


To import a crib mattress that fit the crib would be very expensive, so we decided to get a new crib (actually, not that much more expensive than the new crib mattress). Mum and I had to fight to get it put together (angled screws and cam locks were DRIVING US CRAZY!), but as you can see it's beautiful!



The quilt is one I made for B10 when he was born, it's not Baby Larva's nursery set - but it looks pretty for now.


As an added bonus, the crib actually matches the wood in the Master Bedroom, which works out perfectly, since I'm using on of the bedside tables from that set in the nursery. When we convert it to a toddler bed, we can continue to use the same dresser.


Mum and I also may have made a side trip to Carter's. Baby Larva's closet is coming along. I may follow BooSheep's lead and take a few photos of the awesome outfits I've found so far!


It's not as much as it looks, though, since that's her entire wardrobe for the first year of her life! I've been VERY impressed (by Carter's especially) by how many OTHER color options are out there other than pink.


Which is not to say she doesn't have a few pink items in her closet. Her "My First Atlanta Braves" shirt being one of those. I've also found a few brown/pink items that I've gotten for her.


My main idea, though is that I'm depending on Queen to help me make a batch of hairbows in "boy colors", so Baby Larva can wear a ton of hand-me-downs. ;D


Woo Hoo! I'm actually enjoying this part.


~Lone Butterfly )i(

It's Hard To Update When There's No WiFi -

I went to the OB yesterday for Baby Larva and I to have our 24 week appointment. She had been measuring a little small at our 20 week appointment - so they wanted us to get there early enough to have another ultrasound done and check her size.

During the ultrasound, the tech did one of those scary things - where she stopped talking to us (Hubby and I) and started taking lots of pictures. Then said the doctor would talk to us shortly.

At that moment, I felt a bit nervous, but hey - I've had preterm contractions for all three other pregnancies, so figured it had something to do with that.

Yeah, it didn't.

To make a very long story short, the doctor was concerned we were going to have a Thanksgiving Larva, which would be 28 weeks, for those of you counting. WAY to early! She sent me directly to the hospital, to hook me up on all sorts of testing equipment. Um, that's when the fear kicked in.

I've been to the hospital with each of the other pregnancies, but it was always when I was past 30 weeks, and having to many contractions. Never this kind of issue, and never this early.


Hubby stayed with me for quite a while, through the two attempts at starting an IV (yay - pump me full of fluids), the blood draws to run tests, and the hooking up to monitors. Plus the delightful compression leg-thingies that I hated. Then he headed home, while Cookie came up to spend the night.

To add excitement, they decided to run the glucose (gestational diabeties) test while I was in the hospital, which meant drinking nasty sugar soda water and fasting during dinner time until they could draw yet more blood.



Considering I was pumped full of fluids, I managed to get a pretty good night's sleep, as did Mum. She stayed through the morning ultrasound (7:30 a.m.) and through breakfast, before she had to leave for school. Queen had called and asked if I wanted her to come sit for a while with me, and I said "PLEASE".

I'm so glad she was able to come up, as my doctor came in to discharge me shortly thereafter. They feel Baby Larva is going to make it to early January, and so "our" job is to make sure she gains enough weight (and her lungs grow) so she'll be in less danger if she's born at 32-34 weeks. 35 weeks will be considered a huge success. I gained 5 pounds in the last four weeks, and they want me to gain at least 3 before my next appointment on November 19th.

I'm not on bedrest, just on "rest in bed often-rest". I can handle that. Really. I can! :)

I was a bit bummed, because today was suppose to be my last day of work, and I missed it.

But thank God that we made the decision to have me leave work now, as the timing couldn't have been better for Baby Larva's sake or my own.

~Lone Butterfly )i(