Rounding out October

October is drawing to a close already and yesterday was our due date.  It's kind of funny to me to consider, since Jayden is already two weeks old.  Oh, how the time moves.  I remember this with Layla as well.  The days pass quickly and you can rarely say that you did more than feed and change a baby.  Of course, now we have two kids to take care of and so the days are naturally more busy. Jayden is a good sleeper and generally easy going which makes it more manageable that it might otherwise be.

Last weekend we braved Didier Farms; we went last year to get our pumpkins.  This year we took part in the carnival aspect more than the pumpkin picking.  Neither Jason or I was feeling strongly about pumpkin carving.  Mom and Dad had already gotten Layla a couple of small pumpkins at the farmer's market, so she didn't really want another one.

She did, however, love the big slide (more than last year) and the car rides.  She also went on a pony ride, which was my favorite.

Jayden had his two week check up on Thursday and is doing well.  He was almost up to 6 pounds, 11 ounces.  He has been gaining almost an ounce a day since we left the hospital, so he won't be a little peanut for too much longer.

Layla's Halloween Parade at school was yesterday and she was Cinderella!  I know, I know.  I am not a supporter of the Princess obsession adopted by our culture.  However, she is very innocent about it and didn't want to be anything else.  I keep thinking about how blown away she is going to be when she learns that Cinderella has her own movie.  We may have to get that for her for Christmas. I guess that's what snowy days in February are for.....

Here's a few pics of the week in review.

Fire Engine Captain

She waited a whole turn so that she could be front of the line and drive the fire engine!

Car Ride - Cute Convertible!

Big Sis Pumpkin Photo

It didn't seem worthwhile to wake Jayden up for the photo, though I really consdered it. 

Pony Ride

It was beautiful weather, unseasonably warm all weekend. 

Jayden took over Layla's job as leaf disposal supervisor while Jason and I worked in the yard. 

We have been utterly spoiled by amazing gifts from friends and family over the last two weeks.

Eventually, I'll get my Thank You notes out, but in the meantime I had to share this one. 

Layla got this book from Aunt Sue, Uncle Rick and cousins Michael, Heidi and Olivia. 

It is personalized with the kids names and Layla really loves it! 

One of Jason's clients sent an Edible Arrangements gift.  If you haven't seen this it's like a bouquet made of fruit, but they also sent a balloon, with a note: Balloon is for the Big Sister.  These nice people have four kids so they know what they're talking about.

It should be noted that this gift arrived just a few short days after we had gotten her hair cut, at which she got a balloon, which got caught on a bush and popped on the walk home.  Insert crying three year old, who loves balloons, especially pink ones from 'the haircut store'. 

I think you can tell how much she liked the new balloon.  She fell asleep clutching it.  Two nights in a row.  We'll see if tonight is three in a row. 

 Cinderellie, Cinderellie

If that crown looks familiar you may have one too, from Carrie's bachelorette party.  In 2004.  

I think it's a good sign that I keep things too long.  But, it did come in handy!

Layla and Jayden on his due date yesterday. 

She is getting the hang of holding him in her lap!

Bili-Baby

The first week went off mostly without a hitch; really it went well until Mom and Dad left.  They helped us get done everything that we intended to do BEFORE Jayden got here.  They did lots of laundry, put away baby clothes, moved furniture from the den to the house, cleaned and filled the refrigerator full of food.  They cooked for us for several days and made the transition home so much easier.  Wednesday morning they packed up and left.  Thankfully, my fridge was still pretty full of food!

Wednesday afternoon we had a check up for Jayden with the pediatrician. I had noticed that he looked a little yellow on Tuesday when we went out for out walk.  This is a very hard thing to discern at home under incandescent lighting.  Outside he looked a little yellow, at the doctors office he looked a little pumpkin-colored.  The doctor was pleased with his weight gain since we left the hospital and overall that he looked healthy.  She ordered a blood test to check his bilirubin level. 

Wednesday evening she called us and said that she was working on getting a bed for Jayden at the hospital and that we had to take him back to receive photo-therapy because his bilirubin levels were too high.  Here's a link to learn more about elevated bilirubin/jaundice if you are so inclined: http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/tc/jaundice-in-newborns-hyperbilirubinemia-topic-overview

Needless to say it was pretty overwhelming to be told that we had an hour to get ready and go back to the hospital.  I was the obvious choice to stay with him since I am nursing, and Jason would stay home with Layla.  Understandably, she was quite upset that Mom and Jayden had to go back to the hospital.

This situation is pretty common and "routine" according to the pediatricians and nursing staff at the hospital.  In fact, we were the 4th "Bili-Baby" on the pediatric ward Wednesday night.  As you can imagine it doesn't feel very routine when it's your 6 day old baby!

The photo-therapy involves sleeping in an incubator with "Bili-lights" (blue lights) above the bed and sleeping on a "Bili-blanket".  Not a blanket at all but a flat light emitter that looks like a big spatula, intended to get the light onto the babies back.  The baby wears cotton eye patches to protect his eyes and a diaper.

It was a weird and unsettling and he slept a lot, I guess it's like being back in the womb? Very dark and warm.  He was so sleepy he wasn't nursing well, and we had to give him some bottles.   The good news is that he responded well to the treatment and on the second night we were able to turn the lights off.  His bilirubin level was re-tested on Friday morning, to insure that there was no "re-bound" in the level and we were finally able to go home, again.

Hopefully, we won't have to be back at the hospital.  Ever.

Our "Bili-Baby" under the "Bili-lights" and on the "Bili-Blanket"

Layla was very excited to help feed Jayden a bottle when she came to visit. 

 Back home on Friday, looking better than ever!

Baby Jayden is here!

Click here to view these pictures larger

So it's been quite a whirlwind week!  Our son, Jayden, came into this world on Thursday last week.  What an amazing birthday, 10/11/12!  I had teased Carrie that she should select to have her c-section on this date and then, it turns out I was the one to have my baby that day.

Last Tuesday I visited the Dr. for my weekly appt., according to my projected due date I was 37 weeks 4 days gestation.  These regular visits include measuring my belly.  The measurements are generally equated to gestation, i.e. at 37 weeks my belly should be measuring 37 cm.  The acceptable range is 35-39 cm.   This week I was measuring at 34 cm, actually smaller than the previous week's measurement of 35 cm.  As a precaution my doctor ordered an ultrasound.  He felt that the baby was probably 6.5 pounds or so and seemed well, but the measurement was something we should look into.  Also the baby's head was very low and that might be the reason.

I was a little anxious about it, but was able to get an appointment for Wednesday afternoon.  I also had an appointment to get my haircut, get new headshots taken for the business website and go out to dinner with Jason and Layla.  I didn't get too far on any of those other things.  On Wednesday I went to the  hospital for the ultrasound and was pleased to see all was well with the little munchkin.  Heart and lungs and organs were all looking good and strong.  The ultrasound technician estimated his weight at 6 pounds, 11 ounces.  She did note that the fluid levels were low and spent time re-measuring them around my belly.  Then she went to get consult the doctor.

Now, I remember someone telling me that getting an ultrasound is not anything to worry about unless the tech goes to talk to the doctor.....and she was gone a long time.  When she came back she said that she showed the levels to the doctor at the hospital and he suggested that I be induced today.  They had called the doctor on call for our practice and he had instructed that I go immediately to the [other] hospital to be admitted for induction.  Whoa!  It was quite a shock.

I had a mini panic attack in the hospital lobby and then called Jason.  He was equally shocked but we had to get our plan together fast.  Not having talked to the doctor myself and being delivered this information by the ultrasound tech was a bit unsettling.  Nonetheless I got into the car and started making phone calls.  I had a 20 minute drive at least between the two hospitals.  I called my Mom and Dad, Allie, the salon where I was supposed to be getting my hair cut (in time for baby!), and my friend Leslie who had offered to take care of Layla should we need her.

Leslie had had both her kids with the same practice as us, so it was re-assuring talking to her and of course, that she would be able to take care of Layla overnight and everything would be fine.  Thank God for Leslie!  It was such a huge weight off my mind to know that Layla would be taken care of.

When I get to the hospital the nurses usher me into my room, get me in the gown, hooked up to fetal monitors and start an iv.  Still, I haven't talked to the doctor but the care team there had been given instruction that I was being induced and they were going to get me ready!  The women's services ward was very busy and my doctor had 5 women in labor already when I got there.  It was going to be a hectic night for everyone! 

Finally, the doctor came and talked through with me what the low fluid levels meant (placenta was not functioning properly) and that he felt that the levels we too low and not safe for the baby.  He examined me and determined that pitocin would be adequate for induction, rather than some more invasive practices that they can perform.

Jason arrives at the hospital, in a state of shock.  He had left work and gone home to pack overnight bags for Layla, me and him.  He went to Layla's school to see her and explain that she was going to get her first slumber party with one of her best friends, and on a school night no less! She was worried that I hadn't come to pick her up, but very excited once she heard that Mom was in the hospital and that her brother would be here the next day.

Here's the general play-by-play for the rest of the evening:  7:00 start pitocin, 9:00 break water, 10:00 contractions are getting really intense!, 11:00 ask for epidural, 11:45 epidural is in legs are numb, try to sleep, 3:00 nurse checks our progress (7cm!), 4:00 nurse checks progress and says,  'oh crap! we need to get the doctor in here right now, wake your husband up!' 4:12 start pushing, 4:13 Jayden is here!!!!

He was 6 pounds, 7 ounces and perfect in every way.  We were over the moon excited and overwhelmed to have him with us.  Here are some pictures of the first couple of days.

Big Sister Practice

37 weeks plus, let the countdown roll on!

Layla is learning to swaddle and get her baby into the swing.

Proud Big Sister to "Big Baby".  Not to be confused with the little one, Bebe.

The official smile!

Fall days!

Monday morning we had a check up with the doctor for 36 (!) weeks; now we are into weekly appointments.  All is looking good: the baby is head down and my body is preparing to get him out (I'll spare you the details).   After our appt. we headed to the hospital for Layla's "Siblings Tour".  This is a private tour given by a hospital volunteer to familiarize the siblings with the hospital.  We figured it was worthwhile for her to visit ahead of the baby's arrival. 

She got to see the nursery, the labor and delivery rooms, and look at all the equipment that goes along with it.  At our hospital you labor, deliver, and recover all in one room (of course, not if you have to have a c-section).  It's nice to not have to move (they come in a replace your bed after delivery), but last time we arrived in the middle of the night and I have to say I had no recollection of what the place looked like outside of my room.   The maternity ward has been redecorated and has HUGE televisions (as truthfully reported by Dr. B).   I don't think I watched really any TV last time, but maybe I will this time, since Jason may not stay with me both nights.  We will see.  It was a nice refresher for Mom and Dad, although Jason remembered where the snacks and good ice were, so he is all set.

Hospital Tour with Ms. Anne.  Layla telling her about her baby brother on the way!

Last weekend Layla and I visited our friends in central Illinois.  At first Layla was a little confused about going to Noah's house.  They are starting the new school year at the beginning of the bible and she asked me about 5 times on the way if we were going to the Ark.  Turns out Noah has some really cool toys, so that was good replacement for the Zoo/Ark she was expecting.

Noah has a Peg Perego Tractor like Layla's except this one is powered and seats two kids.  Janelle and Andy live on a cul-de-sac on a very quiet street and the kids took turns driving around and around and around.  They (Layla) only drove up on the curb a dozen times.....Noah screeched at her every time she was driving: "Slow Down!", "Don't hit the car!" and so on.  She did get the hang of it pretty quickly and thankfully knows left and right.  But Noah was apparently feeling the way all men do when us women are driving. 

Friday night Jason had our long-awaited Anniversary dinner date at Table Fifty-Two.  We had to cancel earlier in the summer since we couldn't find a babysitter.  Thanks for Bridgette for making it happen for us.   It was delicious although we really could have skipped the entrees and stuck with appetizers, salads and sides.  My mouth is still watering over the macaroni and cheese and pecan pie.  

 Jumping for leaves!  What a beautiful fall we are having.  Layla loves to see the changing colors, but is as disheartened as the rest of us that it gets darker earlier every day.  Also, why don't the leaves turn blue? 

This weekend and next week we are kicking the baby prep into high gear:  set up the crib, install the car seat, pack the hospital bag and get the baby clothes washed and changing table set up.  I have appointments for a hair cut, mani/pedi, and we are making a trip to Lincoln Park for Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder.  I only hope that I can fit into the booths!