Two weeks old

I can't believe it already, Mackenzie is two weeks old. She becomes more and more beautiful everyday as she grows and changes. At her doctor's appointment yesterday she was 5 pounds, 14 ounces, 19.75 inches long. They are very happy with her growth, etc and we are as well.

We are now in full swing of being up all night as she dictates and trying to figure out the best ways to care for her. It seems as though she has some gas issues either from feeding too fast or from what I am eating before she eats. The pediatrician gave us a list of foods that I eat that will make it worse and those that will make it better. This list is more particular than the diabetic diet was. She has done better the last two days so we will see how things go.

Everyday brings us something new. Yesterday she had her first bottle of breastmilk from her daddy instead of directly from me. She seemed to enjoy it. She is awake often during the day and her nights are touch and go. Some nights she sings her little song for hours whereas other nights she will sleep for 4-6 hours at a time. Josh goes back to work Monday so it is time to start working on a schedule for her.

She likes to be held on your chest when you sit in the recliner. She also likes when we hold her and walk around or dance. Josh is particularly good with holding her and keeping moving to keep her happy. She loves to sit in her swing or her bounces but only if she's in the mood for it.

Overall, things seem to be going well. I just hope we can be the best parents that we can to this wonderful little girl.

Peds Appointment

I learned a valuable lesson today at the pediatrician's office. We had to go for a weight check on Mackenzie to make sure she is putting on weight and being adequately breastfed. While we were in the waiting room, she managed to both spit up on herself and have an explosive poop that went all over her outfit. After we cleaned her up and got weighed (5 lbs 6 oz) she sneezed and lost a big booger. Anyway, we waited a bit and the doctor came in. We saw a resident who will remain nameless since he is from MUSC. He came in, introduced himself and immediately recognized me. I couldn't remember if I was nice to him or not during his month in 1-West so I didn't want to initiate the whole "do I know you?" thing. He did ask and learned that I worked in the ER blah blah. He asked us all of the questions and then examined Mackenzie. He complimented us on how beautiful she is and I had to open my big mouth and say "Yes she is". Meanwhile my husband laughed and thanked him. Twice now I was rude. I didn't mean to be. I, oddly enough, get uncomfortable being the patient---especially in Peds world which I know nothing about. Of course, when the attending came in to say hello and complimented us I had the normal human response and said "thanks". All day long Josh has been picking on me for this.

I now get the feeling that I probably was not nice to him during his month with us and probably need to be more careful of that especially since now my baby could end up in the middle of it. I have no reason from a patient's perspective to believe that he is in anyway a bad doctor or anything. We see the same attending next week, maybe he'll be there again and I'll be able to redeem myself. Be nice to the off-service residents, you never know who could be taking care of your baby.

Baby Poop Explosion

Today we went to Babies R Us to pick up a few items. When we returned Josh was sitting with Mackenzie in the recliner. She was on his lap facing outward and we were all having a good time. Next thing we know she lets out the biggest fart ever to come out of someone that small. I laughed so hard that I had tears running down my face. It was time for feeding so she got handed to me for clean-up. I can honestly say I was disappointed in this particular poop. It was pretty small for the amount of noise it made on the way out. While I was feeding her, Josh came in and we started talking and laughing about it. I kept shaking her as I was laughing and I told Josh that he couldn't make me laugh because it would put "bubbles in the milk".

Later tonight I was giving Mackenzie her pre-bedtime massage when my mom came in to say goodnight. It is their last night here which makes me really sad. This whole living 700 miles away thing has only become harder since we decided to start a family. I had Mackenzie half-dressed and half-diapered during this emotional Mother-daughter moment since I had just found that she peed somehow through her diaper barely getting it wet and onto the changing table cover. Mom went to bed--enter Josh. He came in and I started to clean her and saw that she was starting to poop too. I told him that I was waiting for the explosion. We stood there for a second and next thing.... explosive poo! It was all over everything and simply prophetic that I was actually standing there waiting for it! We both started laughing again until we were crying. Josh couldn't even stay in the room with me he was laughing so hard.

First Night Home

July 9th was our first night home with our Mackenzie. It was, so far, the longest night of my life. We put her in the bassinet in our room so that she would be closer. Everytime she made a noise Harleigh would be up to check on her. On the bed, off the bed all night long. First, she spit up all over the entire sheet. This, of course was found by the dog. After a fresh sheet, she was put back in the bassinet. When we checked on her next, it was pee that we found all over her adorable sleeper. The rest of the night was a lot of feeding and holding. Unfortunately since she is breastfed I am the only one who can do the every 2-3 hour feedings. Josh did manage to get minimal sleep which helped me out in the morning when I finally got some rest. Thank goodness for my mom who watched Mackenzie that afternoon as well so we both got naps for a few hours.

The Mack's Arrival

Josh started a blog on here which inspired me to look at mine and I realized that I haven't updated on here for 4 weeks. I'm not sure where the time goes and it's only getting worse as we get busier.

I went to my usual OB appointment with the CNM at 38 weeks. She asked about scheduling induction which we hadn't yet done. We requested July 8th (so she could have 7/8/9 as her birthday) but that date was booked. We were put down on the 6th and 7th just in case the unit would be too full. The first day were called off but told to come on the second at 6:30 am. We all (Josh, myself, Mom and Dad) got up at 4:30 am so that we could all be ready to go on time. I was in the bathroom when Josh came in and let me know that I could go back to bed because the hospital had called and said that we're not "on call" for 8am. When we called at 8 we were good to go.
We arrived to L&D around 0900 and were greeted by a former co-worker of mine, Jenny. I was happy to see a familiar face since ER nurses aren't exactly comfortable with OB stuff. She was wonderful. My IV was in and a short time later the CNM came in to check me. I was still the same 1cm that I have been for a month! Pitocin was started and increased throughout the day. I had nothing more than some cramping and thought to myself "wow this isn't so bad". They shut everything off at 1830, let me eat, shower and wander around the hospital for a few hours. We walked the halls the whole time hoping that this would help bring Mackenzie down. The plan for the evening was to get "low-dose" pitocin all night and then turn it up in the morning and try again. All night I barely slept despite the Ambien that was given to me wondering if it truly were possible to be pregnant forever. My nurse, Ruth checked on me frequently and let me know that the plans for the evening had changed since there were 2 emergency c-sections and another patient delivering as well.
At 0600 the CNM came in and broke my water. This wasn't too uncomfortable despite what I've heard about it but I was disappointed to hear that I was only 1.5 cm and still 50% effaced. This CNM was leaving for the day but felt very strongly that I'd have a baby by lunchtime. A few of my friends came down as they were leaving for work and with the pitocin going now I was becoming more and more uncomfortable. I hate being a pest so I tried to just watch TV with Josh and Mom. Later in the morning IV meds were offered and I jumped at the chance to get them. I was comfortable for a little while but then just became so tired that I'd sleep between contractions and then wake up for it crying in pain. Around 10:30 they offered me the epidural and I again accepted the offer. By 1100 the anesthesiologist was at my bedside claiming that he couldn't let me sign consent for my epidural because I had received "mind-altering medication". I said well then my husband will sign, he then said that I wasn't altered enough and that this wasn't considered an emergency. Unfortunately I was in too much pain to get snippy but Josh and Mom along with the OB team made sure that they found a loophole to get me an epidural. At 11:30 it was placed and I wasn't really feeling any relief. 1145 I was laying in bed asking why it wasn't working. I was assured that it takes up to 30 minutes to work and to be patient. The CNM wanted to wait until I had relief but checked me anyway and I was 5cm. I remember her telling my nurse, Donna that it wouldn't take long. Whatever that was supposed to mean I wasn't sure. At 1200 I was laying on my side in agonizing pain crying and yelling. Anesthesia was called to come and change my epidural since this one wasn't working. By 1215 Josh summoned staff because I felt the urge to push. They checked me and I was 10cm. I said that I wasn't ready b/c I needed my epidural and they told me it was too late. At 1329 Mackenzie was brought into the world. I can't believe I did it like that and am so incredibly proud of myself. She was 5 lbs 10 oz, 19.5 inches long. She was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.