The Recovery

The next 4 days were spent entertaining a 3 year old while he was couped up in the hospital.  Jeremy drove down as soon as he got word that Jase was going to have surgery and he arrived a little later Sunday afternoon. Between having a little boy in the hospital and a newborn at home we were constantly juggling back and forth between my parent's house and being with Jase at all times. 

Jeremy stayed until Wednesday, then the demands of work got too stressful and he felt he had to head back. It was a huge help having him there because he spent most of the time with Jase. The poor guy even  slept at the hospital for the three nights he was there. Thankfully the hospital is geared towards kids and they had quite a bit of things for them to do. I think Jase watched Toy Story 3 at least twice (sometimes three times) a day and mastered Angry Birds on the iPad.

On Monday the nurses said Jase needed to get up and walk around to help get things moving inside him. It was quite painful for him to get up, but once the Morfin would kick in and he had a chance to sleep in off a little bit he would feel pretty good. 

He loved the playroom and became especially fond of a Batman action figure that he loved being  reunited with every time he got to go. Kylie also enjoyed Jase's time there!! He's definitely a boy through and through though because he would have nothing to do with any kind of craft projects they had going on!

After Jeremy had been there most of the day  I would switch him off and to give him a chance to eat and rest and spend time with the girls before his night shift would start again. 

We had a good time walking, or rather, riding the halls. We learned later that we could take him off the floor and even outside just as long as we didn't leave the campus. 

Jase's big brown eyes and "amazing three year old hair" was the talk of the floor. The nurses and doctors thought he was the cutest things ever. He was so laid back and easy going and seemed to take everything as they came. 

Grandma thought it would be fun to have little Nerf guns that he could use to shoot the nurses when they came to his room. Of course he loved that idea and would take them with him when he walked the halls. Everyone soon learned he was the boy with the guns. He especially caught the attention of the floor's security guard who loved having wars with him. Jase would have his Nerf guns and Mark the security guard would have syringes full of water. Those two became quite the buddies and before Mark left on his last of his three day shift he hunted Jase down and said good-bye to him. 

We were warned by the surgeon that probably a couple days into recovery we would have a "train wreck day" where he would start to become pretty restless and annoyed from being there and as they were also trying to cut back on the pain meds. That day for us hit Wednesday. Jeremy gave him a sponge bath that morning which he wasn't fond of and that's when Jase really got a good look at his incisions and he was NOT happy!!

Jase asked Jeremy what they were and Jeremy told him that is where they went into his belly to fix his tummy ache. Jase made it very clear right then that he didn't want to be fixed! Or more specially he didn't want anymore scars. I think mostly he just didn't want them to hurt.

Also, Wednesday marked a whole week from when he had actually been able to eat something and keep it down and I think he was anxious to eat again. Monday and Tuesday he was only able to have 1 oz of ice chips every three hours, but by Wednesday they wanted to start him on liquids. The boy is a big time drinker so he was stoked to finally get something to drink!  But what he really wanted was Macaroni and Cheese and all morning that was all he asked/whined for.  

Jeremy left mid afternoon on Wednesday and then it was Grandma's turn to hang out. She was the very funnest of all. 

She took him for rides all over the hospital on his IV stand they names George. They also visited a super fun train display and watched the waterfalls by the front door.

Grandma was also the witness of him eating his first meal. They first tried Jello and then a few hours later he got his Mac & Cheese!!

His NG tube had fallen out Tuesday night when I was with him. He had just gotten done having a water fight with Mark and I think the water must have loosed the tape on the tube causing it to slip. We were in using the bathroom and he was complaining that he had a booger so I told him I would help him wipe it as soon as he was done. I put him back on his bed and I turned around for one second to  grab a tissue and all the sudden he starts crying, I look over and the NG tube is sitting in his lap.  I panicked for a split second thinking they were going to have to put it back in, but thankfully since he had been off suction for the whole day anyway and he had tolerated it well, they were planning to take it out anyway.

I spent the night with him on Wednesday night and for sure by Thursday he was ready to come home.
The requirements to leave were, he had to be able to eat and tolerate solid foods and pass gas and both he was doing like a champ!

While we were waiting for the surgeon to give us the final OK to leave we wandered the halls and found ourselves a room with an air hockey table. We played that for a good long time, but what he had been really dying to do was..

 crawl through this tunnel. He had had his eye on it for quite sometime, but since he was hooked up to his IV he couldn't go though it. It was the last we did has we left the hospital that day.

We were so grateful to finally be back at Grandma and Grandpa's house! I was grateful to finally be able to be with all the kids at the exact same time!

I can not even begin to explain how appreciative I was for all the help we had. Everyone had to sacrifice one way to another to help us out this week and I couldn't be more grateful. I am so glad this happened in AZ where we had a ton of family to help as we shuffled kids and baby milk back and forth and all around. We have also had an overwhelming response from friends and ward members back at home. We've had meals offered and people mowing our lawn for us. We've had millions of phone calls and text messages asking how Jase is doing and wondering what they can do to help. I'm not one that responds well to whole bunch of attention or help, but I am truly grateful for the love people have shown us. Once again I am learning to let people serve and to just be grateful for it.

Jase was such a sweet little boy while he was there and I am so grateful to have my happy healthy little guy is back with his infectious smile and bright eyes. I love that boy like crazy!!!

Emergency Surgery

We try our best  to keep life as interesting as possible around here and this week didn't disappoint. It all started about two weeks ago when the Kylie and Jase were staying with my parents in AZ for a week. My mom called one day and said that for the past two nights Jase has woken up complaining of a stomachache. She would take him to the bathroom and help him get comfortable again and that was kind of it. 

Jeremy, Addley and I drove down on Friday night so we could be here for my sisters farewell talk. Jeremy left Sunday and the kids and I had been spending the week just hanging out. My parents had taken my sister Amanda to Nauvoo for the first part of the week so we just hung around, swimming and kept it pretty low key.

On Wednesday night Jase started complaining again that his stomach really hurt. It was weird because the pain seem to come and go. He would be fine one minute and then in pain the next and then go back to being just fine. The kids and I were all sleeping in the same room and between Addley waking up to eat and Jase waking up to complain about his stomach, no one was getting any sleep so I brought Jase out to the couch and him and I tried to get some sleep out there. We weren't out there long before he started throwing up. 

Over the next three day he continued to get progressively worse including throwing up at Hobby Lobby, and then the next day at my sister Ashley's graduation from nursing school. The most puzzling thing to us and maybe should have been the biggest red flag was that he was would act and feel totally fine in between his stomachache episodes and it seemed that there were no rhyme or reason for when they would come on. He also didn't seem contagious and was happy when he wasn't hurting. 

Finally, Saturday came and he definitely was starting to show more signs that he wasn't feeling well.  He wasn't up and playing like he had been the other days and the stomachaches seemed to be coming on more frequently then they had been. As the day wore on, he spent most of it on the couch with a bowl next him throwing up everything he ate. We were doing our best to keep him hydrated, but he was losing energy and would fall asleep in a split second only to be woken up in pain. 

Finally about 12:30 am, he was pretty unconsolable and at one point he actually flopped over on the ottomon and immediately fell asleep and at that point we knew this was serious and we had to take him to the emergency room. So my dad and I loaded him up and headed to Cardon's Children's Hospital that is about 20 minutes from my parent's home. We were met by an amazing team of doctors and nurses that got us right in and started addressing our concerns.

The doctor came in to assess him and as soon as she lifted up his shirt and saw the scar across his belly (not to mention she witnessed him throwing up blood) I think she had a pretty good idea of what the problem was. She ordered x-rays and a CT scan.

The x-rays were easy, but the CT scan was awful! The actual CT scan wasn't the bad part it was the prep for it that was the all time worst thing in the world. 

First off he had to get an IV, which took the nurses four tries to get because of his dehydration. Thankfully they would numb the area first before they tried. Jase was so tired and so out of it that he would just lay there. He didn't care too much about what was going on. 

After his IV they stuck an NG tube up his nose and down his throat while he was AWAKE!! It was absolutely awful!! I NEVER EVER want to experience that as a parent again in my life!!

The poor little boy felt miserable and as his mom it tore me up inside to watch him helplessly!!

It was a relief when pain meds finally kicked in and he became exhausted enough to fall asleep. 

The  results of the x-rays and CT scan shown he had an obstructed bowel and adhesions (or scar tissue) all through out his small intestines. Basically part of his small intestines was either collapsed or possibly dead, we weren't sure, but it was serious and he needed surgery as soon as possible. The surgeon explained that the surgery would go one of two ways. She would first go in laprascopically and take care of all the adhesions and then get a closer look at his small intestines. If it looked like his intestines were just collapsed then she would be able to fix it laparascopically, but if apart of it was dead they would have to cut him open to cut the dead part out. My heart dropped when I heard that. The last thing in the world I wanted was for him to be opened up. As he was being wheeled back to the operating room, I was praying  harder than I have in a really long time that he wouldn't have to be cut open.

He was wheeled back to surgery a little after 8:00 am on Sunday morning. The surgeon and staff were amazing!! All during the surgery a nurse would call me on my phone and let me know exactly what was going on. I can not even tell you how relieved I was when the surgeon walked out to let us know she was finished and told us she was able to do it all laparascopically. He thankfully only had three tiny insiscion where she had to enter and the surgery went flawlessly.  The surgeon explained to us that the end of his small intestines that leads into his large intestines was completely collapsed and basically wadded up into a ball and his small intestines were also laced with scar tissue all through out. Both a result of his surgery from when he was a baby.  We later found out that his stomach is actually tucked up under his liver and  he's got a 15 to 20% chance to having to have a surgery like this again in his life. Neither of which I was aware of until now. 

I couldn't be more grateful for how everything turned out. I remember when Jase was a tiny 3lb preemie going through his surgery for the first time and then developing a blood infection that could have potentially been life threatening, we have always been blessed with the best outcome possible in every situation. I couldn't help, but keep that in the back of my mind as he was once again heading into surgery. I knew we had been blessed in the past and I could only pray we would be blessed again, and we were. Heavenly Father was mindful of my little boy and once again I feel a debt of gratitude and love to him for blessing us. 

Addley's First Photo Shoot

Prepare yourself for major picture overload. My good friend Kourtney took these pictures of Addley when she was 5 days old. You would think a newborn photo shoot would be easy. The baby sleeps and you just pose her where you want her, right? So not true!! Thankfully Kourtney warned me before hand and was so patient with a half awake/half asleeep little girl that wasn't fond of not being wrapped up tight and going without her binky for any length of time. 

Addley did seemed to be super smiley though and Kourtney caught some really cute shots of her. 

Enjoy!

Random Happenings

We're doing our best around here to find a new norm. We've been blessed to have a ton a help the last few weeks with my mom and Lexie here and then my dad and Amanda came a few days after Addley was born and then the rest of my family minus one of my brothers came for the weekend. I have loved having all the visitors and the kids of course are in heaven with all the attention. Jeremy's family has also been really nice to offer help as well.

We're still trying to figure out this babe's routine and we're hoping she will soon realize it's way more fun to be awake during the day and sleep at night rather than then other way around.  She loves to eat and she loves to be held. She's been one spoiled little girl!!

Kylie and Jase love her. I am surprised at how long Kylie will sit and hold her without getting bored. She tries to talk to her and tell her about things. If Addley starts to fuss a little Kylie frantically does anything she can to soothe her because she's afraid I will take her from her to soothe her myself.

Jase isn't much of the holding type. He talks about his 'baby girl" all the time and likes to see her, but insists that she is way too heavy for him. I guess until he has built up that muscle mass he'll just enjoy her in someone else's arms and with an occasional kiss.

I love her teeny tiny-ness. There is nothing like cuddling a newborn and I'll be sad when she's not this small anymore.

 I've been overwhelmed with all the love and kindness everyone have shown us. People have been so thoughtful with meals and gifts and baby showers and even flowers were sent from my doctor. 

A few weeks before Addley was born the awesome ladies I work with in Young Women's along with the young women threw me a surprise baby shower one night during one of our activities. It was so fun and I came away with some really nice gifts and this super cute motorcycle Minnie.

At her two week check-up she was up 2 oz from birth and has grown an inch. That puts her in the 22nd percentile for weight and 76th for length. I wasn't surprised to see that she had grown. She's a great little eater, well actually she's more of snacker.  She seems to prefer eating small amounts every hour and a half or so. I am hoping it's just because her tummy is tiny right now and she'll hopefully soon being willing to take more and extend those feeding times.

I've noticed how way more relaxed I am this time around. It's hard to compare much of this experience with Jase's but I know from Kylie and now this time I definitely don't worry about things as much. I remember with Kylie I was so focused on following all the rules I ever read in a book. I was always making sure I wasn't doing anything to produce bad habits whether it was with sleeping or eating or anything else I did with her, this time I find that I don't stress about it as much. I've been known to hold Addley pretty much all night long because she didn't want to be put down and I haven't been too worried about her frequent eating because I figure she'll grow out of it.  I think just from experience I have learned not to sweat the small stuff. I'm a stresser by nature, but this time I'm really trying to take each day and enjoy it because lets face it, if I didn't this whole three kid, we're out numbered thing just might kick our behinds!

Are You Kidding Me??

How could you not think that little face is the most adorable thing you have ever seen?

I can't get over how much I love this little girl. She is most definitely worth everything it took to get her to our family.  The spirit she brought with her is so overwhelming and I am truly blessed to be her mom!!

Welcome to the World, Baby Addley

I think to understand the whole story you have to know little of the backstory.
At about my 35 week appointment, my Dr started to be really concerned with how small my belly was looking. He measured me and I was measuring a couple weeks behind, so we did an ultrasound and her head and legs were measuring fine, but her stomach was really small which is the first sign of fetal distress is the womb.  Over all she wasn't quit in the danger zone, just the keep a close eye zone. I went back in a week later and my stomach was still appeared to be about the same size, and this time her heart rate was reading really high so I was put on the monitor to be watched for awhile. Thankfully overall her heart rate was just fine and they continued to keep a close watch on her size. I was also dilated a finger tip that week. 

At 37 weeks I was excited to find that I was dilated to a 2 1/2. My dr. stripped my membranes in hopes that it would help me go into labor on my own eventually. 

At 38 weeks I was dilated to a 3, but still measuring really small so I had another ultrasound which revealed again that her stomach was small, but over all she was maybe a week or two behind in size. That ultrasound also showed that the placenta was starting to go bad, but that can be normal this late in the game.  My dr. also told me he would be out of town for memorial weekend and if I didn't go into labor while he was gone then when he got back he said he would be comfortable discussing inducing me. Needless to say, it was a stressful weekend. I really didn't want to go into labor while he was gone, but I was getting more than ready to have this baby. 

Well, I definitely made it through the weekend and last Tuesday (the 29th) at my 39 week appt. my dr. comes walking  into the room laughing at me because I am still here. :) He said he couldn't believe I made it through the weekend, but that he was really glad I waiting until he got back into town. He said he had a plan, he was going to check me to see if I was progressing anymore, strip my membranes really really good and if he didn't see me in labor that night I was to come back on Thursday and he was going to do a thorough check of everything. And if everything looked good at that point then he was going to send me over to the hospital.  I was dilated to a 4+ and he definitely stripped my membranes REALLY well...that was not a good time!!

Still nothing happened. 

My mom and sister Lexie came into town on Tuesday and we spent that day and Wednesday mostly just hanging out, getting pedicures and doing any last minute things I thought should be done. 

Thursday morning finally came...remember I was really hoping to have her in May? Well, Thursday was May 31, the last day of the month, it couldn't have worked out any better!:) My dr appointment was at 9:50. Jeremy had to run into work early that day to send out a few last minute emails so my mom took me to my appt. so I wouldn't have to go to over the hospital by myself if he sent me. 

Once again my dr. walks into the room laughing and says, "I cannot believe you haven't gone into labor! My arm still hurts from stripping your membranes the other day!" He checks me one more time and I am now a 5. He says, "OK, I have been thinking about you for two days now and I know there are risks to inducing a VBAC, but with the progression you have shown and the fact that your baby is measuring so small and that your placenta doesn't appear to be extremely healthy, I think we should go have a baby today!" Music to my ears!! I was so excited! He said he had already called labor & delivery before I came and they are waiting for me. 

Here's my usual once-a-pregnancy-maternity photo taken right before we left for my dr. appointment.

Not long after I got to the hospital my dr. came over and broke my water. He said that even from being in his office just a little while before and now, that I had progressed even further and I was probably closer to a 6. I had been hooked up on the monitors so I could see that I was having contractions about 5 minutes apart, but I couldn't feel them. He told me that I was probably going to go fast so if I wanted an epidural then to get it sooner rather than later so I don't miss my opportunity. My water was broke at about 11, the Pitocin was started and my contractions really started to intensify after that. I had some pretty painful one and decided at that point I better get the epidural. I told my nurse I was feeling like such a wimp already asking for one, but she assured me that if I hadn't asked for one at that point she was going to strongly suggest it. I got the epidural at 12:50 and seriously I'm in love with those things. I probably said a thousand times to Jeremy and my mom, "I don't know how anyone does it without these." I was feeling good!! It wasn't strong enough that I couldn't feel what was going on. I knew when I was having a contraction, (mostly because I felt it in my back) but I just couldn't feel the pain and that is seriously the only way to go. 

At about 1:30 my nurse, who I really really liked by the way, went out to eat her lunch. She said she would be back in to check on me in a just a little while to see how fast I was progressing. While she was gone I said I predicted that Addley would be born around 4. I didn't want  get my hopes up for anything soon, but secretly I was hoping it really wouldn't take that long.  

My nurse came back at 2:00 to check me and when she did she said, "Whoa, I can see her head, you are ready to go." I was super surprised, I couldn't believe it was time. She started scrambling around the room getting everything ready while a few more people came in to help. We were already to go, I was ready to push, we were just waiting for my dr. to come over. While we were waiting, someone said something that made me laugh and the nurse said, "Whoa, don't laugh, or this baby may come flying out!" 

As my dr. walked in he said, "Geez, it takes everything I have to get you into labor, but once you are, you fly through it like a champ!"  I pushed through maybe 4 contractions and she was born at 2:23pm!  I honestly couldn't have asked for the day to go any better. It was perfect! It was fast! And it was easy! After Jeremy cut the cord they laid her on me for quite awhile, which I hadn't experienced before. I loved watching her as she tried to make sense of all that was going on around her. 

She came out with quite the set of lungs and was extremely wide-eyed for quite awhile after. Everyone kept commenting on how alert she was. She was finally in this world and she wasn't going to miss a thing!

 She weighed in at 7 lbs 1 oz and was 20 inches long. She was actually a lot bigger than everyone thought she would be. The nurses thought she was maybe only 5 lbs and my dr. was really surprised she was 7 lb considering the size of my belly.

She is a clear mix of both Kylie and Jase. Depending on her facial expression at any given moment she looks just like one of them. I have a picture almost exactly like this of Kylie.

 Not too long after, I was taken up to my room in postpartum. I affectionately call it a closet because of how small they are.

Jeremy's parents came down and my mom and Lexie brought the kids to meet their sister.

The kids came bearing gifts and we had cupcakes and balloons to celebrate her birthday. My kids love a good party!

 Addley's blood sugars were low at first so we fed her a bottle hoping that would help bring them up better. Kylie was instantly hooked the second she saw her baby sister. She was IN LOVE. She could not get enough of her. Jase on the other hand came in took one little peek, and headed to the corner to play with Grandma's iPad. He just wasn't interested at all. My mom and sister said that all day all he talked about was his new baby girl and getting to see his sister, but once he was here you couldn't pry him away from his game. 

Our first Family of Five picture. 

I am so blessed to be a mom!! I am over whelmed with the amount of love I feel for each one of my children. It's amazing how your heart can open up just that much more when each of them enter the world. Babies don't come easy for us and we have waited a long time to have Addley join our family.  I think I have thanked my Heavenly Father a million times over the last few day as I have sat and stared at this perfect amazing little girl. Life is good and I couldn't be more grateful!!