Vivian's birth was mellow, but her first week of life was scary. Maybe even more scary than Bennett's, it's difficult to say in hindsight.
We left the hospital Saturday and had a couple of non-eventful days with lots of help from family at home. Vivian seemed to be doing well. When I nursed her on Saturday and Sunday, I would have my hand behind her head. I kept feeling a set of bumps and told myself that I would look at them when we were done. And I kept forgetting. I did remember to show them to the doctor on Monday and that's where the fun began. There was a cluster of fluid filled blister-looking things on the back of her head (I would say there were 5-7 of them). They varied in size from the size of a crayon tip to as big as a dime. Her doctor looked/felt at them for some time and then left the room for even longer. When he came back, he very seriously told us that she needed to admitted to the hospital right away because the blisters could possibly be a herpes infection. I of course started crying almost immediately. It was unbelievable what another one of my babies was going to have to spend time in the hospital.
We went across the street and began the process of admission. I began to realize how serious the situation was when Vivian's doctor explained the myriad of tests he was going to run and that she would need to stay at least a week. She had to be on IV antiviral drugs and fluids the entire time. So yeah, our 4 day old baby had an IV in her hand. Poor baby girl. Give breastfeeding a try with that thing in the way. She had cultures done to her eyes, nose, mouth, as well as the actual blisters. She had blood drawn for a culture and to check her liver function. The worst was the spinal tap. We weren't in the room for any of these tests...I'm not sure if I would have ever been able to get the images out of my head. When a newborn has herpes, it can quickly affect the entire system, which was why so many tests needed to be ran. It was important to see how far the infection has gone. Most of the tests were supposed to come back within a couple of days, but the most important one (the culture of the actual blisters) would take a week. That test would definitively say whether it was herpes or not while all the others would just let us know how far things had spread if they had.
On top of all of this, Vivian was significantly jaundiced, so she had to be under the lights the whole time she was there. She stayed on the pediatric floor and not the NICU. I got to stay with her the entire time and didn't leave the room for more than a moment to fill my water cup.
Some of the test results came back Tuesday. They showed her liver function to be normal and the cultures of her ears, eyes, etc. were fine. On Wednesday, her doctor let us know that the blood culture was negative and that Vivian actually had herpes antibodies floating around in her blood (likely from me since I get cold sores). This was a good thing. The most important thing was that she was not acting at all sick. Babies with herpes apparently become very ill. After discussing Vivian's situation with specialists at Children's Hospital, her doctor surprised us by letting us go home Wednesday as all signs pointed to no herpes infection. We would know Monday for certain when the cultures came back. The doctor was confident there was really nothing wrong.
We took Vivian home and nervously watched her until the next week rolled around. She was fine. She never acted sick (except for the little cold she caught from all of us). She ate well and gained weight. Monday and Tuesday passed with no word. On Wednesday I called her doctor and received some annoying (read infuriating) news. Somehow the culture of the blisters had never been sent. Later we found out that the nurse on the floor had accidentally forgotten to enter the order for it to be sent out. Woops. Now we will never know for 100% certain that it wasn't herpes. But if it was, Vivian would be very ill or dead by now, so we are as close to 100% sure as possible.
I feel guilty for how Bennett must have felt during this whole ordeal. He had his grandma's and his papa, but he must have felt like we abandoned him twice in one week.
I did not know exactly how serious a herpes infection in a newborn could be. I avoided any internet doctoring until after Vivian came home. Google it yourself if interested...it is really scary. These kinds of infections have serious consequences from mental retardation to death, often regardless of treatment. So, it made sense that Vivian's doctor would treat if there was even a remote possibility of a herpes infection. But Jesus, can our babies catch a break??
Friday, November 26, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
Vivian's Birth Story
Vivian’s birth story is mellow compared to her brother’s. I was hoping to go into labor naturally, and since I was dilated to 4+ since 37 weeks or so it seemed like a realistic goal. I also knew that if anything was looking like it might go a little weird, I would go for an induction. At my 38 week appointment my BP’s were trending a bit higher and my doctor wanted to see me five days later rather than seven. I ended up in Labor and Delivery that Friday due to some sudden swelling and a BP of 156/87 on a grocery store BP machine. Although it was not that high in L&D, my numbers remained in the 135/80 range which is significantly higher than my baseline 110/60. I had a feeling my doctor would be talking induction at my Monday appointment. My BP’s remained at the higher level and he did recommend that we call it quits before things possibly got scary again. The last thing anyone wanted was for me or Vivian to get sick when we were already in such a great place. So we agreed on an induction Thursday October 28th. Bernie and I decided to try to get me into active labor before then with no success. Hot hot wings and a drive up in high elevation did not work for me.
We went into the hospital at a little after 8 am on the 28th after a short delay. I was group strep B positive so the first thing they did was run antibiotics for four hours in preparation for the induction. Bernie and I sat around, relaxed as much as possible, and waited. We actually had all of our bags packed this time so we had many things to do to keep ourselves entertained. I had my own music to listen to! I had the best nurse during that day. Her name was Char and she was probably 60 years old. She had many years of experience and had probably worked at that hospital longer than I have been alive. It was awesome to have someone who had so many hints and insights into the whole process. When I first came in and told her that I hoped to go through labor without the epidural, she was totally on board and tried to help me get through it. When I changed my mind later, she was just as understanding and supportive.
My doctor finally came in to break my water at 12:45pm. Within thirty minutes my contractions were coming quickly and feeling very intense. I had a pitocin induction with Bennett and did not need it with Vivian (so so so happy about that). The quality of the contractions were very different for me. With Bennett, they felt like knives stabbing over and over again. This time they felt like enormous and painful pressure in my pelvis. I think I basically went into transition almost right away. There was really no build-up since I was already so far dilated. The contractions felt like they never really stopped. By 2pm, I was 6 cm and asked for the epidural. I got that within 30 minutes and things of course eased up after that. In fact, I thought the epidural had slowed the labor because the contractions did not seem to register as very intense on the monitor. When the nurse checked me just after 3pm, I was prepared to hear that I hadn’t made any progress and would need pitocin. I was amazed to hear that I was already at 9cm. We were likely complete by 4pm. My nurse suggested that since we had the epidural, we just let the contractions naturally start the pushing process. So that’s what we did until 5:15 when I started pushing.
The epidural was just as good as the one I had with Bennett. I could feel pressure when I had a contraction and so knew when to push. I could lift and feel my legs still but had no very little to no pain. It did take what seemed like forever but was actually 1.5 hours. My doctor, predictably, did not come in until the very last moment. I think I only pushed twice and she as out. The strangest thing happened near the end. Vivian was actually moving around while I pushed. You could see her kick. It’s hard to describe, but she was definitely living up to the “lively” meaning of her name. She came out yelling and didn’t stop for about two hours after she was born. 7 lbs. 10 oz. and inches...born at 39 weeks 1 day. She weighted over twice as much as Bennett and was 4 inches longer.
This birth experience was obviously so different for everyone involved. It helped resolve some of the lingering feelings I have had since Bennett was born. I didn’t feel cheated, sick, and scared for my baby’s life. I felt educated and much more in control. I felt like my body wasn’t a total failure. And I got to hold my baby after birth, and nurse her, and keep her in the room with us. It was awesome. That’s really the only word that fits.
I never had any protein on my urine dipsticks, no upper right quadrant pain, and officially no preeclampsia. If some of BP readings were correct, I had gestational hypertension at the end. I don’t think there will be an official diagnosis in my medical records.
With all of that said, the answer to the ever-popular “will you have more” question is an unequivocal no. This pregnancy was nerve-racking in a way that I could never fully describe. I lived most of my days in a perpetual state of anxiety that I don’t think I could deal with again. Bernie was wonderful throughout, but I’m sure all of that fear and anxiety wasn’t easy on him (or Bennett for that matter). So we will be happy for what we have and move on to the next stage of our lives...watching our children grow up.
Things have been eventful since we brought Vivian home, but that's a post of another day. And I don't know when that day will be since things a little crazy around here with two kids. I will try to get another post up before Bernie goes back to work next Wednesday night.
We went into the hospital at a little after 8 am on the 28th after a short delay. I was group strep B positive so the first thing they did was run antibiotics for four hours in preparation for the induction. Bernie and I sat around, relaxed as much as possible, and waited. We actually had all of our bags packed this time so we had many things to do to keep ourselves entertained. I had my own music to listen to! I had the best nurse during that day. Her name was Char and she was probably 60 years old. She had many years of experience and had probably worked at that hospital longer than I have been alive. It was awesome to have someone who had so many hints and insights into the whole process. When I first came in and told her that I hoped to go through labor without the epidural, she was totally on board and tried to help me get through it. When I changed my mind later, she was just as understanding and supportive.
My doctor finally came in to break my water at 12:45pm. Within thirty minutes my contractions were coming quickly and feeling very intense. I had a pitocin induction with Bennett and did not need it with Vivian (so so so happy about that). The quality of the contractions were very different for me. With Bennett, they felt like knives stabbing over and over again. This time they felt like enormous and painful pressure in my pelvis. I think I basically went into transition almost right away. There was really no build-up since I was already so far dilated. The contractions felt like they never really stopped. By 2pm, I was 6 cm and asked for the epidural. I got that within 30 minutes and things of course eased up after that. In fact, I thought the epidural had slowed the labor because the contractions did not seem to register as very intense on the monitor. When the nurse checked me just after 3pm, I was prepared to hear that I hadn’t made any progress and would need pitocin. I was amazed to hear that I was already at 9cm. We were likely complete by 4pm. My nurse suggested that since we had the epidural, we just let the contractions naturally start the pushing process. So that’s what we did until 5:15 when I started pushing.
The epidural was just as good as the one I had with Bennett. I could feel pressure when I had a contraction and so knew when to push. I could lift and feel my legs still but had no very little to no pain. It did take what seemed like forever but was actually 1.5 hours. My doctor, predictably, did not come in until the very last moment. I think I only pushed twice and she as out. The strangest thing happened near the end. Vivian was actually moving around while I pushed. You could see her kick. It’s hard to describe, but she was definitely living up to the “lively” meaning of her name. She came out yelling and didn’t stop for about two hours after she was born. 7 lbs. 10 oz. and inches...born at 39 weeks 1 day. She weighted over twice as much as Bennett and was 4 inches longer.
This birth experience was obviously so different for everyone involved. It helped resolve some of the lingering feelings I have had since Bennett was born. I didn’t feel cheated, sick, and scared for my baby’s life. I felt educated and much more in control. I felt like my body wasn’t a total failure. And I got to hold my baby after birth, and nurse her, and keep her in the room with us. It was awesome. That’s really the only word that fits.
I never had any protein on my urine dipsticks, no upper right quadrant pain, and officially no preeclampsia. If some of BP readings were correct, I had gestational hypertension at the end. I don’t think there will be an official diagnosis in my medical records.
With all of that said, the answer to the ever-popular “will you have more” question is an unequivocal no. This pregnancy was nerve-racking in a way that I could never fully describe. I lived most of my days in a perpetual state of anxiety that I don’t think I could deal with again. Bernie was wonderful throughout, but I’m sure all of that fear and anxiety wasn’t easy on him (or Bennett for that matter). So we will be happy for what we have and move on to the next stage of our lives...watching our children grow up.
Things have been eventful since we brought Vivian home, but that's a post of another day. And I don't know when that day will be since things a little crazy around here with two kids. I will try to get another post up before Bernie goes back to work next Wednesday night.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Tomorrow we will have a baby
Or maybe it will be Friday depending on how things go. I haven't been able to update the past few days because my computer's graphics card was broken and we had to send it away to be fixed. Apple was very accommodating and fixed it for free even though we were eight days out of our three year warranty. I would have been pissed if they didn't fix it.
Anyway, back to the important things. A baby. Tomorrow. That is such a weird concept to grasp. I was really hoping to wait for things to start up on their own, but my blood pressure is not cooperating. It's not that bad at this point, but these things can turn really bad and I don't want to go through being so sick again. Last Wednesday it was 92 on the bottom. Then on my birthday night we went to labor and delivery because I suddenly swelled up like crazy (likely the salty food I ate) and my BP was 156/87 on the grocery store machine. While I was in L&D, my bottom numbers were in the mid to high 80's and top numbers in the 130's. A diagnosis of pregnancy-induced hypertension is made with two BP's of over 140 or 90 taken at least six hours apart. So, I'm not officially there, but my doctor advised us not to take any chances and we definitely agree. Preeclampsia is not the word at the moment because all of my urine dips are clear as were my labs on Saturday. As of Monday, I am 4 1/2 cm and 80% effaced, so hopefully all that will have to be done is breaking my water. Think non-pitocin related thoughts for us!
Oh, and my group strep B was positive, so I will have to deal with the antibiotics. Woo.
I am so happy to be at this point. And very nervous about tomorrow. We will be updating Facebook with the news. She's estimated at 8 lbs!
Anyway, back to the important things. A baby. Tomorrow. That is such a weird concept to grasp. I was really hoping to wait for things to start up on their own, but my blood pressure is not cooperating. It's not that bad at this point, but these things can turn really bad and I don't want to go through being so sick again. Last Wednesday it was 92 on the bottom. Then on my birthday night we went to labor and delivery because I suddenly swelled up like crazy (likely the salty food I ate) and my BP was 156/87 on the grocery store machine. While I was in L&D, my bottom numbers were in the mid to high 80's and top numbers in the 130's. A diagnosis of pregnancy-induced hypertension is made with two BP's of over 140 or 90 taken at least six hours apart. So, I'm not officially there, but my doctor advised us not to take any chances and we definitely agree. Preeclampsia is not the word at the moment because all of my urine dips are clear as were my labs on Saturday. As of Monday, I am 4 1/2 cm and 80% effaced, so hopefully all that will have to be done is breaking my water. Think non-pitocin related thoughts for us!
Oh, and my group strep B was positive, so I will have to deal with the antibiotics. Woo.
I am so happy to be at this point. And very nervous about tomorrow. We will be updating Facebook with the news. She's estimated at 8 lbs!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
38 Weeks!
Our 38 week appointment was this morning. 4 cm dilated and 70% effaced. My OB said it was amazing that I could walk around like that. I have episodes of "could this be it" on a daily basis before the contractions stop again. It seems that he expects me to go into real labor soon, but had me make an appointment for Monday just in case. I'm sure he will talk induction at that point. I am really hoping to avoid any induction. We'll see how I'm feeling Monday though. It would be nice to make it to Friday since that's when Bernie's mom is flying in.
I'm feeling ready and a tad bit impatient. My bp was a little high (122/92) on fist check which is always worrying to me. It came down to 130/80 on a second check and my OB was fine with that.
I have been cleaning/organizing like crazy and have most of the items on my list checked off. Bernie is off for four days after today and has one more set of shifts before he starts his official baby-leave. Of course, he will start it sooner if Vivian decides to make her appearance before then.
I find that I don't have anything else to say at the moment. Hope everyone is well and maybe we will be introducing Vivian in the next post!
I'm feeling ready and a tad bit impatient. My bp was a little high (122/92) on fist check which is always worrying to me. It came down to 130/80 on a second check and my OB was fine with that.
I have been cleaning/organizing like crazy and have most of the items on my list checked off. Bernie is off for four days after today and has one more set of shifts before he starts his official baby-leave. Of course, he will start it sooner if Vivian decides to make her appearance before then.
I find that I don't have anything else to say at the moment. Hope everyone is well and maybe we will be introducing Vivian in the next post!
Thursday, October 7, 2010
36 weeks!
That was yesterday, so technically we are past that mark. I had two doctor's appointments this week. On Tuesday I saw my specialist for the final ultrasound. Vivian is a big girl! She is tipping the scales at 6 lbs 3 oz already and everything looked great. Dr. even called me a normal pregnant person. The birth discussion with my OB was yesterday. We discussed all the exciting possible delivery scenarios as expected. I left feeling reassured, 3 cm dilated, and 50% effaced. Anyone want to take a guess on the birth date??? It might keep me a bit more occupied during this final countdown to keep track of the guesses.
Now I just need to get to work on the birth plan. Full term coming up next Wednesday!
There was a trip to L&D last week due to some higher BP readings at the grocery store. They kept me an hour and all was fine. Normal BP and no protein in my urine. My BP's were nice and low at both doctor's appointments this week.
I have started getting some meals together for after the birth. OK, so I made one 5+ lb turkey meatloaf that is frozen into three meals. But I have plans for more! Hopefully a very large pan of lasagna will get made this weekend. Any other ideas for easily frozen meals? The mom's group I am a member of is also going to help out with five meals after Vivian arrives. It's really awesome to be part of a group that is so willing to help out other families.
I am in the process of helping to plan a Promise Walk for Preeclampsia for 2011 in Denver. I have made an amazing number of connections to area PE survivors and we have big plans. It will be the first walk in Colorado, so definitely a learning process. We are in the process of finding a location and sponsors. If anyone around here has any advice for me or would like to walk with us, please let me know!
Bernie is up at the lake today getting one last fishing trip in. He tells me he caught 6 or so. If anyone wants them, I will secretly give them to you so they don't take up space in my freezer. I'm sure pheasant will be coming down when Big Bernie comes. Yuck. Seriously, I will leave our door unlocked if anyone wants to come and steal it.
Just kidding Bernie. I can't wait to try some pheasant stew, or pheasant fajitas, or maybe a little breaded and fried pheasant.
Cute things Bennett has done recently:
He's finally blowing bubbles in the bath water. We have been showing him this at the pool for some time, including during swim lessons. He loves to blow the bubbles first and then drink as much of the bath water as possible.
He smells "stinky socks." He'll pick up socks, give them a little sniff, and pretend that they smell bad.
He says "mmmm" when he sees us eating something. He usually doesn't want any, but instead enthusiastically agrees that it must be good.
He refuses the park sometimes. I'm not sure if this is cute, but it is totally Bennett. There have been two instances in the past two weeks where we pull up and he simply refuses to go. I guess we are asserting our right to make decisions!
Sorry if this post is scattered...that's basically how my mind is working right now.
Now I just need to get to work on the birth plan. Full term coming up next Wednesday!
There was a trip to L&D last week due to some higher BP readings at the grocery store. They kept me an hour and all was fine. Normal BP and no protein in my urine. My BP's were nice and low at both doctor's appointments this week.
I have started getting some meals together for after the birth. OK, so I made one 5+ lb turkey meatloaf that is frozen into three meals. But I have plans for more! Hopefully a very large pan of lasagna will get made this weekend. Any other ideas for easily frozen meals? The mom's group I am a member of is also going to help out with five meals after Vivian arrives. It's really awesome to be part of a group that is so willing to help out other families.
I am in the process of helping to plan a Promise Walk for Preeclampsia for 2011 in Denver. I have made an amazing number of connections to area PE survivors and we have big plans. It will be the first walk in Colorado, so definitely a learning process. We are in the process of finding a location and sponsors. If anyone around here has any advice for me or would like to walk with us, please let me know!
Bernie is up at the lake today getting one last fishing trip in. He tells me he caught 6 or so. If anyone wants them, I will secretly give them to you so they don't take up space in my freezer. I'm sure pheasant will be coming down when Big Bernie comes. Yuck. Seriously, I will leave our door unlocked if anyone wants to come and steal it.
Just kidding Bernie. I can't wait to try some pheasant stew, or pheasant fajitas, or maybe a little breaded and fried pheasant.
Cute things Bennett has done recently:
He's finally blowing bubbles in the bath water. We have been showing him this at the pool for some time, including during swim lessons. He loves to blow the bubbles first and then drink as much of the bath water as possible.
He smells "stinky socks." He'll pick up socks, give them a little sniff, and pretend that they smell bad.
He says "mmmm" when he sees us eating something. He usually doesn't want any, but instead enthusiastically agrees that it must be good.
He refuses the park sometimes. I'm not sure if this is cute, but it is totally Bennett. There have been two instances in the past two weeks where we pull up and he simply refuses to go. I guess we are asserting our right to make decisions!
Sorry if this post is scattered...that's basically how my mind is working right now.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Less than 40 days!
We are under the 40 day mark until Vivian's due date. I'm feeling good about at least 35 weeks at this point. Last Monday I had an OB check and was already 1 1/2-2 cm dilated and 50% effaced. My doctor wasn't too concerned and told me that early dilation can be common in second pregnancies. They won't stop labor after 34 weeks anyway, so we'll just have to wait and see what Vivian has planned. I have tons of Braxton Hicks contractions but they don't seem to be progressing much at this point. I am holding out for full-term dang it!
I can see how this last month drags for a lot of women. There are so many things I want to get done, but I'm so anxious to meet her as well. At least my body is being more cooperative at this point. She has settled into a center head-down position so my hip is feeling mostly normal. I have some swelling in my calves. It's nothing anyone else would notice, but if I press a finger into my skin, a dent stays there for 30 seconds or more. It's a bit strange. Sleeping more than an hour or two at a time has become an issue, but I just assume that's my body preparing me for what is to come. No real complaints at this point.
My mom left today after a five day visit. It was mostly uneventful. Bennett really seems to love her. He calls her his "ga" which is very cute. We spent a lot of time in Boulder at the farmer's market while she fawned over the variety of organic/natural products available. We took Bennett to the pool and the Sunflower Farm. For extra fun, he decided to poop in the pool, which was lovely to say the least.
So, we will keep chugging along. Sorry to be so boring...my brain isn't working well at the moment.
I can see how this last month drags for a lot of women. There are so many things I want to get done, but I'm so anxious to meet her as well. At least my body is being more cooperative at this point. She has settled into a center head-down position so my hip is feeling mostly normal. I have some swelling in my calves. It's nothing anyone else would notice, but if I press a finger into my skin, a dent stays there for 30 seconds or more. It's a bit strange. Sleeping more than an hour or two at a time has become an issue, but I just assume that's my body preparing me for what is to come. No real complaints at this point.
My mom left today after a five day visit. It was mostly uneventful. Bennett really seems to love her. He calls her his "ga" which is very cute. We spent a lot of time in Boulder at the farmer's market while she fawned over the variety of organic/natural products available. We took Bennett to the pool and the Sunflower Farm. For extra fun, he decided to poop in the pool, which was lovely to say the least.
So, we will keep chugging along. Sorry to be so boring...my brain isn't working well at the moment.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
September
Fall is upon us again. It's my favorite time of the year. Right now the daytime temps are still a bit warm for me (mid 80's), but in just a few short weeks the perfect weather will arrive. And the light will look like fall and all will be well.
Our garden veggies are mostly ready. We did OK this year. Only one tomato plant survived out of three, but really one is enough for our needs. We'll have lots of carrots, red/green/yellow peppers, and about 10 onions. We pulled our broccoli and brussels sprout plants because they were overtaken by bugs. We learned more and will hopefully have better luck next year.
My mom's ticket finally went through so she will be coming on September 21st and leaving on the 26th. She is excited to see Bennett but already complaining about the stress of traveling, leaving her house, job, etc. I hope she can have some fun when she gets here. I'll at least take her to the Boulder Farmer's market. She should enjoy that along with lunch at one of their organic/all natural eateries. She should move there, it's her kind of place food-wise.
I don't know if I have complained here about Bennett's picky eating habits. He can be very difficult when it comes to eating a variety of food and trying new things. But things have been slowly improving. He actually fed himself a whole cup of applesauce today with a spoon. Success on multiple levels! He usually ignores utensils and won't eat things the consistency of applesauce. He is also eating most meat (as long as there is BBQ sauce or ketchup) and is back to eating a wide variety of fruit. I'm hoping we can graduate to eating some kind of pasta soon, because seriously, what kid doesn't eat spaghetti and mac n cheese? I'm not holding out for veggies any time soon.
He absolutely wore me out at the park today by insisting on walking 1/4 of a mile one direction. That was all fine until he refused to walk back and screamed the entire way while I carried him. Me carrying Bennett right now is difficult. I think we will avoid that park in the future.
My hip is feeling better most days. I think she moved her little head elsewhere and I am noticing the relief. The PT and time in the pool help as well. I wish I could spend the rest of the pregnancy walking in the pool. I had an OB appointment on Wednesday where my BP was 132/72. This was a higher office reading for me so he ran blood work. All is clear at the moment. My liver is not going to explode imminently anyway. I have noticed that my BP is higher (about the same as the MD office) in the grocery stores most of the time now. So I will keep a close eye on that.
I have been getting my nesting things slowly accomplished. Bennett has someone to come and watch him if Vivian comes before Bernie's mom comes on October 22nd (thanks Michaela!). I got his box of stuff ready with some new books, puzzles, his blanket, clothes, snacks, etc. so she will be ready to go. My bag for the hospital is about half packed and I am very slowly getting the cleaning and organizing done. I am going to try and wait until the end of September to wash and organize all of her clothes, but we'll see if I can be patient.
Our very last growth scan is the first week in October. We are on every two week visits to the OB right now which will go weekly also in October's first week. It feels like we are getting closer!
I think we will check out the Sunflower Farm on one of Bernie's off days this week. It sounds like fun:
http://www.sunflowerfarminfo.com/kids_farmfest.htm
Our garden veggies are mostly ready. We did OK this year. Only one tomato plant survived out of three, but really one is enough for our needs. We'll have lots of carrots, red/green/yellow peppers, and about 10 onions. We pulled our broccoli and brussels sprout plants because they were overtaken by bugs. We learned more and will hopefully have better luck next year.
My mom's ticket finally went through so she will be coming on September 21st and leaving on the 26th. She is excited to see Bennett but already complaining about the stress of traveling, leaving her house, job, etc. I hope she can have some fun when she gets here. I'll at least take her to the Boulder Farmer's market. She should enjoy that along with lunch at one of their organic/all natural eateries. She should move there, it's her kind of place food-wise.
I don't know if I have complained here about Bennett's picky eating habits. He can be very difficult when it comes to eating a variety of food and trying new things. But things have been slowly improving. He actually fed himself a whole cup of applesauce today with a spoon. Success on multiple levels! He usually ignores utensils and won't eat things the consistency of applesauce. He is also eating most meat (as long as there is BBQ sauce or ketchup) and is back to eating a wide variety of fruit. I'm hoping we can graduate to eating some kind of pasta soon, because seriously, what kid doesn't eat spaghetti and mac n cheese? I'm not holding out for veggies any time soon.
He absolutely wore me out at the park today by insisting on walking 1/4 of a mile one direction. That was all fine until he refused to walk back and screamed the entire way while I carried him. Me carrying Bennett right now is difficult. I think we will avoid that park in the future.
My hip is feeling better most days. I think she moved her little head elsewhere and I am noticing the relief. The PT and time in the pool help as well. I wish I could spend the rest of the pregnancy walking in the pool. I had an OB appointment on Wednesday where my BP was 132/72. This was a higher office reading for me so he ran blood work. All is clear at the moment. My liver is not going to explode imminently anyway. I have noticed that my BP is higher (about the same as the MD office) in the grocery stores most of the time now. So I will keep a close eye on that.
I have been getting my nesting things slowly accomplished. Bennett has someone to come and watch him if Vivian comes before Bernie's mom comes on October 22nd (thanks Michaela!). I got his box of stuff ready with some new books, puzzles, his blanket, clothes, snacks, etc. so she will be ready to go. My bag for the hospital is about half packed and I am very slowly getting the cleaning and organizing done. I am going to try and wait until the end of September to wash and organize all of her clothes, but we'll see if I can be patient.
Our very last growth scan is the first week in October. We are on every two week visits to the OB right now which will go weekly also in October's first week. It feels like we are getting closer!
I think we will check out the Sunflower Farm on one of Bernie's off days this week. It sounds like fun:
http://www.sunflowerfarminfo.com/kids_farmfest.htm
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