Fleur de Aleta

Our son, Gregory, was born on President's day, February 18, 2013 at 12:58pm.  At 37weeks 3 days pregnant - he was "preterm"..   He weighed in at 6 pounds and 12 ounces; 20 inches long.  He was born c section due to pre-eclampsia, my blood pressure was going into stroke range the last week of carrying him when I would over exert or get upset/anxious. Dr. Wild said that we "made a good call in doing a c section rather than trying to induce.  Because the baby was too high up into the rib section and inducing would have put the baby into duress.  And... because the baby was born with the umbilical cord wrapped around his head." Though I really wasn't ready for our son to be born this early and this way, I'm very grateful for his safe arrival and the excellent care of my doctor. We had nurses coming into our room saying, "I have to see the baby.  They told me he was born with a head full of blond hair!  We get babies born with lots of hair...

Our hot water heater broke yesterday.  The AC/Heater has to be replaced.  And we are delivering our baby via c section on Monday (tomorrow!!!).  What's the saying, that things happen in threes?  Well, I guess that's better than expecting triplets :)  We're just having one, but three things going on at once. My husband knows I'm a worrier.  He's my rock.  If there's a problem, Greg is fast into action.  As soon as we learned about the hot water heater, he did research on what he needs to get a new one and how to install it.  He got into the SUV, turned on the radio and Kenny Loggins' music "Danny's Song" came on. Greg said, "It's a good omen.  Everything is going to be alright."  The lyrics and hearing my husband's voice of faith made me smile and lifted my spirits....  Yesterday morning Greg said, "our son will be the best of both of us." People smile and tell me I'm the lucky one, And we've only ...

This morning, my husband woke me up saying, "Of all the beautiful jewelry you make, on Monday, you'll make the most beautiful creation of all."  I don't need Valentine's Day, when my husband says things like this on any given day :) Then he asked me, "Do you want to go to Cafe Latte Da for breakfast, our last time we'll go there, just the two of us?" I've been on strict bedrest for a week and a half.  Getting out of the house and going to the place where we had our first date and where Greg proposed sounded like a great idea!  Shhhhh, we cheated this time with the bedrest, don't tell the doctor. It's our "Cheers" breakfast place.  It was great to see the regular customers there.  Greg announced to the room, "We're having our baby on Monday!"  Lots of congratulations were shouted back and God Blesses and plenty of smiles.  It was fun :) The waitress, Lori, took our picture at "our table" - yes, t...

Happy Valentine's Day - for the love of all family and friends :) This morning, while Greg was making breakfast, I quickly made the bed and put out the gifts I bought for him for Valentine's Day.  When I saw the pillows, I knew I had to buy them, because it's what we say to each other all the time :) I bought a card for Greg with two hearts and a little diamond on the front and "Daddy Scrubs" that he can wear for when we go in for the c section on Monday at noon.  The scrubs read "I'm the Daddy." When Greg went into the bedroom, he started laughing when he saw the pillows and brought out the gift he bought for me.  One of Greg's friends/accounts that he works with, Mary Lou (she's also a fellow beader), called us early this week to see how we were doing.  Mary Lou told Greg, "I know you have a penis, so you probably forgot what this Thursday is!"  Lol... but Greg told me today that he actually special ordered this 3...

Happy Mardi Gras - it's a wet one.  Being on bed rest, I'm not missing any fun activities outside with the parades.  So, hey, if I have to be stuck inside, at least I know it's not sunshine and rainbows out there.  :) Ok, during the Thursday-Sunday stay at the hospital, a couple of things come to mind... First, I truly believe if my bp was low during the pregnancy specialist appointment on Thursday I'd still be a "go" for delivery on Feb 28th, but instead, because of a "snap shot" moment, everything is being moved up.  I'm not happy about that, but my emotions will be for another post.... First thing about the hospital stay - once my pressure went down and it was ok for me to eat, the nurses brought me supper.  Greg was flabbergasted!  He said, "You are giving FRIED chicken to someone who has blood pressure problems!"  He has a good point.  They have a separate menu for diabetics, what about those with chronic high blood pressure?...

I'm home, but for how long?  I was in the hospital from Thursday to Sunday, because the pregnancy specialist was worried about my blood pressure.  BP was 161/100.  Unfortunately, both my specialist and OBGYN were off Friday and Saturday, so even though my OBGYN thought the BP was high for stress, not due to pre-e, I had to stay in the hospital.  As for the bpp of the baby going from 4 to 8, the on-call doctor said that it was likely because of a "sleep cycle" when baby was given a 4. So, main reason I was in hospital - high bp.  But it was normal every other time, other than it did happen a second time... but after that, back to normal.  My OBGYN released me yesterday to go home, but with two doctor appointments this week. Today was one of those appointments and they did a variety of test: BP:  138/84 - good NST:  Baby passed and they did an ultrasound.  During the ultrasound, I mentioned being in the hospital for high bp and the techn...

The above ultrasound picture was taken on Thursday.  We're still here in the hospital, no delivery yet.  I'm hoping to see my doctor today.  Originally the inducement date was supposed to be Feb 28th, but it seems they want to move it up to week 37, sometime next week. Part of me feels that this was a knee jerk reaction, but if Dr. Wild says it needs to be done, then OK.   One thing is for sure, I've learned more about my blood pressure medicine.  Timing is everything.  It needs to be on schedule, which I'm actually pretty good about, but never realized the full importance of... until having my blood pressure monitored throughout the day consistently.  When the meds start to wear out, the pressure definitely increases... a lot.  I won't take that for granted any more... nor will I take for granted how stress and lack of sleep can also affect blood pressure.   I'm not one for drama, thank goodness, otherwise I'd constantly be ...

Have I ever mentioned that hospitals scare me?  I'm in one right now.  Wasn't expecting this... Thought all was going well.  I went to the specialist today and my blood pressure was high, plus baby wasn't as active as doctor wanted to see.... So I'm admitted to hospital through the weekend. I started to cry first few minutes here.  I don't know why hospitals do that to me and I'm not the weeping kind.  But I feel a little better now.  Blood work was done and that came back fine.  I have to do a 24-hour urine test.  That's not fun but its doable. But the real test will be tomorrow when the doctor does another ultra sound .  If baby isn't moving enough, they are going to do c section.  Doctor said that male babies often times don't do as well as female babies when in high blood pressure conditions... So even if baby moves well tomorrow, I stay for observation through the weekend and they will schedule inducement when I'm 37 weeks, whic...

Greg took this picture of Tigger and did the captions: When I told Greg that Penny's first time howling was when an ambulance drove by, Greg found an ambulance sound on the Internet in the hopes of getting Penny to howl again.  She did :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMZxRF6wJow&feature=youtu.be To see the video on YouTube, Click here What can you do when in a traffic jam.. take pictures :) And last but not least... what do you say to your husband when he tries on his new work outfit - it's for the rain.... and it's made of fire resistance material.... and you can see him from out of space!

My husband's niece lives a couple of blocks away from us with her fiancé.  His niece was home alone and 2 hours ago, 5-6 armed men busted into their home.  They stole items and then demanded that she open the safe.  She was too nervous to do so.  Her fiancé arrived home in the middle of this happening and they shot him in the stomach and leg. There was a lookout woman and she told the guys to leave, the cops were coming.  The police officers caught the woman and 2 guys, but there are still 3-4 armed man on the loose.  This happened down the street from where my parents live.  This is a quiet community. Her fiance is in the hospital right now in surgery.  They think he'll be ok, but asking for prayers, Please. On a strange side note.... I was home when I heard the ambulance going down our street.  We think this might have been the ambulance for her fiancé.  I didn't know it at the time.  Our dog was sleeping, but when she heard...