Oh My! ..... Let the pictures begin!!!

Today is Easter Sunday. Yesterday Dave's side of the family came over for dinner and today my mom and brother Jon came over for lunch. Right now Jenna is napping with Dave. Drew and I just woke up and the girls are in quiet time after their candy/sugar high from an hour or so ago. Yesterday we colored eggs, made Jello eggs and today we had out egg hunt for the girls here at home.

Since Jenna has been home it's been quite easy. She sleeps most of the day, so much so we googled it online the other day to make sure she wasn't sleeping too much! She has a wakeful time in the morning and then at dinner time. She wakes every 2 1/2 hours- 3hours for a bottle. Dave, Ava and I took Jenna to the pediatrican last Tuesday for her first appt. All was well - her weight at 6lbs 15oz.

Dave has been home all this past week, and I hope he will be home all next week! Dave and Ava went for a lunch date for Chinese food on Wednesday, Dave & Drew went to physical therapy and for hair cuts on Thursday, and on Friday Amelia & Dad went up to Hunting Creek to go fishing, hiking, and for milk shakes.

Lots of family and friends came over our first week. We've been overwhelmed with cards, gifts, dinners. Thank you everyone!

Jenna's Arrival

Jenna Danielle Ablondi arrived last Thursday, April 2nd at 9:00 am.

The story....so I won't ever forget the details.......

The kids were in good hands with Grandma spending the night. Dave and I couldn't sleep the night before, so we were more than ready to leave our house at 5:30am to stop for Starbucks for Dave, and arrive at the hospital at 6:00am as we were directed. We went right to the labor and delivery floor and were called back to the operating prep. room where I was asked to get into my gown, blood was taken and an IV was placed. I am not scared of needles, but per usual placing the IV made me very dizzy and faint, so I was told to lay down until I felt better...it was a few minutes when I was myself again. The OR prep room was empty except for our three nurses - Cathy, Kelly and Ginny. Cathy was asked to oversee our case by the social worker at the hospital. Cathy was the nurse who had been trained in (I guess) delicate birth situations. We did not ask for this, or did not know that we would be assigned Cathy, but Cathy was awesome. Very funny, made sure she discussed every detail with us. She brought up our past and how it may be difficult for us to get through the birth - basically counseling us. Kelly took all of our information for the hospital, and Ginny was assigned to care for me afterwards in recovery. About 8:15am my doctor - Dr. Manley came and said hello along with that pediatric hematologist (Dr. Cooper) I had mentioned in a previous post. I did not go see him two days earlier, so he wanted to be there to meet us and get I guess a "feel" for us before Jenna was born. He was a bit unusual, but a nice man (I'll leave it at that)..... Come to find later, that he would make an appearance daily if not more for the rest of our hospital stay. Back to the birth, I was wheeled into the OR around 8:35am without Dave. I clung onto Cathy and my doctor for dear life while the spinal was administered. Not that it hurt, just was scared. I was very, very queasy and thought about fainting again until the anesthesiologist gave me medicine to counteract that. By the time Dave was brought in, I was fine. Surgery begun, no pain of course - lots of tugging and pressure, and very quickly by 9:00 am exactly I heard the cry and then that was it - I cried. Dave wasn't watching the surgery, but saw the nurses carry Jenna over to be cleaned and examined. Dave said she was big and later told me she was blue very briefly. The nurses immediately said she looked great and that she had a dimple on her chin, some hair and was once again doing just fine. The nurses kept asking - "Who has the dimple?" Which Dave would answer, "I don't know." (Dave has the dimple) Dave was told he could go over for pictures when he was called, so he did snap some pictures and then came back to show me. During this time, the surgery was still taking place. I kept asking Dr. Manley was I okay?, was I okay. She kept telling me everything was fine. Finally the nurses brought Jenna over and I just couldn't believe it - and still today a week later sitting here at home and watching her - I just can't believe it. Jenna weighed 7lbs, 8oz and was 20 inches long. The staff pediatrician said she was fine. The surgery on me finished up- this part I remember as taking the most time. Seemed like forever I was on that table after her birth. I was then holding my baby while they wheeled me to recovery. I was a bit out of it, so Dave took her to hold her. He also called home and spread the news as well as found my Mom out in the waiting room who had been out there since 7am - just waiting for any news at all. Jenna was taken to the WELL BABY nursery - cleaned, checked and so on, while Dave watched and my mom watched from the window. Within an hour I was wheeled to my room. Jenna came a bit later. Of course Jenna received the standard newborn care, as well as a head and kidney ultrasound. She also received a few more blood tests then normal - piece by piece everything checked out HEALTHY!!

Dave went to pick up Grandma and the kids around noon. They all came to see us that afternoon. Andrew with his very loud "happy" talk, Amelia with all of her curious medical questions, and Ava with her "Oh, look at the baby, can I kiss her?" self.

Our pediatrician came the first night to examine Jenna. Everything again, fine except Jenna has a tongue tie. The doctor informed us it wasn't a big deal. Come to find out later that the tongue tie would interfere with Jenna's nursing. I was so happy that Jenna latched on the first try, but didn't realize until the end of my stay when the lactation consultant pointed it out that her latch wasn't strong enough or long enough to get her nourishment. The consultant recommended getting the tongue tie clipped immediately once we were home for breastfeeding purposes. I am happy and relieved that I was supplementing bottle feeding Jenna those first few days.

The hospital stay was uneventful. We had family and friends stop by each day to meet Jenna. That added to the experience. The staff there were incredible. They made our experience even more special. Come to learn over the years with the doctors and nurses that they have their conferences before shifts and I guess "fill" each other in about each patient. Seems every nurse knew of our past and were very, very caring. I owe so much to Dr. Manley and all of the staff at my OB-GYN office. I never dreamed that I would be blessed with another child and get to experience all of this as it should be. I'm in awe......

The Day has Finally Come!

Well, as of 1:20 this afternoon, I'm still pregnant and everything is still a go for tomorrow morning at 8:30 am. 37 Weeks and 2 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We made it!!!!!!!!!!! Now, more importantly.....to just get to meeting baby Jenna and seeing that she has stayed healthy too.

I went to the doctor for my last visit this morning. The girls and I met my mom there. I pointed out the hospital to the girls where I would be staying for a few days and where they would first meet Jenna.

My weight is 183lbs, my BP 137/57. The baby checked out okay on the sonogram. She is still laying head down. Her heart rate is in the 130 range. I talked with the doctor about finalizing tomorrow's plan. We are to be at the hospital at 6:30 am for an 8:30am c-section. Dave's mom is coming over this evening to spend the night and take care of the kids in the morning. Dave will come home for them at some point tomorrow morning to meet their sister.

This past week or so, everyone has been calling me and e-mailing me to wish me well. It's the best feeling to know that I have such caring, thoughtful family and friends praying for us, wishing us well, and cheering us on through all of this. My friends and family have helped me more than you all know -- through all of this.

Now, to get through tonight and all the anticipation..........................

Me at 37 weeks

Here's me at 37 weeks.

Lovely, hmmmm?

Saturday Fun

This morning, we drove to our friends home in a nearby town where they were participating in the "National Walk for Epilepsy". Instead of walking in the national walk in downtown D.C.. they organized a local team and walked their neighborhood with family and friends. We got there a bit late, but did participate in part of the walk. The morning weather wasn't the greatest - a slight cold drizzle has been falling throughout the day. Andrew wore his purple epilepsy walk t-shirt - which he's wearing in the photo above. As most of you know, Andrew has seizures which occur daily and do interfere with his life, growth and development. For the girls.....their minds were not on participating in the walk, they were more interested in what was coming next.........

About four times per year, a church in our community holds a respite day for families with kids with special needs and their siblings. We found out about these great days about a year ago and have signed up for every one since. The girls play for four straight hours...moon bounce, toys, crafts, food, nail painting, hair cuts and so on with the same two girls who have assisted them this whole time. Amelia and Ava talk about these girls and their day quite a lot. Andrew is also assigned a helper and also participates in the activities set up. Today he went on the moon bounce, ate and hung out with friends from his school. Dave and I ran errands and had lunch at a new BBQ place in downtown Frederick. Our whole family always looks forward to these respite days. This one happened to fall on quite an appropriate weekend. :)

One week countdown

I'm in my 36th week of pregnancy! Anxiously awaiting next Thursday.....

I wanted to post a bit about how I feel and how I look now that the pregnancy is almost finished.....

In the beginning, I couldn't even imagine a baby here with us. Now over the course of this month, we have gotten the room ready, bought diapers, washed clothes and so on, but things aren't as organized and as "perfect" as they were 10 years ago with our first baby- but I guess that's typical.

I was getting Andrew ready for school yesterday - my big old self on the floor changing all 80lbs of him and realized just then how months ago I was certain that either the baby would have been here by now, or I would be stuck in a bed, or I would have had to hire someone to help me care for Andrew and the girls, but no. YEAH!! I am moving around (not as usual) but definately able to take care of my kids, husband and home - so for that I am really happy and grateful. Everyone has been wishing me well and checking in with us and telling us it will all be okay. For this I am also grateful. Friends and family are asking about plans once the baby is home, but to be honest I can't get past next Thursday and meeting Jenna and seeing if she is okay. Friends have told me that "lightening doesn't strike twice" well it has already for us - no explanations whatsoever. I can only hope that the constant monitoring of this pregnancy and my taking lovenox will make all the difference this time around.

From my updates, everyone knows I am over 180lbs. Yikes! If I do say so, my weight though is mostly in my belly, but now I am starting to see it in my legs and face a bit. I am still able to wear my rings, so my hands are the same size. The baby moves, or should I say rolls around a lot. I feel movement into my ribs and my upper torso the most. Sleeping has been a nightmare. I don't even want to go to bed at night, because I just toss and turn and am very restless. I definately have periods of sleep and then wakefulness - maybe this will be the baby's kind of schedule....???... The lack of sleep is a mixture of being uncomfortable and my constant thinking about what I need to do the next day and in the weeks ahead. For the lack of sleep I am having, I have a good amount of energy in the day. My left leg has always been sore, but now I describe the pain as a fiery pins and needles. My skin isn't hot to touch or anything like that, just sore and is a shooting pain at times. I believe this is my uterus expanding into my sciatic nerve. This leg has also been affected by vericose veins. Pretty gross to look at. I can't seem to find a comfortable position - whether it be sleeping, sitting, standing...it all is tough. These aren't complaints, just wanted to document how my body has responded to being pregnant at age 38 - a month shy of 39.

I thought Dave and the kids might be realizing my discomfort...I know Dave does...not so sure of the kids though. Amelia told me recently she didn't want to cross her fingers anymore (we've been crossing our fingers for Jenna to be okay this whole pregnancy). I asked why, thinking she was being sympathetic. Her answer was this.... "she didn't want another baby after this one, just a dog".

Tomorrow two of my brothers go to Sanibel, Florida for our annual family vacation. Just so happens Jenna will be born the week of our annual trip we've been taking for most of my life, so we along with my mom are here! Don't really want to remind the kids that they are missing their happy beach/Sanibel time. :)

Doctor Appointment Update

Doctor visit today, all was good. BP was good, weight was 183lbs. Sonogram showed baby's heartrate fine, breathing motions, amniotic fluid levels the same. The baby was laying head down with her hand to her mouth. The bio-physical profile was all normal.

I recieved a call out of the blue on Monday from one of my OB doctors. Turns out the NICU doctor I met with last week sent a note to some doctors who he would like to have come look at the baby once she is born, one of the doctors being the pediatric hematologist. Well......my OB spoke with him on the phone Monday and this doctor didn't feel too comfortable discussing our case with her in great detail, so she asked me to call him. I did yesterday. He wanted to meet with me yesterday. I couldn't. So, we set up a meeting time next week. I was hoping there would be no more doctor visits, but of course I would do anything to make sure everything is good for the baby, but once again on the other hand, I don't want to drive and explain our case once again, when it has been explained to doctors at Hopkins, Kennedy Krieger, Shady Grove, Children's and Georgetown. I don't feel that there is much more to learn at this point and even if there was the baby would be here two days later. I do understand the doctor is probably just requesting this visit to be 100% professional. Today, I did ask my OB what he thought about me having to meet the doctor in person, instead of just a phone consultation. He also thought that this was excessive. The hematologist did say that he would visit the baby in the hospital anyway - no matter what. So, I think I may cancel this visit telling him it's just too much of a drive. My doctors were to fax important records to him. I also offered this doctor my records by fax so that he could see what was going on.

With regards to the c-section, I confirmed with the doctor that I would be stopping the Lovenox injections Tuesday morning, no food after midnight on Wednesday and off to the hospital for a 6:30am arrival on Thursday. The doctor who is performing the c-section is away this week on vacation. I do have an appt. to see the OB one more time next Wed. We're getting very, very CLOSE.........................