...is doing really well after 13 hours of transplant surgery. He has a long road ahead but he's been given a new lease on life. What a fighter.
Zac Update
Friday, April 25, 2008
TGIF
It's been a long challenging week for me this week so I'm glad it's finally Friday. I had a few minutes last night to pick up my Working Mother magazine before bed. I ended the day with a great quote by Katie Couric which I thought I would pass along to anyone else feeling challenged this week. Even if you don't have an outside job, and taking care of kids is your sole job, it can be exhausting - so this goes for all of us. The bottom line is that we have to remember to cut ourselves some slack sometimes ~ before it gets the best of us.
"Like all working mothers, sometimes I feel like a terrible mother and sometimes I feel like a terrible employee. But for the most part, I have to try to give myself a break." Thanks Katie, I needed that!
Happy Friday!
"Like all working mothers, sometimes I feel like a terrible mother and sometimes I feel like a terrible employee. But for the most part, I have to try to give myself a break." Thanks Katie, I needed that!
Happy Friday!
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Zachary
I posted several months ago about a little boy named Zachary who is a twin about the same age as my boys. We got some exciting news this morning that they found a donor for him and Zac is in surgery receiving his organs. They got the call at 3am this morning. He went into surgery around 7am and will have to endure 18 hours in the OR. We won't know anything for a while but how exciting!
Can you imagine what his parents felt when they got the call????? I can't imagine and would never claim to... Anyway, we all need to pray for him, as this will be his biggest challenge yet.
You can also check the website for updates as well, which can be found here. BE STRONG BABY ZAC!
Can you imagine what his parents felt when they got the call????? I can't imagine and would never claim to... Anyway, we all need to pray for him, as this will be his biggest challenge yet.
You can also check the website for updates as well, which can be found here. BE STRONG BABY ZAC!
Not again?
Yes, again. We've been duking it out with another round of HFMD (hand foot mouth virus) the last few days. After a few sleepless nights and lots of unhappiness around here, I think we've turned the corner. I feel like a rockstar this morning having slept more than 2 hours at a time - hence this early morning blog post.
Cole came down with a high fever on Sunday morning and unbenownst to me, it was hand foot mouth virus again. He kicked it within about 36 hours and was good as new by Tuesday. JD however, did not fare so well. He started with it on Tuesday and has been miserable since. The poor boy can barely swallow due to the sores in his mouth and has been screaming 90% of the time - this is VERY unlike him as he is usually such a happy little camper. Hopefully today he will be feeling better - especially since he was able to catch up on some sleep last night. Fingers crossed. I was thinking that these ugly virus's and winter bugs would be gone by now with the spring air in the house but obviously I was mistaken. This should be our last round of crud for a while I hope!
In other news, Baby Connor is doing wonderfully. It's killing me not to be able to see him since his homecoming but we need to keep our germs on this side of town for now. Maybe by the weekend we'll be cleared to go for a visit. I'm anxious for the boys to meet their baby cousin - we've been talking a lot about him with them and surely they still have no idea what I'm talking about - although they are practicing saying "baby" a lot now. He's growing like a weed and is already grown out of newborn size clothes. I had to laugh because his parents were initially very challenged with learning to change his diaper without getting sprayed - it's a whole new ballgame with a boy. He christened them several times his first day home. You learn those things the hard way after several wet outfits and blankets in the middle of the night!
My boys are coming up on another milestone monthly birthday - they will be 20 months next week. That means they are just 4 months away from being TWO. How did this happen? How on earth do I have toddlers that are almost two? I'm furiously trying to figure out ways to slow down time. Things are going far to quickly for me - I'm trying to savor every moment that I can but it's still flying by.
I'm feeling incredibly rejuvinated by the spring weather. We've had a few weeks with a lot of rain - but it's been amazing to see each sunny day how green and healthy things are. Everyone seems to come back out of their shells in the spring time and I feel like everyone starts smiling again. The winter doldrums are gone and we get a new lease on life again. The kids even notice it too - the birds are out, the bunnies are out and all of the flowers too. We've been working extra hard (I say WE, but really I mean my hubby) to get the yard shaped up. Things are coming together and our yard looks like it's actually had some TLC again. We even grilled out for the first time this week - that's usually my official notice that spring has sprung.
My first NICU volunteer visit was this week. I was in early in the morning for an hour one day this week. Unfortunately there were only 2 parents there at that time but it was still nice to chat with them. Since I had been up there that week & weekend with my nephew, it wasn't so hard to be there. I think the program is going to be excellent - as long as we can convince the nurses that we're going to be good for the parents. It was great to see my old nurses and reconnect with them on a different level this time.
We had an interesting week at work. I almost hestitate to write about this in fear that it could get back to the subject person. But it's really affected me in a negative way and I think getting it out there will help. Afterall, it's my blog and I can write whatever I want right? We recently hired a new employee on my team at work. It's never easy doing this because change is hard and usually it takes a while to adjust. Well, the second week this person was on board, she came to me and told me she had just found out she was expecting. Gulp.
Now, let me first say that she's not married (she's recently engaged) and she's in her early 20's. She's a good person, don't get me wrong. But she's young & clueless about some things, which is merely a function of immaturity. I was exactly that way when I was her age. Needless to say, I was a bit shocked at the news - first because I immediately was wondering if she knew this when she was hired and secondly, due to my infertility background, pregnancy announcements STILL feel like a kick in the stomach (regardless of who it is, sad but true). I think she could probably see it in my eyes when she told me. Anyway, we got through the intial congratulations. She was not exactly excited about her news - it was a whoopsie (of course) and she was a bit freaked out. Her biggest concern was telling her Mom and how that would go. This fiance of hers is also a bit naive and the comments she was telling me he made were making my blood slowly boil. This all came down a couple of weeks ago.
So her first sonogram was this week - much to my dismay, and surprise, she's having TWINS. Dear GOD. She walked in with her sono pictures and as soon as she showed them to me, I saw the two sacs. I almost threw up. This is so wrong for me on so many levels. And I'm totally freaked out about it. I feel like such a jerk because as I always say, all babies are miracles. And believe me, I'm trying to wrap myself around this situation and be happy. But I can't. I'm almost pissed off at her every time I see her. I'm still trying to figure out what has me in such a tailspin over it. I almost feel like I've been thrown back to my IF days and I can't get over it. Or Is it that she's pregnant by accident and now gets TWO babies? Is it that she's so naive and clueless and has no idea how lucky she is? Is it that I'm worried about how on earth she's going to take care of two babies both emotionally and financially? Is it that she's not educated on pre-natal care and multiple pregnancies and has no idea how this "could" go if she's not careful? Then again, she's a 20 something and she'll probably have a flawless pregnancy & term delivery. That's just usually how the young ones do it.
One thing I do know is that she's going to the same doctor I had (upon my recommendation) and he's wonderful so hopefully he'll be able to talk some sense into her as this goes along. If anyone can level with her and give her the facts, it's him. Dr. H, you're a saint. She's got a lot of growing up to do in a very short time. These little blessings are certainly miracles - I just hope that they get what they deserve once they arrive here in 8 months. It's not at all fair of me to judge her over this - I realize that. And I'm not judging her per se. But the situation is not ideal - and I can see it getting very ugly. She's bopping along without a clue as to what is involved - ahem, TWO additional lives are going to be affected. OK, enough of that - just needed to get that off of my chest.
More later; as the saga continues. Here's hoping for a well day in our house. Lots of sunshine ahead today so that is bound to help!
Cole came down with a high fever on Sunday morning and unbenownst to me, it was hand foot mouth virus again. He kicked it within about 36 hours and was good as new by Tuesday. JD however, did not fare so well. He started with it on Tuesday and has been miserable since. The poor boy can barely swallow due to the sores in his mouth and has been screaming 90% of the time - this is VERY unlike him as he is usually such a happy little camper. Hopefully today he will be feeling better - especially since he was able to catch up on some sleep last night. Fingers crossed. I was thinking that these ugly virus's and winter bugs would be gone by now with the spring air in the house but obviously I was mistaken. This should be our last round of crud for a while I hope!
In other news, Baby Connor is doing wonderfully. It's killing me not to be able to see him since his homecoming but we need to keep our germs on this side of town for now. Maybe by the weekend we'll be cleared to go for a visit. I'm anxious for the boys to meet their baby cousin - we've been talking a lot about him with them and surely they still have no idea what I'm talking about - although they are practicing saying "baby" a lot now. He's growing like a weed and is already grown out of newborn size clothes. I had to laugh because his parents were initially very challenged with learning to change his diaper without getting sprayed - it's a whole new ballgame with a boy. He christened them several times his first day home. You learn those things the hard way after several wet outfits and blankets in the middle of the night!
My boys are coming up on another milestone monthly birthday - they will be 20 months next week. That means they are just 4 months away from being TWO. How did this happen? How on earth do I have toddlers that are almost two? I'm furiously trying to figure out ways to slow down time. Things are going far to quickly for me - I'm trying to savor every moment that I can but it's still flying by.
I'm feeling incredibly rejuvinated by the spring weather. We've had a few weeks with a lot of rain - but it's been amazing to see each sunny day how green and healthy things are. Everyone seems to come back out of their shells in the spring time and I feel like everyone starts smiling again. The winter doldrums are gone and we get a new lease on life again. The kids even notice it too - the birds are out, the bunnies are out and all of the flowers too. We've been working extra hard (I say WE, but really I mean my hubby) to get the yard shaped up. Things are coming together and our yard looks like it's actually had some TLC again. We even grilled out for the first time this week - that's usually my official notice that spring has sprung.
My first NICU volunteer visit was this week. I was in early in the morning for an hour one day this week. Unfortunately there were only 2 parents there at that time but it was still nice to chat with them. Since I had been up there that week & weekend with my nephew, it wasn't so hard to be there. I think the program is going to be excellent - as long as we can convince the nurses that we're going to be good for the parents. It was great to see my old nurses and reconnect with them on a different level this time.
We had an interesting week at work. I almost hestitate to write about this in fear that it could get back to the subject person. But it's really affected me in a negative way and I think getting it out there will help. Afterall, it's my blog and I can write whatever I want right? We recently hired a new employee on my team at work. It's never easy doing this because change is hard and usually it takes a while to adjust. Well, the second week this person was on board, she came to me and told me she had just found out she was expecting. Gulp.
Now, let me first say that she's not married (she's recently engaged) and she's in her early 20's. She's a good person, don't get me wrong. But she's young & clueless about some things, which is merely a function of immaturity. I was exactly that way when I was her age. Needless to say, I was a bit shocked at the news - first because I immediately was wondering if she knew this when she was hired and secondly, due to my infertility background, pregnancy announcements STILL feel like a kick in the stomach (regardless of who it is, sad but true). I think she could probably see it in my eyes when she told me. Anyway, we got through the intial congratulations. She was not exactly excited about her news - it was a whoopsie (of course) and she was a bit freaked out. Her biggest concern was telling her Mom and how that would go. This fiance of hers is also a bit naive and the comments she was telling me he made were making my blood slowly boil. This all came down a couple of weeks ago.
So her first sonogram was this week - much to my dismay, and surprise, she's having TWINS. Dear GOD. She walked in with her sono pictures and as soon as she showed them to me, I saw the two sacs. I almost threw up. This is so wrong for me on so many levels. And I'm totally freaked out about it. I feel like such a jerk because as I always say, all babies are miracles. And believe me, I'm trying to wrap myself around this situation and be happy. But I can't. I'm almost pissed off at her every time I see her. I'm still trying to figure out what has me in such a tailspin over it. I almost feel like I've been thrown back to my IF days and I can't get over it. Or Is it that she's pregnant by accident and now gets TWO babies? Is it that she's so naive and clueless and has no idea how lucky she is? Is it that I'm worried about how on earth she's going to take care of two babies both emotionally and financially? Is it that she's not educated on pre-natal care and multiple pregnancies and has no idea how this "could" go if she's not careful? Then again, she's a 20 something and she'll probably have a flawless pregnancy & term delivery. That's just usually how the young ones do it.
One thing I do know is that she's going to the same doctor I had (upon my recommendation) and he's wonderful so hopefully he'll be able to talk some sense into her as this goes along. If anyone can level with her and give her the facts, it's him. Dr. H, you're a saint. She's got a lot of growing up to do in a very short time. These little blessings are certainly miracles - I just hope that they get what they deserve once they arrive here in 8 months. It's not at all fair of me to judge her over this - I realize that. And I'm not judging her per se. But the situation is not ideal - and I can see it getting very ugly. She's bopping along without a clue as to what is involved - ahem, TWO additional lives are going to be affected. OK, enough of that - just needed to get that off of my chest.
More later; as the saga continues. Here's hoping for a well day in our house. Lots of sunshine ahead today so that is bound to help!
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Homecoming
Connor came home yesterday (Mon) and all is well.
He's home with his family, where he belongs!
He's home with his family, where he belongs!
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Connor Update
Connor is still in NICU but doing really well. He's still in the midst of some more tests and will probably be staying through the rest of the weekend at the hospital. He has not had another blue episode since the first one a few days ago but they are just making sure that everything is perfectly fine before they release him home. T&E are not in a rush to get him home at this point - they would rather know that everything is fine and his episode was indeed a one time thing.
He's having a sleep study done now - which is a 24 monitoring through probes in his throat and nose to see if there is any apnea or reflux going on. He should be finished with this test at 5pm tonight. Since it's a weekend, there is not anyone to read the test (not surprising), hence the reason that they will keep him until at least Monday when a "test reader" returns to work from the weekend.
E. has been able to feed Connor for all of his feeds & he's nursing like a champ. She's also been able to pump some too which allows the nurses to do the middle of the night feedings so she can sleep through the night and rest her body from surgery. That bodes well for both Connor and his parents. Mommy E will go home tonight some time - luckily she's been able to buy another day in the hospital so that they don't have to be making the NICU trek from home.
It will be hard leaving little C-man there but they seem to have a great outlook on it, especially since it's such a short term stay from here on out. Unfortunately, this is ALL too familiar to our family - but somehow having seen that experience before, maybe that has helped them prepare a bit better for things.
The prayers continue and we hope that Connor will be home sometime on Monday.
*EDIT at 7:30 pm
As luck would have it, there is a doctor that works on the weekends! The doctor was able to read Connor's sleep study already and has concluded that he has severe reflux. This is a BIG relief in terms of what "could" have been causing his problems so everyone is very relieved this evening. They will start medication for this tonight so hopefully within the next 48 hours he will be 100% and ready to blow out of there! Can you hear my sigh of relief? Ahhhhh.....
He's having a sleep study done now - which is a 24 monitoring through probes in his throat and nose to see if there is any apnea or reflux going on. He should be finished with this test at 5pm tonight. Since it's a weekend, there is not anyone to read the test (not surprising), hence the reason that they will keep him until at least Monday when a "test reader" returns to work from the weekend.
E. has been able to feed Connor for all of his feeds & he's nursing like a champ. She's also been able to pump some too which allows the nurses to do the middle of the night feedings so she can sleep through the night and rest her body from surgery. That bodes well for both Connor and his parents. Mommy E will go home tonight some time - luckily she's been able to buy another day in the hospital so that they don't have to be making the NICU trek from home.
It will be hard leaving little C-man there but they seem to have a great outlook on it, especially since it's such a short term stay from here on out. Unfortunately, this is ALL too familiar to our family - but somehow having seen that experience before, maybe that has helped them prepare a bit better for things.
The prayers continue and we hope that Connor will be home sometime on Monday.
*EDIT at 7:30 pm
As luck would have it, there is a doctor that works on the weekends! The doctor was able to read Connor's sleep study already and has concluded that he has severe reflux. This is a BIG relief in terms of what "could" have been causing his problems so everyone is very relieved this evening. They will start medication for this tonight so hopefully within the next 48 hours he will be 100% and ready to blow out of there! Can you hear my sigh of relief? Ahhhhh.....
Friday, April 18, 2008
Prayers for Connor
My nephew Connor gave his parents and the rest of the family a bit of a scare. As a result, he earned himself a short stay in the NICU for the next couple of days.
Connor turned blue yesterday while he was feeding and they are trying to rule out a few things to figure out the cause of his blue episode. As of last night at 10pm, it had not happened again so we are hopeful that it was a one time thing and was caused by leftover amniotic fluid refluxing out of his belly.
They are running lots of routine tests to rule out anything major. They started him on an antibiotic in case there could be an infection (as you can see from the IV above). We should know more today. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers for the next few days. Maybe being a legacy to my boys will earn him some VIP treatment in the NICU.
With any luck, he'll go home tomorrow with his Mommy & Daddy. Connor, you've got to get going home to see your big sister Emily. We love you buddy - be strong!
Connor turned blue yesterday while he was feeding and they are trying to rule out a few things to figure out the cause of his blue episode. As of last night at 10pm, it had not happened again so we are hopeful that it was a one time thing and was caused by leftover amniotic fluid refluxing out of his belly.
They are running lots of routine tests to rule out anything major. They started him on an antibiotic in case there could be an infection (as you can see from the IV above). We should know more today. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers for the next few days. Maybe being a legacy to my boys will earn him some VIP treatment in the NICU.
With any luck, he'll go home tomorrow with his Mommy & Daddy. Connor, you've got to get going home to see your big sister Emily. We love you buddy - be strong!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
The Pope
While the Pope was in DC today parading around town, he went right by C's office. He was lucky enough to get a good photo of the "Pope mobile" whizzing by. Pretty cool for a Catholic Boy to see the Pope in real life. Apparently security was crazy and the city was in total lockdown. As if DC traffic wasn't bad enough!
See for yourself...
And a shot of DC's finest...
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Our Newest Member
It's a BOY!
Our family (my brother & his wife) welcomed little Connor Bradley into the world today at 11:07 am. He was 7 pounds, 14 ounces - 20" long.
Looks like Emily is the official QUEEN of the boys in the family & a very proud big sister!
Our family (my brother & his wife) welcomed little Connor Bradley into the world today at 11:07 am. He was 7 pounds, 14 ounces - 20" long.
Looks like Emily is the official QUEEN of the boys in the family & a very proud big sister!
Cole walked!
My awesome therapist sent me this video a few minutes ago from Cole's therapy session this morning. She was able to capture his first steps on tape for me since I was at work and not there. Tears streamed as I watched...knowing that he's a bit behind in things, this is a HUGE day for all of us. High five Cole!
(Be patient for the last 5 seconds and you'll see)
(Be patient for the last 5 seconds and you'll see)
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