Saturday, December 28, 2013
My baby stopped breathing
I can't even begin to explain the horrible experience that we had the night before thanksgiving. The four children and I travelled down to North Carolina to have thanksgiving with all the family. More than forty people were expected and I was desperately looking forward to it. Unfortunately the week before we left Matt learned that he would have to work. It was so disappointing that he wouldn't be able to come too. I will write multiple posts about our trip sometime but for now just the craziness. On Wednesday before thanksgiving Paisley was unusually cranky and miserable. She wasn't nursing well and was so uncomfortable. My mom wondered if maybe she was overstimulated so she took her to a quiet place in the rental house. She was cooing and smiling at my mom and then Out of no where started this horrible screaming. My mom was trying to console her thinking maybe she needed a burp or something. She was screaming uncontrollably and then just stopped. She stopped breathing!!! The first time it happened I was in shock and as my mom stimulated her she started breathing again but didn't look quite right. The second time it happened I started to panic as we were waiting for the EMTs.
God met us in those moments. My sister Johanna stared praying and seeking god's healing for my girl. My mom started singing Jesus loves me to her. His peace was palpable in those moments. And although I felt like I was falling apart in those moments God brought us through. Days later when I was speaking with my nephew he asked me why I was so calm. I certainly hadn't felt that way but God's peace flowed outwardly. I was happy to hear him say that and to give God the credit. A testimony to His provision in times of need.
Paisley was admitted to the PICU for three days. Due to the three events (she stopped a third time once the EMTs were there) we were monitored very closely and set set up to have lots of specialists once we got home. The consensus at the time was that she had stopped breathing due to severe reflux. The chest x-ray that she had while in the pedi ER showed chronic microaspiration, so they attributed what had happened to that.
Sunday, November 17, 2013
World Prematurity Day
Today, November 17th is world prematurity day. In honor of all the preemies who have left this world too soon, who have struggled more than anyone should ever have to, and for my precious miracles who all came too soon, I will post their stories....
When I went into pre-term labor with Sammy at 27 weeks I was dumbfounded. I had no thoughts that this would ever happen to me. I had thought that I was eating healthy, exercising, resting appropriately and doing all that the doctors recommended. I was placed on bed rest and on medications to stop the contractions. I was able to carry Sam's pregnancy to 35 weeks and 4 days. At that point I was diagnosed with severe pre-eclampsia and HELLP Syndrome. I was induced to save both of our lives. When he was born he had poor apgar scores and had to be resuscitated. He spent 19 days in the NICU, had lots of apnea/bradycardia issues. He also was jaundiced and had some feeding issues. He is now 7, and is thriving. He has some medical issues but he is doing so well.
When I again went into preterm labor at 28 weeks with Sophia Grace, I was absolutely heartbroken. I so desperately wanted a full term healthy baby. Thankfully because I had already had one preemie I was able to get steroids to help develop Sophia's lungs faster. When she was born at 35weeks and 1 day I was thrilled when she came out screaming and was 5lb 8oz. She had TTN, which is "transient tachypnea of the newborn", but it resolved quickly. She also was jaundiced but was able to come home on day 5. It was wonderful having her come home so quickly.
When I got pregnant with Preston in 2011, I initially starting seeing a regular OB doctor, but around 20 weeks started having elevated liver tests, and there was a thought to induce labor so that I would deliver the baby and not get sicker. I was adamant that I wasn't going to have the baby that early. I decided to go to the high risk OB's in Boston, and it was a wonderful decision. They listened to every complaint I had and gave me steroids as I requested. With Preston I never officially had HELLP Syndrome but the doctors believed I was headed in that direction so they wanted to deliver him. I delivered Preston at 34 weeks and 3 days. He was my big boy weighing in at 5lb 15oz!!! Preston required intubation, bili lights, and some tube feedings, but was discharged from the hospital at 10 days of age.
And then sweet Paisley. I expected that I would have complications this pregnancy and didn't expect that I would be able to carry to full term. Throughout the pregnancy there were more and more issues. My goal was just to make it to 34 weeks so that I could deliver at Emerson Hospital which is the hospital where I was born. Unfortunately I only made it to 33 weeks. Paisley weighed 4lb 3oz when she was born. She dealt with respiratory distress, some bradycardia, jaundice, poor feeding and some vomiting issues. She stayed in the hospital for what seemed like forever and was was discharged after 21 days in the hospital
As you can see prematurity has played a huge role in my journey as a mother. I haven't gotten the experience of bringing home a full term chunky baby, or felt so big when I was nearing my due date. Please support preemies and the March of Dimes, and the research they can do to prevent this from continuing to happen to others.
When I went into pre-term labor with Sammy at 27 weeks I was dumbfounded. I had no thoughts that this would ever happen to me. I had thought that I was eating healthy, exercising, resting appropriately and doing all that the doctors recommended. I was placed on bed rest and on medications to stop the contractions. I was able to carry Sam's pregnancy to 35 weeks and 4 days. At that point I was diagnosed with severe pre-eclampsia and HELLP Syndrome. I was induced to save both of our lives. When he was born he had poor apgar scores and had to be resuscitated. He spent 19 days in the NICU, had lots of apnea/bradycardia issues. He also was jaundiced and had some feeding issues. He is now 7, and is thriving. He has some medical issues but he is doing so well.
When I again went into preterm labor at 28 weeks with Sophia Grace, I was absolutely heartbroken. I so desperately wanted a full term healthy baby. Thankfully because I had already had one preemie I was able to get steroids to help develop Sophia's lungs faster. When she was born at 35weeks and 1 day I was thrilled when she came out screaming and was 5lb 8oz. She had TTN, which is "transient tachypnea of the newborn", but it resolved quickly. She also was jaundiced but was able to come home on day 5. It was wonderful having her come home so quickly.
When I got pregnant with Preston in 2011, I initially starting seeing a regular OB doctor, but around 20 weeks started having elevated liver tests, and there was a thought to induce labor so that I would deliver the baby and not get sicker. I was adamant that I wasn't going to have the baby that early. I decided to go to the high risk OB's in Boston, and it was a wonderful decision. They listened to every complaint I had and gave me steroids as I requested. With Preston I never officially had HELLP Syndrome but the doctors believed I was headed in that direction so they wanted to deliver him. I delivered Preston at 34 weeks and 3 days. He was my big boy weighing in at 5lb 15oz!!! Preston required intubation, bili lights, and some tube feedings, but was discharged from the hospital at 10 days of age.
And then sweet Paisley. I expected that I would have complications this pregnancy and didn't expect that I would be able to carry to full term. Throughout the pregnancy there were more and more issues. My goal was just to make it to 34 weeks so that I could deliver at Emerson Hospital which is the hospital where I was born. Unfortunately I only made it to 33 weeks. Paisley weighed 4lb 3oz when she was born. She dealt with respiratory distress, some bradycardia, jaundice, poor feeding and some vomiting issues. She stayed in the hospital for what seemed like forever and was was discharged after 21 days in the hospital
As you can see prematurity has played a huge role in my journey as a mother. I haven't gotten the experience of bringing home a full term chunky baby, or felt so big when I was nearing my due date. Please support preemies and the March of Dimes, and the research they can do to prevent this from continuing to happen to others.
Saturday, November 9, 2013
3 months old
Can you believe it? Miss Paisley is 3 months old now!!! I feel like especially with her time is flying by. AT 3 months Paisley is 9lb, and is 20 and 1/4 inches long. She is cooing, and smiling largely now. She can roll from her back to either side but can't seem to get herself all the way over quite yet. She is my "high maintenance baby". She loves to be held and snuggled all the time, which isn't conducive to getting anything done around the house. She is continuing to love nursing and takes some of my milk pumped in a bottle fairly well. She is very gassy at times, and I wonder if she has any allergies or something that we are not thinking of....
Sleep is a huge challenge right now. She doesn't like to be put down at all, and therefore someone is going to have to hold her throughout the night. Right now she sleeps on top of me as we have been trying to get her to sleep longer....
Monday, September 30, 2013
Wildwood Farm
When was a teenager I worked at a beautiful farm and I LOVED it!!! It is a horse farm, but back then they also had cows, a few pigs and some other animals. It was such a fun job and so rewarding. In the fall every year they had a farm stand at which they sold things like apples, pumpkins, corn stalks and fall decorations. So fun! Anyways ever since I was a kid we make a trip to the farm at least once each fall to spend the day, picking pumpkins and experiencing the beautiful scenery. This fall was no exception....
This little white pony is named Sugar. And he has been there since I work there. He is almost 18 years old. Preston and Sophia absolutely adored him. Preston bent over next to his face every time he wanted to talk to him. It was so funny!
Wow attempts at family pictures are getting more and more difficult. It was so funny when we were trying to take these photos. Preston was trying to eat a crab apple, Sam and Sophia thought it was the funniest thing ever. Paisley was hungry and I was desperately trying to keep her not screaming for the picture.
I am so blessed to have grown up in such a loving, fun, Christian home. My parents have been married for more than 33 years and they still laugh often. They raised us to love and respect each other and others. They taught us to be kind and giving. They taught us to work hard and to earn what we have. They told us to do everything to the best of our ability. I LOVE that my parents are so close and we can see them so often. Unfortunately my dad didn't join us at the farm this time but my sister Deanna and her husband TJ joined us. Deanna and TJ are expecting their first child Noah, in December. I a cousins around for the kids to play with.
There is a huge old tree at the farm with a great tire swing. The kids and Matt had a blast playing on it. I laughed so hard when the kids twisted the swing up so tight and Matt was spinning in circles. He was so dizzy when he got off :-)
This little white pony is named Sugar. And he has been there since I work there. He is almost 18 years old. Preston and Sophia absolutely adored him. Preston bent over next to his face every time he wanted to talk to him. It was so funny!
Wow attempts at family pictures are getting more and more difficult. It was so funny when we were trying to take these photos. Preston was trying to eat a crab apple, Sam and Sophia thought it was the funniest thing ever. Paisley was hungry and I was desperately trying to keep her not screaming for the picture.
I am so blessed to have grown up in such a loving, fun, Christian home. My parents have been married for more than 33 years and they still laugh often. They raised us to love and respect each other and others. They taught us to be kind and giving. They taught us to work hard and to earn what we have. They told us to do everything to the best of our ability. I LOVE that my parents are so close and we can see them so often. Unfortunately my dad didn't join us at the farm this time but my sister Deanna and her husband TJ joined us. Deanna and TJ are expecting their first child Noah, in December. I a cousins around for the kids to play with.
There is a huge old tree at the farm with a great tire swing. The kids and Matt had a blast playing on it. I laughed so hard when the kids twisted the swing up so tight and Matt was spinning in circles. He was so dizzy when he got off :-)
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Sunday
Gosh I love sundays! I love going to church and praising God for His goodness and provision. I love worshipping with my friends and family. I love seeing little lives learn to love and trust God. I am so blessed to have an amazing church with a pastor who preaches so His Word is speaking right to me.
Today after church we went over to my parents for sunday dinner. The food was yummy and the company excellent.
Uncle TJ and Auntie Deanna (and Baby Noah) are so good to the kids. They did puzzles and raced, read, tickled, rough housed, etc with them.... SO FUN!!!
Uncle TJ and Auntie Deanna (and Baby Noah) are so good to the kids. They did puzzles and raced, read, tickled, rough housed, etc with them.... SO FUN!!!
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