Surgery Pictures Day 1

I forgot the USB to transfer pics from my camera to computer, but I got some on my phone that I can post.  Here ya go!

We waited 4 hours for surgery, and H was a champ!

Cutie!

Fell asleep for a long time while we were waiting.

Immediately after surgery, not too swollen yet!

Starting to swell a little more!  Sleeping well.

Surgery Day 1: Continued

I know what you're thinking. GO TO SLEEP, WOMAN.  But I'm not listening.  Actually, I have already taken the advice of two friends and popped some Tylenol PM, so I should be dozing off shortly, but like I said... I want to update because I know there are people out there who want to know, and because someone down the road will have to go through this, and I'd like them to have some resources!

Praise to God!  Our afternoon wait went by rather quickly, and that's a good thing because I'm pretty sure my heart rate was elevated for the entire 3 hours that Henry was under the knife.  Blood pressure too.  His surgery was supposed to take 4 hours, so that was awesome!

The craniofacial surgeon met us immediately following the surgery to give us a report.  He told us that Henry did awesome... he started with more blood than most babies and lost less blood than the average baby!  We'll come back to this.  But we immediately got to go back to ICU and see Henry when the surgery was over.  (I was expecting about 2 more hours after they were finished w/ the surgery.)

When we went back to see him he was not very swollen yet.  He was just resting peacefully... with several IVs, catheter, and oxygen mask of course!  His head already looked REALLY good - much shorter from front to back.  His scar looks good, too.  No bandage at all, just some antibiotic ointment on top of it.  I cannot wait to see the shape after much of the swelling goes down in about 2 weeks!

For the rest of the night our family was in and out, and we were just talking to him and holding his little hand.  He was so sweet, and he squeezed our fingers and responded to our voices.  Very sleepy, and he did open his eyes for just a few sweet seconds!  But they were starting to get more swollen as the night went on... his head became very squishy.  Kinda cool, but also a little weird to feel.  He's on pain meds, which make him sleepy.  I am eager for him to eat something - word on the street is that he may get apple juice, which would be so fun for him AND for me!

Anyway, after they took his first blood sample they said his hemoglobin was low, but the doctor wanted to wait 4 more hours to see if it went up at all.  We could tell he thought it would go up, but when they retested it had gone down.  The doctor said he was very disappointed based on what I said earlier... that he had hardly lost any blood and that he had tons of blood to start with... but it's not the amount of blood that they are testing for, so...... MEDICAL STUFF!  Who knows?  He said at that point it was safer to have the transfusion than not to have it.  He said if it was his kid (he has an 8 month old baby girl), then he'd do the transfusion.  Obviously we were not going to argue with that.

Different than what we wanted, but God is faithful and good. His ways and thoughts are higher than ours. Always always always!

Okay, as you can tell, I am super out of it.  Okay... hahahahaha.  I think that Tylenol PM is starting to kick in.  Sooooooooooo, I went home at 9 PM, and Matt is staying at the hospital tonight.  This made it much easier for me to leave.   I don't think I am forgetting anything except to tell you that for those of you who followed my updates today and prayed, I am so very thankful.  THANK YOU THANK YOU!

Now, I gg rest so I can have all the energy for that sweet boy tomorrow.  His eyes will probably be purple and swollen shut when I get to the hospital.  Love ya peeps!

Surgery Day 1: Morning Waiting

Surgery Day 1: No Sleep, No Food, Just Coffee, Adrenaline and Grace

Well, you can see my tweets and get a good idea about how our morning has gone, but I am going to go ahead and write it out because I found it helpful when I was reading other people’s blogs who had gone through the same thing.

For starters, I did not sleep much last night – not necessarily because I was nervous, but because the bed I was using was EXTREMELY uncomfortable, and I was sharing it with my baby boy. Unfortunately, even though he’s small, he likes to spread out. So does his momma! We are not good sleeping partners! I finally fell asleep around 1 AM, but woke up again to feed Hy at 2 AM, which was the last possible chance he’d get to eat (excuse me “feed”) before surgery. Unfortunately for both of us, he did not wake up, and I did not go back to sleep! So I was happy for 5:30 AM to get here.

We got to the hospital at 6:20, which was good because we didn’t know where we were supposed to go. Checked in at 6:30, then at about 7:15 we found out that there was an emergency surgery in the room that morning, so Hy’s was going to be pushed back. Apparently the Lord wants me to practice waiting… patiently AND pleasantly.

The pediatric anesthesiologist is supposedly awesome at her job, but she’s not particularly skilled in bedside manner- per say. She came in and bluntly told us that his surgery would be pushed back, and when I asked how long, she didn’t have an answer. Then she told me I looked “terrified.” Nice. I was really just concerned about having to wait w/ baby not having had any food, and I wanted an idea about how long it would take. As you can tell, I didn’t like the comment! ☺

SO, anyway. We waited… and waited… and waited… Henry did awesome! He did not fuss at all. We could tell he was hungry at one point, so we just stuck his paci in his mouth and he fell asleep! He slept for probably 1.5-2 hrs, and woke up right as they were about to come get him. He was so happy this morning.

As you might expect, saying goodbye was emotional, but he didn’t cry, which made it easier. And even though we cannot be with him, we know that our Father is with him! Perfect Peace!

So, because he is a little guy, and because he is mildly dehydrated, and because he has some fat rolls, it can sometimes take awhile before they get him completely prepared for surgery. They have to find his veins and arteries, and put all of his IVs in… please pray now that this goes smoothly and that he gets started sooner rather than later. He’s been in the room for 50 minutes as of 11:25 AM, and we are estimating 6 hours in the room. Also pray for minimal blood loss.

Thanks for your support. Sometimes I want to throw my phone and internet connecting capabilities over a bridge, but I am reminded that there are SO MANY PEOPLE who are praying and who care about our sweet fella, and I want to keep you updated. I really appreciate and am humbled by those of you who are supporting us!

Now we are going to eat, read, and NOT look at our phones. Well, Matt probably will… Anyway, I will update you again when I get the chance! And I will try to post some pictures from this morning when I resume internet-ing. If you'll let me make up a word.

6 Months! (One month for each chin.)

I turned 6 months old yesterday.  Here is my best attempt at a picture with a 6 month sign...

My mom wants me to tell you that the flash on her camera usually causes me to make this face.  I always smile right AFTER the picture is taken.

Stats. 19 lbs 7 oz (88th %).  28 inches (90th %).

Newest skills. 

• I try to crawl, but I go backwards.  This frustrates me.  
• I can sit up for approximately 5-6 minutes by myself, but no one has actually timed that for accuracy.  After a little while, I usually tumble over big time.  I try to sit up in the bathtub, but it's slippery in there.  Still, I refuse to recline on my infant bath thingy... this makes bath time a little more difficult for mom and dad.  
• Today I had peas for the first time, and I looked at my mom like, "What in the world are you putting in my mouth, woman?!"  
• She also tried to give me some water in a sippy cup, but I really just wanted a bottle.  And water? What happened to MILK?
• This isn't really a "skill" per say, but my hair growth pattern is sort of funny (like my dad's).  I sort of have a Mohawk. It's cool.

Specific Prayer Requests

Hey guys!  So with surgery less than one week away now (it's on Tuesday the 31st), I thought I'd let you know how you can be praying specifically.

• That God's name would be lifted high.
• That we'd continue to trust our loving Father.
• That baby Hy would not get sick before his surgery on Tuesday.
• That the surgery would be successful and that there would not be a need for another surgery in the future.
• That Hy would not need a blood transfusion.
• That if Hy does need a blood transfusion that it would go seamlessly.
• For the surgeons (craniofacial and neurosurgeons).
• Peace for me and Matt and our family who will be waiting at the hospital during the surgery.
• That Hy's recovery would be fast.
• That there would not be any infections.
• That Matt and I could get good rest at night so that we can take care of Hy during the days while he is still in the hospital.
• Peace for Hy and rest.  He will be frustrated that he won't be able to open his eyes.
• That God would use the entire experience to bring about his purposes and plans...

We really are just ready for Tuesday to be here.  Thanks for your support!

daddy gets confused sometimes

Matt is struggling with his language these days. I will share three blunders with you.

1. This morning, as he was getting out some of his slacks to wear to work he said, "It's probably time for me to take these to the laundromat." Of course he meant the dry cleaners, not the place where you put quarters in the washing machine to wash your clothes.

2. The other night he asked Henry if he wanted to play with his "chew toy."

"Is he a dog?" I asked.

Matt meant "teething ring," but chew toy is close.

3. And finally, I keep having to explain to Matt the difference (at least in my mind) between "feeding" and "eating." I feed the baby. The baby eats. But many times, Matt says, "Henry is feeding right now." Which, quite honestly, makes it sound like he is a pig at the trough. I suppose that would make me the trough.

safety first!

Sometimes, H and I will just be hanging out at home, and I will feel a sudden urge to get out of the house... ASAP!! Usually, I don't know where we are going... I just know it's away. Most of the time we end up at Target.

One particular day last week, we got in the car and ended up at Sonic. As I was ordering my large Coke Zero, I looked at the little guy in his baby mirror, and he was sort of at a funny angle. Something wasn't right.

Turns out that his carseat was not properly hooked into his carseat base. And by not properly hooked, I mean, it wasn't hooked in at all. When do I get my mom of the year award?

More Fun In the Exersaucer!

Henry thought you'd enjoy watching him play a little more!

G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S

So it often happens that I am out and about, and suddenly I realize that it's time for little Hy (pronounced ACH-EY) to eat.  H and I do not do well nursing in public areas, even with a cover up.  He hates the cover up and tries to remove it the whole time, and I also hate it because I feel like it's completely awkward. And it is.  But we're all entitled to our own opinions.

Now obviously, it's legal to nurse without a cover up, but there's no way THAT would ever happen.  (Not that there's anything wrong with that... ? :/ Ha. ) So, long story short, we usually end up trying to do this in the car... I have tinted windows now, and it saves me a trip home.

So, the other day, I was with my friend (let me clarify, one of my BEST friends), and she was at my mercy, without a car, and Hy needed to eat. I decided that instead of dragging her all the way to my house, we should just try to do this thing in the car (she could sit in front seat and not look, and I could sit in back), then we could stay out and go to Target after baby boy eats! Genius, right?

Well, it was okay, except that sweet fella doesn't really let me talk when he is eating... or I should say, he get extremely distracted, but it's not like I was going to tell my friend not to talk to me.  So anyway... after about 10 minutes of really distracted, messy eating (sorry for the details), I decided he had enough to at least last another hour or so, and I started to put him back in his chair... but, he had a dirty diaper.

No prob, I'll just change it in the car - not a big deal.  Except now apparently when we take his diaper off, it triggers his pee pee... and he peed all over my shorts, which were probably not clean enough for me to be wearing in the first place.  On top of that, I did not have enough wipes left in my diaper bag to adequately clean that hiney.  (I know, my life is very glamorous.)  We decided to go home.

Later on this same day, I was changing ANOTHER dirty diaper (Hy's going more often than normal because of the procrit injections).  This time we were on the changing table, and as I was wiping his tush (I had his bottom in the air), he started to pee pee again... THIS TIME, however, guess where it went?  INTO HIS MOUTH.  Yes, yes it did.  Nice aim, buddy.

Sorry, this is about as funny as my life gets these days. :)

Infant Oatmeal! Anticlimactic much?

So, since today is officially two weeks before baby H turns 6 months old (um can you believe it?), we started infant cereal today! (Oatmeal, not rice, in case you were wondering.)

I've been waiting for this ALL week - sooooo excited.  Very childlike.

So we, nerdy first timers that we are, bounced out of bed this morning, got everything ready- the high chair, the video camera, a special bib with his name on it, some infant spoons, etc.  What were we expecting?  I'm not sure.

Poor kiddo didn't even know what was going on!  I put that first spoonful in his mouth, and based on his facial expression, it must have tasted like cardboard.  He was totally uninterested.  He was far more interested in his view of the floor from the high chair.  So he spit most of it out, then eventually he would chew on the spoon, and the whole thing was over in about two minutes.

Like I said... anticlimactic. Understatement.  When can we give him ice cream?

Here's the video so you can see for yourself!

Squeals and Laughs

Two videos for your enjoyment:

reheheally?

Well, I am not going to lie and say that I am not amazed that some of you did not find nursing to be incredibly painful. It's okay, I don't hate you. Maybe my kid is just a vampire? I know I'm not the only one! Anyway... there is hope for some of you! And I mean this when I say, I really hope it doesn't hurt for you.

We were in Temple yesterday for some of his pre-op appointments. It was emotionally exhausting. Matt and I are both just ready to have this thing OVER with. When I am not at the hospital with the doctors, I almost forget about the surgery, or just think about how it's a relatively common procedure. But when we're at the hospital, talking about it and preparing for it, it seems like as big of a deal as it actually is.

So... on the bright side, little guy gets weighed like every week now, so I can see all my hard work paying off. :)

Here is a really cute little video of him laughing. PLEASE ignore my baby talk. It's really not fun to hear, but the laughing it worth it.

And since I don't normally write about the little guy, I thought I'd let you know a bit about his personality. People are always making comments about his facial expressions... he is very expressive. He doesn't hide his emotions very well... they are all out there. The good thing is that he doesn't really cry too much, he just makes faces. So we know when he is unhappy, but we don't have to hear about it. He is VERY easy going, or so people tell me. (I have nothing to compare to him.)

Seriously, he looks like an adult. A lot of times he looks like he is contemplating. Or if someone in the room is talking, he usually looks very intensely at them, as if he is listening and taking in all that they are saying. Pretty funny. Matt and I think part of the reason his face looks so adultish is because of the craniosynostosis. Since his head is growing forward, his forehead is really big, which makes him look more manly than most babies. You know, it works for him.

Anyway the other thing people always comment about are his BIG BLUE EYES. This of course, is also something he gets from his daddy, who's senior superlative in high school, if you don't mind me reminding you, was "Best Eyes." I love this little man. It does hurt my heart to think about putting him through that surgery, but we know it's the best thing to do.

it is my duty to warn you, pregnant ladies

Ladies, it has come to my attention that I need to warn you about something... especially those of you who are pregnant with your first child, or who may become pregnant with your first child. And, especially those of you who plan to nurse your child (forgive me, but I am not going to write the b-word).

Here it is... NURSING HURTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, now that you get the point. See, I knew that it was going to hurt because I have an older sister... BUT, I didn't know that it was going to be as bad as it was. And, I have talked to several friends who say, "No one could have prepared me for this." Yes, Ladies, it is worse (in many cases) than labor. Well, okay, I am not at liberty to say that since I epiduraled it up. But, I just don't think it's common knowledge. Cause it seems pretty simple, right? How hard could it possibly be?

Well, consider this your warning. No one could have prepared me for it. There was crying, screaming, frustration, PAIN... a lot of pain. AND this was AFTER a lactation consultant told me that we were doing it RIGHT. So don't believe the people who tell you that if you are doing it the right way it won't hurt. They are liars.

Six weeks after little Enrique (his spanish name) was born, I was STILL wondering when it was going to stop hurting. By eight weeks, I was doing much better.

Just thought I'd put it out there. I decided it needs to be said.

Note, with the second child it is supposedly not bad.