Since I last wrote, I've decided to change doctors. After seeking more information about the placental abruption and getting a better understanding of what I was seeing from ultrasound technicians, I believe the use of such dire words as "it looks ugly" were unnecessary.
I'll have time for a better medical update next week, when I plan to be on vacation, but the brief version is there is a small problem that needs careful watching to make sure it doesn't worsen or affect the baby.
On to the pickles and caramel sauce.
This weekend my Alayna was very hungry. I think she is going through a growth spurt.
On Sunday, she'd already had a very nice, healthy, hearty lunch, but still had her apples. My mom asked if she wanted to dip her apples in some caramel sauce. She said yes.
So she put a dollop on her plate right next to the remaining ketchup from lunch. (She likes to dip things.) She mixed the caramel and ketchup together and dipped her apples. "MMmmm, tasty," she said. When the apples were gone, she was left with the rinds of bread-and-butter pickles and a couple tortilla chips on her plate. She typically eats the center out of the pickle circles and leaves the rest. Well, that dip of caramel and ketchup was so good, she placed a pickle rind on a chip and dipped that. Apparently, that also hit the spot. She ate the remaining pieces of pickle and chip the same way.
Later in the day, she was involved in some heavy pretending. Talking with her stuffed animals, Grandma and I. Suddenly, Alayna looked a the sunroom door and exclaimed: "Rabbit's here!"
She ran to the door. Opened it. And said: "Oh, Rabbit. It's so good to see you. How wonderful!"
Then she proceeded to introduce the imaginary rabbit friend to Grandma and I. A little while later, she ran to the door to invite Rabbit's friend in.
That three-year-old imagination is wonderful.
One more Alayna story today. Alayna has discovered jokes ... kind of. Last night she told me she was going to tell me pink mushroom jokes. Here's how the first one went: "Mama say pink mushroom." "Pink mushroom." "Pink Mushroom who." Not knowing what i was supposed to say I responded: "Pink mushroom you."
This was followed by much enjoyable belly laughter, first by Alayna and then by me because she was so funny.
A comedian is born ... or if you think back to the pickles and caramel-ketchup sauce, maybe an Iron Chef!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Monday, October 6, 2008
Ultrasound: joyous, then numbing
After seeing Alayna off, I had an ultrasound and doctor's appointment this morning. Ultrasound appointments have typically been something to which I really look forward.
This morning, I got to see baby stick her tongue out at me and bat away pokes to my tummy with the ultrasound wand. I could see all four chambers of her heart beating away and a well-formed spine. I accounted for all 10 fingers and all 10 toes, all the major bones and a profile that looks a lot like Alayna's ultrasound photos. Seeing her stick out her tongue was particularly entertaining.
She measured right on track for her age. She measures at 21 weeks 4 days and is 21 weeks 6 days. That's right at the 50th percentile.
But then the ultrasound technician asked if I'd had any bleeding. I said no and asked why. She mumbled something I couldn't understand so I asked again. She said the "membranes hadn't fused" and she was going to get the doctor. I had no idea what that meant, but decided it was probably not too bad and she would have the doctor look just to be careful.
It turns out there are two large blood clots interfering with the placenta's attachment to the wall of the uterus and that that could be detrimental to the baby. The doctor's word's "I'm going to be honest with you; your placenta is looking really ugly."
Rather than an insult, it was just scary. I've become very attached to this baby, with her deadline and middle-of-the-night kicking patterns. The other very scary thing was the way the ultrasound technician said she was sorry.
The doctor said there isn't much to do except monitor the pregnancy closely. I'll need to have an ultrasound once a week to check the baby's growth and the blood clots.
She talked a lot about the loss of babies, which I don't really remember very well. I think I did an excellent job of blocking it out. I do remember she said that someone else who developed the same thing at 12 weeks recently delivered a healthy baby.
I think it will take a day or two to not feel distressed. In the meantime, I need to explain to Alayna that I'm not allowed to pick her up for a while. That is likely to result in the occasional tantrum and will be hard on everyone.
I'll provide updates as I get them. In the meantime, I still feel the baby kicking and pray she'll stay healthy.
This morning, I got to see baby stick her tongue out at me and bat away pokes to my tummy with the ultrasound wand. I could see all four chambers of her heart beating away and a well-formed spine. I accounted for all 10 fingers and all 10 toes, all the major bones and a profile that looks a lot like Alayna's ultrasound photos. Seeing her stick out her tongue was particularly entertaining.
She measured right on track for her age. She measures at 21 weeks 4 days and is 21 weeks 6 days. That's right at the 50th percentile.
But then the ultrasound technician asked if I'd had any bleeding. I said no and asked why. She mumbled something I couldn't understand so I asked again. She said the "membranes hadn't fused" and she was going to get the doctor. I had no idea what that meant, but decided it was probably not too bad and she would have the doctor look just to be careful.
It turns out there are two large blood clots interfering with the placenta's attachment to the wall of the uterus and that that could be detrimental to the baby. The doctor's word's "I'm going to be honest with you; your placenta is looking really ugly."
Rather than an insult, it was just scary. I've become very attached to this baby, with her deadline and middle-of-the-night kicking patterns. The other very scary thing was the way the ultrasound technician said she was sorry.
The doctor said there isn't much to do except monitor the pregnancy closely. I'll need to have an ultrasound once a week to check the baby's growth and the blood clots.
She talked a lot about the loss of babies, which I don't really remember very well. I think I did an excellent job of blocking it out. I do remember she said that someone else who developed the same thing at 12 weeks recently delivered a healthy baby.
I think it will take a day or two to not feel distressed. In the meantime, I need to explain to Alayna that I'm not allowed to pick her up for a while. That is likely to result in the occasional tantrum and will be hard on everyone.
I'll provide updates as I get them. In the meantime, I still feel the baby kicking and pray she'll stay healthy.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Big-girl room painted. Check.
Paul went Up North this weekend to hunt Bambi (she was too wiley for him, though), so my Mom came over to entertain Alayna for a few hours Saturday afternoon so I could finish painting her room and move her furniture in. She loves it ... and why wouldn't she? It's pink and has princesses all over one wall. We even picked out a new pink-bladed ceiling fan. It might sound overwhelming but it's really quite nice. Alayna loves it. There's just a few details to finish and it's all done.
Once Alayna got to sleep Saturday night, I touched up the paint in the baby's room and painted a bedside table. Sunday, Alayna took a nap (who knew it was because she was coming down with strep?... arg), so I got the crib moved back in from the attic and sorted all the baby clothes from the attic for easier access when we need them again. ... I still have to find a few parts of the baby monitors, but I know we have them somewhere.
By Sunday night, Alayna had a high fever and two worried parents. 104 or 105 degrees while we waited for the Motrin to work. The Motrin worked to take it down to a less worrisome fever until we got to the doctor on Monday to learn she had strep. I stayed home Monday while GM's stock went crazy over the company drawing down another $3.5 billion in debt from an existing revolver. Paul stayed home Tuesday.
Have to run. Wrote this while waiting for the last editing and now need to get home!
I will give this little update on baby. She has already exercising her earliest attempts to make me prove she is more important than work. My newest daughter's routine is to kick, punch and do flip turns at her highest frequency when I am trying to write. It can make it very difficult to focus!
Once Alayna got to sleep Saturday night, I touched up the paint in the baby's room and painted a bedside table. Sunday, Alayna took a nap (who knew it was because she was coming down with strep?... arg), so I got the crib moved back in from the attic and sorted all the baby clothes from the attic for easier access when we need them again. ... I still have to find a few parts of the baby monitors, but I know we have them somewhere.
By Sunday night, Alayna had a high fever and two worried parents. 104 or 105 degrees while we waited for the Motrin to work. The Motrin worked to take it down to a less worrisome fever until we got to the doctor on Monday to learn she had strep. I stayed home Monday while GM's stock went crazy over the company drawing down another $3.5 billion in debt from an existing revolver. Paul stayed home Tuesday.
Have to run. Wrote this while waiting for the last editing and now need to get home!
I will give this little update on baby. She has already exercising her earliest attempts to make me prove she is more important than work. My newest daughter's routine is to kick, punch and do flip turns at her highest frequency when I am trying to write. It can make it very difficult to focus!
Monday, September 15, 2008
"My Birthday goes on forever and ever, Mom!"
The pink princess party for Alayna's birthday was a success, with princess balloons, a princess table cloth, a princess cake, princess napkins, pink plates, plastic gemstone rings and a few presents. Alayna was delighted ... and so were we all. All that pink helped counteract the pouring rain outside, too.
On Sunday, Alayna and I went for a nice hourlong walk in the morning while it was still dry out. Then my Mom came over to play for a while so I could finish painting Alayna's new big-girl room. Paul took the windows out to sandblast them so we could get rid of the peeling paint (and eliminate worries about lead). We ought to get it all put together by the end of the week.
About 7, while Paul was giving Alayna a bath, it stormed some more and a tree fell on the transformer on the street next to our house. The power crackled going on and off three or four times quickly before dying for good. Paul thought I'd electricuted myself and yelled down: "Katie, what are you doing!?!"
Luckily, it wasn't my fault and our hose seemed to be fine. We pulled out the headlamps and flashlights before it got too dark and Paul bought some ice to keep the milk and OJ cold. The power came back on at 3.
Then this morning, there was a three-car pile up right in front of our house just before Paul turned his car on to go to work. Snowy barked for most of the half hour that the cars were in our driveway with the police. ay ay ay. Alayna slept through the whole thing.
When we got to Cheryl's, Alayna and I found that the kids had decorated the house with a big sign that said "Happy Birthday Alayna." Joey made origami cranes and hung them from the ceiling. This afternoon, after lunch, Cheryl and Alayna planned to make brownies. Then the kids have skits and a treasure hunt planned for Alayna when they get home from school.
Alayna was ecstatic. "My birthday goes on forever and ever, Mom!"
I feel very fortunate to have such a loving, safe and flexible place for Alayna.
On Sunday, Alayna and I went for a nice hourlong walk in the morning while it was still dry out. Then my Mom came over to play for a while so I could finish painting Alayna's new big-girl room. Paul took the windows out to sandblast them so we could get rid of the peeling paint (and eliminate worries about lead). We ought to get it all put together by the end of the week.
About 7, while Paul was giving Alayna a bath, it stormed some more and a tree fell on the transformer on the street next to our house. The power crackled going on and off three or four times quickly before dying for good. Paul thought I'd electricuted myself and yelled down: "Katie, what are you doing!?!"
Luckily, it wasn't my fault and our hose seemed to be fine. We pulled out the headlamps and flashlights before it got too dark and Paul bought some ice to keep the milk and OJ cold. The power came back on at 3.
Then this morning, there was a three-car pile up right in front of our house just before Paul turned his car on to go to work. Snowy barked for most of the half hour that the cars were in our driveway with the police. ay ay ay. Alayna slept through the whole thing.
When we got to Cheryl's, Alayna and I found that the kids had decorated the house with a big sign that said "Happy Birthday Alayna." Joey made origami cranes and hung them from the ceiling. This afternoon, after lunch, Cheryl and Alayna planned to make brownies. Then the kids have skits and a treasure hunt planned for Alayna when they get home from school.
Alayna was ecstatic. "My birthday goes on forever and ever, Mom!"
I feel very fortunate to have such a loving, safe and flexible place for Alayna.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Birthdays!
Alayna turns three on Monday. General Motors turns 100 on Tuesday. Alayna's sister keeps kicking me to remind me she's in there. Life is busy.
We will have a princess cake of some sort for Alayna's party. She helped me bake it last night and I'll decorate it tonight after she goes to bed.
Alayna has requested a pink princess party, with "a parade of pink balloons." When I asked her if other colors were OK, she said: "As long as they're pink, mama." I learned about many of the requirements for this party when she told my Mom what I was supposedly planning.
Party hats, balloons, princess cake, presents and a parade were among the items mentioned.
Alayna has now finished two weeks of preschool. She goes twice a week for two hours at a time and is loving it. They do arts and crafts, play inside and out, listen to stories and have a snack. Life is good.
At the beginning and end of class each day, the children are asked to sit on a picture on a circle rug (to quiet down and pay attention to the teacher). Each day so far, Alayna always walks around as if she's considering all the pictures, but inevitably sits on the Queen, which I think she thinks is a Princess.
On Thursday, she was very excited when she first sat down and raised her hand to tell her teacher "My baby's going to sleep in my room." I don't think the teacher knew what she was talking about.
I found it very sweet. I hope the reality of a sister isn't too jarringly different from what Alayna's is hoping for. ... but I have my concerns.
We've moved the guest room into the office and I've given up my home office space so we can turn the old guest room into Alayna's new big-girl room. I've been painting it and talking to Alayna about it so she's ready for a move. I have a piece of wainscotting and some trim to finish this weekend, then we should be able to move Alayna in. The new baby will go in the smaller nursery where Alayna has been.
Once we get Alayna moved into the big-girl room (which has peachy-cream colored walls), i can touch up the paint in there, set up the crib and move the glider Paul got into place. Alayna will keep her rocker. ... We still need it for cuddling, stories and the occasional nightime wakeup.
The other thing I'm hoping to get done this weekend is finish building my new Ikea secretary. It's smaller than my older desk (which will become Alayna's) and will fit in the sunroom. As an added bonus, the whole think closes up when not in use to hide the computer and files.
Then the only other thing we need to do before Alayna's sister comes is find a dresser for Alayna. The old dresser matches the crib and has a changing-table style top.
I'm anxious to get the house in order fast, since I'm 19 weeks pregnant now. During the pregnancy with Alayna, I ended up on bedrest at 26 weeks. This time around that would be the first week of November, so the clocks ticking.
I fully expect to have a healthy pregnancy this time, but don't want to leave any preparations to chance.
We're looking forward to a wonderful birthday party tomorrow. I'll try to get a picture or two up before too long ... of Alayna in her party hat.
We will have a princess cake of some sort for Alayna's party. She helped me bake it last night and I'll decorate it tonight after she goes to bed.
Alayna has requested a pink princess party, with "a parade of pink balloons." When I asked her if other colors were OK, she said: "As long as they're pink, mama." I learned about many of the requirements for this party when she told my Mom what I was supposedly planning.
Party hats, balloons, princess cake, presents and a parade were among the items mentioned.
Alayna has now finished two weeks of preschool. She goes twice a week for two hours at a time and is loving it. They do arts and crafts, play inside and out, listen to stories and have a snack. Life is good.
At the beginning and end of class each day, the children are asked to sit on a picture on a circle rug (to quiet down and pay attention to the teacher). Each day so far, Alayna always walks around as if she's considering all the pictures, but inevitably sits on the Queen, which I think she thinks is a Princess.
On Thursday, she was very excited when she first sat down and raised her hand to tell her teacher "My baby's going to sleep in my room." I don't think the teacher knew what she was talking about.
I found it very sweet. I hope the reality of a sister isn't too jarringly different from what Alayna's is hoping for. ... but I have my concerns.
We've moved the guest room into the office and I've given up my home office space so we can turn the old guest room into Alayna's new big-girl room. I've been painting it and talking to Alayna about it so she's ready for a move. I have a piece of wainscotting and some trim to finish this weekend, then we should be able to move Alayna in. The new baby will go in the smaller nursery where Alayna has been.
Once we get Alayna moved into the big-girl room (which has peachy-cream colored walls), i can touch up the paint in there, set up the crib and move the glider Paul got into place. Alayna will keep her rocker. ... We still need it for cuddling, stories and the occasional nightime wakeup.
The other thing I'm hoping to get done this weekend is finish building my new Ikea secretary. It's smaller than my older desk (which will become Alayna's) and will fit in the sunroom. As an added bonus, the whole think closes up when not in use to hide the computer and files.
Then the only other thing we need to do before Alayna's sister comes is find a dresser for Alayna. The old dresser matches the crib and has a changing-table style top.
I'm anxious to get the house in order fast, since I'm 19 weeks pregnant now. During the pregnancy with Alayna, I ended up on bedrest at 26 weeks. This time around that would be the first week of November, so the clocks ticking.
I fully expect to have a healthy pregnancy this time, but don't want to leave any preparations to chance.
We're looking forward to a wonderful birthday party tomorrow. I'll try to get a picture or two up before too long ... of Alayna in her party hat.
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