Reflux and Regression

That is what is happening here. Cade started some regression last week and Alice's cold turned into reflux, well not really, but the symptoms overlapped and confused us all. I'm very tired. My heart is tired for Cade and my eyes are tired from being open and looking at my daughter gag and cough. I have much to say about this all and will leave you with a few photos before I sign in later to post the full story!

Little Miss has been keeping us busy. Last week I was sick with a cold and luckily Scott's family came into town to help out! He went back to work and I was so glad to have the help since I was still 2 weeks PP. They played with Cade and I would leave Alice with them so I could drive him to school and pick him up etc. It was nice to be back on a semi-routine.

However - Cade had the croup the first week she was born, then I had a cold and inevitably Miss Alice got sick. Saturday she was so fussy and she has not been fussy at all - Sunday she started nasal congestion. Let me tell you that having a 2.5 week old baby with nasal congestion is scary. We did hot steam showers, saline and by midnight we took her to the ER. Babies first ER trip:( Hopefully last. She just has a cold, they ruled out swine flu and RSV (which is what we were worried about). Monday was scary too and now it is out of her nose and in her chest. Ick. We had my Mom come help this week and we all took turns watching her breathe at night. So it has been busy and sleepless over here. Today we see a huge difference in her. She is much better and just crying a wee bit after she coughs:( which is only after she feeds.

She has been such a great little addition to the family. Mr. Cade has been remarkable too. He helps get diapers and burp pads or blankets when my hands are full. He really loves her and wants to hug and kiss her all the time. We are thrilled with how he is handling things. While being sick we still found time to absorb the miracle of our family of four. We are just so in love with our kids and in between snotty rags and tissues we are pretty happy over here.

I will post some new photos of Alice tomorrow or the day after. Our computer has been funky and the camera died too. Plus I'm just about 1-2 weeks behind and I do plan on that being the norm!!!!

Big Brother

Big Brother has been a good and jolly camper! He got sick three days ago and that always changes everything:( His first words to Alice were, "I love you ever" - how sweet? He was very interested in the whole process, mommy's belly was cut and Alice came out! And Mommy has a big boo boo and Mommy had a boo boo on her hand (from the IV). He was not wanting to kiss or hug from the side were my IV was! He was not into that at all. He had a brief moment of visitation at the hospital before they shut down visitation to children 1-18 years of age.... for swine flu precautions. It was good for him to see where Mommy and Daddy were spending their time. He told his Grammy repeatedly that he missed his "family":( As far as Alice interest: he seems really into her reflexes and thinks she hiccups a lot (which she does). So far he is doing well with the change, but I miss him and I think he misses me. I have not been able to pick him up and lean over a bathtub yet and snuggles are not the same when he can't sit on my lap! Looking forward to feeling better so I can lift him and rock him etc.

Alice is well and double mamma-hood is good in many ways!!! Although I have not been able to go out and walk due to the rain here and that is very depressing! Scott goes back to work Monday and I will have his parents in town for help. He has been incredibly supportive & I am still a little nervous for him to leave the nest. Part in parcel because he has our routine down to a science here! He has just been plain awesome. He asked for swaddle lessons in the hospital because I could not really take care of her. He did everything while we were there! He had to teach me the tricks of the trade!

Anyhoo- Alice is lucky to have such a great Dad and big brother! I will post more often as soon as I get the hang of this new gig I have!

Baby Alice officially kicked off labor around 3am Monday morning, I went about my normal routine but knew something was brewing. By dinner that night I had called our doula and family members and we knew she was close. I labored at home until 1am on Tues and decided it was time due to my level of comfort. Sadly I was only 1cm and I chose to go back home, felt defeated because I was in a lot of discomfort. I labored at home until 9am, again we felt we were getting closer, I arrived 5cm fully effaced. I was so excited and thinking it was soon (if I only knew)...... fuve hrs later only 6cm, tried the epi and reacted to the numbing drug, scary, labored on own for another 4 hours and only got to 7-8 cm. I was starting to fade so after 2 days of labor a Csection... She was born at 8:20pm on Tues. night! Weighing in at 7 2.5 oz. Big brother pics are coming, we are editing, these are from hospital and no children were allowed in under 18 (swine flu rules).... I will post more soon. Cade is doing AWESOME! He is impressing us each moment and each day! He loves her "forever"!!! What a sweet guy!

Still here....

Scott has been amazing this week. This is his third day off during an incredibly BUSY time in his year/schedule. He took Cade to see a movie and insisted I rest. I was really trying to do the tailgater for Navy because the weather only lends itself toward two things in my mind: football or pumpkin/outside fall fesitval frolick. He reminded me that was my brain's wants and not what my body's wants/needs and I love him for that. Baby is sooooooo low that it is slow moving for me and I really don't have energy to walk or stand in a field for football or pumpkin kiddie junk. My last apt. I was almost 100 percent thinned out but no dilation:( I'm hoping that I have more to report at my next apt. Thursday and I'm hoping she comes before our due date on Saturday. I really don't want to be induced. I'm not feeling that per say but I just don't like the thought of pitocin induced contractions, heard they were painful and not so fun. So for today, my boys are out investigating the town and I'm here hanging out with Bear the bulldog! He is fairly calm and chill to hang with! Will keep you posted on little miss!