In two days I go back to work. I'm in for a rude awakening on Monday morning when I wake up and have to go to work. No more going upstairs everyday at 5 or 6 a.m. to feed Walter James and fall asleep in the chair until he wants more food or Travis joins us.I still have the weekends.
I guess I should catch you all up on the last 8 months! The highlights are:
- I had gallbladder surgery when I was 14 weeks pregnant
- Russell didn't like glasses so we switched to eye patches which didn't work either, now we're on to eye drops - they are working.
- We celebrated Russell's first birthday. When Travis turned one, Becky told me that she felt like it was an accomplishment when her kids made it to one. With Travis, it didn't feel that way, but with Russell, I felt like it was a great accomplishment! We went through so much with him, especially in the first few months.
- We celebrated one year since heart surgery. Matt didn't tell me that Russell was still high risk for the first year after surgery. It was a good thing he didn't tell me - there probably would have been many sleepless nights for me.
- We celebrated Travis' 3rd birthday! He is so funny and smart. He knows his ABC song (although sometimes he skips letters because they are "bad"), can count to 10, knows his colors and most importantly, he LOVES his brothers and the rest of his family. Travis repeatedly says he is going to take care of "everyone" but he isn't going to be a doctor. When I'm sad, Matt has taught him to give me hugs and kisses to make me feel better. It certainly helps even if it doesn't cure me. :)
-Matt and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary and 10th anniversary of being together. I look back at our time together and I'm so thankful for Matt. He is the reason I finally got help for my depression and other issues. He supports me when I miss meds or am just having a bad day. He makes me laugh and he is a great father to our boys. I have to admit I was hesitant about having him stay home with kids and watching tv, but Travis is so smart and the Wonderland therapists who work with Russell tell Matt to keep doing what he is doing. He reads to the boys and works with Russell as the therapists request.
-I got a promotion at work! I was a legal education coordinator for 8 years and now (well, when I go back) I will work with our Pro Bono, New Lawyer and Mentorship team. I'm very excited for many reasons.
I'm sure I'm forgetting a lot but it's 1:15 a.m. and it's been 8 months.
Saturday, November 7, 2015
Walter James
Walter James was born on October 10, 2015 at 2:20 a.m. Walter is named after a lot of amazing men. Walter is a name in Matt's family going back 5 generations on his dad's side (turns out I have a lot of Walter's on my side too) and James is after my brother and Matt's maternal Grandpa, "Papa." I pray that Walter James is 1/10th the man that any of the men he is named for are. For the Walters, I only know Matt's Dad, whose middle name is Walter but everyone calls him Chip. He is a wonderful guy, a strong Catholic and someone that I really respect. Jim, as I'm sure you all know, is....I don't even know what word to use...I admire his faith and the fact that he lays his life on the line everyday, although it scares me and I have to put out of my mind what he does and just pray that he is safe. As for Papa, I didn't get to know him before his Alzheimer's but I have many great memories of him and have been told wonderful and funny stories. He was in the military and a cop in Illinois. Grandma and Papa moved to Washington to be close to their Grandchildren - sounds like he was a great family man. He passed away in 2014.
The day I went into labor (Friday, October 9), I worked all day. My contractions were really erratic and not real strong, which usually means it is Braxton Hicks but they started at about 8:30 a.m. and continued. Thankfully, I have a great co-worker who lives nearby and drove me home at 3. We got to the hospital about 9:30 (we dropped the kids off at our good friends, Kit and Sally) and got my Group B Strep meds at 10:05 p.m. That means Walter James had to stay in until 2:05 a.m. so the antibiotics would be in my system 4 hours. My parents and Matt's parents were in the room with me until about 1:45 a.m. when I kicked them out. At 2:05 exactly, I started pushing and 15 minutes later, Walter James was born. It was the most intense delivery out of the three but the easiest recovery. We weren't even in the hospital 36 hours after he was born. That's a first for us!
I have to give credit to the wonderful women on my Mom's side that got together 2 months before for a birth blessing (like a shower but better). They all got candles to light when I went into labor and they made me a pretty bracelet that represented all of their prayers for me to have at delivery.
The last 4 weeks have been wonderful being home with the boys and cuddling Walter James, Travis and Russell.
The day I went into labor (Friday, October 9), I worked all day. My contractions were really erratic and not real strong, which usually means it is Braxton Hicks but they started at about 8:30 a.m. and continued. Thankfully, I have a great co-worker who lives nearby and drove me home at 3. We got to the hospital about 9:30 (we dropped the kids off at our good friends, Kit and Sally) and got my Group B Strep meds at 10:05 p.m. That means Walter James had to stay in until 2:05 a.m. so the antibiotics would be in my system 4 hours. My parents and Matt's parents were in the room with me until about 1:45 a.m. when I kicked them out. At 2:05 exactly, I started pushing and 15 minutes later, Walter James was born. It was the most intense delivery out of the three but the easiest recovery. We weren't even in the hospital 36 hours after he was born. That's a first for us!
I have to give credit to the wonderful women on my Mom's side that got together 2 months before for a birth blessing (like a shower but better). They all got candles to light when I went into labor and they made me a pretty bracelet that represented all of their prayers for me to have at delivery.
The last 4 weeks have been wonderful being home with the boys and cuddling Walter James, Travis and Russell.
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Procedures
Russell got his glasses. He is so adorable in them.
Thiur
Russell is getting tubes put in his ears on Thursday morning. The actual procedure only takes about 10 minutes but they give them anesthesia so we will be in the hospital for about 4 hours. Usually, the procedure is done in a doctor's office but because of his heart surgery, they want the procedure to be done in the hospital.
I think we have finally solved the health problems I've been having for the last 4 years - my gallbladder. I have also had a lot of abdominal pain so I went to the ER last week. I saw a general doctor and a G.I. doctor as well. Yesterday, I had a HIDA scan where they watch a tracker go through my body and hope to see the gallbladder. Then they give meds to make it constrict. Mine isn't constricting enough (only 10%) so I'm going to a surgeon tomorrow to find out the details of gallbladder surgery.
Here are some pictures of my cute kids:
Friday, January 23, 2015
The Last Three Months
I know it has been awhile. After everything calmed down with Russell, I realized my depression was still there. I had been feeling depressed since last March or April but I always blew it off for one reason or another - pregnancy, Russell's diagnosis, worried about surgery, postpartum and so on...My Doctor, Matt and I talked and tried different medications and strategies to help fight the depression. I think we finally found a good solution. It may need to be tweaked in a couple of months once we really see how the newest medication works for me but I'm back on my feet and feeling good.
So, what has happened the last three months? A lot. Russell is 8 months now and thriving. He went to the neuro clinic at Children's earlier this week. They said if he had some of the same capabilities that a 2 month old did, they would be ok with that. They placed Russell in the 4-6 month range. In addition, he had a 6 month review with the Wonderland speech and occupational therapists. They put Russell's development at a 5+ month old level. He has met most of the goals we set for him 6 months ago.Granted, he is still a bit behind but considering he had heart surgery and has Downs, he is doing really well. All the professionals are really happy with him.
Children's also said that language can be a sign of intelligence. Russell likes to talk A LOT. He can say "baba," "mama" and when he is really in distress, "dada." I'm his clear favorite which is a great feeling. I get lots of smiles, laughs and conversations that Matt says he doesn't get.
We ordered Russell bifocals last week. They should be in this coming week. The sample ones were so cute. The bifocals will help him see up-close without turning his eyes inward and decrease the rapid eye movement.
Travis is 2.5 now. He loves Russell. Even the Wonderland therapists have noticed how good Travis is with him. Travis runs down the hall and then slows down and walks carefully by Russell.
Travis is a gamer. He is better at video games than I am and tells me what to do when I play. The other night Matt was taking Travis down to bed and asked if he wanted his tablet. Travis said, "No, iPad." Matt asked again and got the same response. We're not sure where he figured out iPad, it must be from his Grandad (Matt's Dad). He is the only one that has an iPad. He knows all of the letters, just not in order. Travis also likes to talk A LOT. He is full of energy and we are having so much fun with him.
So, what has happened the last three months? A lot. Russell is 8 months now and thriving. He went to the neuro clinic at Children's earlier this week. They said if he had some of the same capabilities that a 2 month old did, they would be ok with that. They placed Russell in the 4-6 month range. In addition, he had a 6 month review with the Wonderland speech and occupational therapists. They put Russell's development at a 5+ month old level. He has met most of the goals we set for him 6 months ago.Granted, he is still a bit behind but considering he had heart surgery and has Downs, he is doing really well. All the professionals are really happy with him.
Children's also said that language can be a sign of intelligence. Russell likes to talk A LOT. He can say "baba," "mama" and when he is really in distress, "dada." I'm his clear favorite which is a great feeling. I get lots of smiles, laughs and conversations that Matt says he doesn't get.
We ordered Russell bifocals last week. They should be in this coming week. The sample ones were so cute. The bifocals will help him see up-close without turning his eyes inward and decrease the rapid eye movement.
Travis is 2.5 now. He loves Russell. Even the Wonderland therapists have noticed how good Travis is with him. Travis runs down the hall and then slows down and walks carefully by Russell.
Travis is a gamer. He is better at video games than I am and tells me what to do when I play. The other night Matt was taking Travis down to bed and asked if he wanted his tablet. Travis said, "No, iPad." Matt asked again and got the same response. We're not sure where he figured out iPad, it must be from his Grandad (Matt's Dad). He is the only one that has an iPad. He knows all of the letters, just not in order. Travis also likes to talk A LOT. He is full of energy and we are having so much fun with him.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)