When Keegan left the hospital his bilirubin level was a wee bit high at 9.1. Yesterday we took Grayson to his two year check up and Keegan tagged along- and Dr Esser drew some blood then to reveal a bilirubin level of 15.3. So today at Keegan's first official Dr appointment they took more blood to see what his level is today- hopefully it is under 17 and we can avoid phototherapy. Hopefully his good nursing, the fact that my milk has come in and the fact that his already gaining weight all mean his bilirubin levels will stabilize and we won't have to do anything else.
When Keegan left the hospital on 9-28 he weighed 9 lbs 5 oz, today on 9-30 he weighed 9 lbs 7.5 oz so he is already gaining weight! Dr Esser thought everything else looked good too (other than the slight yellow tinge to his skin of course). He thought maybe he felt a little click by his clavicle- that just maybe he had dislocated or fractured something on his way into the world- but he was unable to reproduce the sensation so he is unsure and I am unwilling to have Keegan exposed to radiation for nothing so we will just wait and see. Dr Esser recommended that we be a little careful in how we pick Keegan up- not picking him up under the arm pits- for at least a few weeks just in case his clavicle is out of wack.
We wait now for Dr Esser to call us with the bilirubin test results this evening and find out if we have to do anything. Then Keegan goes back in three weeks for a weight check and then for a regular two month appointment as long as all continues to be well.
Feeling lucky to have such healthy boys!
Friday, September 30, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
The Story of Keegan's Arrival
All day Monday at work I felt a little off- a little back pain, a little tired, a little ...off but I didn't think anything about it- though I was dissappointed that I was unable to get into my chiropractor that afternoon. I worked all day and felt fine, and then came home and wanted to go run some errands with my guys. I felt like we spent most of the weekend sitting around the house since Ryan had hurt his back so I wanted to just get out and about for a little while. Ryan and Grayson and I went to the grocery store, picked up some dinner and ran an errand or two and then we came home.
While putting together the finishing touches on dinner at about 6:30 pm I noticed that my back was really starting to bother me and it was hard to pick up Grayson. Then while we were eating I noticed that my back was hurting in waves even if I wasn't moving.... and started to wonder if that meant labor was on its way.
Ryan turned on his phone timer and it turns out there was a wave of pain across my low back about every four minutes- interesting- so we decided to try to just pay attention to that and timing and see what happened.
At about 7:10 I called my mom in Illinois and told her that I thought things could be starting and asked her to consider driving up to stay with Grayson just in case - she was happy to skip her dinner and hop in the car :) Ryan and I kept timing the contractions and they were staying about 4 minutes apart, but only lasting about 40 seconds or so and I was very comfortable in between- it didn't seem like things were moving all that quickly but it was also clear that they weren't stopping either.
By 9:00 I was starting to get uncomfortable so I hopped in the shower while my mom and Ryan watched the baseball game. I also started to think of all the things I had forgotten to pack in my bag- my glasses case, deoderant, lotion.... and so I sent my mom up and down the stairs a dozen times fetching things for me while Ryan iced his back and waited for me to feel ready.
At about 9:50 I told Ry I thought it was time to call the Doctor and let them know things were moving ahead. We ended up leaving for the hospital at about 10:15 pm and while driving there the contractions were too intense to talk through or ignore but I felt totally fine in between each one and actually commented to Ryan that I hoped we weren't heading to the hospital too soon. (On the way to the hospital during my labor with Grayson I couldn't focus on anything other than the contractions the whole time- so this feeling fine between was totally new to me.)
We arrived at the hospital about 10:40 pm and I knew it wasn't too soon, we got up to Labor and Delivery and the nurses took one look at me as I was getting through a rough contraction and took us straight to a room and let us skip triage (Woo hoo!) When we got to the room I felt really nauseated and kept feeling like I had to throw up (though I never did) and couldn't sit down because the pain became too intense. The nurse needed to check me so I had to lay down for a minute and when she did she discovered I was already 7-8 cm and there was a bulging bag of water. They called Cheri for us (she wasn't even on call and they weren't certain she would be able to come in) and when the nurse told her how far I was she said she was on her way (yay!) Our nurses were AMAZING- they let me stand while they did the fetal monitoring so I could sway and move rather than be stuck on a bed, they skipped triage so we could go straight to a delivery room, they were kind, quiet and supportive and seriously wonderful.
Shortly thereafter Misty arrived and I was pacing the floor. My feet really hurt from standing in the shower for an hour at home and then pacing at the hospital and I found good relief from wearing my sandals while I walked. Cheri got there while I was pacing as well and we chatted and spent time between contractions- it was hard work but doable for a little while. That is until the contractions started to double on top of each other- then honestly things got pretty uncomfortable- I would have one long contraction and it would start to slow down and another would start right away with no break. Eventually the only thing that made anything feel okay was Ryan jamming his palms into my low back on each side of my spine and just pushing until the contraction stopped- that made it manageable. After a bit of this Cheri wanted to check me again- which I dreaded because that meant lying down which I *did not* want to do. But I did- and when Cheri said I was 8 with a bulging bag it didn't even register that not much had changed. Then she said she wanted to break my water and the first thing I said was that Bridges told me everything gets a lot more painful after that- Cheri said we were moving in that direction either way it was just how fast- so we decided to let Cheri do whatever she recommended (thanks Ry for reminding me to just trust her- I actually made him make the decision because I felt I couldn't decide anything at that time). The downfall of agreeing to have the water broken was that I had to stay laying down for a while and OMG that hurt- I felt like with each contraction I was flailing on the bed (though Ry and Misty say that wasn't the case) it was very intense. After Cheri broke the water I got back up and stood for all of two minutes (repeatedly asking for my shoes by the way) before I felt like I had to vomit- which again I did not do- and then felt the undeniable need to push. Thank goodness for the nurse and Cheri who got me back in the bed or I would not have been able to do it on my own. I did come to the conclusion somewhere around then that it hurt way worse this time- and no one seemed to disagree with me.
By the time I laid back down little man was on his way and there was no stopping him. Ry stood on my left, Misty stood on my right and Cheri talked me through it all. I closed my eyes, I was super focused and I had a baby boy. I have come to the conclusion that Cheri is a 'whisperer' of some sort- she knows the exact right thing to say at the exact right time-- amazing.
Keegan had the cord wrapped loosely around his neck one time and pooped on his way out but otherwise was awesome. His 1 minute Apgar score was 7, his 5 minute apgar score was a 9, he snuggled on my chest skin to skin for an hour before they took him to weigh him or measure him, he nursed well on the table, he did all of the most amazing new baby things. He was born safely, surrounded by love and my most favorite people, with no meds- just his pure, sweet self surrounded by my awesome cheerleaders and support people. Once again- it was all worth it- the chiropractic care, the supplements, the pain, the determination, the nutrition, the choosing of our team of special people, all of it came together to support our sweet boy as he was born.
Before Keegan was weighed and measured Cheri came back to say good night and head home, Dr Dolan (the MD on call) came in to say congrats- and tell Ryan he was right I was in labor :) and then it was just me and Ry and Misty and Keegan.
After about an hour or so they weighed and measured him- to reveal that it *might* have hurt more than with Grayson since he was a whole pound heavier!
We got to the hospital at 10:40 pm and at 11:27 pm Keegan Orlo Schmitz was born weighing 9 lbs 12.6 oz at 21.5 inches long and perfect in every way! We are truly blessed and so thankful for another safe delivery, another healthy son, another blessed experience.
While putting together the finishing touches on dinner at about 6:30 pm I noticed that my back was really starting to bother me and it was hard to pick up Grayson. Then while we were eating I noticed that my back was hurting in waves even if I wasn't moving.... and started to wonder if that meant labor was on its way.
Ryan turned on his phone timer and it turns out there was a wave of pain across my low back about every four minutes- interesting- so we decided to try to just pay attention to that and timing and see what happened.
At about 7:10 I called my mom in Illinois and told her that I thought things could be starting and asked her to consider driving up to stay with Grayson just in case - she was happy to skip her dinner and hop in the car :) Ryan and I kept timing the contractions and they were staying about 4 minutes apart, but only lasting about 40 seconds or so and I was very comfortable in between- it didn't seem like things were moving all that quickly but it was also clear that they weren't stopping either.
By 9:00 I was starting to get uncomfortable so I hopped in the shower while my mom and Ryan watched the baseball game. I also started to think of all the things I had forgotten to pack in my bag- my glasses case, deoderant, lotion.... and so I sent my mom up and down the stairs a dozen times fetching things for me while Ryan iced his back and waited for me to feel ready.
At about 9:50 I told Ry I thought it was time to call the Doctor and let them know things were moving ahead. We ended up leaving for the hospital at about 10:15 pm and while driving there the contractions were too intense to talk through or ignore but I felt totally fine in between each one and actually commented to Ryan that I hoped we weren't heading to the hospital too soon. (On the way to the hospital during my labor with Grayson I couldn't focus on anything other than the contractions the whole time- so this feeling fine between was totally new to me.)
We arrived at the hospital about 10:40 pm and I knew it wasn't too soon, we got up to Labor and Delivery and the nurses took one look at me as I was getting through a rough contraction and took us straight to a room and let us skip triage (Woo hoo!) When we got to the room I felt really nauseated and kept feeling like I had to throw up (though I never did) and couldn't sit down because the pain became too intense. The nurse needed to check me so I had to lay down for a minute and when she did she discovered I was already 7-8 cm and there was a bulging bag of water. They called Cheri for us (she wasn't even on call and they weren't certain she would be able to come in) and when the nurse told her how far I was she said she was on her way (yay!) Our nurses were AMAZING- they let me stand while they did the fetal monitoring so I could sway and move rather than be stuck on a bed, they skipped triage so we could go straight to a delivery room, they were kind, quiet and supportive and seriously wonderful.
Shortly thereafter Misty arrived and I was pacing the floor. My feet really hurt from standing in the shower for an hour at home and then pacing at the hospital and I found good relief from wearing my sandals while I walked. Cheri got there while I was pacing as well and we chatted and spent time between contractions- it was hard work but doable for a little while. That is until the contractions started to double on top of each other- then honestly things got pretty uncomfortable- I would have one long contraction and it would start to slow down and another would start right away with no break. Eventually the only thing that made anything feel okay was Ryan jamming his palms into my low back on each side of my spine and just pushing until the contraction stopped- that made it manageable. After a bit of this Cheri wanted to check me again- which I dreaded because that meant lying down which I *did not* want to do. But I did- and when Cheri said I was 8 with a bulging bag it didn't even register that not much had changed. Then she said she wanted to break my water and the first thing I said was that Bridges told me everything gets a lot more painful after that- Cheri said we were moving in that direction either way it was just how fast- so we decided to let Cheri do whatever she recommended (thanks Ry for reminding me to just trust her- I actually made him make the decision because I felt I couldn't decide anything at that time). The downfall of agreeing to have the water broken was that I had to stay laying down for a while and OMG that hurt- I felt like with each contraction I was flailing on the bed (though Ry and Misty say that wasn't the case) it was very intense. After Cheri broke the water I got back up and stood for all of two minutes (repeatedly asking for my shoes by the way) before I felt like I had to vomit- which again I did not do- and then felt the undeniable need to push. Thank goodness for the nurse and Cheri who got me back in the bed or I would not have been able to do it on my own. I did come to the conclusion somewhere around then that it hurt way worse this time- and no one seemed to disagree with me.
Keegan had the cord wrapped loosely around his neck one time and pooped on his way out but otherwise was awesome. His 1 minute Apgar score was 7, his 5 minute apgar score was a 9, he snuggled on my chest skin to skin for an hour before they took him to weigh him or measure him, he nursed well on the table, he did all of the most amazing new baby things. He was born safely, surrounded by love and my most favorite people, with no meds- just his pure, sweet self surrounded by my awesome cheerleaders and support people. Once again- it was all worth it- the chiropractic care, the supplements, the pain, the determination, the nutrition, the choosing of our team of special people, all of it came together to support our sweet boy as he was born.
Before Keegan was weighed and measured Cheri came back to say good night and head home, Dr Dolan (the MD on call) came in to say congrats- and tell Ryan he was right I was in labor :) and then it was just me and Ry and Misty and Keegan.
After about an hour or so they weighed and measured him- to reveal that it *might* have hurt more than with Grayson since he was a whole pound heavier!
Monday, September 26, 2011
Welcome to the world Keegan Orlo Schmitz
Keegan Orlo Schmitz picked his own birthday and arrived at 11:27 pm on September 26, 2011 weighing in at a solid 9 lbs 12.6 oz, 21.5 inches long and with a head circumference of 37 cm.
To the Due Date and Beyond!!!
Somehow Buzz Lightyear's voice has gotten stuck in my head as I think about how we have gone to our Baby B's due date and beyond.... it is like when a song gets stuck in your head and you can't get it out.
Today is 4 days past our due date, but I honestly can't remember what the ultrasound said when they did that at 11 weeks- and since we hadn't told people yet I wasn't blogging about the pregnancy yet and therefore didn't write it down anywhere that I can find. Grayson was born two days after the due date predicted by his ultrasound and so I was kind of thinking Baby B would come out and meet us this past weekend about 2-3 days after his due date. However- obviously he has other plans.
I am at work today, Monday, which is actually a good thing since I am returning part time on Mondays and Wednesdays after 6 weeks of full time maternity leave so every Monday and/or Wednesday I work actually buys me more time at home with Baby B and G and Ry (but working Thursday and Friday don't benefit me at all so let's kinda hope Baby B decides to come before then...)
Our next appointment with Cheri is this Wednesday- which would be 40 weeks 6 days. At first I was thinking I would call the office and see if I could get in today or tomorrow BUT after thinking about it some more if I don't go in then no one can say the word 'induction' and I can give Baby B more time to pick his birthday. Though I am curious to see if things have progressed at all- last week I was 3 cm dilated and I am wondering if things have moved forward at all- but since I am not inclined toward medical intervention to start labor yet there is really no point yet other than satisfying my curiosity.
Wednesday is also Grayson's second birthday- kind of wondering if Baby B wants to share his brother's birthday or if he is going to pick his own- I am getting SO curious about this kid... what he looks like, what he is like, everything.
Today is 4 days past our due date, but I honestly can't remember what the ultrasound said when they did that at 11 weeks- and since we hadn't told people yet I wasn't blogging about the pregnancy yet and therefore didn't write it down anywhere that I can find. Grayson was born two days after the due date predicted by his ultrasound and so I was kind of thinking Baby B would come out and meet us this past weekend about 2-3 days after his due date. However- obviously he has other plans.
I am at work today, Monday, which is actually a good thing since I am returning part time on Mondays and Wednesdays after 6 weeks of full time maternity leave so every Monday and/or Wednesday I work actually buys me more time at home with Baby B and G and Ry (but working Thursday and Friday don't benefit me at all so let's kinda hope Baby B decides to come before then...)
Our next appointment with Cheri is this Wednesday- which would be 40 weeks 6 days. At first I was thinking I would call the office and see if I could get in today or tomorrow BUT after thinking about it some more if I don't go in then no one can say the word 'induction' and I can give Baby B more time to pick his birthday. Though I am curious to see if things have progressed at all- last week I was 3 cm dilated and I am wondering if things have moved forward at all- but since I am not inclined toward medical intervention to start labor yet there is really no point yet other than satisfying my curiosity.
Wednesday is also Grayson's second birthday- kind of wondering if Baby B wants to share his brother's birthday or if he is going to pick his own- I am getting SO curious about this kid... what he looks like, what he is like, everything.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
40 weeks...
So technically Thursday the 22nd is 40 weeks and our due date with Baby B.... the reality of course being that he can join us anytime :) and I am getting anxious to meet him. I cannot wait to see if he looks like Grayson, or Daddy, or maybe even me (crazy talk I know since Grayson looks EXACTLY like his daddy). I am also super curious as to when he will arrive. Grayson was intially due on September 23rd but I always thought he would be later and then an ultrasound told us he would come around September 26ish- he chose to join us on September 28th. This sweet boy's due date is September 22nd- and the ultrasound confirmed that timing to be pretty accurate within a day or two so I am wondering when he will arrive. I am hoping to meet him before the weekend is over :)
At my 40 week appointment with Grayson (which was on a Thursday and then he was born the following Monday) I had a cervical check which revealed I was 3-4 cm dilated, 75% effaced and at a +1 station. So that was 3-4 days before his birth. On Tuesday the 20th (two days before Baby B's due date) at my 40 week appointment Cheri checked me and this time around I am 3 cm dilated, 60% effaced and at a -1 station...... so who knows. If things follow the same trajectory Baby B should be here within the next 4 days, maybe :)
Oh and stats- Baby B's heartbeat was in the 140s today, I have gained a total of 13 pounds all pregnancy and Cheri measured me at 41 cm- all nice and lovely and reasonable measurments :)
At my 40 week appointment with Grayson (which was on a Thursday and then he was born the following Monday) I had a cervical check which revealed I was 3-4 cm dilated, 75% effaced and at a +1 station. So that was 3-4 days before his birth. On Tuesday the 20th (two days before Baby B's due date) at my 40 week appointment Cheri checked me and this time around I am 3 cm dilated, 60% effaced and at a -1 station...... so who knows. If things follow the same trajectory Baby B should be here within the next 4 days, maybe :)
Oh and stats- Baby B's heartbeat was in the 140s today, I have gained a total of 13 pounds all pregnancy and Cheri measured me at 41 cm- all nice and lovely and reasonable measurments :)
Friday, September 16, 2011
39 week pictures
Being busy working full time and mommying full time and such -- I haven't been as good at taking or posting pics of my Baby B Belly as I was the first time around. But here are a few snapshots of what it looks like for Baby B to be growing big and strong and healthy in mommy's belly.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
39 weeks
We got to see Alli this week for our weekly appointment- and really didn't ahve much to say or do because everything is totally fine which is awesome.
Baby B's heartbeat was in the 130s, I have gained a total of 12 pounds, my blood pressure was a lovely 112/74 and Alli measured me at 41 cm this week. Baby seems good, momma seems good, all is well.
Baby B's heartbeat was in the 130s, I have gained a total of 12 pounds, my blood pressure was a lovely 112/74 and Alli measured me at 41 cm this week. Baby seems good, momma seems good, all is well.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Happy Birthday Mommy
A birthday party for mommy with my two sons- Grayson @23.5 months and Baby B @ 38.2 weeks :)
Thursday, September 8, 2011
38 weeks
Today we saw Cheri for our 38 week check up- and again today we were blessed to be told that all is well!
BP is good (118/64), weight gain is good (9 pounds total so far), measurements are good (38 cm) and Baby B is head down, butt up - though he is not engaged yet and still kind of floating around in his mommy pool for now.
Baby B is full term for sure now so if he decides he is ready to be born he should be healthy and fully cooked- which is reassuring for sure. His nursery is ready, the newborn size clothes have been washed, his coming home outfit is ready to be packed.... now Mommy needs to get cracking on the next part of the to do list: pack a hospital bag for mom and dad, find the carseat so Ry can install it when the time is right, finish my schedule for my speech kids at work, finish up the last of my classroom set up at the school, and make an address list for sending out Baby B's birth announcements. Which sounds like a lot- but honestly none of it is mandatory all just preferred.
Not much else to report- Cheri is out of town on and off until next Sunday the 18th but Alli is certain she would take great care of us so I guess things really are ready to go if he is ready.
I am kind of hoping he keeps cooking for at least one more week and would be totally fine if he wanted to stay in there for two more weeks- each week he stays in mommy's tummy is another week that I can work which obviously delays my return to full time work further into the school year....
I was rereading my journal from Grayson's pregnancy and noted that at this time when I was pregnant with him I was already so puffy that I couldn't wear my wedding rings anymore- that hasn't happened yet which is nice. I am also not as swollen or uncomfortable as I was this time last time around- which is also nice. Though I am still hoping for a very similiar delivery experience so I don't want things to veer too differently :)
BP is good (118/64), weight gain is good (9 pounds total so far), measurements are good (38 cm) and Baby B is head down, butt up - though he is not engaged yet and still kind of floating around in his mommy pool for now.
Baby B is full term for sure now so if he decides he is ready to be born he should be healthy and fully cooked- which is reassuring for sure. His nursery is ready, the newborn size clothes have been washed, his coming home outfit is ready to be packed.... now Mommy needs to get cracking on the next part of the to do list: pack a hospital bag for mom and dad, find the carseat so Ry can install it when the time is right, finish my schedule for my speech kids at work, finish up the last of my classroom set up at the school, and make an address list for sending out Baby B's birth announcements. Which sounds like a lot- but honestly none of it is mandatory all just preferred.
Not much else to report- Cheri is out of town on and off until next Sunday the 18th but Alli is certain she would take great care of us so I guess things really are ready to go if he is ready.
I am kind of hoping he keeps cooking for at least one more week and would be totally fine if he wanted to stay in there for two more weeks- each week he stays in mommy's tummy is another week that I can work which obviously delays my return to full time work further into the school year....
I was rereading my journal from Grayson's pregnancy and noted that at this time when I was pregnant with him I was already so puffy that I couldn't wear my wedding rings anymore- that hasn't happened yet which is nice. I am also not as swollen or uncomfortable as I was this time last time around- which is also nice. Though I am still hoping for a very similiar delivery experience so I don't want things to veer too differently :)
Friday, September 2, 2011
A Nursery!!
Baby B has a nursery! A bed for him and mommy, a crib for him (although his brother is spending a lot of time in there right now), decorations, cuteness, fun animals, storage, a dresser, a changing table..... phew!
Now all we need is to do some laundry and fill that dresser and find the carseat- then we will be ready for Baby B! (or as ready as you ever can be for a baby...) I am so excited, so relieved and so pleased with how it has all turned out. Baby B is one loved little man and he isn't even here yet. Grayson loves to play in his room and bed, Daddy has been shopping and arranging and sorting and getting everything just perfect and Mommy has been growing and dreaming and hoping- I can hardly wait to meet this boy!
Now all we need is to do some laundry and fill that dresser and find the carseat- then we will be ready for Baby B! (or as ready as you ever can be for a baby...) I am so excited, so relieved and so pleased with how it has all turned out. Baby B is one loved little man and he isn't even here yet. Grayson loves to play in his room and bed, Daddy has been shopping and arranging and sorting and getting everything just perfect and Mommy has been growing and dreaming and hoping- I can hardly wait to meet this boy!
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