Week 2!

Well, little Micah is 2 weeks old now! The first week he was an amazing sleeper.... this past week I think we have moved into a colicky stage, NOT FUN- especially when Matt has been sick over half the week and unable to help with him!  Micah has been crying from about 10pm-2am a couple nights this past week.  He does great during the day, but that time hits and it's miserable.  I am NOT a night person either, so most of those nights he has ended up in our bed just so I could sleep-- (away from Matt).  We've been trying the gripe water, colief and gas drops... so far nothing has worked extremely well, but we'll see.  I'm glad Matt is better and can help out more... he is SO good at staying up and I don't mind getting up at the 4:30ish feeding time. 

Caylee on the other hand is doing MUCH better!  My Grandpa and Aunt had been here all last week to continue our help and she did well with them.  (Well, with my aunt she did well.  Apparently, she pushed her Great Grandfather's hand off the shopping cart on their 2 Walmart runs-- crazy girl!  I know she loves him though because she kept bringing him her piano he bought and they'd dance to it!)  She has been sleeping so much better and I am thankful my aunt was here to get up with her in the mornings like my mom did.  I still can't lift Caylee for a few weeks, so getting her in and out of bed is a challenge for me. 

Today was our first day alone (Sherry comes tomorrow for the rest of the week to help).  We have done ok so far.  Caylee slept in late (8:20!), which meant Micah and I could sleep in and catch up a little.  She did not nap, that was difficult, but has been pretty happy anyways.  Poor Micah is still screaming at feedings and we have been through 3 outfits because of his extreme spitting up!  He also had a bath this morning (it's taking me a while to get used to changing boys... just saying....)  Caylee and I played in a tub of water and washed her toys-- that was great fun for her and a huge help to me!  We have had all our meals on the floor due to my not being able to lift her, but she's done wonderful.  She is learning (and doing VERY well) at going down our stairs on her bottom too... and is also doing great at climbing on her new stool (thanks Grandpa!) to get on the couch with me.

I am feeling ok, but still have to remember that 2 weeks out is not very much-- I've pushed things a little too much these past few days with Matt being sick, but hope to take it easier this week :)


Caylee's open mouth kiss... she's eating his head!! Too cute :)

Reorganizing our fridge! YEA! Thanks so much!

Loves to use the swing when Micah isn't...

Poor little guy had hiccups he just couldn't get out...

 
Wide awake.... was hoping this meant he'd sleep... no such luck!  He is a cute one though...

Loves his bouncy seat too and took everything apart...

Great Aunt Debbie

 

 

Probably one of my favorite pics, even though I don't have make-up on! 

I really loved having my mom, grandpa and aunt here the past 2 weeks.  I could not have done this without them (or Matt too, but he's here no matter what).  I miss them TONS and wish they'd come back!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2013

 

 

 

 

1 Week!

Micah is one week old!  We had his check-up yesterday and he's doing fantastic.  Weighing 8lbs 5oz, he hasn't quite reached his birth weight, but they said that he should by week 2.  He grew to 21 and 1/4 inches!

Micah has been sleeping and eating great-- we really hope this continues! He is finally starting to be more alert during certain periods of the day.  I love seeing Caylee love on him, but she still seems a little jealous too.  We'll get there, she just definitely has her preferences these days and I'm not one of them right now.  She'll come around though...

First few days at home

These first few days at home have been a challenge.  The surgery was Monday and they let me go Wednesday afternoon.  I was glad to be home, but that just meant it was a little chaotic.

Caylee has been unsure of this whole thing for a few days now.  She loves going to see Micah and hold his hand, but she does not appreciate that I won't pick her up and I haven't been able to get on the ground to play.  She is EXTREMELY clingy to Matt at the moment and throws fits anytime anyone other than him tries to play or help her with something.  This is getting frustrating, but Matt is so good and has spent extra time with her.  Major meltdown last night was very unpleasant, but I guess these are to be expected. 

Sleep is harder to come by, but Micah has been AMAZING. He'll go 4 hrs and 3hrs between feedings at night.  This is great for me!  Caylee is still not sleeping well, and given that going up and down stairs is not recommended for me a bunch at this point, Matt is the one who deals with her.  I feel SO bad for him, but he's an amazing dad and has given up MANY MANY hours of sleep to help her (he has probably lost more sleep then I have).

During the days, my mom helps Caylee and does GREAT.  For the first time, Caylee doesn't cry during diaper changes and she's super helpful at everything else.  My mom has really done a great job (I should have just had her potty train Caylee while she was here!).  My grandpa has been doing dishes and cooking (my mom cooks too)... this is no easy task with our appliances (or lack of stove/oven) and no dishwasher.  Again, I have so appreciated them being here.  Grandpa also takes trips to Walmart and shops for us-- all kinds of things!  I love it! 

I take care of Micah and try to play with Caylee when possible.  He's been pretty easy and I love that he'll snuggle so much--- he really likes being wrapped and held tight.  Recovery is going so much better than last time, but I can definitely tell when I over-do it.  I feel so much better than I did the first time around, but still need to take it easy I guess. 

Here are some pics of us being at home. 

Going home from hospital...

 Saying hi!

Sweet boy :) He sleeps a ton... I forgot!

Clapping to music ....

 

Kisses...

Books....

Love her!

Baby in a pouch :)

More books...

 

Micah- Meeting Family

Thankfully, my mom and grandpa flew from FL to stay with us the first week.  Their main objective... take care of Caylee!  They were so much help while we were in the hospital and at home-- laudry, playing, dishes, dinner, etc... I have really loved having them here!!! 

Tuesday morning they brought Caylee to the hospital.  This may have overwhelmed her because they had a TERRIBLE night with her after that.  However, I was so glad to see her and couldn't wait for her to meet Micah.  She was very unsure about me being in bed and clung tightly to Matt (although, this seems to be the case now everytime he is home too).  She wasn't sure about Micah either and whether she could touch him.  She'd stick her hand out and then pull it back.  He's the size of her baby dolls, but moves-- that was weird for her. 

Here are some pics of the first meetings with everyone though....

 

We told her to give him a kiss and she gave Matt a kiss instead.

 

Great Grandfather!

 

Grandma!

Feb 4th- The Whole Story

February 4th!  The day had finally arrived!  My doctor scheduled this day for the c-sec at my 20 week appointment, so I had been anticipating it for a long time... 19 weeks to be exact.   The surgery was originally scheduled for 1pm.  However, the week before we found out my doctor's father had passed away and she wouldn't be able to perform the c-sec.  She offered for us to reschedule another day, but at that point I had my helpers in town and was just ready to be done.  I opted instead for a later surgery time (2:30) and a different doctor (Dr. Coates).  I had met the doctor previously because you have to see everyone in the practice during the pregnancy anyways.  She is very nice and I felt comfortable with the change.

 

That morning (while everyone else ate around me) we just hung out, played with Caylee and made sure bags were packed.  Matt and I arrived at the hospital at 11:30.  They put us in a room and began the prep work.  2 hours later all of their questions were answered, my IV was in and Matt was changed into scrubs for the OR room.  This time around seemed so much smoother.  The only catch was that they wanted to put the catheter in before my spinal had been done... "no thank you" I said.  This caught the nurse a little by surprise, but I assured her my doctor had assured me that this was not a necessary procedure and to avoid the uncomfort I could have it put in after the spinal. 

 

Once in the operating room, they were ready to insert the spinal.  With Caylee, they had given me a drug to calm my nerves.  With Micah they don't allow such drugs.  I remember EVERYTHING.  This is good and bad.... bad because I cried through the spinal- even though it didn't hurt too much- I was just scared.  Bad because I could hear every word the doctor and nurses were saying... "wow, this baby is big", "hmm.. he seems stuck", "well, maybe we should try the vacuum".... all of these things and watching Matt's face during everything made me extremely nervous.  The spinal was also making me super dizzy and nauseous (not good when lying down).  The good side was that I remember his first cry and I heard good things like "look how healthy" and "everything looks great".  This time around they cleaned him up in the OR room and didn't whisk he and Matt away... both stayed while I was getting sewn back together.  

 

The highlights were

1. Seeing Matt hold him for the first time.  He had tears in his eyes and he is not a crier.  

2. Me getting to see him for the first time... so much hair! 

 

They moved Matt and I to recovery while the nursery checked out Micah.  We had to be in there for 2 hours.  It wasn't so bad... time seemed faster to me anyways.  They brought Micah back and we tried the breastfeeding again.  (another story...) 

 

Overall, the nurse- Debby- who had been with us all day was WONDERFUL!  I had a really good experience with all the OR nurses too.  They were so reassuring and comforting.  Matt and I seemed a lot more relaxed and it was a great day.

 

Once in my room, we made some phone calls, emailed pics and began taking care of Micah-- well, Matt did, as I was still stuck in bed.  He was fantastic.  We did use the nursery at night for some extra sleep, but during the day he was with us. 

 

Our experience was really great at St. Rita's.  The staff was super nice and the rooms were great.  I, of course, enjoyed the food too (I don't mind hospital food at all).

 

 

We are super excited about little Micah!!!

 

(Hospital pics... I took with my camera while the girl took the professional ones-- Day 2 of life!)

 

 

 

 

Welcome Micah!!

Micah James Parsons

8lbs 13oz

20.5inches

St. Rita's Hospital

Lima, OH

3:14 pm Feb 4, 2013