Sicky Pants

Eli has bronchitis. Mommy too! We're tired at our house.

We took a trip home to my parents' to visit while my sister was visiting. We had a nice time, butone night Eli went to bed with a cough and woke up wheezing. After holding him all night I took him to Urgent Care in the morning and he had a breathing treatment. He sure didn't like it! Once we got home from our trip, I took him back to the pediatrician and he had another--but this time he slept through it. Poor guy is so tired and worn out! He's sleeping a lot, eating a little, and watching a ton of TV.

I think we're on our way back to normal, but it's been a long week so far.

catching up

Okay, it's been a long time. My surgery got me all out of sorts and now I really feel like I'm finally catching up with everything... in real life too, not just in blog-land.

I am gallbladderless and it went fine. It was a lot worse than I expected though--a lot of people made it seem like it would be a really simple surgery to recover from but I didn't find that to be true. My parents came and were such a huge help when I really needed them. My belly button incision got infected so I was back visiting the doctor last week but otherwise everything has been fine.

Eli turned 3 months old during my blog-hiatus. I attempted to take him for some real, official 3-month portraits but the little stinker wasn't having any of it. He cried the whole time we were there so it was really a waste of my time. I have lots of pictures but I was really hoping to get some official ones at the milestones. I hope he's a lot more cooperative by 6 months! Oh well. Here's his monthly shot:

Speaking of shots, we are finally caught up!

Another new development is hair loss. I'm not sure how my hairy little man has now become almost completely bald on top! I miss his hair! I hope it comes back soon but in the meantime, it's something to giggle about. He looks so funny with his pattern baldness.

Josh's car is broken and we are getting tired of being stuck in the house all the time while he takes the car to work. Argh! We have replaced a lot of things and so far nothing is working. Pray for this! We are not in a financial situation that will really make room for a new vehicle. We started living on one salary this month and it is really rather terrifying. We are trusting God with this. I'm trying to fit some freelance editing in where I can. It's not easy but I hope as Eli gets a little older we're going to fall into a good routine where things do get a little bit easier.

I guess that's all I have for now. Here are some random pictures since I made you wait so long.

... and a video of Noah holding Eli. I love how he's talking to him and we can't understand it. :)

good days

I think we're seeing the light at the end of the colicky tunnel!

Thursday afternoon Eli started acting like a much happier baby. All of a sudden I could see such a huge change! We've still had our moments, like screaming through diaper changes, hysteria after a bath, and so forth, but in between we're having a lot more happy, smiling moments. Suddenly we're having fun and I'm so excited to say so! I hope it sticks. It started the day after he turned 12 weeks old, so I guess the 3-month estimation on the colic was true!

Josh's car is on the fritz so we've been stuck at home all week while J drove my car to work. It was kind of rough but we spent some time at the park right down the street, where I learned that Eli loves riding on the tire swing with me, and we just love the short walk to get the mail. He really loves to be outside.

My gallbladder surgery is tomorrow. I'm starting to get nervous now! I just can't wait until it's over. I was going through hospital bills yesterday... argh! We owe money at hospitals all over the city now with my surgeries and Eli's issues. I'm trying not to think about it too much. Staying home is a blessing but it's also a little scary!

Anyway. Here's some proof of our recent happiness!

surgery

What a crazy week it's been so far. Saturday night I was in the ER finding out I need gallbladder surgery. Monday we were at Children's getting an ultrasound for Eli and found out he needed surgery, too.

I had a feeling it would go that direction, but I was surprised they wanted to do it immediately. They sent us right from the Close to Home center directly to Children's and admitted us. I was hoping they'd do it that night, but they decided he needed to be on fluids overnight and they'd do the surgery in the morning. Well, that was okay, except poor Eli had been fasting for his ultrasound, so he hadn't eaten since 10am. He was already two feedings late at that point and he was so hungry and sad. They said he couldn't eat all night! I couldn't believe it. I was in tears with him. Watching him cry hungry was the worst. I just couldn't believe they let him go 30 hours without food... by the time the surgery was over and 3 more hours had passed.

hungry baby

I thought I was mentally prepared for the surgery, but it turned out I was a wreck. When they came to the room to take us down to surgery, I started crying and then by the time we got down there, I had calmed down. But then when they brought in the little face mask to put him to sleep with to show me it smelled like cherry, I started crying again. Then when they finally took him away from me, I was so upset. The nurse put him on her shoulder and walked away down a long hall, so I could see him looking back at me over her shoulder and crying. It was so sad. I wanted so much for it to be over, but I was so afraid to send him back there. I was thinking all kinds of irrational thoughts about never seeing him again. The wait in the waiting room was torture but luckily it was only just over an hour before the doctor came to tell us he was doing fine.

sleeping so peacefully after surgery

He slept most of the afternoon and then fussed most of the evening. I felt so bad for him because he was so tired, mostly drug-induced, I think, and then he was only allowed to have a little tiny amount of formula to eat and he was SO hungry. He slept well overnight though and by morning he seemed like a different baby! He was content with the 3oz we had worked up to and wanted to play and coo and smile. We left the hospital by 10am, stopped to eat, and came home and we all three took naps.

getting ready to go home

I had to wake him last night to feed him every three hours, so I'm hoping maybe there's a chance we'll start sleeping a little longer soon! It was all really difficult, but I'm so glad it's over and I can't wait for my little dude to start feeling normal and not having so many belly issues.

Eli's first sickness

We survived Eli's first bug!

We did a penpal program at work with a local 4th grade class, and Thursday we had a lunch at the school to meet the kids. I had to take Eli, and he started to be sick the next day so I'm pretty sure that's where he picked it up.

He started Friday afternoon with the runs, and throughout the night he was having at least two bouts of diarrhea with every feeding, and some here and there in between. By Saturday morning he had a fever of 100.9 and was acting even more fussy than normal. I gave him some tylenol and a bath and his fever came down, but he still had bad poops and then started with the puking.

Why do we always get sick on the weekend? I called the pedi's answering service because I was worried about dehydration. The doctor told me to give him pedialyte and watch his fever. By about 1am he was screaming for food, so we gave him a little at a time and by about 4am he ate 4oz, so we all went to bed. He woke up fine this morning, although he has been extra fussy all day.

Poor kid! So small to already have a sore butt from diarrhea! I felt so bad for him. Now we wait to see if the rest of the house catches his plague. I'm so glad Josh was home. We are looking forward to a more normal (well, we hope) night of sleep tonight!

formula and family

Eli's gastro issues have been driving me nuts! Him too, I'm sure. If he's not sleeping or eating, he's crying. I have a hard time just accepting that he has colic and is going to be like this for two more months, but I'm afraid we're heading that direction. He's been a screamer since 2 weeks, and the screaming is much worse in the evenings. He has reflux and gas issues and we just can't seem to make them better.

He had an upper GI yesterday morning. He had to fast for 4 hours before the test, and I was certain he would be screaming, but he did fairly well for being hungry. He wore a cute little hospital gown (albeit pink) and they X-rayed him while he drank some barium. I guess he was starving, because he sucked the nasty stuff right down! The test showed he legitimately has reflux but nothing else is wrong with his insides, so that was good news. The doctor switched Eli's formula to some apparently powdered gold that costs $26 a can. A small can. Ugh! So far it does seem to help a little with the reflux but he's still having butt trouble. So he's still screamy and I'm still frustrated and we're paying out the wazoo for it.

(crappy picture taken with my crappy phone camera. I can't believe I forgot my camera!)

We had Eli's dedication at church this past Sunday, so the family came in for it, which was nice. There were about 20 babies being dedicated at the same time, so Josh was spared the anxiety of being in the spotlight and I was able to take off my shoes on stage without anyone really noticing. And wonder of all wonders, the kid slept right through it! I was sure he would be the baby who cried, but he made his mama proud. Probably because he knew it was Mother's Day.

32w1d

I forgot to tell you all I passed my GD test!

I went back in this week because I've been so sick and couldn't seem to shake it. I got some more antibiotics (round 3!) and they seem to be helping. It's improving now, thank goodness, and I really hope it sticks this time! Anyway, while I was there I asked the doctor if he had my results and he just said, "yep, normal." I was so shocked I almost fell off the table. I told him how surprised and excited I was, so he told me my number was 115, and it takes 140 to fail. So... woohoo! I am so relieved and excited. Thanks, everyone, for letting me fuss about it!

In other health news, check out my cankles.

29w3d

After being pretty sick for more than a week, I'm finally feeling human again. After I posted last, my infection became bronchitis and I was having a lot of trouble breathing without my inhaler. Regular doctors seem afraid to do anything to treat a pregnant woman, so I finally called my OB. Right away she said I needed help breathing and prescribed me some steroids for my lungs. Thank goodness! I started feeling better about a day and a half later, and now although I'm still coughing and congested, it feels great compared to the breathing problems. That was really scary!

After working one day all week, I'm so behind at the office. I wanted to go in this weekend to try to catch up, but I just didn't have the energy. So tonight is my last evening of my couch weekend, and tomorrow it's back to the piles of work waiting for me. So I'm trying to enjoy my lounging.

Speaking of lounging, let me tell you a story about my husband. My husband, usually a good and generous man, has now complained at me twice for wearing his t-shirts and "putting boob marks in them." Come ON! I can't believe he's even serious. It's not like they're special shirts or anything... just plain old lounging t-shirts. Mine don't fit me anymore, and my husband won't let me wear his. Am I being silly to find this annoying and selfish? Maybe it's hormones, but I don't get it.

One of my April-moms girls had her baby this weekend. Eight weeks early and still 4lb9oz! He seems to be doing well. It sure makes it seem real to know Little Dude could be here before too long! It's exciting and scary at the same time. I guess I should start reading some birthing books...

28w4d

I felt Eli's hiccups for the first time a couple days ago! I've heard it's possible to feel them but so far I hadn't. Then one morning I was lying on my side and I started feeling a steady poking. At first I was thinking it was kind of weird that he was kicking me in such a perfect, quick rhythm, but then I realized it was hiccups! I was amazed. For the first couple minutes, I loved it. Then after a few more, I started feeling bad for the Little Dude. Then after a few more, I started feeling bad for ME. It went on for a long time and I had a hard time getting back to sleep. Still, it's pretty amazing. All the little signs of life are so special.

I'm sick as a dog. A certain stepchild of mine gave this to me. It started with a sore throat but it has progressed and now I am really, really miserable. Today is day 5 of sore throat, hacking cough, chesty phlegm, runny nose, and maybe most importantly, not sleeping. I'm so exhausted but I can't go to sleep or stay asleep. I'm finally going to the doctor this morning. I called at the stroke of 8am, but I still didn't get an appointment until 10:30. I've been up for five days, and two hours feels like forever. Pleeeease just give me some drugs!

14w2d

Well, sickness #3 hasn't yet made its way out of town, but after missing three days of work, I went to the doctor yesterday. He said I have a respiratory infection and gave me some antibiotics, so I'm hoping to start feeling something soon. Still no sleep last night... my fourth night without sleep. I'm surprisingly functional for not having slept more than a couple hours combined in the last few days, but I'll take it. I'm crossing my fingers that tonight I'll be able to sleep and tomorrow I'll be feeling better.

On a more encouraging note, my rash is almost gone! I used the steroid cream the doctor gave me for almost a week and it never did a thing. But after reading about PUPPP (thanks, April!) I found a lot of suggestions to try Grandpa's Pine Tar Soap. It does smell but it works! The next day it was better and by day three, it was almost gone. I still have a couple bumps here and there but this is some kind of miracle soap! I'm curious to see how the doctor will poo-poo the whole natural-remedy thing at my follow-up appointment on Tuesday.

13w5d

Believe it or not, I'm sick again. If I'm going to catch one thing after another for the duration of this pregnancy, I am going to sit and cry for the next 5 months. I had a cold two weekends ago, and then I got the stomach virus a few days after that, and now I have another cold completely different from the first. I wish my flu shot had been scheduled for a little bit earlier. I still have two weeks to go before then.

Not being able to take anything is frustrating. Tylenol only does so much, and I really want some Dimetapp! Or Nyquil... yum.

13w3d

Well, the doctor said the rash is just a flukey case of eczema... he said it probably started with a small irritation and then my pregnant immune system went crazy with it. But I'm researching April's suggestion, too. I bought some Grandpa's Pine Tar Soap today because I read it could help. I used it tonight and man, does it smell terrible! The smell doesn't seem to stay on my skin though, thank goodness.

I found the heartbeat again tonight. I've been obsessing a little about my sickness last week... I took some Pepto and later realized it has aspirin in it, and I was worried about being dehydrated and hurting the babe, and I took a couple really hot showers... I'm hyper-paranoid anyway, so I've been worrying. But I finally found it, and now that I've heard it in the second trimester, I'm feeling confident now. Part of me can't believe I made it!

Our gender ultrasound is in 10 days! I'm excited and nervous. If you're going to guess the gender in the baby pool, you'd better do it before then or you'll be cheating. :) It's a link in the left side bar.

12w5d

I'm starting to notice my energy coming back a little bit! Over the weekend I was surprised to find myself feeling a bit restless--something normal for me but completely abnormal for Pregnant Shannon. For the last three months I have been perfectly content to lie on the couch and do nothing. It's a good feeling to not feel quite so lethargic every minute of the day. Maybe soon I'll stop dreaming about my couch all day at work.

In other gross news, I'm fighting with a rash. It started under my bra line so I thought it was just irritated, but now it's spreading and it's on my arms and my stomach. I'm going to the doctor tomorrow. I'm practically making myself bleed scratching it, so I hope they have the answer! Nothing I've tried really helps and my OB doesn't have any idea. Luckily the receptionist at the dermatologist managed to squeeze me in tomorrow morning... she worked hard to make it happen for me and I almost cried when she called me back. Of course, what doesn't make me cry these days...

12w0d

Twelve weeks today! Check out the ticker to the left--it looks like a real baby! We are officially out of the alien-baby stages. I had my 12-week appointment yesterday. It was pretty uneventful but I guess that's a good thing. We mostly just talked about history and how the next few appointments will go. She did listen to the heartbeat--beautiful and it didn't take her too long to find it. It was 160 again, same as last time.

Hearing the heartbeat again and knowing it's a week from 2nd trimester made me feel kind of in awe. I have been the whole time, but it's so exciting and surreal to know it's 12 weeks and all is well in there. I can't wait for the next bit of excitement!

And in anti-exciting news, I am sick with the stupid intestinal virus that's going around. Of course, stomach things are just my favorite so I'm a bit of a mess tonight, but I am realizing how great my friends are, and that's a good thing.