Swallow Study

Whelp, looks like Bethany gets to go for a swallow study on Thursday.  She started showing some signs of the same things Bruce had/did.  Bruce used to aspirate fluid, hold his breath, and then have to be stimulated to start breathing again.  Well since Bethany's been home we've already had to stimulate her to start breathing multiple times.  She'll either be eating, choke, and then hold her breath and start going blue...or post feeding, she'll cough a bit, choke, and hold her breath.

She's been by Greg or my side pretty much every second, so it hasn't been a huge deal.  That and we were already kind of fine with all of the "blue baby" stuff...but I did bring it up with the pedi when we went for her first visit.  He was concerned enough that he felt we should go through with the swallow study.  We'll see what that shows and go from there.  Bruce had the swallow study done when he was in NICU, it showed he had silent reflux, so that's what I'm guessing is going on here too.  Hopefully we just get prevacid or something and NO monitor.

Other than that, life is going pretty well around here.  I'm mostly recovered from the csection and Bethany is doing great feeding and sleeping and all that.  She's actually sleeping between 5-8 hours at night, but of course I'm not because I keep checking on her!  She's in a co-sleeper right next to the bed so at least it's easy to check on her.  Bruce is still adjusting, we're still dealing with LOTS of whining, but he is getting better.  He definitely loves Bethany and wants to hold her all the time...we also just bought his "big boy panties" (his words)...we'll start the potty training process soon.  Yay.

Bruce-ism's

I need to document some of the cute things Bruce has been doing...since I currently kind of want to stick him outside and shut the door.  Oh man, the whiny-ness might kill me.  Seriously.

This morning Bruce walked in the bathroom and told me he needed a quarter for the toilet.  When further questioned he told me he needed to make a wish.  Apparently toilets are very similar to fountains or wishing wells.

When Bethany cries, he comes running and asks "what's up baby?  Why is my baby crying?"

He keeps wanting to "carry you me" AKA carry Bethany...it's hard explaining he's a big boy in one breath and too little to hold her in the other.

His two new words of the week: "adiculous" and "atusting" AKA ridiculous and disgusting.  Both words have been used multiple times...in the correct context.  No idea where they came from!

While on bedrest there were multiple episodes of Toy Story watched.  Bruce now likes to pick up his foot and tell me it says Andy on there.  He has also picked up a few quotes such as "I have good news and I have bad news." "I'm calling you a 'wire'" (liar) "If the boot fits" and one that we're not sure where it came from: "Um, Mom, I'm double booked tomorrow."

Beth's Birth

I actually get to write an UN-eventful birth story!  Bethany arrived March 23, 2011 at 14:14 weighing in at 9 lbs 6 oz and measuring 21 inches at 38 weeks.  I got to the hospital Wednesday at 11:00 having not eaten anything since midnight and waited and waited...they were behind.  I finally got prepped for surgery and headed in.  Right before they were getting me ready, I totally freaked out.  I was getting super scared for the spinal and having a mini panic attack.  I told Greg we were done having kids...and then I actually had the surgery...

Yeah, it's not that bad.  The spinal is seriously not that bad...the actual pain is about 5 seconds.  And they give you all these warnings about pressure and such, but again, not that bad.  Recovery, not so great, but manageable.  For any future c-sectioners, here are my tips:

1) Seriously, it's not that bad.
2) Make sure they do the catheter after the spinal.
3) Ask for a binder (or bring your own) and wear it as soon as you can.  Seriously, makes a WORLD of difference.
4) Ask your nurses to write on your board the next time you can take your pain meds.  They won't come and tell you it's time, it's up to you to ask and stay on top of it.
5) Take all pain meds offered and take them at the right times, don't wait until you're in pain....that's with one caveat, I will NEVER take morphine again.  I itched and itched for 2 days after that stuff, NOT fun.
6) Seriously, it's not that bad.

Having Bethany in my room was incredible.  I had no idea it was supposed to be that way.  It was so fun having her there!  Getting to feed her soon after birth, getting to hold her all day, letting guests get to see her, all the stuff I didn't get to do with Bruce.  By the time Saturday came around, I was ready to get home and see my family.

Bruce is adjusting well.  He LOVES Bethany, but is definitely acting out.  He's not really had specific jealousy issues, but he has started referring to me as "my mommy" and he is having way more fits then he used to.  He's getting better though...

And as for me, I'm recovering.  Still in some pain, but getting markedly better every day.  I've completely weaned off all narcotic medication and now just take mega Ibuprofen.  Also, I am officially below my pre-pregnancy weight.  Yay!  Nursing is going well, Bethany sleeps a lot so she has to be woken up to eat, but otherwise, life at home is going well.  I will enjoy my 10 weeks off from work!

Here are a few pictures:
Before:

 First picture:

 Bruce is a big brother!

 Arriving home to our sweet sign!

 Bruce getting to hold her: