Owen Update...

Hey everyone!! It's good to be home. I was released today... staples and all ... blah. I wasn't too excited to have a C-section (wonder why?) but it was the best choice for Owen and he is beautiful. I had great Dr.'s and Nurses at Good Sam that provided me with excellent care and humor while my emotions were everywhere...so thanks to them.

Owen melts my heart everytime I look at him. I only got to spend a few hours with him before he was transported over to Phoenix Children's, so I cried (for hours). The Dr.'s gave me a daypass to go see him on Wednesday and I got to hold him for the first time! It was only for about 10 min, but the feeling was indescribable. Today I was able to hold him a little longer. Little Owen is doing very well at Phoenix Children's and is making friends left and right. He is in the NICU (neonative intensive care unit) and the nurses are wonderful and taking care of him 150%. He is a little irritable from the medicine (proglastin) which keeps his heart working until surgery.... it makes him fevery, uncomfortable, and he doesn't like to be fondled. It breaks my heart to see him uncomfy but Mr. Binky keeps him happy and he sleeps 95% of the time. I cherish every moment I have with him.



My favorite moment with Owen!!
And to the medical stuff.... his oxygen sats are at 90-95% and they like heart babies to stay between 75-85%, so that is why he gets this little bubble over his head with nitrogen in it. This helps lower his oxygen levels until surgery. He's had little Iv's in both hands and feet but they are now removed and placed in his head (sounds painful, but it doesn't seem to bother him). He has one central line for all of his blood draws and medicines so that they don't have to poke him all the time... thank goodness for that. His blood pressure and heart rhythms are perfect and he is completely stabalized. He is extremely strong and healthy (besides the heart) so the Dr.'s aniticpate an "EXCELLENT" chance at pulling through everything.

We talked with Dr. Pearl, the cardiothorasic surgeon, and Owen is scheduled for surgery on Monday. Dr. Pearl is so happy at Owen's progress so far. They told me to give them a big, strong baby and I did!! So until Monday, I will post any changes and LOTS of pictures.

I am planning on LOTS of rest and taking it easy over the weekend. I will spend every chance I can at the hospital with Owen. As hard as it is to leave him at the hospital, it's nice to know that he is in great care and that I can call or visit anytime. Kamryn has been incredibly understanding through everything. She was sad that she couldn't be at the delivery, and more sad that she can't visit her baby brother at the hospital. She knows that she will get her chance to be with him soon enough.

Kamryn and Owen... Thank you for making me the happiest momma ever!!!

Owen Andrew Simmons is Here!

Andrea asked me to take a stab at updating the blog since she is not able to...ut-oh! While I do not write as flowery nor as anamated as she does, at least you get some good pics and a name finally!

Andrea got a call yesterday that it was time for her to be induced. She picked me up and we got to the hospital around 3:30pm. She got checked in, settled into the room, and hooked up to the monitor.

After about 3 or 4 hours the doctors came in and let us know that she was having contractions or irritations, that the baby was becoming distress when she did, and that they suggested doing a C-section to bring the little guy into the world. Andrea really didn't want to do C-section since she wouldn't be at the same hospital with him after, but they assured us that he would probably be at Good Sam with her at least until she was released. That calmed Andrea's fears and we went in for the C-section.

Owen was born just after 11pm, weighed 7 lbs 1 oz, and was 20.5 inches long. All vitals are strong and he is doing well. The doctors just spoke with her and let her know that they want to transfer him today to Phoenix Children's Hospital, and as you can imagine, Andrea is crying and upset since she wanted to be with the little dude until she was released. Hey, at least she has incentive to get some rest and heal up fast!

Change of Plans..

So I called the hospital to confirm my plans for delivery.... the hospital said they had no record of inducing me and that they don't induce at 10pm. Hmmm... so I called the Dr.'s office and they scheduled me for induction at the wrong hospital. Glad I called. So I just got a call from the Dr.'s office and they said that they are going to call me between 12-6pm and that means I gotta be ready to go. This leaves me 30 min to get everything ready and planned out in case I get "the call". So much for my afternoon nap I had planned. I may have this little man sooner than planned....

Teething at Eight

Kamryn woke up today her normal self but said her teeth hurt. I was like "yeah... whatever... get ready for school... your not staying home today." Then she started asking for tylenol which she would NEVER do. So I looked at her gums and they are completely swollen, so much that her top lip is a bit puffy too!! Finally, after seven months of missing her two front teeth, her chompers are finally starting to break through. I'm thinking these are going to be some big ones. Let's just say, I gave her tylenol and now she's laying in bed watching Spongebob... hmmm... wonder if I should still send her to school?

24 Hour Countdown

My bags are packed and I'm ready to go.... and I'm starting to get freaked out!! Within the next 48 hours I'm going to be giving birth to my son. I haven't done this in 8 years and it was a lot less scary then. Maybe it's because I remember the pain, or that this time around there are so many uncertainties.

I know that he's going to be okay. I know that he's in good hands. The Dr.'s I have chosen are experienced and knowledgeable. I also know that I've done everything I can for him at this point. The next week is going to be full of emotion.... happiness, joy, excitment, exhaustion, fear and countless others.

I will keep you all posted nightly, daily, whenever I can get my fingers on a computer. I appreciate ALL the love, support, and prayers!!

I can't wait to meet you buddy!!

Due Date...

Today is my due date... and my final Dr.'s appointment! The ultrasound shows baby at about 8lbs (give or take). The scale shows me up 55lbs....YIKES!! The Dr. says no dialation, not effaced and baby hasn't dropped... surprise, surprise. They scheduled me to start the induction process on Monday at 10pm. This means that sometime Tuesday, Jan 29th we should be welcoming a little man into our world. Unless, of course, I can figure a way to get him to drop and get some contractions started before then. This allows me plenty of time to get my house spotless, organized, laundry done, meals frozen, and if I'm lucky... TIME TO RELAX!!!!!

Make sure to check back on Tuesday or Wednesday for pics of little.... (OWEN?)

CANKLES!!!!

I just looked down at my feet and realized...


I have CANKLES!!!

I LOVE a good deal!

SO... no baby yet, but I'm finally starting to get a little ready. I got my hosptial bag packed, the video camera charged, bills paid and the diaper bag is ready to go. Now it's time for the fun stuff... shopping for the baby!! I was at Target today and found this crib bedding for only $38 for the whole set on super clearance!!! I get excited about any kind of bargain, but this was considerably huge as I almost bought bedding for $180 the other day. Kamryn was a little overly excited as she is planning the wall paint color, art work (of course that she will provide) and the decor we MUST put in his room. Thank goodness my 8 year old is creative and enjoys it, because I am design challenged. Here's a picture of our little guy's bedding... The tricky part is getting Carson to paint the nursery. For those of you that know, I've been banned from painting because more paint ends up on the ceiling, baseboards and carpet than on the walls :).

Kamryn

Kamryn was star of the week at school last week. Today she came home with a book of letters that every second grader in her class wrote to her with the same comments in each letter... "you're funny, you're sweet, you're nice, you're pretty, and you're a great friend!"

I agree with all of these comments and I thought I'd throw in a few of my own!

You're always trying to make other's happy around you!

You have a contagious smile!

You are super duper smart! You always have something witty to say!

You make me laugh anytime, anywhere, everyday!!

You are my world! I love you Kamryn!

One Week Countdown!!!

I went to the Dr. for my 39 week checkup today. The baby has not dropped at all, and I am 0% effaced and zero dialation. We're going to give him another week to do his thing and then we'll talk about inducing him. I got pretty decent 3d pics on the ultrasound. ENJOY!!!

The big blob over his right eye is his fist looking at the palm... this was the first time we got him to move the other hand away so we could actually get a shot of his face.

Time to start preparing for the baby

As I was sitting at work yesterday I felt my first contraction. NO way could I be having contractions, the baby isn't due until next week. Then another one came... and then another... I decided to leave work a tid bit early to come home and kick my feet up. The contractions never got frequent or stronger, but they were there. And then I realized... I am completely unprepared for my baby.

#1. Our son has NO name!!! (Any suggestions??)
#2. The hospital bag isn't even packed, and I haven't even registered at the hospial yet... speaking of which, I should probably get a map to the hospital as I have no idea where it's even located.
#3. I need to find all my insurance cards, DL, and anything else they require to admit me into the hospital.
#4. The camera isn't even charged, nor do we have any discs for our video camera.
#5. I wonder if I'm supposed to pack things for my baby boy? Usually people pack things to bring them home in, but he's not coming home, so do I just not take anything? Hmmmm...
#6. Ok... on top of this, I haven't purchased the car seat, nursery furniture, diapers, or anything. AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH....

Thank goodness those contractions weren't real labor or else I'd be a wreck. I should probably get started on preparing myself for what's to come. And yes, I'm still working full time.. up at 5am and in bed by 8pm... my life hasn't slowed down a bit. I've said I"ll work up until the day I deliver and I think I'm actually going to make it. Until Friday... (my day off)... I will be unprepared and hope that this little guy stays put.

Two Week Countdown!!

So here it is... the GIGANTO baby belly!! I had my 38 week checkup today and everything looks good. The growth ultrasound shows the little guy at around 7lbs and pretty long (like his sister). We couldn't get the 3d imaging on the ultrasound machine to work so we got the best 2d image of his squished up little face. Check out those lips!! He kept puckering up and giving us a pouty face... perhaps he doesn't like to be poked with the ultrasound wand twice a week anymore. I am not dialated at all and the baby has yet to drop into position. So it looks like I won't be having a baby anytime soon.... which to be honest... I'm completely unprepared for anyhow. I'm much more happy having him snuggled up inside and letting me do all the work for him.


38 week Ultrasound... check out those lips and nose... he got them from his momma!

Why?

Ring Ring... the telephone woke me up at 6am this morning. I answer it to find it's my bank telling me there is unusual activity on my bank account...hmmm... I know I wasn't all over Apache Junction last night charging up gas and liquor. So I run out to my car and notice that someone smashed in my window and stole my purse. WHY WAS MY PURSE IN THE CAR??? I've asked myself "WHY?" many times today as I've been calling around to the insurance, police, and all my credit card companies. Then it hit me that I still hadn't deposited all of our Christmas cash that we received as gifts over the holidays... those "robbers" (as Kamryn calls them) made out like bandits. Everyone is safe and everything is replaceable and the best news is... I am finally forced to break down and buy myself a new purse.

Our Journey

I finally did it... I figured out how to start a blog. I'm going to do my best to keep our friends and family updated on our upcoming journey.

Here's an update....

We made it through the holidays which is my favorite time of year... but oh so stressful. We are now looking forward to an eventful and blessed 2008. Kamryn just celebrated her 8th birthday on January 3rd and all I can say is, I wish she didn't have to grow up so fast. I've enjoyed having time off work during winter break so that we can just hang out together. She is so much fun to be around and always makes me smile!

Here are just a few of our many Christmas pictures...

I had my 37 week Dr. visit yesterday and our little guy looks great! We got some fun 3D shots of him chewing on his toes again. He is growing and putting on weight and we're excited to meet him very soon. The only new news to report is that I just found out I have gestational diabetes... which means.. NO SUGAR for me!!

I wish you all the best for a relaxing and quiet January. I will try to post every few days so keep checking back!!

Andrea