Aiden's birth story

Aiden is sleeping and the boys are watching a movie in their room so I am going to take this chance to write this rather than taking a nap or cleaning house.

August 14th was a very difficult day for me. The day before my planned c-section. It was spent making sure everything was ready. Cleaning, organizing, notes, lists, crying, more cleaning and even a little cooking. The crying was the most difficult part. I could not stop. Owen and Ethan knew the basics of what was going to happen but they couldnt be ready. We were changing their world without them really knowing. Every time I looked at them I cried and they noticed. They kept hugging me and that made me cry harder. By the time they were in bed for the night I was exhausted.

Sleep never came. We had to be at the hospital at 530a for prep. Every time I closed my eyes I would think of something else that I should do before I was gone for a few days. At 230 I was still up doing things. At 330 the alarm went off so I could shower. At 430 we left and by 5 we were in the hospital. Because we were early they didnt have a room ready for us (they were just putting it together). As soon as we got in a room I had Erick snap one last pregnancy photo.

No sooner did Erick snap the picture did the nurse come back and say we were moving rooms. Can I just say now that I HATED this nurse. She was just my prep nurse and not part of my team but she drove me batty. She talked to me like I was a kid "ok mama time to go peepee in the cup" Anyway we get into our new room and get all hooked up. I requested that I not get cathed til in the OR and after my spinal (so much better). BUT I reacted to the IV and almost blacked out. That was new. Erick said I turned pale and looked scared (I was).

My OB came in as soon as he got there. He had starbucks. It smelled so good because I hadnt eaten in hours. He said they were just finishing prep and we were waiting on one last member of the team to show up so we were running a little late.

Once it was time they walked us to another room. They told Erick to wait there and I followed the nurse into the OR. I told them my horror stories about almost being rolled off the table last time and she promised that it wouldnt happen. I also told her I didnt want my left arm strapped and she oked that as well. The spinal was difficult again. He kept hitting a nerve and this would send a shooting pain into my right hip/butt. He didnt take as many attempts as the boys did but this hurt a lot worse. The nurse holding me kept talking me through it and even refused to leave me when another nurse asked her for help.

It wasnt long til I was numb, cathed, and lying on my back getting basted with iodine. Then it wasnt long til they were started and Erick was brought in. Some of the next parts are a little fuzzy but the just of it is I started to get cold, in getting cold my nose started running, because of that I started snuffing, this caused my tummy to fill with yuck and make me feel sick. Eventually this led to me spitting up.

A planned c/s is a lot different than an emergency one. For one everyone is in a better mood and a lot more talkative. They also take more time. I was told it was 17min from start time to baby cry. Well this didnt go as planned for the OB. He had to clean up my scar tissue and things took a little longer to get through. BUT I did hear some interesting stories LOL.

At 813 we heard it. Aiden Michael was here. Erick even got to cut the cord.

Aiden's apgars were 9 and 9 he weighed in at 6lb 15oz and 19in long.

Erick went with Aiden to do skin to skin while I was closed up. Even this took longer than they thought. My BP dropped way way low. When I got into recovery they brought Aiden and Erick to me but I wasnt allowed to hold him yet because they didnt want me up. My BP was still VERY low (in the 90or80 over 50or60 range). When they let me try to set up it dropped again and I had to lie flat again. Eventually they got me sitting and I got to attempt to feed Aiden. I got the itchies again and scratched off my lip under my nose even with being given Benidryl (sp?).

Eventually we got moved into our final room. I had to have liquid diet for 2 meals but Aiden was here and beautiful.

Around noon Erick left for lunch with his mom then she came back with him to visit. At 4 my mom showed as did a friend and at 5 Erick came back with the boys.

The boys were so excited to meet Aiden. They had picked out gifts for him. Aiden had gifts for the boys too. BUT I must admit as cute as it was having the boys at the hospital it was just as hard and even harder to have them leave without me and Aiden.

Over the next few days more people came to visit.

Aiden also spent some time under the lights. The nice thing was that he stayed in my room for it.

Aiden was born on Monday and on Friday we finally got to go home.

Our homecoming was so cute. The boys and my mom made a sign for the wall that said Welcome home Aiden. The boys colored hearts and put stickers on them. For the next 3 days Owen made us take Aiden to the sign so he could show his brother.

Yesterday's long story

Yesterday's long story actually begins on Thursday. Well if you want to get technical it actually begins in November. Let me start by saying we live in a good part of town, in a duplex owned/operated by a management that oversees 200+ unites in my area.

In November before we went to Disneyland I put in a repair request (we rent). There is a crack in my dining room from one wall all the way across to the other wall. When we came back they had painted over the crack but it was not filled or anything. Call to tell them that will not work. They say they will come back with a contractor and fix it. Last week I call because I havent heard from them they tell me oops and set an appointment for Thursday at 10am.

For Christmas we found a crack in the floor of my shower. Put a request in writing just after the new year. A week later they sent the maintenance man to look. The next day he sends the fiberglass repair man. He looks at the shower laughs and says I need a new shower. The next day the shower installer comes. He says it will take one full day to get a new shower in. When I called last week I asked about this too. The shower guy was set to come Thursday between 8 and 930 am.

At 11 am Thursday I called management and asked once again what is going on. I get told the painters are backed up and will be here at 1om but the tub people had a family emergency and cant come til next Thursday. I also get told that my shower is not an emergency because I have a second shower. Um excuse me I pay a higher rent for 2. So I sit and sit and miss the beautiful sunny day. At 3pm the painters just show up. They didnt know they were going to have to repair. They thought they were just going to paint. They also thought our unit was empty so they were shocked when I answered the door. Because of this and it being so late they scrape and prep Thursday and fix and paint Friday. They say they will be here at 9am to which I confirm 3 times before they leave. What BS.

The problem comes in that 830 am Friday (yesterday) is the boys 2 year check up. So i call the management company and ask them to call me back regarding the painters I get no call back. So I call my mom and she comes to let the painters in. Erick and I take the boys to the pedi.

When we get to the pedi office we are told that we are a little early. When we get to the waiting room we are told that our pedi just called and she is running a little behind because she got stuck at the hospital. We wait. It is now 30 min past our appointment time and they call us back. We get heights and weights

Both boys are 34 in tall
Owen is 29.2lbs
Ethan is 32.2lbs

We get put in the exam room and they tell us that the pedi is on her way. Our appointment was the first of the day 830 am the pedi walks in at 945. The boys were well past done. She talks to us and we get a lecture about the TV being on. Then we get a lecture about Ethan. Even though his weight is fine on the charts and his height is fine on the charts his BMI is above the 95% so he is overweight. We were lectured about his activity level. Then to add to the boys good mood (hahaha) we asked that they get their flu shots and head home.

When we get home we get told that the painters didnt show up til 10. I can hear how bad my moms breathing is so I have Erick take the boys outback. BUT the backyard is wet and muddy. I once again call the management office. I tell them we can not sit in this. The painter are wearing masks. I tell them we need to leave and they need to send someone to my house to watch it. They tell me to tell the painters to stop and come back at a different date. I get mad and ask when. I am a SAHM and it took 3 months to get them here this time. They hang up and send the maintenance man to my house. This man is great. He tells me the company is bonded and that he is working down the street he will come by and check the house every 30-45 min and if the guy is gone he will lock the house. So we load the boys up and head to the mall to let the boys play in the play area.

Erick calls his dad and tells him where we are because to add to the fun of the day he was coming to see the boys. We have lunch at the mall and let the boys play more. This is when we realize that we ran out of the house with 4 diapers and about 6 wipes. This is fine if it was a normal short trip but both boys decided to poop while at the mall and remember how I said the boys were playing in the backyard in the wet and mud? well when we got to the mall we used 2 wipes to clean hands and faces. So now it is 3pm we have been gone sense 8am. The boys are tired and we are out of diapers and wipes. We load the boys in the car and decide that we will see if the painter is done. We drive to the house and he isnt. We grab the stroller and hope the boys will nap in it and head to the other mall.

The boys wont nap in it. I am dying of thirst so Erick buys me an ice water venti from starbucks. I take 1 drink and Ethan knocks it off the stroller and spills the whole thing. Then the boys are screaming because mommy isnt pushing them because I have to clean up the water. We ask for rags and starbucks gives us 2 paper towels. I have to track down another staff to get more help. Finally get it all cleaned up and cant find Erick and the boys. Finally find them and we walk the mall another 1.5 hrs. We decide we need to see if the painter is done because the boys have to nap. We get home and he is loading up (thank god). Put the boys down. Ethan is out. Owen not so much. He plays and when I go in to wake them (yes I woke a sleeping baby) Owen was still up and Ethan was pissed. We head to dinner. Dinner was nice (Thanks Luis) the boys ate well and were calm for the most part. We had a nice visit with Erick's dad. BUT let me tell you this mommy was ready for bed.

So the boys are growing. Today has been a lot calmer. The painter still have to come back to actually paint. The boys went to bed early last night and slept in this morning (30 min). Owen woke in the middle of the night and thought he could play but when directed back to bed he went willingly. Yeah it was a long day and we are now open to taking donations for our down payment because we want the hell out of this place. If you made it here you are wonderful.

12 month appointment

Friday the boys had their 12 month appointment. I was worried that Ethan wasnt going to get his shots because he had a fever the day before and was still warm when we were at the office.

The good news

Ethan got his shots and both boys are growing well.

Owen

Weight: 21lbs 2oz

Length: 29.5in

Head: 47cm

Ethan

Weight: 21lbs 14oz

Length: 29in

Head: 47in

The bad news

Ethan's murmur is still audible so he has to see a cardiologist. We still have to see the GI in SF the first week of Feb. AND after months of no eczema on either of the boys Ethan's whole tummy is rashed and Owen's whole back, up his neck, around his ears and in his hair are broken out. This is the worse I have seen it and nothing has changed to cause it.

Not what we were hoping for

Today the boys had a follow up with the GI. We were hoping to hear that Ethan could try dairy and soy now that was not the case. The boys are growing.

Owen: 19lb 13oz 29.5 in and a 47.7cm head
Ethan: 21lb 2oz 28.75 in and a 46.5cm head

BUT when they checked Ethan's poop there was still a trace of blood in it. So still no dairy or soy til this birthday. Then we get to try it and go back to the GI. If that appointment in Jan. still shows blood then he has to have a blood draw and an allergy panel done. BOO!

Im baaaaaccckkkk

We survived the move if just barely. Moving is hard. Moving with kids is harder. moving with kids when you have a fever of 103 and cant eat or drink because of the pain is the worst. For a few days before the move I had been telling Erick that I wasnt feeling well. I was functional, couldnt place what I was feeling, really thought that the stress of the move was getting to me. That theory went out the window when on the day of the move I couldnt swallow. It was hard to breathe. I had the chills. When I finally sat to take my temp it was 103. My fever didnt go under 100 for 2 days so I went to the Dr. I had tonsillitis. Yeah really not fun at all.

To add to the fun Erick and I have been together 7 years (yes we still celebrate that anniversary it is Oct 5th) and I couldnt even kiss him. I really was not even functional. I told Erick I was going to lay down for a quick nap and slept 3 hrs. Then went back to bed for the night 2 hrs later. I can still feel my body fighting the infection but at least I am not contagious anymore. Though I am taking more naps then I have sense the boys were newborns.

While all this was going on the boys had an appointment for their 9 month check.
Owen
18lb 10 oz 18%ile
27 in 10%ile
46 cm 69%ile

Ethan
20 lb 7 oz 47%ile
27 in 10%ile
45.5 cm 54%ile

So both boys have dropped on the chart for weight but they are a lot more active now. They are fast little buggers and are learning how to climb (thanks mom) and pass between objects. They love each other and are the best of friends. They look for each other and do this kissy thing that I have yet to catch with the camera.

So overall we are in a good place right now not only as a family and mentally but a good living space. As soon as I find the box with the camera cord I have all kinds of pics to post.

Long day

Erick and I had to get up at 5 am today. We were out the door by 6. The boys had an appointment with a pedi GI in SF at UCSF. The appointments were at 9 and 10. We thought by leaving that early we could sit in the cafe and eat before the appointment. Things didn't go that way. It took us an hour to go 35 miles on the freeway. When traffic came to a dead halt I did something very dangerous and while on the freeway I climbed through the van to the 3rd row to make bottles for 2 babies that wernt going to get any quieter. We FINALLY made it to UCSF and find parking it is now 8:45. WE rush up and they call our names as we are signing in.

The boys for weighed and measured Owen is 18.3 lb 27.2 in and Ethan is 19.6lb 27.5 in (butt naked). The appointment was a LOT of questions and history. She wrote out a script for Zantax for both boys telling us it wont stop the reflux but it will make for happier babies. She decides to do a stool test to check for blood (a sign of allergies). Can I just tell you how fun it is to hold a baby that just wants to crawl off on his side so a finger can be put up his butt to get poop for a test? Let me assure you it is not fun at all. They didn't scream but it was a fight. Then I had to hold them down to get gagged so she could see their throats. The poop tests came back and Owen is fine. Ethan is showing moderate traces of allergies. So she decides that Ethan needs a new diet. She changes his formula, this makes the 6th formula we have tried with him. He will be on Nutramigen for the next 4 months. We also have to cut out all dairy and soy from his diet. We go back to SF in 2 months to check progress/ tolerance.

When we get back to the car their is something on our windshield. Erick grabs it. It is a parking ticket. We had parallel parked in an space. They say we took two spaces. What do you think?


We are going to try to fight it because the lines are repainted and what they are saying is that the back of our car was over that line but all the tires were in the space. We thought we were up enough.

As we were leaving I had a thought. I need to change his WIC. WIC gives us 9 cans of formula/boy/mo. I call WIC and make an appointment for tomorrow to change it. I cant do it over the phone because to be on Nutramigen with WIC you need a script (which I have) because you have to see a nutritionist. So while on the phone with her I ask what to do. I already cashed my formula check for this month last week but I have the formula unopened, still sealed in plastic as well and need the new formula. I get told to call the store and ask if they will trade it. I tell her I got it from the WIC store. I get given that number and call. The store says WIC wont let anyone trade...sorry...hangs up. So now I have whole lot of the formula for Owen and no formula for Ethan.

While I am on the phone Erick is driving. We were going to have lunch at Ike's Place. It is a sandwich shop we had seen on man v food on the travel channel. By the time he gets there I am so up set I am crying. There is no parking and there is a line out the door. We decide to head home hungry.

When we get about 30 min from home it is clear the boys wont make it and we are hungry too. We still dont have any formula for Ethan so we find a Wal-Mart. Wouldn't you know it Ethan's new formula is $21/12oz can. We look and each can makes 87 oz of formula at that rate we need 8 cans just to make it to the end of the month. To compare Owen's formula makes 93 oz/12oz can and only costs $13/can. We always need to buy formula on top of what WIC gives so this isn't going to be good. Because on top of already needing extra WIC is cutting the amount we get by 2 cans/baby next month.

This couldn't have come at a worse time. We are moving on the first and our new rent is already and additional $100 in the budget. The parking ticket is another $70 (if we lose) and the formula but to make it til I can get it with WIC is going to cost us $170. I know... I know... We chose to have to boys and really I wouldn't give them up for anything in the world. BUT I also thought I would have a job (Thank you state of CA for that). We wernt expecting to move but I refuse to live with mice, mold and roaches (in our building but haven't seen any in our unit but if they are int he building they are in our place).

It was a long day and I am glad to be home and packing. Tonight we will make a new budget.

PS: I have started adding to/changing the wish list because of growing boys and upcoming birthdays and Christmas. In case you want to look.

6 months

So the boys are 6 months. They had an appointment and they are getting so big.

Owen: 16lbs 3oz 26 in long
Ethan: 17lbs 11oz 25.75in long

Owen is starting to push up on his hands and knees. Ethan is sitting for a few seconds at a time unassisted.

This weekend has been really busy. We are doing a yard sale with my mom. We went to dinner with Matt, Nina and Lj. It was the boys first trip to Hooters and I am sure it wont be their last. OK Im pooped its 5pm on the 4th of july and I think I am going to bathe the boys and head to bed. Sorry Jen I just to pooped to make it to your party. night all

Weight check

Owen had an appointment today to check his growth. He is now 14lbs 15oz and 25.5in with a 44cm head. That puts him in 50th% for height, 25th% for weight, and 75th% for head. We got the results of the upper GI and they prove he does have reflux (duh!) but because he is maintaining his weight pattern of being at the 25th% she isn't going to do anything for another month but watch it. She looked at his massive flat spot and is going to refer me to a neurosurgeon if insurance approves it because he might need a helmet (first thing she hasn't argued with me about). To help with the approval (should they deny it the first time) she said I should take 5 pics of his head (top and all sides) every month so we can track changes. So once again we are in a waiting game. Waiting to see if he maintains his growth path. Waiting to see if he stops spitting up. Waiting for a referral. Just waiting. They have another appointment (normal 6 month check up and shots) on 7-2. Erick is going to use some flex time and come with us if he can swing it.

4 months

Two days ago the boys turned 4 months but today was our appointment. Thank god my sister came with me so she could help while the boys got shots and witness the way the pedi is.

So first the boys got weighed and measured. Owen is 13lbs 11oz(25th %) and 24.5in long (25th %). Ethan is 15lbs (50th %) and 24 in long(25th %).

Then came the fun part... the pedi came in. Her and I have clashed before and I think I need to start trying to find a new one. Owen is where the pedi and I got into it. She was just going to ignore everything. She didn't even notice his head til I said something (which I have brought up as a concern before). Then I once again asked for the meds to make Owen not fight the bottle. Once again she said she doesnt give them unless there is no weight gain. Um excuse me you are not the one having to try to feed him. She once again told me to feed him less more often. He is still hungry though and cries when the bottle is empty and cries while eating because it hurts. His weight has also slowed as a result. So she ordered an upper GI (I really think she only did because I threw a fit and she doesnt believe me). He is also showing signs of torticollis. She told me to flip him in his crib and only play with him on his left and told me all kinds of stuff I am already doing. He also needs a roll under his neck to keep him off his head. Ethan was no problem though he has eczema and a flattening head (though his isnt that bad). So now I have to put a rolled blanket under his neck while he sleeps too. He also got a new formula (Soy) because of the eczema. That makes the 5th formula he has been on.

So things the boys are doing these days.... holding hands, chewing fingers, babbling, drooling, rolling, and holding rattles that are put in their hands.

Now for what you have been waiting for...pics!

2 months old

Today the boys had an appointment and had to get shots. Well we got to the appointment a little early because we had other things to do and most the time you get called in a first come basis even with an appointment. That was not the case today. We didn't get called til after our appointment time and then we waited even longer. This was not a good thing as I had to feed the boys early because I had to drop Erick off at work so by this time they think they are starving. This was made worse by the fact that they had to be in just a diaper and they dont like being undressed. By the time the Dr came in the boys were so loud that she had to yell to tell me their stats.



Owen: weight-10lb 3oz (22%), length-21.25in (2%), head-15.5in (12%)
Ethan: weight-10lb 6oz (25%), length-21in (2%), head-15in (12%)

The Dr left and we were once again left waiting and not being allowed to feed the boys. We had to wait for the nurse to come back to give the boys their shots but because one of the vaccines was oral they couldn't eat yet. At this point we have been in the office for almost 2 hrs. My mom was with us to help me but she had to go to the bathroom. So I am sitting in the little room with 2 very hungry upset little boys all by myself.

Finally the nurse comes in. I hold Ethan so she can give him the oral one... he spit it on her and me. Then I have to hold him down while he gets his 3 shots. He screamed and there was nothing I could do because the nurse need me to hold Owen to follow the same process. When both boys are done they are laying on the table and I give them the bottle. It was instant calm. This however was short lived because the nurse needed the room so we had to go. My only option was to pack them up and move to the waiting room (where my mom is because she couldn't get back in). When finally given the chance to really eat the boys scarfed the bottles and pass out.

Sense the appointment the boys have not been the same. They are not really napping/sleeping. They don't want to be held. Owen isn't hungry. Needless to say it has not been easy. It is 10pm now and they are in bed now. Im hoping they have better night then they did day.

***Follow up from yesterday***

I did make it to social security again today but by the time I got there his card request had been processed and sent. So my only choice is to wait 2 weeks to see if it shows up here (how could it they put the wrong street #, forgot my apt # and put the wrong zip). If it doesnt come then I get to request it again. If the card makes it back to them they will call me and I can pick it up at the office.

back to square one

I think I talked before about how Ethan almost didn't come home with us because he wasn't gaining weight and was spitting/choking. We were told that it was a mild case of reflux and it would go away. Well over the last week it has gotten worse. Not only that but Owen had started displaying the same symptoms. After a few cases of formula coming out little tiny noses and lots of grunts and back arching i got lucky and the Drs office called on Friday (as I was picking up the phone to call them). I was lucky and they got me in today.

The boys appointment went a little less than stellar. After getting weighed in (Owen-8lb 10oz and Ethan-8lb 5oz) the Dr came in. She examined them and felt tummies. We talked about what had been happening. She told me they both have reflux but she doesn't want to put them on the meds because of the side effects and they are still gaining so its not a threat just a nuisance. She gave me a paper to read. She wants to keep the boys on the same formula because of the extra calories so for now we have to try cutting the boys intake back down to 2oz at a time and bring it back to every 3 hrs (the same schedule we were on when we came home 5 weeks ago). On top of that we have to now hold the boys in a completely vertical position for an hour after every feeding (there goes my sleep). If that doesnt work then we can switch formulas or thicken (trying to avoid this because Owen is already on Karo syrup for constipation). We go back in three weeks for 2 month shots and she will check them again and decide what to do from there. Because we were there she took the time to listen to Owen's heart again and I was instructed for no reason should I risk missing his cardio appointment (um yeah way to make a mom worry more). So to say the least this is going to be interesting feeding, holding and diapering is going to take 1.5-2 hrs to do both babies that gives me 1-1.5 hrs between feedings to do what I need to do (eat, sleep, shower, or household cleaning). I hope this works... please let this work because this is still better then the screaming and the formula out the nose.

The first month

It sure was a crazy first month. The good news is that we found the camera cord so I do have new pictures. The boys are already so much bigger. They are out of all things preemie and in newborn clothes and size 1 diapers.




My boys

Things we are doing:
* eating 3-4 oz
* ganging up on mom
* practicing holding up heads
* sucking our fists
* focusing on people and things (when we choose)





Owen


Ethan


Attacking nana


nice cousin

And lastly the pics that will haunt my boys the rest of their lives....The first real bath.





Ok so upcoming events.
*Appointment for reflux
*Owen's murmur evaluation
*2 month shots