Unexpected Events

I wish I could be writing only about our trip to the hospital yesterday morning for Leah's big sibiling class, but the event was quickly over shadowed by our second trip to the hospital yesterday.

The day was going great... Hospital class & tour, watched 1.5 innings of the local baseball team and Brian's Alma Mater's game, a nice nap on the couch, and then up to play outside in the sprinkler in the heat.

We had been outside for probably 45 minutes.  Leah, Mommy & even Daddy played in the sprinkler and blew bubbles.  Things are going great and Brian was about to start BBQing dinner.  We took a small drink break where Leah was drinking a Gatorade.

All of a sudden Leah just dropped her bottle.  Brian and I kind of scowled at her.  Leah did not respond at all and just kept starring off into space.  We said her name a few more times, tried to get her attention, Brian waving his arms in front of her... and then she looked like she was about to fall over.

I grabbed her, looked her in her eye... and saw her pupils almost disappear... I knew something was wrong.

I looked at Brian and told him to go call 9-1-1.

He went inside while I was left to deal with things getting even scarier.

I picked her up but her lack of response worried me so I laid her in the grass.  She was starting to turn blue and not breathing.  I smacked her chest a few times.  Tried to my best at CPR where all I thought was "I have no idea what I am doing! I dont know CPR!  I am going to watch my daughter die!"  It was probably one of the most terrifying moments of my life.   Just thinking about her laying there, with nothing in her eyes, her face a purplish blue, is something I am sure I will never forget and will haunt me forever.  I wish I could block it from memory.

A house that we sort of back up to happen to be having a Cinco de Mayo party and were hanging out on their fancy new back patio.  Knowing that I did not know how to help my daughter I picked Leah up and headed towards their house where I yelled for help.

Things are a little blurry.  I know I laid Leah back down on the ground... 2 guys rushed over... and something happened that Leah all of a sudden coughed. Her eyes had life in them again.  She acted like she had just woken up.  Stretching, looking around, a bit unsure.

By then more people had come over.  Someone had touched Leah, realized how hot she was, and told me to take her inside to cool down while we waited for the ambulance.  Once back in the basement some women tried to comfort us, one of them on the phone with her EMT husband who was on his way over.  Next came in 2 police officers, firemen and EMTs.

At initial checking, Leah was a bit lethargic.  She had not said anything but would answer the EMT's questions with her eyes.  Answering where her mommy and daddy were.  Her heart rate was 160, faster than her unborn baby sisters.

They had not taken her temperature yet, but gave her ice packs to just try and cool her down.  By the time we were on the way to the hospital and it was finally taken, it came in at 105.7.

Leah was still pretty out of it.  She did not even flinch when they put in her IV.

She eventually started to wake up and come around.  By the time we were nearing the hospital, which is only about 12 miles away she was crying for me.  When it was time to get out she responded with "we at grandma and papa's house?"

As the IV did its magic and medicine was given, her fever quickly fell and our Leah began to return.  She even became a crazy, bossy, super talkative, sassy, pretending to be a doctor, little girl.  I joked that her IV was filled with caffeine or something because she had done such a 180 and was just in such a great mood.  

While we waited for the results of her blood test, x-ray, and examination from the doctor, I couldn't help but to question myself as a mother.  Did I do something wrong to make this happen?  Did she not eat or drink enough all day? Did I overlook her runny nose and cough? Is there something horribly wrong that will appear in her blood test? My mind questioned everything and wondered to the worst of places.

Blood work returned perfect.  X-ray showed nothing.  But an ear looked infected.

We believe Leah had a febrile seizure as the result of her spiked fever.

I know they are very common in little kids.  And even the best sort of seizure to have when it comes to seizures.

I am extremely grateful that Leah only has an ear infection as well.

But it does not make it any less terrifying and traumatizing.

I hope it was the worst day of my life because I do not know how I would handle anything worst happening to Leah or my future children.

According to my mother, who experienced similar events with my brother when he was younger, this is why parenthood gives you grey hairs.

Our Newest Addition

I am the newest owner of a 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan. 

I admit I feel like I aged 5 years. I can't fully explain it... maybe I just feel a little more grown up, the mom of 2, no more crappy car... but I am loving it!

And so is Leah.  This is her first ride in it.... right to sleep she went.  Must be comfy.   At daycare yesterday she supposedly talked about it all day long too.

Cant wait to bring home our baby girl in it and begin our new comfy life as a family of 4! 

My Weekly Hodge Podge

Last week at 33 weeks.

• I am officially only capable of fitting into dresses unless its 50 degrees out, then I just wear a few dresses with jeans. Instead of buying more shirts to cover my ginormous belly, my solution is to just work from home more where my belly can freely enjoy a nice breeze as it pokes out of every possible shirt.   I even have trouble now keeping my full panel maternity pants up.  I cannot wait to get back to normal clothing!
• This dress in the picture by the way... a new favorite.  $16.00 from Walmart! It might actually be a swim cover up.  I found it next to the swimsuits. Our walmart has the swimsuits across from the groceries.  Maybe its a  "Do you really want that box of cookies?" thing?... Anywho, I wore it to work last week and received probably 10 compliments on it!
• Eviction is officially set for 9:30 am on 6-6-12.  5 weeks and 6 days people!
• I have mentioned before that we are naming this child Emily, but I always planned to call her Em or Emmie. 3 syllables is great for a nice fancy name, but not the best for everyday use.  Shoot, Brian even calls Leah, "L" since its easier to spit out.  Well it seems that baby girl's name is already adjusting to "Emmie".  Its how Leah pronounces her name and I find Brian and myself already calling her that too.  I LOVE it!
• Leah has had a few play dates with the little boy next door.  He came over to play once and once Leah has gone over there... into their house... to play.  It was the weirdest thing! Brian and I sat on the deck thinking "Leah is at a friends house playing.... what do we do!?" It is awesome that they are playing together, but Brayden is almost a full 3 years older than Leah. He starts kindergarden in the fall and I am sure he will lose interest playing with a toddler! He seems to like Brian though... he always told Brian he could come over for a sleep over and sleep in his room because he has bunk beds.  Little boys seriously LOVE Brian for some reason. ha.
• I think its official I will be getting a Dodge Grand Caravan... its actually pretty AWESOME! It has amazing storage and space. Hopefully we will be getting it in the next week or so! I cannot wait! ... which speaking of cars, I need to clean out my Taurus. Me vaccumming it out will be a sight! ha!
• My cousin is graduating from college the weekend of May 19th.  Almost my entire mom's side of the family is headed to Joplin to celebrate, including family that has never met Leah and I have not seen in almost 3 years! I really really really want to go but darn it.. I will be 2.5 weeks from delivery and the 4 hr car drive sounds a bit like torture.  I am slightly tempted to go... especially if we have our new van and I am not dialated at all... stupid idea?  I think I will ask my doctor... Any bets on what she will say? I honestly have no idea...

Grassy Legs

Leah loves lotion.  She loves to pump it out herself (I use Gold Bond Ultimate Healing which may seem old lady but seriously, its the best lotion ever! Non-greasy, super thick, and awesome) and finger painting it all over herself.

Last night I decided she could put it on me... a bigger canvas and hopefully less mess.

Brian came upstairs a bit later and Leah decided it was his turn to have his legs painted.

As she begins she proclaims:

"Daddy! You have grass on your legs!"

My New Boyfriend

Seriously love him! ... Lucky Brian knows and is OK with it.

Life Lately

• I have 7 more weeks as a mom of 1. O-M-G
• I have finally embraced the fact that I will be getting a new mini-van in the very near future. All of the SUVs with a 3rd row in our price range come with a bench middle row.  This is not very suitable to fold a chair down when you have 2 car seats attached.  We have to have the bucket seats.  SUVs with bucket middle seats = out of our desired priced range.  Mini-vans really meet all of our needs.  I will be the most awesome soccer mom around! ... we just have another year before we enter the life of organized kid sports. 
• Speaking of sports, Leah is OBSESSED with baseball.  

Love this picture because its Brian and Leah together, and Leah's hat and bat.  Too cute. 

Bat in hand of course... 

• The other day Brian and I were at Culvers ordering dinner.  As soon as Brian paid, the cashier asked "So what are you guys having?".  I looked at her like she has 2 heads and said "uh, we just ordered..."  It didnt hit me she was asking about the baby. 
• Miss Cora has been sick... She is just not her "in your face", "pet me! Pet me please!", "I want to cuddle!" self.  She still is not eating much, but we are waiting to see if she keeps it up before heading back to the vet.  He was happy that she just started eating and drinking again... Poor thing. I hate having sick babies, even my fur-babies. 

• I saw a motorcycle accident today, after it happened, but before the emergency vehicles had arrived.  It made me wonder... how were emergency vehicles notified of accidents before cell phones were carried by everyone? Like in the 60s or 70s, how long did it take for an ambulance to arrive at the scene of an automobile accident?? I am very curious! 
• I have the most awesome in-laws.  Since I am on restricted activity and just so worn out by this pregnancy, my in-laws have been coming over and cleaning the house for me, then picking Leah up from daycare for the evening so I can relax for a bit. Getting to come home and veg is so nice! 
• My camera is beginning to make a little more sense to me... a few non Leah pictures... 

I took like 20 pictures of Brian's glass of wine last night. 

• Brian has been attempting to finish the basement... but he jumped ahead and bought his new projector, set it all up, and now we have been hanging out in the basement watching movies.  I do not think he has any motivation anymore to keep going on it all... His necessities are already there... 

32 weeks

Whoa tired eyes... but its exactly how I feel lately. 

I havent done one of these yet this pregnancy... atleast I dont think. My brain is a little shot lately.

How far along?. 32 weeks 1 day 

Maternity clothes? Oh yes, and quickly running out of things that fit. I've turned to wearing alot of dresses, but then all of a sudden its gotten cooler again so I am trying to fit into any pants that fit. 

Weight Gain? I am not sure since I have no idea where I started. Although I had only gained 10 lbs at 20 weeks compared to my 18 lbs last time, Im not sure I am still doing so great. I feel huge... I do weight myself at home now just to make sure I am gaining the 1-2 lbs per week.  I am super anxious to start weight watchers once I have this baby and get to a point where I dont want to cry each time I put on a swimsuit to take Leah to the pool this summer. 

Stretch Marks? way too many from last pregnancy... I dont think its possible to get anymore. 

Sleep? My sleep is actually not so horrible. I guess I am just so exhausted in general that I never have those moments where I just lay in bed thinking like I always did with Leah.  When I do lay down, get comfortable with my 4 pillows, I feel like I am getting into that super deep zombie sleep. My problem is that I am just not getting enough! I would love to sleep an extra 2 hrs each day... 

Sickness? I think its the mixture of exhaustion, braxton hicks contractions, and a child that is moving around so freaking much that I have been getting alot of episodes of nausea and just needing to lay down.  Last night was miserable and thank goodness Brian came home around 6 and was able to entertain Leah all night while I layed in bed and took an extra long hot bath (my absolute favorite thing this pregnancy. It always makes my aching body feel so much better!)

Movement? lately this child moves like a wild child with ADD.  It seriously is out of control, all four corners of my torso for like an hr at a time. 

What I miss? Oh what dont I miss?  Sleeping on my stomach, beer, wine, being able to breathe, get up, tie my shoes and put pants on with ease... holding Leah and dancing around the kitchen like we used too... 

Food cravings?  currently: mini chocolate covered donuts, blue cheese anything, salads with blue cheese and walnuts, ice cubes (supposedly this could be a bad thing?)

IFood aversions? I cant really pinpoint anything.... but last night I was super excited to make angel hair pasta with broccolli and shrimp, went to the store for it all, started cooking it all and then started getting sick from the smells. I ended up eating just a little itty bitty bit.  I dont think I could handle the garlic smell... 

What I’m looking forward to: Brian being done with tax season, going car shopping, and finally meeting this little girl!

Milestones? ummmm... Im at the point in pregnancy where I am constantly asked "when are you due?!" "Any day now?"  It shouldnt surprise me since I was this big with Leah but I think I am a little more offended this time around.  Someone even asked if I was having twins at work the other day... a woman, who I know has kids of her own... why is it always the woman who should know better that make the comments?!

Things I wish people knew: From the comment above.... please dont say anything about a women's size during pregnancy unless it is something you would want to hear yourself when you were/are pregnant. 

Worries: I have made so many comments to people about how I am having a schedule c-section and how I think its the easiest and best way to go.  I had such a great experience with Leah that I hope I have it again... but part of me thinks that I am totally jinxing myself!  Watch me go into a horrible labor early with miserable contractions or something... 

1st child:  Leah is doing great.  She understands pretty well that I can no longer carry her and pick her up.  She often talks about her baby sister, announcing it to strangers "I get a baby sister!", excited to have her sister sit in the backseat next to her, talks about changing her diapers, giving her bottles, and holding her... She likes to put her hands on my belly (or sometimes my chest, she thinks the baby is there as well) and even held her toy phone up to my belly for Emily to have a turn to talk on it this morning.