I promise, I'm going to try and get better about blogging. Two kids under the age of two don't leave a lot of time for that, but I find it a nice outlet, and whether anyone enjoys reading it or not, I enjoy sharing about our family's ups and downs.
Andrew has been sick since last Saturday. Great news: he's doing much, much better today! Holding everything down and no upset tummy. The only lingering problem seems to be that someone replaced our most excellent 10-12 hour a night sleeper with a little boy who gets up at 6 a.m. Every morning.
However, our little miracle of a daughter is sleeping mostly through the night at two months old. She'll be 10 weeks this Saturday, and has already caught up size-wise to a normal two month old baby! Her right foot is turning out at times, sometimes at a 90-degree angle. We had an ultrasound of her hips done yesterday and there doesn't appear to be a problem there, so the doctor thinks it was just how she was positioned in the womb, and believes it will clear up on its own. If it doesn't, we're aware of it early enough it should be correctable.
For those who've been wondering, we have received Wesley's autopsy reports and other information. We do have some answers, although we cannot share them at this time. We hope to be able to share them in the near future.
I am still enrolled in school, and expect to graduate with my BA in Marketing in late 2013.
On a completely unrelated note, I saw the most cold, callous thing I believe I've ever seen in my entire life yesterday. While waiting for Zenith to go into her ultrasound, a teenage boy was begging his mom to go into his radiation treatment with him. He was probably 13 or 14, and you could tell he was very sick. His worthless excuse for a mother let him know that she was far too busy studying and he'd be fine by himself. I'm sure my mouth was hanging open. I wanted to speak up, but I was far too emotional to be rational with the woman. I just couldn't believe a mother could be that indifferent to her sick child who obviously needed her so badly. Had I not had Zenith with me, I'd have went in with the fella and held his poor hand during his treatment. It's appalling when a stranger has more compassion for a child than that child's own mother.
And happier times--Jay and I are heading to Washington, D.C.! We took a bump on our flight to Florida when we went on our cruise in March. We got two free tickets for taking a later flight. They expire next year, so we're cashing them in to use them before they expire. Any tips on what to see or what not to miss? The Air and Space Museum is tops on Jay's list, and the Holocaust Museum and Spy Museum are high on mine.
10 weeks post partum, I am officially pre-baby weight--for both pregnancies! I still have a ways to go in my weight loss, but that's a heck of a start, considering it took me a whole year to lose my weight with Andrew. We've got a big trip to Mexico next year, so I have some motivation and something to work hard for!
Since I'm going to start doing "thankful Thursdays," I should probably mention at least one thing I'm thankful for. I thank God every day for two happy, healthy babies who've changed my life for the better in more ways than I could have ever imagined.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Friday, September 23, 2011
August 30, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011, Jay and I got news no parent ever wants to hear. Our precious baby boy, who was absolutely fine the previous week, as seen on an ultrasound, had passed away. A routine non-stress test couldn't find his heartbeat, so I was sent down for an ultrasound. The tech looked around at the babies, then mumbled something about checking with the radiologist to make sure she had everything. I started thinking something might be wrong, because the previous week, the same exact ultrasound tech had said everything was fine and the babies looked great. She was gone for 20 minutes. She came back with a smile, and then wheeled me back up to the OB triage room.
Once I got up there, the nurse went to hook me back up to the machine, and then said something about being summoned, and went to go take care of things. She came back about 10 minutes later, and said that the doctor had said we didn't need to hook back up to the monitor and she'd be back shortly. She brought my doctor with her, and I knew before he said anything what was going to come out of his mouth.
Horrifically, he proceeded to tell me that our little guy's heart was no longer beating. They didn't know when it happened or why, but he was no longer living inside me. For nearly two more weeks, my body would continuously try to go into labor, with contractions or other weird problems. I spent more time in the hospital then I did at home.
We had another routine ultrasound on September 9, with the specialty "high-risk" clinic that I had been seeing throughout my pregnancy. Within minutes, the ultrasound tech realized our little girl had almost no amniotic fluid, and she left the room to get a doctor. The doctor, whom we had never met before, came into the room, introduced herself, waved the ultrasound wand over my belly for a few minutes, then told me I was going to the hospital immediately.
Sometime later that evening, we met with another specialty doctor, who told us that "we can continue waiting, but at this point, we're waiting for something bad to happen." She made the decision then to take out the babies via c-section the following morning. Zenith was lying transverse (sideways) at the time, making a natural birth impossible.
At 9:35 on September 10, 2011 (9/10/11), Zenith Danielle and her brother, Wesley James, were born. Zenith was a name Jay and I had picked out for about 8 years. Zenith Marie Hollinger had been Jay's great-aunt. Danielle is my middle name. Wesley was named after my great-great-great-great grandfather, Noah Wesley Hampton and my grandfather, James Talmadge Hampton, as well as Jay's grandfather, Harold James Hollinger.
Zenith came out screaming, which relieved the most horrendous anxiety I have ever felt in my entire life. She has spent the last two weeks in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Helen Devos Children's Hospital, but she is doing amazing. The nurses call her a "feeder/grower", meaning she's just there to learn to eat and put on some weight. She does okay taking her bottles, but she's a little lazy like her big brother Andrew, so it takes her a full 30 minutes sometimes to finish her milk, which is the maximum time they'll allow her to eat before feeding her through her tube.
We are putting Wesley to rest in Jay's family plot tomorrow morning. He'll be laid with his uncle Allen Hollinger, who was also stillborn.
We feel unbelievably blessed. We know many of you have been praying; we've received cards and flowers and so many well wishes. Zenith is thriving, and we pray that she continues to grow and come home soon to join our family. We are sad over losing Wesley, but as Christians, we know he is in a better place than this world could possibly offer. Thank you for the love and compassion you have poured over our family in the last month.
Once I got up there, the nurse went to hook me back up to the machine, and then said something about being summoned, and went to go take care of things. She came back about 10 minutes later, and said that the doctor had said we didn't need to hook back up to the monitor and she'd be back shortly. She brought my doctor with her, and I knew before he said anything what was going to come out of his mouth.
Horrifically, he proceeded to tell me that our little guy's heart was no longer beating. They didn't know when it happened or why, but he was no longer living inside me. For nearly two more weeks, my body would continuously try to go into labor, with contractions or other weird problems. I spent more time in the hospital then I did at home.
We had another routine ultrasound on September 9, with the specialty "high-risk" clinic that I had been seeing throughout my pregnancy. Within minutes, the ultrasound tech realized our little girl had almost no amniotic fluid, and she left the room to get a doctor. The doctor, whom we had never met before, came into the room, introduced herself, waved the ultrasound wand over my belly for a few minutes, then told me I was going to the hospital immediately.
Sometime later that evening, we met with another specialty doctor, who told us that "we can continue waiting, but at this point, we're waiting for something bad to happen." She made the decision then to take out the babies via c-section the following morning. Zenith was lying transverse (sideways) at the time, making a natural birth impossible.
At 9:35 on September 10, 2011 (9/10/11), Zenith Danielle and her brother, Wesley James, were born. Zenith was a name Jay and I had picked out for about 8 years. Zenith Marie Hollinger had been Jay's great-aunt. Danielle is my middle name. Wesley was named after my great-great-great-great grandfather, Noah Wesley Hampton and my grandfather, James Talmadge Hampton, as well as Jay's grandfather, Harold James Hollinger.
Zenith came out screaming, which relieved the most horrendous anxiety I have ever felt in my entire life. She has spent the last two weeks in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Helen Devos Children's Hospital, but she is doing amazing. The nurses call her a "feeder/grower", meaning she's just there to learn to eat and put on some weight. She does okay taking her bottles, but she's a little lazy like her big brother Andrew, so it takes her a full 30 minutes sometimes to finish her milk, which is the maximum time they'll allow her to eat before feeding her through her tube.
We are putting Wesley to rest in Jay's family plot tomorrow morning. He'll be laid with his uncle Allen Hollinger, who was also stillborn.
We feel unbelievably blessed. We know many of you have been praying; we've received cards and flowers and so many well wishes. Zenith is thriving, and we pray that she continues to grow and come home soon to join our family. We are sad over losing Wesley, but as Christians, we know he is in a better place than this world could possibly offer. Thank you for the love and compassion you have poured over our family in the last month.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
One of Each!
Here's an update, since it's been a while!
We had an ultrasound last week and found out that we're having a girl and a boy. I also found out that I am facing placenta previa, where the girl's placenta is covering the cervix. In 90% of cases, it corrects itself, however, if it does not, I will have a planned c-section.
The specialist we saw recommend I not go over 37 weeks, due to concerns about growth restriction of the babies due to my petite build.
Yes, we have names picked out. :-)
Andrew is growing like a weed. He's so happy and healthy. He had tubes put in his ears last week, due to chronic ear infections, and he came out of it like a champ. He's doing great.
He knows somewhere between 10-15 words that he uses on a regular basis. He's started repeating more and more as he's trying to figure out what we're saying to him.
That's about all for now.
We had an ultrasound last week and found out that we're having a girl and a boy. I also found out that I am facing placenta previa, where the girl's placenta is covering the cervix. In 90% of cases, it corrects itself, however, if it does not, I will have a planned c-section.
The specialist we saw recommend I not go over 37 weeks, due to concerns about growth restriction of the babies due to my petite build.
Yes, we have names picked out. :-)
Andrew is growing like a weed. He's so happy and healthy. He had tubes put in his ears last week, due to chronic ear infections, and he came out of it like a champ. He's doing great.
He knows somewhere between 10-15 words that he uses on a regular basis. He's started repeating more and more as he's trying to figure out what we're saying to him.
That's about all for now.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Double the pleasure, double the fun...
So, I thought twins were supposed to skip a generation.
Being a twin, I thought the chances of me having twins of my own were slim to none.
Wrong.
We just got the shock of our lives.
That's right--TWINS.
I've been having this awful pain in my left side for a few days and finally decided I'd better get to the doctor and figure out what was going on. They ruled out a kidney infection or UTI and decided we should explore the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy and ordered an ultrasound.
I had my suspicions right away. I saw two black blobs where last time I only saw one. Jokingly, I asked the tech "that's not two, is it?" Unconcerned, she said "I'm not sure right now."
Then she zeroed in on what I thought was "a" baby. I said "Oh, there's the little critter." The ultrasound zoomed out just a little bit and said "Actually, there are two critters."
So, I'm still hurting. That hasn't been resolved. And now I can add complete and utter shock to my system.
Jeremiah 29: 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Being a twin, I thought the chances of me having twins of my own were slim to none.
Wrong.
We just got the shock of our lives.
That's right--TWINS.
I've been having this awful pain in my left side for a few days and finally decided I'd better get to the doctor and figure out what was going on. They ruled out a kidney infection or UTI and decided we should explore the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy and ordered an ultrasound.
I had my suspicions right away. I saw two black blobs where last time I only saw one. Jokingly, I asked the tech "that's not two, is it?" Unconcerned, she said "I'm not sure right now."
Then she zeroed in on what I thought was "a" baby. I said "Oh, there's the little critter." The ultrasound zoomed out just a little bit and said "Actually, there are two critters."
So, I'm still hurting. That hasn't been resolved. And now I can add complete and utter shock to my system.
Jeremiah 29: 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
I Love My Toilet
Or at least you'd think I do, considering how much time I've spent with it in the last few days.
That's right, the puking has begun.
I puked for 8 months the last time I was pregnant. It was like the day I found out up until the day I had Andy I puked nonstop. It was awesome. And it begins again. I'm praying, praying, praying that this time I get relief like "normal" women do at 12 weeks, but I'm not counting on anything.
So far, sweet tea sounds best. But then you're not supposed to have too much caffeine. Caffeine or puking? I'll take the caffeine. And then I'll be calling my doctor for some Zofran. It didn't totally stop the puking, but it took the edge off. I could at least hold food down. And I didn't have to continue my affair with the toilet throughout the day.
Oh, and here's a big "wow!" moment for the day. I still get a little sick to my stomach when I see it. This was me at 39 weeks with Andrew. In the middle of winter. Wearing sandals, because my feet looked like two pigs with piglets attached. It's not a pretty picture, y'all.
That's right, the puking has begun.
I puked for 8 months the last time I was pregnant. It was like the day I found out up until the day I had Andy I puked nonstop. It was awesome. And it begins again. I'm praying, praying, praying that this time I get relief like "normal" women do at 12 weeks, but I'm not counting on anything.
So far, sweet tea sounds best. But then you're not supposed to have too much caffeine. Caffeine or puking? I'll take the caffeine. And then I'll be calling my doctor for some Zofran. It didn't totally stop the puking, but it took the edge off. I could at least hold food down. And I didn't have to continue my affair with the toilet throughout the day.
Oh, and here's a big "wow!" moment for the day. I still get a little sick to my stomach when I see it. This was me at 39 weeks with Andrew. In the middle of winter. Wearing sandals, because my feet looked like two pigs with piglets attached. It's not a pretty picture, y'all.
On a way better note, we leave for our cruise in 34 days. I'm way excited!
Friday, February 11, 2011
Why the adoption plans are on hold...
Baby Hollinger #2 is on his or her way! We are expecting him/her to make an appearance on or around October 19, the day before our 10th wedding anniversary!
As with Andrew, we will NOT be finding out the baby's gender ahead of time. We already have names picked out either way, and most of what we got the first time around was gender-neutral, so we're good to go!
It was a bit of a surprise (truthfully, I'm still in shock), but we're excited and praying for a baby that is as happy and healthy as Andy is!
As with Andrew, we will NOT be finding out the baby's gender ahead of time. We already have names picked out either way, and most of what we got the first time around was gender-neutral, so we're good to go!
It was a bit of a surprise (truthfully, I'm still in shock), but we're excited and praying for a baby that is as happy and healthy as Andy is!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Plans
Our adoption plans are going to be on hold for the moment. I'll have more info as to why in a few weeks, but it's still in the cards. We just have to hold off a little while longer for the time being.
Jay and I are going on a cruise in March! For five glorious days, we'll be aboard Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas and we'll visit Cozumel and Grand Cayman island. This will be my 16th cruise, and the first that Jay and I have ever gone on by ourselves. We've always gone with friends in the past. I think we're both really excited!
School is going great. I am extremely happy with my school choice. Liberty is a good fit for me. I don't have to log in every single day like I did at Baker, and the workload is challenging, but not overwhelming. The college sets guidelines; it's not up to crazy individual professors to come up with their own ideas of how difficult the classwork should be. So far, I'm enjoying the classes, and I start my second one on Monday. I'll have two that overlap at a time, but I think it will still be manageable.
Andrew is all over the place, walking and talking. He knows "ball, kitty, mama, bubbles, more, num-num!," and occasionally he pops out a "dada." The doc says he's right on track to where he should be. I couldn't be more proud! He is truly a joy!
That's all for now. Stay tuned...:-)
Jay and I are going on a cruise in March! For five glorious days, we'll be aboard Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas and we'll visit Cozumel and Grand Cayman island. This will be my 16th cruise, and the first that Jay and I have ever gone on by ourselves. We've always gone with friends in the past. I think we're both really excited!
School is going great. I am extremely happy with my school choice. Liberty is a good fit for me. I don't have to log in every single day like I did at Baker, and the workload is challenging, but not overwhelming. The college sets guidelines; it's not up to crazy individual professors to come up with their own ideas of how difficult the classwork should be. So far, I'm enjoying the classes, and I start my second one on Monday. I'll have two that overlap at a time, but I think it will still be manageable.
Andrew is all over the place, walking and talking. He knows "ball, kitty, mama, bubbles, more, num-num!," and occasionally he pops out a "dada." The doc says he's right on track to where he should be. I couldn't be more proud! He is truly a joy!
That's all for now. Stay tuned...:-)
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Birthdays!
Our little man just turned 1. We celebrated with Mickey Mouse and lots of friends and family!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Sick Babies...and other bits and pieces
Sick little babies are no fun. Neither is three hours of sleep, to spend all day with a crying, miserable kid who's coughing and sneezing all day. Thank God for an amazing husband who will take him for an hour or two so I can restore my sanity and clear my head.
I start classes again on Monday. I've transferred to Liberty University where I should be able to finish out my degree in the next two to two and a half years. It was going to take at *least* three, probably more, had I stayed at Baker. And then to have to deal with crazy professors and no set guidelines? Nah.
We've started the adoption process, as I mentioned before. We're planning on adopting through Bethany Christian Services and we have our first orientation meeting on February 16th, so please remember us and potential children in your thoughts and prayers. We're excited and nervous about the process, realizing it will be lengthy and emotional. And while I'm at it, if you hear of anyone wanting to rid themselves of bunk beds that can be separated into separate beds, please let us know!
Andrew's first birthday is coming up--quickly. I swear, this year has gone by so much faster than it did when I was pregnant. How does that work? We're planning a big Mickey Mouse-themed party, since he's a big fan of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. When we saw Mickey and Minnie at Disney World in October, you should have seen his face light up. He thought Mickey's huge nose was the coolest thing ever. Who knows? Maybe it is. :-)
I start classes again on Monday. I've transferred to Liberty University where I should be able to finish out my degree in the next two to two and a half years. It was going to take at *least* three, probably more, had I stayed at Baker. And then to have to deal with crazy professors and no set guidelines? Nah.
We've started the adoption process, as I mentioned before. We're planning on adopting through Bethany Christian Services and we have our first orientation meeting on February 16th, so please remember us and potential children in your thoughts and prayers. We're excited and nervous about the process, realizing it will be lengthy and emotional. And while I'm at it, if you hear of anyone wanting to rid themselves of bunk beds that can be separated into separate beds, please let us know!
Andrew's first birthday is coming up--quickly. I swear, this year has gone by so much faster than it did when I was pregnant. How does that work? We're planning a big Mickey Mouse-themed party, since he's a big fan of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. When we saw Mickey and Minnie at Disney World in October, you should have seen his face light up. He thought Mickey's huge nose was the coolest thing ever. Who knows? Maybe it is. :-)
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