Bringing Parker Home

As predicted, one night in the postnatal ward was more than enough. Kelly and Parker were both checked out this morning by the doctors and were given the okay to head home.

(getting Parker ready for a hearing test - he passed)

(a glimpse into the majesty that was the postnatal ward)

(walking home - he is too small for the carrier)

(snuggled up in his bed)

hold on, what?

Well in a bit of a surprising turn of events, I was sent home at 9 pm tonight and can't come back until 10 am tomorrow; then I get sent away from 1 pm - 4 pm, too. We thought that I could spend over (for a fee of course), but that is only for those who pay for a private room. Since our insurance is not the best, I am sitting at home wondering what to do.

Prior to today, Kelly was thinking that she wanted to stay in the hospital for three days (the most the insurance will pay for), but after about 5 hours in the postnatal ward she is feeling like she might want to go home tomorrow. It is not very nice - the nurses have been good though. The biggest problem is that it seems like everyone assumes we know where to go and what to do... like where to get ice, water, meals (for Kelly). It is all very self-serve but little direction. I think we have it figured out now, but it was a bit tiring to have to chase down answers for all these little tasks.

Parker had another blood sugar test just before I left that was "beautiful" - a favorite word in Australia. We are starting to get a feel for what he likes and what he really hates. He likes to be held upright not on his back. He does not like his hands wrapped up tight, but maybe he is getting used to that. He hates, hates, hates having his diaper changed. He has been feeding well so far. It isn't taking too many tries before he is on and eating - fingers crossed he only gets better at this.

It's been a long day, but a lot shorter than I think either of us had anticipated really. Kelly was very nervous this morning and could not have done a better job. Maybe we'll have some more pictures to post tomorrow. Thanks for all the comments, Kelly loved them - they "made her heart shine".

More pictures and details...

Parker weighed in at 7 lbs 11 oz and 20.5 inches long. He just had his blood sugar checked to make sure it was not too low - it was very good. He just had his first poo, too. He is doing well so far, and he really loves to suck on his hands... he screams like mad if you try to take them away and that has led to a few scratches. Other than that he is doing just dandy. We have moved up to the recovery ward... it is not nearly as nice. We have a tiny shared room, but we'll make it work.

how fast was that?

At 12:30 Kelly said that she wanted an internal exam because she was feeling like she had to push with each contraction. Our midwife suggested waiting to avoid disappointment, but Kelly was persistent. So she climbed out of the tub and to everyone's surprise she had gone from 2cm dilated at 9am to fully dilated at 12:30. So back to the tub we went, and at 1:05pm, Parker Patrick Smith was born. Thirty-five minutes of pushing, no drugs at all (absolutely nothing), and a happy little baby with blue eyes and brown hair. More pictures to follow, but here were some right after he came out.

we're getting there...

It's about 11:45 am and Kelly has been having strong contractions for about an hour or an hour and a half. She was in pretty intense pain for a bit, so they brought her the big tub to sit in. It is now filled up with some nice warm water and she is doing swimmingly, so to speak. She is back in control of her pain, and doing a good job of relaxing even through the contractions.

the room...

Let's have a baby today...

We're now in the hospital. Kelly is about to have her water broken. Then we will wait a bit to see if the labor starts up on its own. If not, then they will start the hormones. I'll update again once something has happened.

progress!

We had a doctor appointment at the hospital today, and thank goodness we got the head doctor in charge! She looked over my chart and even did an internal exam! She said that I am partially effaced and dilated 3 centimeters, so that is good! She started to talk about scheduling an induction for next week, but Tyler spoke up and reminded her that I have gestational diabetes. She quickly changed her mind and suggested we get him out asap... so she called the delivery suite and scheduled me in for tomorrow morning (March 31)... unless it is "chockers" then I will have to wait until a room is available. Before I left they swept my membranes and also monitored Parkers movements for 20 minutes to make sure he was still a happy camper and he was, so that is good. In the morning, they will break my "waters" and if that does not start things up... they will use a synthetic hormone to get things rolling. We are still aiming for a water birth because everyone agrees that will be best for my joints. So... we are making progress and that is a very good thing.

another movie...

On Saturday, Tyler took me to another movie to get me out of the house and thinking of something other than giving birth. I was reluctant to go... the walk is long and the weather was hot. How To Train Your Dragon just came out and looked like the best option... so we made the journey and went. I LOVED IT! We both did, it was such a good movie! We agreed that it was the best movie we have seen all year... I would highly recommend it... enough said, just watch the trailer.

want or need?

I do not like to pray for things I want... only things I need. I want Parker to be born but do I need him to be born? I know for sure that I need to pray for strength and patience while I wait in anticipation... to have courage during the delivery. I want Parker to be born because I love him and want to start my life with him, to snuggle him, to see him, to hold him, to see the look on Tyler’s face as he takes his son into his arms for the first time.

Then I have a list of practical reasons why I want him to be born... it can take around 4 weeks to get an Australian birth certificate processed. And we need to have his birth certificate before we can apply for his consular report of birth abroad and passport so that he can come home with us on May 18th. We also cannot get him a plane ticket or apply for a bassinet seat until after he is born. So, we are really cutting it close... and the longer he stays in, the less time we have and the more uneasy it makes me feel. 

Then of course there are the logistical reasons why I want him to be born. We are not sure how my hyper joint mobility syndrome will effect the birthing process... it was decided that a water birth would be the least painful method for me and reduce impact on my hips/leg joints. When I dislocate underwater it is not painful or even uncomfortable because the buoyancy of the water reduces pressure on nerves/bones. BUT, if I need to be induced, then I will not be able to participate in a water birth. Induction also increases the risk of other interventions needing to take place. And with the concern that Parker is a large baby because of my gestational diabetes and continues to get bigger everyday he decides to stay inside me... the chances that I will need an emergency c-section increases. Which brings us back to the time restraint of leaving on May 18th. If I need to have an emergency c-section this late in the game... will I have enough time to recover and get the go ahead by a doctor to fly for 24 hours in a plane. 

But again... these are all wants. I want everything to work out easily. I do not need things to work out easily... so I will continue to pray for the things I need... strength, patience, courage and trust.

nope...

Nope, no bub yet.

more wooden toys!

40 weeks!

Finally, I am 40 weeks pregnant! To celebrate, I did a dance for you... enjoy!

going stir crazy

I am going a bit stir crazy. It would be different if I were home and had a car. I could go around town doing fun things to occupy my time while waiting for Parker to be born, but that is not the case for me here. I really do not want to wonder too far away from home... especially since the closest "shopping center" is a 45 minute walk for a 9 month pregnant lady. So, I sit at home and try to occupy myself. This weekend Tyler must have seen the crazy starting to creep into my eyes... because he planned a fun day of walking to "the spot" to do some window shopping and to see a movie! We went to Alice in Wonderland (in 3D of course) because it looked like it was the best movie playing. We both thought it would be entertaining, but not the best. About 10 minutes into the movie, I realized that I was really enjoying myself. The entire movie ended up being a winner in my book. It had some really good messages, and was not nearly as obnoxious as the preview made it out to be. All in all, it was a wonderful outing... if only all my days were filled with something to do... soon enough I am sure I will be laughing at that statement. Until then... who knows.

a dead bat...

While on a walk the other day, we spotted a bat that apparently died mid-flight when it snagged both of its wings on the power lines. Poor guy....

Tyler said he saw another one last week that was hanging upside down dead. It looked like it decided to hang from the power line, but its head was touching a different one...

random things we love...

I love this room!

I love simple tees

simple and homemade looking!

I want to make something like this!

cool pillows!

everyone loves jersey blankets!

so cute!

so cool!

every MT boy needs buffalo shoes!

this mini loft would be SO much fun!

how much fun would it be to have your own mail box in your room?!

or this cool hanging fort!

simple, colorful, and fun...

I love homemade looking animals!

it is made of wood and it's a camera! love it!

a life-sized, beautiful memory game! 

so cute and simple!

simple and orange!

now this would be a cool fort!

LOVE these... but Tyler thinks they look like a hazard waiting to happen.