Sunday, February 28, 2010

Jude's First Bath!


Basically, he hated it. His umbilical cord stump fell off on Thursday, which meant that we could actually put him IN the water (as opposed to just a sponge bath), but the way our little baby tub works is that there's a little hammock-like thing that he sits in while we wash him down. I've never given someone/something a bath as quickly as we bathed Jude.

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Home from the hospital

We came home on Monday the 22nd and so far, here's how it's gone:

Monday night: We tried putting Jude in the crib in our room. He hated it. Hated it. Even though Lindsay and I were trading off "shifts," I hated it, too. I don't think I slept AT ALL. Jude was not a happy camper and this meant that no one in the room was a happy camper, including Sully. I had my first freak out.

Tuesday: Linda, the home health care nurse came by and was sooooo great. I actually thought Lindsay might barricade the door so Linda wouldn't leave. She checked in with me, checked Jude's vitals, and spent a ton of time helping me troubleshoot some breastfeeding issues. Jude slept like a champ in the afternoon. I even took a nap. (Yeah that whole "sleep while he's sleeping" advice? WHERE do you find the time??)

Tuesday night: Basically a repeat of the first night, but I didn't have a breakdown. Lindsay even tried driving Jude around town to get him to calm down (which worked) and when they got back home, we tried having him sleep in his swing in the living room with one of us sleeping on the couch. Success! Too bad it only came partway through the night. I think we each got a couple of hours, but not much more.

Wednesday: Jude had another great day. I cried two or three times - I lost count. I've pretty much cried every day since he was born. Sometimes it's about happy things (like coming home from the hospital... I cried in the car and I could cry about it right now) and sometimes it's about total freakout things... like second-guessing myself on every single thing I do. Should I give him a pacifier? Should he sleep in his swing? Should I swaddle him now? Should he be wearing another layer? Is it bad that I can't wake him up to feed? Is he eating enough? My head echoes with all the advice I've been given, all the books I've read, all the professionals I've heard from and in the moment, it feels almost impossible to make a decision about what to do. Ok, so that's not just Wednesday - that's every day. I knew it would be hard, I just never knew it was going to be *this* hard.

Wednesday night: We have a good thing going on with Jude sleeping downstairs in the living room with the two of us taking shifts of sleeping upstairs in our bed and sleeping downstairs on the couch. It sucks that we aren't able to sleep in the same bed, but what doesn't suck that we're sleeping and not freaking out.

Thursday: Jude's first pediatrician appointment AND a blood pressure check for me. I was really nervous that we'd have to drive from one end of town to the other in order to make both appointments, but we did it and even worked in a quick trip to Target. Everything looked good for me, but Jude is borderline jaundice - not quite enough to warrant phototherapy, but enough that we needed to have blood drawn for a second time. Thursday was also the first day that I didn't cry!

Thursday night: Let's just say we're working on our shift method.

Friday: Jude power napped in the afternoon, allowing me an mom to go for some quick errands. I had a mental breakdown about breastfeeding. It's really not going as gloriously as I'd like. I know I have to figure out what works best for me and for Jude, but this has probably been the hardest part of being a parent so far.

Saturday: Jude is one week old! We headed to the lab for another jaundice blood test and his billirubin levels are headed down - great news. We're still keeping our eyes out, but we're breathing a little easier.

I can't believe our little guy is a week old! My mom has been here and it's been great to have the extra help, but it's also giving me an artificial idea of what it's going to be like when it's just me, Lindsay, and Jude. I know we'll be able to do it, but yikes! I'm not going to lie. This is a little rouch.

Soooo... We made it

After all the drama, we finally made it to the hospital! It sounds like they were a little short on staff, but my OB happened to be on call and worked her magic to get me in (thanks, Witzke!). We were finally told to come in on Friday at 2:00. So we got our bags in the car and headed off to our final lunch, and then, to the hospital!

They started me off in triage and hooked me up to the fetal heartbeat monitor and contraction monitor and two hours later, we were moved to our labor and delivery room (where I got my long-awaited-for giant water jug!). They started me on Pitocin and I responded with some stronger contractions, but was given a lower dose and some sleeping pills overnight so we could begin in earnest in the morning (mmmmm... sleeping pills.....).

The nurses were so fabulous and made us both feel all the great excitement of expecting Jude! If any of you are ever going to deliver at Park Nicollet Methodist, you are so lucky to have such great labor and delivery nurses. We were really lucky to have such wonderful people caring for us during this time (AND we were really lucky to have the Olympics playing NON-STOP!)

At 5:30 Saturday morning, the Pitocin was started again. I have NO concept of time from the day at all. All I know is that I was able to Skype with Katy at some point in the morning and I was super bubbly.

Eventually, the contractions got really intense. INTENSE! We tried several different positions and Lindsay was SO great about helping me through them all. Apparently I went through these ouchie contractions for about 6 hours (REALLY???? What was I thinking?!?!?!?!). Eventually, though, I'd had enough and I went for the epidural. And MAN was it great! I was actually able to sleep and rest a bit and even joke around with the nurse (she asked about my pain level before the epidural and I told her it was a 4. A 4? "No, I lied. It was like a 8 or a 9" She thought that was pretty funny). For those of you who have never had an epidural, it is basically like the numbing drugs they give you at the dentist, except it's over your whole lower two thrids of your body. WEIRD to reach down and feel your leg and NOT feel it on your leg.

After a quick bedside ultrasound, they realized the Jude was "sunny side up" - facing the wrong way. The idea was to flip me from side to encourage him to flip. Just a few minutes later they checked my dilation and the nurse announced that I was READY and Jude was facing the right way and READY and it was PUSH TIME!!!!!!!

The room started buzzing and all the Dr's and nurses started arriving for Jude's birthday! Once they got everything set up I got started with pushing and SEVEN MINUTES LATER.... Jude was born!!!!!! Before I knew it, there he was, up on my chest, crying and screaming, just as he should. Wow. THERE IS A BABY ON MY CHEST. THAT JUST CAME OUT OF MY BODY. AND NOW I AM HIS MOM. AND LINDSAY IS HIS MOM. WE ARE MOMS. HE IS A BABY!

So much of the rest of the night was a blur, but when the sun came up in the morning, WE HAD A BABY there with us! And LOOK at him!!!!!!



So in love!

Monday, February 22, 2010

Pictures.....

Click here to see more pics of our little guy!

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Subject: He's Here!

From: Lindsay Hey

Sent: Sat, Feb 20, 2010 10:53 pm

Subject: He's Here!

Jude August Heyer is here!
Day: February 20, 2010
Time: 9:14pm
Length: 21"
Weight: 8lbs 10 oz
Everyone's doing great...only 7 minutes of pushing! He's been nursing for 50 minutes like a champ. We can't wait for him to meet all of our wonderful friends and family.
If we've left someone out, it's totally inadvertant! Please pass this on to anyone we may have forgotten!
All our love,
Lindsay and Liz





Thursday, February 18, 2010

The Latest

Gmail Liz H

The Latest
7 messages

Thu, Feb 18, 2010 at 9:11 AM

No, we're still not at the hospital.

We didn't go in last night because they were too busy. They thought they could get me in this morning, but it sounds like they do inductions in the am and they really want me there the night before to get ready for the induction. Sooooooo.....

Now they are saying they want me to come in tonight for induction in the morning tomorrow (Friday). I'm supposed to hear from them around 2 this afternoon.

Does anyone have 8.4 million dollars to add on to the labor and delivery wing at Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital? Seems like they could use it. At this rate, I'm thinking they won't be able to get me in until at least 2028. At least that means that I'd give birth to an 18 year old.

Could this wait be any more agonizing? We'll, of course, keep you all posted.

Liz

Lucinda H Thu, Feb 18, 2010 at 9:15 AM
To: Liz H
This is more agonizing than just waiting to go into labor. At least this must mean that they're not too concerned about your blood pressure. We're thinking of you!

Love,
Cindy

Kathryn F Thu, Feb 18, 2010 at 9:18 AM
To: Liz H , Lindsay H
AAAAAHHHHHHH really?!?!?!?!?!?

That is agonizing...and crazy! How on earth are you dealing? And, I wanted him to share Yoko's birthday!!! But, I guess if he's born tomorrow he'll share the day with Hillary Duff's sister???

Thinking of you!!!
K
[Quoted text hidden]

Kathryn F Thu, Feb 18, 2010 at 9:18 AM
To: Liz Heyer, Lindsay Hey
Oooh, ooooh, and Seal AND Smokey Robinson...musical birthday boys!
[Quoted text hidden]

Kasey L Thu, Feb 18, 2010 at 9:31 AM
To: Liz H, Lindsay H, Ap
That SUCKS! I'm sorry.

Now here is annoying cheerleader Kasey....

1. This is what it is like for those who don't get induced....you have to wait. Not fun but part of the journey. Though I know that the plan was made and then changed I suggest you think of it as not getting induced...or just that the getting induced part is something you have no control over (just as you wouldn't if you weren't going to). I dunno maybe it could help. You are so close and I know it must be hard to wait, but Jude will be here with you soon....SOON YAY!!!

2. DISTRACT yourself - movies, rent some full seasons of something...go to our house and watch movies or watch modern family (PUSH!)....Aaron can VNC in and all you need to do it get the TV on and he can run it for you! (hehe Aaron like how I'm volunteering you for things!)

3. At least you get to hang out in your own house and you aren't hanging out at the hospital waiting


4. Your bags are packed. You aren't at work. You have no dog. You have no baby. You have EVERYTHING planned. You have no company. You have NO RESPONSIBILITY right now. That doesn't happen much and certainly won't happen in the coming months.

So I realize that it sucks but let's try to change the cylce of thinking to something positive. hehehehe (K i'm in Social Work mode right now).

Love you ladies!


Dean L Thu, Feb 18, 2010 at 2:22 PM
Reply-To: Dean L
To: Liz H

Aiiiiggghhhh!!! Fingers crossed that you don't get this email because you're on your way...


Karen G Thu, Feb 18, 2010 at 3:14 PM
To: Liz H
Thanks so much for the update! And sorry you weren’t able to go in last night- I hope tonight works! I am sure you guys are so excited (and ready not to be pregnant)- it must be nearly unbearable. We will keep the positive vibes flowing- for an opening tonight and Jude to join us tomorrow!

Karen

Such an agonizing wait...

My due date is one week from today, but after an ever-increasing blood pressure read on Tuesday, Dr. Witzke wanted me induced today with cervical ripening happening Wednesday night. So Wednesday night at 7 the hospital still hadn't called to tell me when they wanted me to come in. I finally called them and learned it's because they are so crowded that they couldn't fit me in. They were going to try again this morning (Thursday), but still full, and then again this evening but...... still no room.

Lindsay and I have been just waiting on hold for over 24 hours now eating every meal out since we haven't kept anything in the house and haven't wanted to create any dishes. We've been having more "this is the last [fill in the blank] as a childless couple" false alarms than I can count. I know that waiting for labor or early labor can be just as agonizing, but I just needed to share with all of you! HOPEFULLY there will be room at the hospital tomororw morning, but at this point, I'm not holding my breath. Maybe that baby will come out on his own yet!

Monday, February 15, 2010

World Invitation

Dear Baby

I am officially inviting you to join us out here in the world. You're done cooking and I'm ready to go back to sleeping on my stomach. My Dr. has officially put me on bedrest so now all I have to do is watch the Olympics and wait for you. Don't get me wrong. I'm enjoying the medically mandated couch-sitting. But there are so many fun things we could be doing if you were here. Ok. Maybe things won't be so "fun" at first, but as great as bedrest+Olympics are, having you here would be waaaaaay better. So I just wanted to let you know that everything is all ready for you to come, we just need you.

Love,

One of Your Moms.

Here are some pictures of me waiting for you:

35 weeks - waiting for you in my pajamas

36 weeks - waiting for you in different pajamas

37 weeks - now you're done cooking, so I'm REALLY waiting for you (see how bored Sully is with waiting for you?)

38 weeks - waiting for you in the same outfit I was waiting for you in last week. Don't judge.