Baby Chase - 3 days old

Saturday, 30 June 2007

My mom arrived today and spent the afternoon with us at the hospital since I had to do feedings at 2 pm, 5 pm, and 8 pm.

Chase is a bit jaundiced today so he was under the bililites today. Hence the little velcro stickers on his face for the little mask to cover his eyes (which he repeatedly tries to tear off his face.)

Baby Chase - 2 days old

Friday, 29 June 2007

Like most newbies, Chase likes to eat and sleep and eat and sleep.

Baby Chase - 1 day old

Thursday, 28 June 2007

The word is Chase looks like Daddy (such a haole boy!), with blond eyebrows, deep sapphire eyes, and Daddy's toes, and Daddy's disgruntled faces when he's angry.

The closest thing that resembles any Asian descent at this point would be Chase's dark hair (He didn't get that blond hair Nana was hoping for.) The most distinct feature that sets him apart as Mommy's baby is that he has a pointy right ear similar to Mommy's pointy right ear.

Other than that, most people think he looks like Chris.

Baby Arrives!

Wednesday, 27 June 2007

Chris' version of the story:Let's see...The kid is already consigned to a life of doing the dinner dishes, as he decided on June 27, 2007 to come out a wee bit early (both in the pregnancy and early in the morning). We had one of those speedy driving to the hospital action scene around 0230 in the morning, all the while I was humming "breaking the law" as I carefully ran all the red lights I could. By 0752, the kid was out (and screaming his head off!) and everyone is doing fine (aside from my lack of sleep and freezeing my okole off in the hospital). He weighs 4 ppounds, 10 ounces, about 26 cm long (most of that is from his point head), has (for the moment) brown hair, blond eyebrows and very deep blue eyes.He's hanging out in the Intermediate NICU for a while, as he's a little early.

yours in fatherhood,

Chris

My version of the story:
1:15 am Water broke, but I wasn't quite sure and thought I just had to go to the bathroom, though after trying repeatedly and changing my pants twice, I kinda wondered why liquid kept gushing down my leg.

2:00 am Called Chris to tell him I thought my water broke (though I still was not convinced and was in the process of reading literature from our birthing class).

2:15 am Chris convinced me we should head to the hospital (after all the book said that if you think your water has broken, you should go to the hospital....I brought my clothes for proof just in case.)

2:30 am Enroute to the hospital, I start having contractions. Okay, maybe my water did break.

2:40 am Enter a triage room and the nurse tests my clothes that have the "fluid" on them. The nurse, Jen, recognizes me. I told her I was on bedrest in the beginning of the month. I joke with her that she actually just came up in conversation tonight, as I made Chris prepare a grilled cheese sandwich for me, just as Jen got one for me as a late night snack when she was my nurse. How apropos! Now, she admits me because as the test shows, my water did indeed break. She tells me that I'm not leaving the hospital without a baby.

Contractions are 2 - 4 minutes apart. I tell them that I do not want any drugs. I call my mom in California to let her know that I am in labor. I update my cell phone outgoing message to let others know that I will be a little busy and won't be answering my phone calls for awhile.

3:30 - 4:00 am I am moved to a labor and delivery room, similar to the one I was in during my 7 day hospital bedrest. Only this time, I am REALLY going to deliver a baby! I am 4 cm dilated.

Contractions are steady and Chris pulls out the sofachair to go to sleep.
But not for long. He cannot cozy up while I'm enduring pain. THERE IS NO WAY YOU'RE SLEEPING THROUGH THIS BUDDY!

4:00 pm - 7:00 am I repeatedly wake Chris up every time I have a contraction to rub my back (The TV is not a good enough distraction after all, and there's no way he's going to be cozy in bed when I'm enduring pain.)

Me: Chris.....Rub my back.
Chris: Where?
Me: There. No, not there. No, not like that. Forget it, I can do it myself. Don't touch me. Leave me alone.

Five minutes later.....

Me: Chris....Come rub my back. .........Stop! Leave me alone! Don't touch me.

(Pattern continues...You get the picture.)

By 6 am I decide that perhaps I may give in and get an epidural. I ask the nurse about it. She says she'll have to check me. She is surprised that I am already 7 cm dilated, and the baby is only inches away from coming out. She tells me that even if I want drugs, he's gonna come out really fast.

So, I said forget it. I can handle.

7:00 am I am 9 1/2 centimeters dilated. She calls my OB to come in and tells him I haven't had any drugs.

7:20 am Dr. Lin arrives and tells me to bear down and push.
My friend Miya was in the room (as she always needs to leave Taiga's room from 7 - 8 am, so we "timed" Chase's birth perfectly.) and was my photographer and brow wiper (as my adrenaline got pumping and I started sweating profusely), although my camera ran out of juice, so she had to take pictures using her cell phone camera. Chris helped the nurse coach me (as leg holder) through the delivery.

7:52 am After about 5 series of pushes, Baby Chase arrives screaming loud and clear. He is 4 lbs., 10 oz., 17 3/4 inches long. Born at 34 weeks and 6 days (I didn't make my 35 wks belly photo!).

After receiving a high Apgar score, Daddy Chris heads off with Chase to the intermediate nursery (the more stable part of the Neo-natal ICU) for monitoring because he is 5 weeks premature.

Meanwhile, Dr. Lin tells me I did a good job and talks to me for about ten minutes(as he is stitching me up with needle and thread and I ask, "Did you cut me or something?" Turns out, in my state of euphoria, I didn't even notice he did an episiotomy on me to ensure that baby Chase came out in a timely manner and didn't go into distress). My placenta is examined and shown to me.

8:30 am I am wheelchaired to a shared recovery room (apparently there were no single private rooms as 26 babies were delivered today)for the next couple of days.

Discharged on Friday, June 29, with a little tenderness in all the right places and major engorgement.

Thinking Good Thoughts For Taiga

Monday, 25 June 2007

Miya's husband sent this email out today, as Taiga is still in serious condition, but as of last night, his white blood cell count is going up, so that is good.

"Dear Family and Friends,

I hope that you are all doing well at this time. I wish I could be sending this email under different circumstances. I wanted to ask you for your prayers and positive thoughts for our son, Taiga, who was hospitalized last week and is critically ill in serious condition, but is now stable in the pediatric ICU at Kapiolani hospital. He is on a respirator to assist him with his breathing as he continues to fight a serious infection. Just yesterday we received the first signs of positive news that his illness did not continue to progress any further.

So if you can please keep Taiga in your thoughts and your prayers we would greatly appreciate it. Every little bit helps. We thank everyone for their concern, love, and support as we navigate through this trying time."

Thank you and God Bless,

Martin / Junji & Miya

My Version of Nesting

Sunday, 24 June 2007

My friend Joel brought lunch and hung out all afternoon. Chris and his parents went baby shopping to get a bassinet, while I surfed on the internet and searched Craigslist looking for other baby stuff we might need.

Oh, and I ate and ate and ate all day long.

Shower Visitors

Saturday, 23 June 2007

Some friends came and dropped by to give me shower gifts since we postponed the baby shower. Kai gave me a cool picture book I have never seen before. Auntie Cori and Auntie Bernice brought some children's books as well. Linh brought the box of blessing cards and bracelets that Maila made and sent from Seattle. In my favorite blue and chocolate brown combination are handmade cards,which people can leave their blessing for baby. Then, each person gets a bracelet to tie on her wrist to keep those blessings strong until baby comes. Linh gave me a cute little baby outfit, and Pua made a diaper cake. Jenn gave me a booster seat, nursing pads, breast milk organizer, and a baby monitor. Chris' mom, Audrey, gave me cute little brown and blue leather booties from their recent trip to Taos, New Mexico.

Jay and Shelly were busy cleaning and purging the living room of Dad's things. I must have seen Shelly walk up and down the stairs carrying things about ten times. I'm ready to purge my room of clothes, but that will have to wait until I am able to go home after the baby is born, as no one wants to touch my closet.

Chris' friend Vince bought a crib for us today, but we'll see. Chris went bike riding this afternoon, but there is still baby stuff all over the outside of Aunty Stevie/Uncle Gary's house, we still need to figure out if we can use one of the hand-me-down car seats, and I still need someone to "inspect" the baby room.

Okay, I'm hungry, and my husband is still out bike riding. Grrrr....Gotta go!

Staying Strong

Friday, 22 June 2007

My NST this morning went well, with normal amniotic fluid levels and only 1 contraction in half an hour. Even the NST nurses noticed that my belly has gotten bigger, so that's good that Junior is growing. I can tell because he's been kicking my ribs, which hurts. I had my OB checkup next, and I was 3 pounds heavier than last week. So far, I've gained ten pounds since being on bedrest. That's what happens when you eat and sleep all day! My OB said that I could continue to take my Nifedipine (to stop the contractions) for a week more, when I'll be 35 weeks, then we'll go from there. Dr. Lin talked about the labor phases (which may go faster for me since I'm still prone to pre-term labor), filled out my school paperwork for leave of absence, talked about pediatricians (and his recommendations were in line with ours, so that's good), and told me not to give birth this weekend because he has cub scout duties with his son this weekend. Ha ha. I'm aiming for 4th of July or 7/7/07 anyway. I'm sure my body will decide for me though.

Chris and I went to visit baby Taiga in the pediatric ICU. Friends and family were there. It was very emotional and even Chris left with tears. Taiga had to be put on a ventilator in the middle of the night, and he is being force fed and was given a paralytic so that he can take everything in and not have his body fight it. Friends advised me not to look, but I did, and it was so sad to see this 1 1/2 year old hooked up to all of these devices in an isolated room, with a pastor talking to Miya. Gave her a hug before we left, and we're praying and keeping up hope and strength that Taiga's body will respond favorably to all that they're doing. His system needs to build up so they can do more testing to figure out what is wrong. Even though friends were willing to go through with my baby shower tomorrow, I called people and cancelled it. I think our focus should be on Taiga and Miya and Junji and their family. Please send good thoughts!

34 Weeks and Counting (Those Darn Fleas As Well!)

Thursday, 21 June 2007

I'm 34 weeks today and Junior is still kicking in the womb, rather than outside the womb, which is good. My only complaint these days are the fleas that have infested the house and my bed from my auntie and uncle's dog. I have now become paranoid with catching the jumpy little suckers that are leaving red itchy spots all over my feet and legs. Luckily, there are only a few on my belly and arms. But, I did catch one on my pillow this morning. They don't want to use the carpet cleaner because it's toxic chemicals and I'm pregnant. So, they're just vacuuming, and I had Jay wash all my bedding this afternoon. It's a temporary solution, but unless I find another home to reside in, I gotta deal with the itchies. It's not as excrutiating as my heat rash, which still comes and goes.

Interviewed a pediatrician this morning after I was on the wait-list to even get an appointment for months! A rather high-strung guy, but with a good sense of humor, he came highly recommended by friends, and based on his high-tech office (flat screen TV, US and People magazine, fancy scale, and flavored tongue depressors), his awards for America's Top Pediatricians from 2003-2007, and the two walls full of Christmas cards (which my Uncle Gary said would convince him to choose him), he looks like a winner. I'll talk to Chris about it tonight, as he has an interview with another one this afternoon. Usually we go together, but couldn't today. That's okay. At least he baked me a batch of brownies last night and was able to successfully find an outfit for me to wear to the doctor's (other than my bikini top and his boxer shorts that I typically wear around the house) when I don't have bi-weekly exursions to the great outdoors.

Miya's little boy Taiga is now in the ICU and not doing well with his white blood cell count declining. I wish I could go see him, but I'm praying for them and hope they figure out what's wrong with him and help him get better soon.

Sometimes Women Need To Lend A Hand

Monday, 18 June 2007

Chris had to take off work again today to watch me as my friend Miya is taking care of her son who is sick with a contagious disease and this morning had to be admitted into the hospital. Poor thing! I hope he gets better soon!

Chris unloaded the truckload of baby stuff that our family friend Cindy gave us last night, then went again this morning to pick up another load of stuff. And I hear there is still one more load of stuff to get. But, not today. Chris is downstairs doing load after load of laundry in Dreft. I had him show me everything before he took it downstairs. At first he said, "It's just baby clothes!" But, I replied, "Hey, I don't get to nest and set up the baby stuff and organize, so I want to inventory and see what we're getting." And I had him show me each item through the window, including the baby bouncer, the car seat, the stroller, the boppy, etc. Yes, of course he's had to deal with my two cents on where to put things (as he's only a phone call away!), even though I have no idea what condition the room or house is in.

Me: "Do we have enough storage space? Keep the original packaging in case we need to give things back to Cindy. Unpack the diapers and wipes and put them on the same shelf. Unpack the bottles and nipples and put them with the sterilizer. Leave that stuff in the kitchen. Put the 0 - 3 months clothes in the drawers, but don't put the 3 - 6 months clothes in there if we don't have room. Make sure all the blankets and stuff are washed and put away. Do we need more storage tubs? No, I'm not going to have time to clean the house and open packages and wash clothes once the baby is born, so you need to do it now....please."

"And, yes, perhaps you can go mountain biking tonight. We'll see."

I think I may have to send my Auntie Stevie and cousin Lauren down to the house this week to help Chris with some feminine organization and direction. Not that I don't trust him, but you know, just to make sure everything is set because, again, I'm not going to have time to unpack and clean and wash things and organize things after we bring the baby home.

When Is Baby Coming Update

Friday, 15 June 2007

After we all got up at 3 am and Chris took Auntie Stevie, Uncle Gary, cousin Lauren, and her friend Kaui to the airport for Kaua'i, we slept a few hours until my 8 am doctor's appointment. My NST showed 3 contractions, every 15 minutes apart, two of the contractions being larger than the last. My next appointment with my OB was reassuring that I am where I need to be as far as getting "in the clear" with the baby's gestational age. Next week will make 34 weeks, which is a good milestone to reach. He's going to keep me on the Nifedipine to control my contractions until June 25th, then let nature take its course. After I go off the medication, it's possible that my regular contractions will continue and that I could realistically have the baby within 1 - 3 days after that point. So, we're looking at the last week of June, when I'll be 35 weeks, which is a good age for baby (37-40 weeks is full term). Of course, each additional day counts, but at that point we can get greedy if baby stays in the womb longer. Based on his kicking and moving action though, not sure if he'll stay in too much longer. Every time I get examined by a nurse or doctor, they're always commenting on how active he is. So, perhaps he'll be a 4th of July baby? We'll see. My friend Miya is throwing me a baby shower on the 23rd, so that'll be good timing. Then I need to corral all my hand-me-downs (borrowing a bassinet, crib, bottles, possibly an infant car seat if don't buy one in time) to make sure the house is ready.

Took care of some banking to finalize some of Dad's paperwork and close accounts as I know I'll be busy in coming months and don't want to forget about it. Even though Chris dropped me off near elevators and I didn't walk too much, I felt like I had contractions all afternoon.

Jay came home this afternoon, from a week-long volunteering experience at a MDA summer kids camp. I think he was the camp counselor for two kids in wheelchairs. He saw me in my aunt and uncle's house and said, "So, you still pregnant?". I think that's his brotherly way of asking how I am doing. He is a man of few words.

Friends Kai and Jason came over last night with pizza (and Chris made a fancy chicken salad - with no less than 5 ingredients as his dad taught him) and board games. We played The Settlers of Caton, which took nearly 3 1/2 hours, and a quick game of Taboo afterwards to clear our mind of the mush from all the complicated rules and strategic thinking of the previous German game. It was nice to have visitors corralled around my bed and do to something other than watch TV.

My Pregnant Belly at 33 Weeks

Thursday, 14 June 2007

What To Do When You Can't Do Anything

Wednesday, 13 June 2007

The contraction medication, which is really actually a medication to control high blood pressure, seems to be working as I really have not had contractions this week.

Ate, slept, and watched TV today. Auntie Stevie and Lauren washed curtains for the baby room and went down to my house to put them up. They also brought up gifts I have received so that I could cut the tags off and have Chris wash the baby clothes. I asked them what condition the house is in, and they said that they gave Kaliko water since she didn't have any. The house is a mess, but there's nothing I can do about it. May have to call my troops up to help me purge things.

My brother called from the weeklong MDA summer kids' camp he's volunteering at this week to say that if I needed a video camera for anything, he and Shelly bought me one and it's in his room. Perhaps that's his way of asking how I am and seeing how I am doing. Brothers I tell ya.

Auntie Stevie and my cousin Lauren went window shopping at Ala Moana this afternoon. They told me they wished I could come. "Me too," I said. "I'll be thinking of you. Say hello to the stores for me. Tell them I miss them." And then I reassumed my reclined position on my left-hand side.

Baby's moving and kicking lick crazy all the time. Hope he's gaining weight too!

"She Should Be!"

Tuesday, 12 June 2007

Chris wrote me an email from work today. Sincemy OBGyn works part-time at his office, he wrote to say that my doctor commented, "She SHOULD be!"....'in reference to “My wife is home in bed” comment as he overheard me talking to some of the other MDs about how you’re doing. You’re famous/infamous?'

Well, I have been. In bed. Sometimes I lie on my left side, sometimes on my right. And sometimes I turn around just to mix it up a bit.

With the TV turning off every hour or so - a little idiosyncratic quality of the old TV in my aunt and uncle's living room - (and then if someone is home, deciding who, whether it be my cousin, my aunt, my uncle, or the dog, is going to unplug and replug the wire, and turn the TV back on), it's quite humorous to figure out what my agenda is going to be for the next hour. Do a little bit of crossword puzzles, read a little bit of a book, eat some snacks that are on a tray near my bedside, surf the internet for baby stuff...the choices are endless! Of course, all from the reclined position.

Today, I actually got to leave the house a little bit (the first time in five days!), as my aunt and uncle dropped me off and picked me up after my appointment at the hospital. After I told them I didn't need a wheelchair and could walk myself to the elevator, my NST went well. The nurse remembered me and asked me how long I stayed in the hospital recently. She said it's a good thing she flagged me as needing to see my doctor that day. And, she asked me if I know what a contraction feels like now. Yes, I said. I had two today, and my fluid levels were fine. So, that's good. "Watch those contractions, and see you on Friday!" She said before I left.

My Auntie Stevie and I lazed around the house the rest of the afternoon, napping, watching TV, and talking about my cousins and the trials and tribulations of dating, grounding, and college aspirations.

Keora and Garry, Dad's Parks and Recreation coworkers, came by to drop off gifts for my brother and I. They made me a koa wood plaque with a picture of me and Dad from the wedding. Engraved below the picture, "Keeping the memory of DAD, who will always be there with you...Your Parks and Recreation Ohana." It's beautiful, and I will cherish it always, remembering how wonderful they were to Dad up until his final days.

I updated them on my bedrest status, and they updated me on the planting of the tree (in memory of Dad)at McCoy Pavilion. They are still trying to get approval from the city council, but will let us know when the planting will take place. Finally, they gave me a gift certificate to my favorite restaurant, Shokudo. I'll get to enjoy that one day, perhaps on a date night after baby is born (many many months from now??).

Until then, I'm being a good patient and am staying in bed....or else there's been talk of hanging me upside down by the ankles!

Thank Goodness For....

Saturday, 9 June 2007

Stool softeners...Hate to be so graphic, but constipation during pregnancy, especially when you've been bedridden for weeks and will continue to be bedridden for the next couple months, leads to not so pleasant things. I thought I was going to die, but after a regimen of pills, prunes, salad, apples, and other things, the flood gates finally opened.....and what a relief I tell ya!

Chris and his mom worked on cleaning the house all day. I was always so embarrassed that our house was such a mess, so we never had his parents over. Now, that I'm on bedrest, she offered to help clean. What a nice introduction to our house! Well, they worked on it for five hours, and I hear it looks good.

Chris has been the best husband, preparing meals for me and running up and down 60 stairs each time to deliver them to me. Plus, he's in charge of laundry, washing dishes, cleaning the house and feeding the dog.

I'm in charge of lying in bed, watching TV, doing crossword puzzles, and keeping Junior "in the oven".

Bedrest Update

Friday, 8 June 2007

As some of you know, I was admitted into the hospital a week ago, after my routine NST appointment showed that I had a couple contractions in twenty minutes and my doctor discovered that I was 2 cm dilated and 80% effaced. I spent this past week on hospital bedrest, getting up only to use the bathroom and shower. I was able to eat my three meals and three snacks, and although I didn't sleep a wink the first night, was able to sleep the rest of my stay there, and welcomed the air-condition, visitors, and nice view of Central Union Church next door. Last weekend, they gave me a two-shot series of steroids for the baby to help his lungs develop in case he comes early, and I've been on Nifedipine, medicine to stop my contractions, every six hours. My contractions are not as frequent now as they were last weekend (I was having as many as 10 in an hour), so that's reassuring. I have not dilated any more, and my ultrasound this afternoon showed that baby is growing fine, and he is now 3 pounds, 6 ounces.

I was discharged late this afternoon, but cannot stay at my house because of my 85 stairs, which would surely make the baby come out. And my baby shower has been postponed. I am restricted to modified bedrest for the duration of the pregnancy, which means that I am to stay reclined in bed at all times, but can get up to go to the bathroom.

I'm okay with being lazy, now that summer is here, but my lack of activity is causing back spasms and constipation, which is not so fun. Plus...it's hot. But, I'm at my Auntie Stevie and Uncle Gary's house, set up with a bed in the living room, since there are only ten stairs to deal with.

Chris has been the best, trudging my stuff up the stairs, fixing meals for me, and massaging my back.

Baby needs to stay in much longer, but we're aiming for at least 34 weeks right now, which would be two weeks from now.

Thanks to all those who visited me in the hospital, called, and brought me food, magazines, and flowers.

Unfortunately I won't be able to attend Stacy's mom's memorial tomorrow morning. My heart and thoughts go out to her and her family during this difficult time.

My Pregnant Belly at 32 Weeks

Thursday, 7 June 2007