What a weekend! On Thursday last week, I was really looking forward to the weekend. We had a PD day on Friday at work, so that meant 8:30-2:30 and NO kiddos! Then, we were off on Monday for President's Day.
On Thursday when I picked Keira up, Aunt Sis said that she felt a bit warm to her. So, that evening, I took her temperature and it was about 101 degrees. I gave her some Tylenol, and she slept off and on that night. Friday morning, she woke up with a fever (near 102 degrees). I gave her some medicine and took her to Aunt Sis and Uncle Doug's house. I called to check on her around 1:30, and Aunt Sis said that she'd given her some Tylenol earlier and that her temp. was about 99 degrees. I was glad to hear it. But, by the time I picked her up and got to Mom and Dad's house that afternoon at 3:00, her fever was back and up to 103 degrees.
I decided not to call the doctor because she didn't have any other symptoms and the fever was going down with medicine.
SO, she was cranky Friday evening and didn't sleep much that night. Then Saturday she ran a fever all day long. Kelly and Dave both came to visit Saturday afternoon. At 10:00 on Saturday night, Keira's fever was up to 104 degrees. I decided that I'd waited long enough and called the pediatrician's office emergency hotline. The nurse I spoke to said that if she didn't have any other symptoms I didn't have to take her to the ER unless I was just really worried. Shawn and I decided that we would just wait until Sunday to see how she was feeling. If she still had a fever on Sunday, we would take her to the ER.
Wouldn't you know it, we woke up Sunday and NO FEVER! She slept all day Sunday, and I thought we were out of the woods. Then, on Monday evening I was changing her diaper and noticed red bumps ALL OVER her body! I called in to work for Tuesday and vowed to call the doctor's office the next morning. It was a long night! She was up (and crying) every hour between 9:00 pm and 6:00 am.
I took her to the pediatrician's office on Tuesday morning and found out that she had a rash caused by a viral infection! I was terrified that it was measles! Thankfully it wasn't, though, and it didn't really even seem to bother her all that much. We came home from the doctor's office at 10:45 am and she slept until 3:00. Things are back to normal now, and I couldn't be happier! What a (long) weekend!
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Thursday, February 16, 2006
In twenty-three more days...
...my baby girl will be ONE YEAR OLD!! I know I've said it (about 3 million times), but I have to say it again...WHERE DOES THE TIME GO? I can remember vividly the night I had her. It really does feel like only yesterday.
I remember sitting on the couch in my living room watching the coverage of the courthouse shooting in Georgia when Dad came to pick me up to take me to my appointment. I remember dropping off my "sample" to the Quest Lab. I remember sitting in the rocking chair at the Perinatal center waiting for my ultrasound...reading my book (that Shawn bought for me with the advice that I should wait to read it until I was admitted to the hospital so I'd have something to keep me busy).
I remember feeling (first) excited to see Keira on the screen of the ultrasound machine, then terrified as the technician went to get the doctor. I remember how quickly everything happened...how upset I was that Shawn wasn't there yet, but how glad I was to have my Dad with me. He was so calm and reassuring (like always) reminding me that it would all be ok, and that God was in control.
I remember sitting in the waiting room watiting (while they cleaned my room) to be admitted....Shawn coming off the elevator...Dwayne arriving, then my mom, Rob and Lisa, then Holly and Jeff. I remember how long it took (and how painful it was) for the nurse to start the IV. I remember my family leaving for dinner, and having to call Shawn back because they were going to take me to surgery ASAP.
I remember how quickly everything happened once Keira's heartrate dropped and the decision was made to do a C-section...I was shaking and felt faint. I don't think I even felt the epidural needle in my spine. I remember wondering if it was too late to just change my mind and go home...wondering if I was really ready to be a mother. All of the fears and doubts that I hadn't had during the course of my pregnancy suddenly flooded in.
I remember being wheeled into the delivery room (at 9:04 pm), and Shawn trying to watch over the drape as Dr. McBride worked to deliver Keira. I'll never forget hearing the doctor and nurses marvel about how "tiny, buy mighty" she was...or that cry of hers...and her strawberry blonde hair.
The best memory of the day my life changed forever was the moment Shawn placed Keira in my arms for the first time. She was so tiny, so beautiful, so amazing. It was all so surreal, such a wirlwind of activity... One minute it had just been Shawn and me, and the next we were suddenly responsible for another life. The 5 days we spent (and the 6 she spent) at the hospital were days that I'll never forget...the isolette, having to go to the nursery to feed her, the NICU, her first bath...
And the first week or so at home when I took her temperature before every diaper change and feeding, carefully recording every detail in a notebook...
How our lives have changed, and how blessed we are that God worked his miracle to bring Keira to us! I remember thinking how different it might have turned out if I'd gone into labor on my own...how I spent too much time worrying about what could have gone wrong instead of just enjoying what went right... I look back now and realize how unnecessary that all was.
It's amazing to me to watch her grow and change and learn new things. Every day she does something new...she's developing into such a funny child already. It's so neat to watch her play tug of war with Max, and to give Mommy and Daddy kisses... What a wonderful life!
And now we're planning her first birthday party. March 11 will be here before we know it. Shawn picked out the birthday party invitations and decorations from BirthdayExpress.com. Now we're just waiting for them to arrive so we can send them out in time. I still can't believe my BABY will be a year old!
I remember sitting on the couch in my living room watching the coverage of the courthouse shooting in Georgia when Dad came to pick me up to take me to my appointment. I remember dropping off my "sample" to the Quest Lab. I remember sitting in the rocking chair at the Perinatal center waiting for my ultrasound...reading my book (that Shawn bought for me with the advice that I should wait to read it until I was admitted to the hospital so I'd have something to keep me busy).
I remember feeling (first) excited to see Keira on the screen of the ultrasound machine, then terrified as the technician went to get the doctor. I remember how quickly everything happened...how upset I was that Shawn wasn't there yet, but how glad I was to have my Dad with me. He was so calm and reassuring (like always) reminding me that it would all be ok, and that God was in control.
I remember sitting in the waiting room watiting (while they cleaned my room) to be admitted....Shawn coming off the elevator...Dwayne arriving, then my mom, Rob and Lisa, then Holly and Jeff. I remember how long it took (and how painful it was) for the nurse to start the IV. I remember my family leaving for dinner, and having to call Shawn back because they were going to take me to surgery ASAP.
I remember how quickly everything happened once Keira's heartrate dropped and the decision was made to do a C-section...I was shaking and felt faint. I don't think I even felt the epidural needle in my spine. I remember wondering if it was too late to just change my mind and go home...wondering if I was really ready to be a mother. All of the fears and doubts that I hadn't had during the course of my pregnancy suddenly flooded in.
I remember being wheeled into the delivery room (at 9:04 pm), and Shawn trying to watch over the drape as Dr. McBride worked to deliver Keira. I'll never forget hearing the doctor and nurses marvel about how "tiny, buy mighty" she was...or that cry of hers...and her strawberry blonde hair.
The best memory of the day my life changed forever was the moment Shawn placed Keira in my arms for the first time. She was so tiny, so beautiful, so amazing. It was all so surreal, such a wirlwind of activity... One minute it had just been Shawn and me, and the next we were suddenly responsible for another life. The 5 days we spent (and the 6 she spent) at the hospital were days that I'll never forget...the isolette, having to go to the nursery to feed her, the NICU, her first bath...
And the first week or so at home when I took her temperature before every diaper change and feeding, carefully recording every detail in a notebook...
How our lives have changed, and how blessed we are that God worked his miracle to bring Keira to us! I remember thinking how different it might have turned out if I'd gone into labor on my own...how I spent too much time worrying about what could have gone wrong instead of just enjoying what went right... I look back now and realize how unnecessary that all was.
It's amazing to me to watch her grow and change and learn new things. Every day she does something new...she's developing into such a funny child already. It's so neat to watch her play tug of war with Max, and to give Mommy and Daddy kisses... What a wonderful life!
And now we're planning her first birthday party. March 11 will be here before we know it. Shawn picked out the birthday party invitations and decorations from BirthdayExpress.com. Now we're just waiting for them to arrive so we can send them out in time. I still can't believe my BABY will be a year old!
Monday, February 13, 2006
Birthday Blues
February 13...it's come again. It seems like each year my birthday arrives more quickly than the year before. I guess it's like everything...the older you get, the quicker time seems to pass.
I remember when I was a kid, I always looked forward to my birthday. It always meant (at least) a gift and a cake that my mom would make. I can remember about 2 or 3 birthday parties as I was growing up...the two that stand out were my 10th and 16th.
This year (#28) my birthday fills me with a feeling of melancholy. I wonder if it's because there isn't as much to look forward to in terms of celebrations. There aren't any milestones left (unless you count 30, 40, 50, etc, and who wants to do that?!). Adults don't have birthday parties, and it's considered "childish" and "selfish" to expect gifts from family members and friends. And, I don't expect gifts. It's nice just to be remembered (thanks for all of the birthday wishes family and friends!). I guess adults just don't "do" birthdays the way kids do. My students get so excited on their birthdays. They're still magical days full of possibilities.
I am looking forward to Keira's 1st birthday. Maybe living vicariously through their children's birthday celebrations is what gives a parent joy. I know that every day with Keira is a joy for me. I suppose that's what being a parent is all about. Still it would be nice to be as excited about my own birthday...
I remember when I was a kid, I always looked forward to my birthday. It always meant (at least) a gift and a cake that my mom would make. I can remember about 2 or 3 birthday parties as I was growing up...the two that stand out were my 10th and 16th.
This year (#28) my birthday fills me with a feeling of melancholy. I wonder if it's because there isn't as much to look forward to in terms of celebrations. There aren't any milestones left (unless you count 30, 40, 50, etc, and who wants to do that?!). Adults don't have birthday parties, and it's considered "childish" and "selfish" to expect gifts from family members and friends. And, I don't expect gifts. It's nice just to be remembered (thanks for all of the birthday wishes family and friends!). I guess adults just don't "do" birthdays the way kids do. My students get so excited on their birthdays. They're still magical days full of possibilities.
I am looking forward to Keira's 1st birthday. Maybe living vicariously through their children's birthday celebrations is what gives a parent joy. I know that every day with Keira is a joy for me. I suppose that's what being a parent is all about. Still it would be nice to be as excited about my own birthday...
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Another weekend almost over
It's Sunday again, and we're savoring the last bits of another weekend gone too fast. We didn't do much this weekend. We hung out here at home on Friday evening. It was pretty mellow. On Saturday, we went up to visit Kelly and Dave. We stopped by Holly's apartment to see her and Tyler and to drop off an exersaucer. He's getting so big! And he was so smiley! What a sweet boy...
This evening, we went to Rob and Lisa's house to watch the SuperBowl. Admittedly we spent more time playing with the girls and going through some of Sara's old clothes for Keira. I shouldn't have to buy many things for this summer, so that's nice. I appreciate their generosity.
I've also been hearing lots of baby news lately. My friend Jill just had a baby girl this past week. For those of you who don't know, Amber and Bo are having their 5th baby...a BOY this time. He'll be here in May. Dwayne and Becky should be having their ultrasound soon to find out if they'll be having a boy or a girl. I have to admit, with all of these little babies around, I'm starting to feel the first stages of baby fever. Not full-blown baby fever yet, but I'm in the "awwwwww...a baby! stage. My baby girl is getting SO BIG! Well, not big, so much as older and more independent.
Did I tell you that she got 2 more teeth? She now has 2 on the bottom and 4 on top. She finally stopped climbing our stairs, only because we installed a baby gate. This morning, she pushed her Peekablocks Hippo over to the stairs and stood on top of it trying to climb the gate. What a monkey! She's grown so much and I can't believe how fast this year has flown by.
In addition to happy baby news, I've been hearing quite a bit of sad baby news lately, too. I am just so thankful every day for my sweet girl. God definitely blessed us with our little miracle. I couldn't be happier.
This evening, we went to Rob and Lisa's house to watch the SuperBowl. Admittedly we spent more time playing with the girls and going through some of Sara's old clothes for Keira. I shouldn't have to buy many things for this summer, so that's nice. I appreciate their generosity.
I've also been hearing lots of baby news lately. My friend Jill just had a baby girl this past week. For those of you who don't know, Amber and Bo are having their 5th baby...a BOY this time. He'll be here in May. Dwayne and Becky should be having their ultrasound soon to find out if they'll be having a boy or a girl. I have to admit, with all of these little babies around, I'm starting to feel the first stages of baby fever. Not full-blown baby fever yet, but I'm in the "awwwwww...a baby! stage. My baby girl is getting SO BIG! Well, not big, so much as older and more independent.
Did I tell you that she got 2 more teeth? She now has 2 on the bottom and 4 on top. She finally stopped climbing our stairs, only because we installed a baby gate. This morning, she pushed her Peekablocks Hippo over to the stairs and stood on top of it trying to climb the gate. What a monkey! She's grown so much and I can't believe how fast this year has flown by.
In addition to happy baby news, I've been hearing quite a bit of sad baby news lately, too. I am just so thankful every day for my sweet girl. God definitely blessed us with our little miracle. I couldn't be happier.
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