You're Here!!

Baby Griffin,

A lot has happened since the last time I talked to you. Momma had about 3 weeks of being hospitalized with scary blood pressure. The last time I was hospitalized was from December 14-17. I talked Dr Friedman into letting me go home, but she told me that if my BP was high in the office in 2 days then she’d deliver you. Luckily Daddy’s last day of work was that day and he was able to stay home with me and help out. We went to my appointment on Wednesday the 19th and sure enough my BP was lower! I saw the doctor again on Friday, December 21st and it was fine again. Christmas came and went and I saw Dr Friedman at 10:00am on Thursday, December 27th.

My blood pressure at home had been creeping up and I told her that. She said that I had protein in my urine again, so she decided we’d just deliver you that day! You were born on Thursday, December 27th at 2:13pm.

Although you were just over 3 weeks early, you weighed and measured the size of a full-term baby. You weighed 8lb12oz and were 21” long. The second you came out you were screaming loudly – the sign of mature lungs – and you peed all over! We were glad you urinary system was fully working!

I couldn’t move my legs when you were first born so I was careful when holding you. When you have spinal anesthesia, you’re unable to move your legs for about 2hrs. I was glad to have a spinal, though, because they poked by back about 12 times before getting it in my spine right. The alternative if they can’t get it, is to have general anesthesia, where they put you to sleep. I didn’t want that!! I wanted to hear you cry for my own ears to know you were ok!!

We brought you home on Sunday, December 30th. You sleep all the stinking time and wake to eat every 2hrs. You make the same exact noises Maysen used to make – it almost sounds like you can’t breath and sucking for air, but you just squeek!!

I couldn’t imagine what life would be like with you here – and now I can’t imagine what it would be like if you weren’t here!! I’m doing good – I went to see the doctor yesterday to get my staples out and I have a seroma – which is a collection of fluid on/near my incision line. Sounds worse than it is, but it does make me hurt more. It’s all worth it every time I look down and see your blue eyes.

Maysen loves you!! He walked in when he first saw you and said “There’s my Griffin!!” He helped feed you and wanted to hold you immediately. Just today he pulled all his blankets into your room and asked if you could sleep on the ground with him. He’s ready for you to grow up so you can play with him. I know I’m not. I want you my baby as long as I can!!

Right now we’re taking shifts with you sleeping. The first night you were home I slept on the couch with you beside me on our huge foot rest while daddy slept in the bedroom. Last night was my turn to sleep and Maysen was up all night. Lucky me!! You’re such a good baby, though!!

I'll post more as you grow more and more, which is what I look forward to the most. I love you.

Your new room!

Dear Fin,

This weekend momma and daddy (with the help of Maysen) got your room ready for when you come home. Maysen helped daddy build your dresser and he was afraid of the drill at first but wasn't scared when it was over. I even got your bottles out, formula ready, everything washed and ready to go. I can say that the reality is sinking in now that you're on your way. You will be here right before Christmas or right after. You're definitely going to be our Christmas baby! I see the doctor tomorrow and I get to see you on Wednesday in our next ultrasound to see how big you are!

Love You,
Momma

Week 34

Dear Griffin,

Good news! I made it past my first appointment this gestational week. I had my non-stress test first, which turned out fine. You were flipping around all over. Luckily you stayed in one spot and we could finish the test. The nurse didn't take my blood pressure until I had relaxed in the chair and it was 142/70. There was no protein in my urine, thanks to the bed rest. Dr Friedman confirmed to us that she will still be taking you on 36-37wks, which is in a couple of weeks. If everything stays under control, we will be having you after Christmas. She said that if things get out of control, I have to be put in the hospital until 36wks. Hopefully I can stay at home until you're born.

You're going to be my Christmas Bee! Love you.
Momma

Week 32-33

Dear Griffin,

You seem to be happy in there, but mom has been having some problems. It's been a very trying past few weeks. Two weeks ago, great-grandma Nana died so we all flew back to Iowa to be with grandpa's family. We had delays in Chicago, and Maysen was a handful to keep track of. While there, Maysen got sick for a few days, then on the way home daddy got sick. When we got home I was sick throwing up for 2 days and you didn't enjoy that one bit! The day after I felt better (Tues, 11/27) I had a doctor appointment. My BP was high, but came down with rest. I had 2+ protein in my urine on dipstick, but you looked good on the monitor. She wanted me to come back Friday 11/30 and do a collection of urine to see if I was still spilling protein in my urine.

Friday I saw Dr Reilly because Dr Freidman was in New York at a conference. I really liked Dr Reilly! She was great and handled me well. My BP was 170/100 but the monitor looked good. She let me rest and rechecked it, but it still wasn't coming down. So she had me lay down, and 10min it still wasn't coming down, so I had to go to the hospital for monitoring. Once there, my BP came down nicely and it was decided that I'd be put on pretty strict bedrest.

Yesterday 12/3 I had a follow-up. I have been checking my BPs at home, and they've been all over. 130/70 if I'm really good and 148's if I'm up. Staying down is hard, but I'm doing my best. I go to the office and they told me Dr Freidman was at the hospital with a delivery, so there would be a delay. They hooked me up to the monitor, but you were moving so much that they couldn't keep your heart rate on the monitor for more than a couple of seconds. Dr Franz came in to try and get you, but she had no luck. She asked if my BP had been taken and sure enough! It was high 162/98. She looked at my urine from the week before and the protein level was 298, which was pretty much diagnosed as mild pre-eclampsia. That mixed with BP and inability to keep you on the monitor I had to go back to the hospital. They drew stat labs, which all came back perfect. My BP did come down in the hospital, but not as far down as they did on Friday. The average was about 140/70. They let me come home, but Dr Franz did tell me that I'd probably be having you at 37 weeks, which is the week of Christmas. You are already a big boy, and they'll make sure we're both healthy enough to carry on with this. They're keeping a good eye on momma and they just want us both healthy!

Right now Maysen is going to be going to school on Monday, Wed, Thurs, Friday mornings now so that I can rest and have time with you. This will be good for when you're born, too.

I see Dr Freidman (hopefully!) on Friday. I'm hoping that I can relax enough for my BP to be down in the office and that you're sleeping so that your heart rate stays on the monitor. My fear is that if I'm hospitalized AGAIN they'll just make me stay until you're born. I would miss Maysen and daddy A LOT and don't want to do that. So, we'll see.

Love you.
Momma

Week 30

Dear Griffin,

This past weekend we had Maysen's birthday party and Auntie Jenn was here. She took our family pictures for Holiday cards. It was weird looking at them knowing that this was the last time our family was going to look like this. The next time we do Holiday pictures you are going to be in them!!

I went to my doctor appointment last week and saw you again for the 4th time. Everything is still going well. You are growing so fast! You are showing as though you are 3 weeks older than you are - because you're so big. A baby at 30 weeks should be weighing around 3lbs and you are showing about 4lbs 7 oz! My blood pressure is still running a bit high (150/90) so she said if that continues to stay high then we'll be having you early! She also said that starting now, every 2 weeks I have to see her and have fetal stress tests to make sure you're doing OK. It sounds a lot scarier than it actually is, it's just to make sure you're OK. I had to do them some with Maysen, too.

You're flipping around a lot and giving me lots of heartburn. If I lay on my left side and relax I feel better but you flip even more then - or maybe it's because I am relaxing I feel it more. Maysen still thinks you're in HIS tummy ... I wish! I can't bend over to pick anything up or I feel like I am squishing you to pieces. Maysen is a big help and will pick up things if I ask him to. He's going to be a great big brother. I'm sure you will have your tiffs in years to come, but he is loving and really is excited to be a big brother.

Love,
Momma

Baby Shower

On Saturday Grandma Bobbi and Aunt Jessica gave me my shower for you. It was a lot of fun!! Lots of people were there including; Auntie Jenn, Aunt Marsha, Aunt Danielle, Aunt Robin, Grandma Shirley, Amanda H, Lana D, Pam P, Virginia Y, Aunt Nena, Mazie, Destin, Joyce H, Cinda P, Dr Meyers, and I'm sure plenty I'm missing. We played games such as pick the melted candy in the diaper, and who can pair 24 pairs of socks together the quickest when they're spread out on the floor. I beat everyone by picking up the whole pile and dumping it back in the basket. "That's what my sock drawer looks like". We had a good laugh.

We got lots of good stuff for your new room too. Aunt Danielle got a cool fireman hat to hang on the wall. Grandma Bauer got you a firetruck painting. I got lots of diapers, wipes, bottles, drop-ins, a video hand held monitor, hand-made blankets, clothes, booties. Lots of fun stuff!!

Aunt Robin had her baby shower the day before. Aunt Danielle threw it and it was held at King Estate Winery. It was fun. She got a lot of fun things, too. It is going to be so fun for you to have a cousin who is just a few days older/younger than you. I can imagine the trouble you two will be getting into as the years go on.

Then yesterday I saw Dr Friedman. Everything is looking good, still. My blood pressure is "creeping up" so she is keeping an eye on that. I am having another ultrasound, then appointment in 2 weeks. We discussed my last ultrasound when you were measuring 3 weeks bigger than you were supposed to. Apparently despite 3 readings showing that, they average everything and every inch together and you were really only about 1wk 5d ahead. You however, are still 15oz over weight according to that ultrasound. And momma can tell!!

Can't wait to see you again on November 7th.

Love,
Momma

Maysen's online birthday invite turned out well. To see, Click Here.

My New Boy

Griffin Vaughn

Ok, so my Momma's Intuition is completely off! Within just a few minutes she announced we were having another boy! You can tell by the picture above (legs in upper right, head in lower left) that YES you are a boy! And a big one at that. Today I am 23 weeks and 5 days. On all the measurements they did on you in the ultrasound (your tummy, femur, head, brain, etc) you measured around 26 weeks 4 days (give or take a day or two). Also, a baby your age should weigh around 1 pound. You were 1lb 15 oz (one ounce away from TWO POUNDS). Your brother was 9lb 7oz when he was born and they say the first is the smallest. You're going to be a Hulk when you come out, but I can't wait!

I don't know why I thought you were a girl. You can believe it wasn't because I was "hoping" to have a girl. Of course, it would be completely different having a girl; new clothes, new styles to look for, new hairstyles to try. But the second she announced it was a boy, I thought of Maysen. Then I thought of Daddy. The fun he is going to have with his "boys" will be like the fun Papa had with daddy and Uncle Josh. Camping, football games, wrestling ... all that he gets to experience with you boys now. And that makes me happy.

Watching Maysen growing up I would watch him when Jurny or Jonas were over. He idolized them, watching their every move and trying so hard to copy it. He would eventually say the same things they would - if they were mad, he was mad. I am so excited that you have an older brother to look up to - to idolize - like daddy did with Uncle Josh. I am sure you two will have your moments, fights, punching matches, and yelling competitions ... but what are brothers for? The bond you two will share forever will make up for all that.

So with, my little Griffin Vaughn, know that we are so excited to start welcoming you here. In fact, I bought your crib today. Tonight me and Daddy are going to look at cozy blankets for you to sleep in. We're more than ready for you!

Love you Mr Munchkin,
Momma

take two:

Tomorrow bright and early we will *try* and figure out if you are a little boy or a little girl. Momma's intuition tells me that you are a little girl. Maybe you'll prove me wrong, and then my theory of Momma's Intuition will be all for nothing. Nonetheless I am so excited to finally (hopefully) be able to talk to you using your name!!

See you tomorrow!

Shy Baby

On Monday we had the ultrasound that was to tell us exactly what you were. We waited very patiently while we watched you move around on the screen. Daddy said to the tech "When you get there, we want to guess what the sex is." Nothing was ever said. Finally we asked, only to be told that she was unsure because your legs were so tightly closed she couldn't see! The ultrasound was a hour long and not once did you open those things for anyone to see!! I was disappointed not knowing that day because I was looking forward to getting to shop, confirm your name, and get stuff picked out for your room! I guess God is telling me to be more patient. But I do get one more shot. Since my blood pressure has been running high on my last few visits (Thank you White-Coat Syndrome) I am lucky enough to have multiple more ultrasounds to measure your growth until the day you arrive! Our next ultrasound is scheduled for Wed Sept 26th. I keep talking to you, asking you to please show of your "goods" just for one quick peek. I hope you are listening!

One of the funny things you did was we were talking about how closed your legs were while the tech was measuring your abdomen, you stretched both legs as far and hard as you could. Your little legs and feet looked just like a ballerina pointing her toes. It was just for one quick moment, though and then they were right back up.

I'm starting to feel a bit more *knock on wood* energized the last few days. I hope that keeps up. Your brother starts school in about 10 days and he'll be going 3 mornings a week. That will give me time to rest in the mornings as you grow bigger. Once you're here that will give you and I special alone time. I can't wait to see you .. I wish January was already here.

Love,

Momma

Week 18

Dear Baby,

You're growing bigger and bigger every day! That means that mommy is too and I sure feel it already when I have to bend over. Your brother is having to learn how to pick up his own toys!!

I had my last doctor appointment a couple of weeks ago and again everything is fine. My blood pressure has been running high, but I seem to be more nervous with this new doctor than I was with Maysen. Everything seems to be going great, though! Your heart rate has been between 153-161 ever since we could hear it.

On Monday, August 27th, we find out if you are a little boy or a little girl! Daddy will be there to see, too. He's been working so hard he hasn't been able to go with me to the doctor appointments yet, so he's excited he's getting to go.

I can feel you moving around now. You're not as feisty as Maysen was, but I suspect that you will as you get bigger. You always kick me on the left side - never the right so far. I feel you about 2 times a day. You must be sleeping a lot right now!

I can't wait to see you again on Monday when you show us what you are!!

Love,
Momma

First pictures

Dear new baby,

I had my first OB doctor appointment on this past Friday. Dr Friedman is really great. Everything looked good - I had every blood test in the world ran and everything turned out OK! She wanted to make sure mommy wasn't further along than I should be, so she scheduled an ultrasound. Auntie Jenn came down to be with momma for the big day as daddy had to work. Kristin said everything looked good as far as she could tell. I don't see Dr Friedman again until July 30th. You are so small the pictures were amazing to see!

In this picture, your big tummy is on the left, and your head in on the right. You can see your face right now is just a skeleton - very alien-like! That dot above your tummy is your hand! You were rather skirmy but we got a few good shots of you. I'll get to see you again at 20 weeks. Right now here were my stats on you!

Gestation Age: 13 weeks

Baby length: 7.1cm

Heart Rate: 161bpm

Due Date: January 19, 2008

That is all I have right now. I've been feeling you move somewhat - more like fluttering movements in my tummy - and a few pokes from you but that's it. You've stopped making mommy sick, which I'm thankful for. With the help of Ambien, I am sleeping much better now at night.

Mommy has now been staying home full-time with Maysen for over a week now. I am looking forward to being able to stay home full time with you, too, once you're here!

Love,

Momma

Hi New Baby

Baby,
I wanted to dedicate this blog to you. I hope your big brother isn't too jealous, as I did not discover this fun little place until after he was already here. I thought this would be a fun place for you to visit some day when you're older and realize just how excited and happy we are that you are on your way to be a part of our family! Let me start with how I learned you were on your way!

In April, Daddy, Maysen, and I went to California to visit Grandpa Dave and Grandma Jo for a few days. We took Maysen to Disneyland and we had a great time! About 3 weeks later, I had a dream that I was pregnant. (This happened with Maysen, too. It's weird, I know!).

I met daddy for lunch on Friday May 11 and we were generally talking about how long I would work as a nurse and in the job I was in. Daddy was saying that maybe when we got pregnant again (not planning for a few more years) that maybe then I could stay home during the pregnancy and be with Maysen, too. When I got back to work I decided "What the heck! I'll take a pregnancy test" (I work at a clinic with those available and it's always been an open thing that we can use supplies). I stood there, in the lab, and watched as the test started taking effect. I had been having irregular periods lately, so this wasn't new for me to be taking a pregnancy test. They've always came out a strong NEGATIVE. However, today was different. As the "wetness" went up the paper under the clear plastic, I noticed where there was never a pink line appearing - something was happening. I looked away thinking it was just my eyes playing tricks on me, so I cleaned the counter and looked useful. I walked back over and my eyes had not deceived me! There was a definate pink line under the (always standing alone for negative) blue line.

I could barely hold it in to my co-workers. I got off work and when daddy got home, I handed him a box. The outside said "One line for negative, Two lines for positive". He looked confused and didn't know what that meant. He opened the box and said "What's this?" Then he looked closer and said "Oh! You're pregnant?" We had decided that we were going to wait to tell people for a bit. That is, until Aunt Robin called us that weekend to wish me a Happy Mother's Day. Then she says "Well, I have a present ... I'm pregnant!" I couldn't believe it! I must have sounded strange and I blurted out "Wow! That's funny ..." She said ".... uhhh, why? ..... Oh my are you pregnant too?!!!!" So the cat was out of the bag then. Since Robin knew it was only a matter of time so we told Daddy's Family. I had already ordered a T-Shirt for Maysen to wear so I could send pictures to the family that aren't close. It said "I have a secret ...." (front) "I'm going to be a big brother!" (back). When that came I posted it on my main blog and called Auntie Jenn and Grandpa and Grandma. Everyone is so excited and we are too!

With this news and the talk daddy and I had at lunch that Friday - we both decided I would hang up my nurse's hat and stay home for a bit. Daddy was in college when Maysen was born and I had no choice but to work. But since then daddy has graduated and just got a great permanent job making websites for Real Estate Agents. I'm going to play and have fun with Maysen this summer as he is starting pre-preschool in September. Then I will be able to home with you everyday until I'm ready to go back to Nursing.

I don't have an exact due date for when you will be making your appearence because I'm only guessing (I have a pretty good idea). My first OB appointment with Dr Friedman is July 6th. So we'll know more then. But basing it off my "hunch" on when you were conceived, I am just about 9 weeks pregnant. I get weekly emails about you and your growth, and I got this one yesterday:

Hello, Leslie!You are about 9 weeks pregnant. Your baby is nearly an inch long — barely the size of a grape — and weighs just a fraction of an ounce, but he's poised for rapid weight gain now that his basic physical structure is in place. His embryonic tail is completely gone, and the development of his body parts — including organs, muscles, and nerves — is kicking into gear. His eyelids are fused shut and won't open until 27 weeks. His upper lip is fully formed, and his mouth, nose, and nostrils are more distinct. Your baby's sex organs are present now but won't be discernable as male or female for another few weeks.

I haven't been too sick with you yet. Don't get me wrong, I don't feel great, but I haven't thrown up or anything. Of course I've been really tired. I'm not sure because that's growing or you're not letting me sleep at night! I lay in bed and for the life of me cannot sleep! I generally get up feeling fine, but as the day goes on (or I eat!) I start to not feel good. That subsides with sucking on peppermint candy and sips of ice water.

I will close for now. I look forward to knowing and learning more about you with every passing day!

Love,
Momma