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