A Quiet Moment

I finally have a quiet moment to write. The girls, (Clara and Mary), are having computer time and Kathryn's asleep. Let me tell ya, a lot has happened in just one week. I was breastfeeding Kat, but I couldn't keep up. I needed Johnnie's help with feedings so breastfeeding was out. I had the pump, but couldn't keep that up either. So, what happened? Kat went on formula and starts getting gassy and spitting up...which leads to fussiness and two exhausted parents. She is evening out now, but still spits up some. She wasn't having bowel movements often enough to keep her belly from hurting, but that is coming together now too. She now sleeps most of the day with spurts of awake time, she eats 2-3 oz. every three hours. and she's starting to focus on our faces and some cartoons. She's not fond of her swing most of the time, she tolerates her bouncy chair a little, but her favorite place is in mine or her Daddy's arms. She's already spoiled, LOL! But she's fantastic. I love her so much and so does her Daddy. Her sisters adore her too, then they are back to ignoring her, HA! They don't have time for a baby.
The other night, Kat had me up until 4am. I was exhausted and frustrated. She was too. She was having a problem with gassiness. Once she feel asleep, we were both out-sound, for a good 4 hours. Then Johnnie took over and got her up to change and feed her. I was left sleeping, thankfully. I couldn't ask for a better Husband/Daddy, he's truly wonderful. I am going to be lost when he goes back to work tomorrow. It's going to be me and three girls. I am really nervous. Not to mention I am going to miss him badly. I have gotten used to him being here now. Now he goes back to hectic, crazy hours. UGH!
The other things going on have been my healing process. Oh man...it's been a ride. I have hurt everywhere. My butt hurts from sitting on it and sleeping sitting up, (due to the pain from surgery), my back hurts from the weight of my new humongous boobs, which also hurt from the milk and engorgement. It;s like having two full gallon milk jugs attached to my chest...and they are about to overflow. It's been bad. The incision is still sore and the nerves are causing problems. Pinching, pulling, and burning sensations keep me in fear of certain movements. Just sitting down can be extremely painful. My hand hurts from where they had the IV. It's bruised under the skin. And my stomach hurts every time I have to have a bowel movement. Oh the joys of child birth and after, LOL! It's not all peachy like most people would have you believe.
Now things are starting to calm down a bit. And I know it sounds like I'm whining about nothing, but I'm really not. If each of these things were alone, it wouldn't be such a hard time...together, all at the same time, they add up to lots of annoying pain, and it gets hard to deal with at times.
Now I am starting to lose the booby pain as the cabbage leaves dry the milk up. The incision feels better since having the staples removed. The nerves are still giving me trouble, but will start to ease soon I hope! The back is getting better as the boobs shrink in weight a bit. And my hand is feeling much better each day. Thank Goodness! This has been a speedy recovery, but an annoying one too. I will be a very happy camper when I am all healed and can just enjoy my family, without pain. That'll be the best day ever for me!

She's here!!!!!

Kathryn Olivia Arnold was born Friday, October 08th, 2010 at 8am. She was 7lbs. 13oz. 19 in. long. The C-Section went well, or as well as a C-Section can go. They pretty much suck. We thought she was a bit chunky for her weight/height, but we think she may have been a little swollen. She was fine the next day. She is the most laid back, sweet, happy baby ever! She is already spoiled though, she loves to be held. I am having a really hard time sleeping at night, not only because Kat's awake, but also because it's so hard to get comfortable after surgery. I'm healing, slowly, but wish the healing would speed up. I chose to breastfeed/bottle feed her. I mostly breastfeed, but right now my nipples are straight out of a horror movie. They are dry, cracked and bleeding. It hurts like hell. So I supplement with Similac Advance sometimes to give them a break. She prefers the breast though. I am so glad I get to share this with her. I couldn't with my other two girls. It's a really great bonding time for Mommy/Baby.
Johnnie is so in love with her. She's his baby girl through and through. And she's completely taken by him. It's so sweet to watch them together. I'm very thankful that they share such a close bond and love for one another. He's a great Daddy.
He's been an amazing husband too. He really does go out of his way to take care of all of us, especially me. He makes sure I'm comfortable and have everything I need. I don't know what I'd do without my Johnnie. I don't ever want to find out either.
Our family is complete now. We have three amazing little girls. We are so blessed!!

1 Day left...

I am sitting up at 7am, sick to my stomach, had contractions last night, but nothing consistent. Woke up all night long because I was afraid I was sleeping through time to give the girls their medicine. Ugh! My last good sleep and I blew it!
Last night, I had to take the girls to the ER. They both have a rash that is spreading. They had low grade fevers and Clara was complaining of nausea. When I noticed the rash was now on her face, I took the right away. They got them in pretty quickly and said that they couldn't tell what the rash was exactly, but to give them antibiotics, Benadryl and steroids. So, we started the antibiotics and Benadryl last night. Not sure if I will be doing the steroids, I don't like them. They slept good anyway. No school for them today.

Now, I have all day to be sick thinking about getting sliced open tomorrow. I am so worried. I am naturally a worrier anyway, but with this, I'll be surprised if I don't throw up all day. Have I mentioned I suffer from panic attacks? LOL! Yay me!

I am glad that we will get to meet her tomorrow though. The girls are really excited, Johnnie's excited but nervous. Mom's excited. Not sure about Daddy or Jason...but I know they'll love her when they see her. I just want to get this part over with. The pain and healing part. Ugh! I still don't know how I am going to get up and down from my bed. It's so high. Mom says she has a step stool, but it may not be good enough. If you have ever had a C-Section, you know exactly what I mean. Anyway sudden movements, or reaching up, or stretching of the muscles in the section area is excruciating. I even had to sleep sitting upright for 3 weeks due to the muscle pain when I slept on my sides. That's quite literally a pain in the arse. No really, try sleeping on your butt for 3 weeks, it hurts.

Once I get through all of the healing part and the postpartum, which I know is coming, everything will be peachy and I will have a beautiful new baby girl. That part I can't wait for!! Just one more day!!!

4 Days!!!!

I have four days left. I just found out that my hospital allows VBAC's and there's a doctor's office down here that will do VBAC's. But I am too late to change doctors!!!!!!! How insane is that?! I really don't want to get cut again, but dammit, it looks like I will have no choice. My contractions just won't pick up. My water just won't break. Her head just won't come out! UGH!!!!

So 4 more days and she will be here. Kathryn Olivia Arnold will make her entrance into this crazy world. I am terrified.

My Smart Clara Belle!

I had a parent/teacher conference tonight with Clara's teacher. (Who we absolutely adore). She said that Clara is doing fantastic in reading/writing, she is above average as a matter of fact. She said she needs help with her Math skills, but that she seems to be getting better and picking it up each week. Her teacher then told me that Clara is a delight to have in her class, that she even reminds her of her own daughter when she was younger. I am so thankful for this teacher! She told me that Clara has a small problem sometimes keeping her talking under control in class. She said that she blurts out and sometimes she tries to engage her teacher in conversation when she shouldn't. She also said that she believes Clara is gifted. YAY! I am so proud of my baby! We always knew she was a genius. LOL!! She said that she should/could be tested for SAGE in 2nd grade. She then went on to tell me that Clara needs to try to develop her organizational skills. She said it's common among gifted people to have trouble remembering the little things because they have so much more on their minds. I just thought her and Johnnie had trouble listening to me, lol. Turns out they actually are just listening to too much going on in the minds already. Guess I should ease up on them both and find ways to teach them to hear the mundane tasks being asked of them too. 8)~

7 More Days!

Nothing as of yet. Just a few little contractions, lots of pressure and burning, some discomfort and hip pain, but still no baby girl. As for baby news, today has been pretty inactive for progressing toward giving birth.

Woke up this morning and my Mom was upset telling me my cousin is in the hospital with blood clots in her lungs. She is 11 weeks pregnant, which is what they said probably contributed to the clots. The clot started as a big clot and when it hit her lungs, it spread out into small clots and blocked many passages of her lungs. (See picture below).

Gini Lynn is a mother to a 5 year old little boy, Logan. She is married to her wonderful husband, Robert, who has stayed by her side. She is loved by her Mother and Father, sister and brother and all of us in the family. We have all been praying and so far, she and the baby are doing ok. They have her on meds for the pain and blood thinners. She is being told to hold as still as possible and she is not supposed to laugh. They say if they move it could kill her. This is really scary for her and everyone who loves her. If you are reading this, please send out your prayers and/or positive energy.

This is a picture that the doctor drew on her bed sheet to show her where the clots landed. Each dark spot is a blood clot.