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Laying on mommy lifting his head!

William awake

Williams bed

William kanga care

Tommy playing with phone at nicu

Micah sleeping

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Occupational Therapist/Speech Therapist

Today (ok yesterday now) morning I met with the occupational therapist, and she showed me how to stretch areas that are tight on him, so they loosen up, and don't remain stiff, some of the same movements my chiro had suggested to encourage the brain pathways to fire on the different sides of the body.  He was a lot better than the last time she saw him with his range of motion (she had stopped by about a week prior), so it's good to have someone on this week that has really seen him improve.  For the grandparents and those who can visit him, what we should be doing is moving the legs and arms at all joints, in all directions to encourage him to flex them, and move them.  Then also hold him in a sitting/upright position and encourage him to flex head forward and back (so he builds muscle tone in his neck).  His neck is one of the floppiest parts, but that's partly because he's so skinny.  She would tickle his tummy to get him to flex the head forward and then reverse and tickle the back.  (One of the great things about baby wearing when I get him home is that it "counts" as Tummy time, so it will also encourage the neck muscles too.)   The occupational therapist will be working with him Monday Wed and Friday usually, in addition to when we are up there we should work with him also.  

Ok as we were finishing up the Speech Therapist came by (she will be working with him 5 days a week Mon-Friday.)  Speech Therapist is responsible for helping with feeding issues and working with him to take a bottle or nurse.  She tried 3 times while I was there to get a gag and did get one really good gag that I saw, but you also have to think that gagging isn't very fun, and I know if someone were constantly cramming a finger down his throat it wouldn't be very enjoyable to have anything in his mouth.  (seems like they are doing this at least 3-4 times a day (nurse, doctor, and therapist)  So then she worked with him with both her finger and paci to get him to curl his tongue around the paci/finger, as he would need to do to take a bottle paci.  I held him after he was done and we didn't do any more with the paci as he was pooped out after all this stimulation and he was also cold.  

Nana came by to hold him while I took a break to pump/feed micah and grab a bite to eat.  

He wan't too receptive to the paci the rest of the afternoon, but I warned him I would be back later tonight and we would work on the paci again.  Which we did this evening, he did great this evening, he held it in his mouth (ok didn't push it out) and seemed to rather enjoy it as I just massaged his mouth with it while he had his feeding and rested on my chest.  Then we worked with all his stretches, he was very loose this evening, and moving even more.  Then I worked with him with a gloved hand so I could tell if he was sucking on the paci at all, and it definitely seemed like he had a week suck, or at a minimum was wrapping his tongue around the finger.  His tongue was still positioned back in the back of this mouth (behind the gums) so we've got a ways to go before he can nurse.  I know from experience with Tommy that the tongue behind the gums doesn't work for nursing and HURTS.  But it would be great if he can start sucking very quickly so he can do a swallow study and start taking a bottle. 

The same doctor today was still telling me that ng tube was dangerous for him, and that he would need a g-tube, and that the swallow study would be dangerous for him too.  And her main reasoning is because he doesn't gag every time they cram the finger down his throat.  I'm still really hoping as I'm seeing lots of progress this past 2 days.  So please keep praying the doctors who spend 5 min with him will see it also, and that William will perform to their requests.

Feeling a little better visiting tonight

At my night time visit william couched, sneezed (things the dr said he wasn't doing and because he wasn't doing a NG tube wouldn't be safe to go home with) and kept the paci in his mouth most of the time. (Ok he didn't really suck it. But keeping it in is a good thing) Also with the paci in his mouth his o2 stats were up closer to 100% ranging from 97 to 100 for the first time. Usually they've been 92-96. Also he's been maintaining his temp for close to 24 hours now. Last night when I left I asked them to try him in a crib again. They did and he's been doing well. Just wish the drs would see progress mom sees.

Not sure how to put this...

Today seemed to be nothing but bad news.  And I'm really not sure if it was just different doctors, or if it was bad news.  

First the NICU doctor questioned my hepatitis B status, which I though had already been confirmed during my hospital stay immediately following the birth.  I have already signed a release for the doctor to send the information to the hospital, but apparently making it in my chart doesn't automatically make it in my babies chart.  So I've been given instructions to contact my doctor again and have him fax the information to the hospital.  

2nd the NICU doctor said there was no gag/ or not enough to proceed with a swallow test as had been planned for Friday and that we need to consider G-Tube insertion.  And that she wasn't seeing any of the progress the other doctors had seen the previous week.  She's a different doctor than we had been seeing the previous weeks.  Also Tuesday is when the hospital has discharge planning (for all patients).  She was also not willing to consider training for NG tube placement for us so we could place the NG tube, and go home with NG tube to see if we could recover better at home first with the NG tube.  (G-Tube placement would require another 3-4 weeks stay for placement healing and training to take place.)  She did mention that we would have to have a joint meeting to discuss the options.   This is very discouraging to me, and will continue to discuss it further with her and the other doctors in the practice, as well as the GI doctor, and other therapists we will be seeing.  She did mention that we would be seeing an occupational therapist that will give us range of motion exercises to do with him when we visit and at home.  Also, we will be meeting with a speech and language therapist (as they are the ones that deal with feeding issues).  

3rd I met with the neurologist about the EEG.  I'm not sure I remember everything, but I'll give it my best shot.  I didn't as many questions as I was feeling a little overwhelmed with everything already.  The EEG showed little communication between the right and left sides of the brain, and no seizure activity, but lots of "angry" activity.  He doesn't recommend another EEG at least for a few months, and he recommends continuing the medicine for a few months.  He mentioned we may have cerebral palsy, but to what degree we won't know for a while.  Again this was a different neurologist and I couldn't think of any questions to ask at the time.

EEG/MRI Monday

Yesterday we had another EEG and a MRI.  We have the results from the MRI, but not the EEG the results from the EEG aren't expected till Tuesday evening at the latest.  The MRI was more of a baseline and really gives us no new information.   They said it showed a clot (not sure where or what exactly that means) but the clot wasn't causing problems is what I was told, and it also showed some areas that were affected as we are seeing in the clinical picture, and the good news is there was nothing more that it showed, no swelling, nothing we didn't expect to see.   

Micah is doing great at home, he's being loved on by his big brother a lot!  Tommy is wanting to hold Micah a lot, so daddy helps him hold him.  I hope to be uploading new pictures soon.  

William Cried

Sad but positive news.  Rob went up to the hospital earlier today and the nurse told him while he was there that for the first time William cried during a diaper change.  This is good because he hasn't done that before.  I was up there this evening, and Doctor West stopped by and mentioned him crying also.  Also while I was holding him his fists weren't clenched for one of the first times, the doctor mentioned in passing the other day that him holding his fists clenched all the time can be a sign of neurological trauma.  Please keep praying for him. We want to continue to see these baby steps forward.  Also the tests that are planned for the coming week include another EEG (probably on Monday) with an MRI, and a swallow study.  We would like to see no seizure activity on the EEG so we can come off of the medicine he is on (Lord willing).  

As you can see from the pictures below, we're trying to also stimulate his brain by bringing my IPod up to the hospital and having him listen to classical music while we hold him.  You can tell he can hear it because when the fast parts of the music come on his heart rate increases.  What can I say we're trying everything.

I also wanted to say thanks to everyone that's praying.  Please continue to pray.  We've been/feel so blessed by your prayers and concerns for our family.  Also, please feel free to comment on this blog and let us know you are praying for us.  I can see there are those of you watching as my hit count has increased from two weeks ago 6 a day to about 125 a day this past week.  We are so blessed that you are concerned for our family!

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Music Therapy

Update on William and Micah

Sorry it's been a while since an update.

Micah Joe was able to come home Tuesday Afternoon, and we've hardly set him down since having him home.

Wednesday - We had an appt with the neurologist that evening at Williams bed side, and the neurologist didn't tell us much that we didn't already know. He's doing as well as can be expected for the assault he took with not breathing. Basically we don't know when or if and that William is the boss, and we're all along for the ride.

Thursday - I had a Psyc Evaluation in the AM that was 5 min with a counselor who asked a little of the details, and then 4+ hours of paperwork. In the paperwork was about 1000 questions asking in a variety of ways do I abuse alcohol, drugs, beat my children, or am I suicidal. Also several phycological profile quizes including myer's brigs personality questionaire.

Friday - Early am (12am) after we went home thursday night I headed up to the hospital by myself so I could see William. He was wide awake the whole time I only intended to stay about an hour, but I just couldn't leave him so wide awake. He was looking at me, the lights behind me, my cel phone light as I took several pictures (below) with my cel phone. He even had the cutest squeeky hiccups. I didn't leave till close to 2:30am. Micah stayed with daddy, and then Daddy had to call because the Mommy's gone radar went off and daddy had to fix Micah a bottle. I also had the chance to chat with my chiropractor on the phone about Williams condition, and we evaluated a weekness on the Right side of his body, so she had me exercise things on that side of the body (move his toes, ancle, knee, hip, fingers, wrist, elbow, shoulder) to encourage the nerves on that side to fire. (What can I say, we're trying everything.) It seemed to help with his routing reflex slightly.

Friday afternoon I had a friend from church bring us a wonderful dinner and take me up to the NICU so I could see William again, and she held Micah so he would have access to Mommy if he needed to eat. While I was up there I had a chance to speak to the doctor and see if there was anything new. The doctor said he was defiantly more movement and activity. And that he also thought he felt a gag this morning when he checked him. YEH!!! PRAISE BE TO GOD!!! We are jumping for joy at this news. So this means that they will need to do a swallow study (x-ray with radioactive stuff to make sure if he swallows stuff it goes into his tummy and not his lungs). Also the plans for this coming week include doing another EEG test, and also an MRI. We've requested that the MRI be done by strapping him down and not with sedation as we would like to avoid anesthesia/sedation drugs if at all possible. The DR said he would check with the radiologist to see if this is at all possible. Also as I was leaving I tried the paci with William and he gave it a slight suck, which is huge progress as before he wouldn't even close his mouth around it. Please continue to pray that he will continue to make progress to sucking and swallowing.

Micah Nursing Kisses for Daddy's Nose

Kissing Daddy's Nose

William Pictures

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William so Wide awake in his incubator

Summary of the birth of my Twins

I had them at home and we transported because the first twin did not start breathing immediately.

The first twin (William Josiah 4 lbs 10oz 18.5 inches long) was born not breathing, so we called 911.  While giving William CPR I got the urge to push again.  All I could think was please God don't let this be the placenta because he still needs to be attached.  I pushed and the 2nd twin (MIcah Joe 7lbs 1oz 19 inches long) was born crying.  The paramedics arrived shortly and cut the cord and began working on William.  He was transported in the first ambulance, and Micah was transported on my chest in a second ambulance because he was grunting (but still a bright pink). 

William was on a respirator over night the first night, graduated to a nasal candulum, and is now breathing on his own.  He's had a few episodes of apnea.  He is now gaining weight and holding his own heat.  He is in a crib in the NICU still, and is getting tube feedings of only mommys milk because he has no gag reflux.  But the good news is he's swallowing his spit, so there's hope.  He had and EEG today (Monday), and a CT Scan.  The CT scan was normal except for a small Subdural Hemorrhage, we don't have the results of the EEG yet (takes about 24 hrs.)  The subdural hemorrhage is outside the brain, and not causing any trouble. If there is no seizure activity on the EEG then we can remove him from the Phenobarbital that he is on to prevent seizures and rest the brain.  They really expect for him to be more active and make progress towards the sucking/gag reflux or they will be talking about G-Tube insertion.  So please be praying that coming off the Phenobarbital will allow him to make the progress they are looking for and that we don't have to consider a G-Tube.  

Micah was on a CPAP overnight, and has been breathing room air on his own since that morning. He was treated for a collapse lung.  Micah is nursing well.  He was treated for Jaundice and could possibly go home in the morning. 

Williams condition is likely due to IUGR because his portion of the placenta was very small.  The doctor thinks they are identical twins, but it will take genetic testing to confirm, which would require too much blood at this point.

William gets a CT Scan

Setting up for CT Scan

William getting setup for the EEG

Setting up for the EEG

Update for Boys Today

Micah may be cleared medically to come home on Monday or Tuesday.  His remaining issues: Jaundice and, still slightly loosing weight, other wise he's good.  Also today he was moved to the newborn nursery and out of NICU, called the Baby Steps Nursery, still manned by NICU staff, but a lot quieter, and only 2 babies and a window where siblings can see.  

William, he's still getting tube feeds, the full feeding of 37 cc's, he's now off of IV nutrition and fluids, he's still on fenababarall (anti seizure) via IV, to rest the brain, pending no-seizure activity on the EEG tomorrow.  They will also do an MRI, CT Scan or Sonogram again tomorrow.  He's gained 3 oz, and seems to be doing better each day.  He had another apnea episode today :(.  So we're really hoping he'll have the EEG tomorrow and the Neurologist will read the EEG Right away.  

Hi Brother William!

IMG_5992.JPG, originally uploaded by conradzone.

I was worried about you, it's so good to see you! :)

(Micah looking at William)

Update on the Twins

3/14/08 1am

William is doing well. He's breathing room air, and he needs no breathing assistance (the nasal contraption he had). William also had an EEG and they found no seizure activity. He had been shaking and his eyes had been rolling. He'll have another EEG just make sure. They'll do a gag reflex test tomorrow, and if he passes, then he can start to breastfeed. Optimistically, they're hoping he'll be out in 7-10 days. 

Micah is continuing to learn to breastfeed and is in a regular bassinette. He may go home as early as Monday.

I almost forgot to give the official stats: 3/11/08 around 10 pm William  4 lbs. 10 oz.  18" Micah Joe 7lbs. 1 oz. 19 1/2"

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Today:

I'm on my way up to the hospital so this will be quick: New pictures on my blog: conradzone.blogspot.com and Flickr account: www.flickr.com/photos/conradzone Micah: New today: he is on Billi lights for the Jaundice it is double yesterdays value, but he is pooping more today the number is 13.6, but this isn't bad and he's only expected to be on these numbers for a day. New yesterday: He's off of all IVs and breastfeeding for all nutrition, my milk is in and he's eating well, and there is plenty for william too. William: New today: some apnea episodes, on Billi lights but values is down from 10 to 6. He's increasing feeds from 10 cc to 5+ every other feed. He's currently at 15 and quickly up to 20. He's also getting iv nutrition, and IV electrolights. Brain scan EEG set for monday, and CT scan too. He needs to be having more movement and a significant increase in brain activity in the EEG, and no sesiure activity so he can come off of the anti convlucant. Minimum 5 more days in the hospital.

Daddy and Micah

IMG_5953.JPG, originally uploaded by conradzone.

Baby William and Mommy and Daddy!

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Tommy Meets Micah

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The nurse brought Micah to the window so Tommy could meet him today!

Fw: Baby pics

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Happy 2nd Birthday Tommy!!

Voting

Yes Tommy helped Daddy Vote and got a sticker on the nose for doing so. 

Tommy with Snow Man (little blurry)

I just felt the coolest thing!

I put my hand on my belly just becasue it's so big that's the only place really to rest my hand, and I cold feel my belly going up and down like it was breathing.  In case you don't know what that feeling would be, I held my breath and it wasn't me.  My baby was practicing breathing!!  A healthy full term baby will practice breathing while still in the mother womb.  It's something they check for when they do a BPP (Bio Physical Profile) Sonogram late in pregnancy.  I never knew you could possibly feel that from the outside, but I'm positive that's what it was.  I remember them checking if Tommy was practicing breathing in the sono we had on him on his birthday. 

Sign Language for Babies on GMT

Tommy on TV

We were on tv!!! He did great!  He signed Dangerous and Blueberry.

Here's the link to the paper story:

http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/gmt/schedule/stories/wfaa02272008_mj_gmtwednesday.c29812.html

I'll post the video when I figure out how to get it on the computer.  I may be pointing my web cam at the tv to capture it...hehe....

Henna Belly!

Lydia.JPG, originally uploaded by conradzone.

Play-group

Today we hosted our local MOMs Club Wed Play-group.  I kinda dread hosting it sometimes because Tommy can get really clingy and nervous/acting out because he has people invading our house.  At the beginning he kept opening the front door and running out.  Then he kept trying to steal everybody's snacks.  Then after about an hour and a few time outs (there's one girl he loves to hear scream so he bats at her face trying to make her scream).  He finally warmed up to everyone and was sad to see everyone leave.  

Tommy's going to be on TV

We did a baby ASL class for him to help us communicate better before he could talk, and it's even helpful understanding him when he says stuff now that's hard to understand.  Tommy's Sign Teacher is doing a news article and we've been asked to help demonstrate a child doing signs.  I believe it will be on Channel 8 on the 9 am segment, on Wednesday Feb 27th.  I'll update more as/if I know more.

Tommy Horse Back Riding

IMG_5723.JPG, originally uploaded by conradzone.

Yeh he was about as excited about horse back riding as he looks in that picture.

The Farm

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End of Jan we went out to my aunt's farm and rode a horse for the first time.

Preggo Hormones BEWARE!!!!

Ok I find myself avoiding boards, lurking/just reading, and not posting much because it seems I have an uncanny nak right now for pissing people off....Guess the hormones are getting to me....hope I haven't pissed anyone else off either....so accept my appologies if I have...   course that seems especially true where I do choose to post...(like my blogs...) so continue to read at your own risk....

Shower/Mother's Blessing

I'm having a shower/Mother's Blessing Celebration Sunday the 24th, and If you want to go just let me know I'll send you the details.  I'm also having HENA done on my belly that day a little before the official shower.  I believe I emailed most people, but I'm sure I forgot someone, it wasn't on purpose.  

Ok here's the details, if you need my address let me know!:

Below is the invite my sister did up, and I can't find everybody's snail mail address, so you're getting and e-email invite.  I hope you can come!

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What is a mother's blessing? (or also referred to as a blessing way.)

A Mother Blessing is a celebration for a new life. It can be used by anyone, expecting a baby, adopting a baby, or just in need of a celebration of life in general. This can be looked at as an alternate form of a baby shower.

Unlike your typical baby shower, there is no commercial gift giving emphasis. The guests are invited to spend time with the mother-to-be. The tone of the Mother Blessing is much more positive . It is a time to celebrate and rejoice in new life.

 

What do I bring to a Mother Blessing ?

We will have a candle lighting, so bring  a positive thought in mind or well wish for the mother-to-be. Also, we will be making a necklace for the mother-to-be to have with her during labor. So, bring a bead with a special meaning for Lydia. (Be prepared to describe it's particular meaning.) And most importantly bring yourself! We can't wait to see you there!

Don't Forget:

**Call Lydia & let her know you'll be there.**

For

 Lydia Conrad

February 24th, 2008

Time: 2:30 to 4:30pm

Host: Rachel Rubio (sister)

I've been reading a great book

How to Raise a Healthy Kid in Spite of Your Doctor.

I'm really enjoying this book and how much confidence it gives you in raising your kid, and knowing that they will get sick and that you don't need to consult a doctor unless your kid is really sick, and it tells you how to know when they are really sick for seeing the doctor. And it's even written by a 30 year pediatrician from his experience. The main point behind "in spite of" is that doctors don't know how to keep people who aren't sick heathy as some tests can make kids sick, so you shouldn't see the doctor unless you are injured or really sick.

On that same note I'm exploring finding a new pediatrician. I'm interviewing a new pediatrician on March 5th. She's Dr Bain in Frisco. Here's a link to her web site: Healthy Kids Pediatrics

Nana and Papa in Down Town Dallas

Tommy Head Banging

Tommy Sticker

Dear Baby

I can tell you are different from you older brother already and you aren't even here yet. I hope I don't compare you too much. You are flipping all over the place, and that type of movement is so new to me. You seem to like being breech some too as I've been feeling hiccups up high a bunch. I wonder if you will like upside down as much as your brother. You don't seem to like it very much now. And your brother still likes it. I still hope you will settle head down; at least for birth. I'm really nervous about being a mom again. I hope I love you as much as I love your older brother. Because I sure love him a bunch. It's hard to imagine I didn't even know him a short two years ago. I can't wait to see what you are like and get to know you better.

Love
Mom

Clarification on Due Dates

I did not mean to offend and I apologize if my tone was offensive. I guess I am more sensitive about this issue than I realized.

 

To me it isn't about being secretive or not being joyous. Because I am very joyous about this pregnancy and I want to talk about it and laugh about it. I was really trying to explain that I have not been given a specific "due date" as its traditionally referred to. Instead, I have a "guess month" and I was only trying to say that not having a "due date" doesn't stress me out.
As I said before -- is that modern evidence doesn't support a target due date, it is just an estimate. And I am going to relax and let this baby come when it comes -- so for me that means having a due month rather than a due date. Does this make sense? This also means it will be discouraging to me to hear in late April -- when is this baby coming? This baby is late! I really hope you can support me in this because your support is important. Did you have people ask you questions like this when you were pregnant? How did you find it easiest to respond? I find it frustrating to hear questions like this and haven't quite figured out the best way to respond yet.

 

I am so excited about this pregnancy -- everything about it.  I am enjoying being pregnant and all the changes that come with it.  I even like the preparations for labor and am excited about what will come after labor.    For some people, it may sounds weird, but I love being pregnant.  I love all of it.  So I think that when asked if I am ready to be done with it or what I hate most -- it kind of surprises me and I can come off harsh.  But truthfully, when I hear comments like that it is discouraging to me and I really really want to stay positive and to keep this enjoyment.  

I love to focus on the positive aspects of the pregnancy, labor and the birth.

Guess Date/Due Date

I don't have ONE due date, and no I wasn't/and am not being difficult.  This baby can come any time in March or April, depending on how long HE OR SHE chooses to bake.   There is no time limit on that at all.  And I will not tolerate people saying they baby's not here YET in the middle of April, because any time the whole month of April is still fine for baby to come. 

Averages say closer to the middle of that time period, but we don't know what my average was/is because my first baby was induced and not ready to come when he did come, as evidence by the vernix on his skin and his trouble breastfeeding.

So there is not a "Due Date", but more a Guess Month April 2008. 

The standard Due Dates assigned by doctors/modern obstetrics are part of modern obstetrics that sets people up for failure and emotional turmoil, over the I'm already due and I'm "LATE", NO if you are LATE then your baby just needed longer to bake than other babies and only your baby will know when the best time is.  And the baby will arrive right on time for your/my baby.  No one likes to be LATE.  And babies aren't LATE they arrive when they are ready, and I trust that my baby will arrive when He or She is ready and not before, and not after!

New Hair

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GO OHIO STATE!!!

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Merry Christmas All

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Howdy, You should be getting christmas cards soon, as soon as I can get them sent out that is. Hope you have a Merry Christmas.

It's a Boy?!

Or so the lady at Whole Foods declared:

Someone walked up to me at Whole Foods today and told me I was having another boy. It was this sweet asian lady. First time I've ever had that happen.

No we're not finding out and we don't know. I don't have a feeling either way, but that seems to be the question I'm always asked. I'd really love either of course. Of course if it's a boy this poor baby doesn't have a name yet.

Xmas Party

IMG_5308edit.jpg, originally uploaded by conradzone.

Here's our before picture as we were leaving for the xmas party.

My Early Xmas Present

My wonderful husband gave me my xmas present a little early tonight.  Tonight we had my company xmas party where it's my one time of the year to get really dressed up, so while I was getting ready, rob brings me a box of ear rings and give it to me.  It's beautiful diamond ear rings!  I was instantly stunned speechless. I just love them they are so wonderful.  

Thank you Rob!!!  The went perfectly for the evening....despite everything else....

 

Rob's Appt Yesterday

Rob had his appt yesterday to discuss his shot, they said they will call his insurance first, and then him to hopefully schedule it sometime next week.  The appt was only about 5 mins.  I hope they get it taken care of soon!

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Tommy's Shower Today

Tommy and I took our usual shower today, only when I got out and said good bye, he continued to play, and I kept checking back, asking if he was all done, and he would say "no" in a sweet please don't get me out of the shower voice.  Finally 45 min to an hour later, I had to get him out so we could go to the dentist for my appt, and he wasn't very happy with me at all.  The water had gone cold a while before that, and he was a little cold, but was still wanting to have fun playing in the water. 

Pregnancy Update

Here's my latest appt stats. Everything's going great!

Date: 11/14
Wks Gest: 20w2d
Urine: Normal
Wt: 147
BP: 124/68 (VERY NORMAL!)
Temp: Normal
Pulse: 84
Fundal Height: 26cm (A little high, but it just feels like I'm carrying very high this time. I'm sure this will normal out after the baby drops or engages.)
Edema: None

All in all everything is going perfect!

You may have seen Rob Limping around Recently

Well he got the results from his MRI today, he's got two ruptured disks in his lower back.  He's got another appointment on the 5th of December to get a steroid shot in the disks to help it heel.  We're hoping that will mean he'll feel better soon.  He's barely been able to walk, and can't sit for long periods of time at all. 

Little Stinker

Tommy woke up at 6am this morning, it was still dark outside so I pointed to the windows and told him it was still night night, and he should go back to sleep.  So I laid him back in bed and he jibber jabbered till about 7.  At which point he got back up and made it known that he was ready to get up.  I looked at him, and he pointed to the windows.  It was now light outside, and he was pointing to the windows as if to say time to get up now mom, the sun is out. 

The little stinker used my argument against me...

Halloween 2007

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Here's our little pirate this year.

Check out our pictures from today here:

Halloween/Fall 2007 Pictures

Tommy's new playground & Big Clyde

Here Tommy's is playing in the cupboard(hamper in the Hall).  He just discovered he fits in this cupboard and had a great time playing in it.

The other night Tommy asked by pointing to my big Teddy bear (the same size as him) and saying "Clyde", if Clyde could sleep with him.  I asked him if that's what he meant and I got his yes answer: "Awww" with some dancing/bouncing to it. 

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Wed Before Halloween

IMG_5040edit, originally uploaded by conradzone.

We went to the Pumpkin Patch, and had a blast! We're so going back next year. They had bounce houses and he loved all of it!!!

Fwd: How can this face be bad

very mischievous

Fwd: Now his Daddy you might want to watch out for.

Tommy's Walking Better - Quick Update

Tommy's doing much better now, he seems to be walking just fine and not having any trouble, and running all over the place. 

Re: Just got home from our first ER Trip

His leg's already doing better today, he's walking on it some but still falling so I try to stay close.  Here's a more detailed re-cap of what happened last night, if you want to read ;-)

Here's a more detailed re-cap of what happened:

We were in the bounce house at our church trunk or treat and tommy was having a blast going down the slide (with mommy's help because he couldn't climb the stairs by himself).  So I get him to the top, and climb up behind him myself and wait for the other kids to exit the slide, then I give him a little push down the slide, and he seems to be loving it, but at the bottom he takes a weird twist and I figured just scared himself with it, and starts crying a little.  so I slide down the slide after him to get him, and he gives me a hug and quits crying.  We exit the slide so the next kid can go, and I stand him up and he collapses.  Then he points to the entrance and wants to go again.  I grab my shoes and our bag and we go over to one of my friend where we try to stand up again....same thing happens.  So then I'm trying to think what to do next I get my phone, and call the chiropractor just to get a 2nd opinion before I rush him off for x-rays I'd rather he not have unless it's broken.  My friends telling me you have to take him to the ER.  We strap him in to the car seat and I try to call Rob at work, and the other chiropractor we know who use to be in the same office as my chiropractor.  And try to call rob again, then I try to call his business partner because the store number isn't working, and the other manager's cel phone.  So after getting a hold of no one we go to the ER.  My chiro calls back on the way and says since he's not putting any weight on it that we should go ahead and get the x-rays.  So does the other chiro (she called while I was on the phone with my chiro.)  So I feel a little better about getting the xrays and going to the ER.  We go to the one in Richardson because I don't like my previous experience with Plano's ER's I've had in the past.  So we get to the ER sign in and Mike Rob's business partner calls me back, I tell him the store number isn't working for me, and I can't get a hold of Rob, that I'm at the ER with Tommy and he can't walk (ok so I could have been a little clearer).  Rob calls back right as we get called to the admitting nurse, so I hand the phone to my friend and take tommy to get vitals check for admitting.  He's 26# 10 oz and they do the finger check thing (o2 stats I think)  The want to do a rectal temp, but I put my foot down very stubbornly on that one and they concede and do an under arm temp (I knew by his touch he wasn't running a fever)  And fever isn't a big deal for a sprained leg unless it's starting to get infected, in which case if he was hot I would have let them but it wasn't necessary.  So then we go to the paperwork desk and I sign all the papers, and show insurance card.  Course tommy says he has to go potty in the middle of signing the papers, so I take him to the potty and go back and finish signing the papers.   Shortly after all that Rob pulls up, and we're called back to a "room" more of a drapped bed with 2 other beds on either side.  Since Rob is there my friend just waits in the lobby for her hubby to come get her and go home.  While were waiting I call my parents to come up, and they come up and help us play pass the baby.  He also plays with grandpa's ball cap.  We play pass the baby and snack on cherries and apples (dried that I had with me) (yes I went against doctors orders and allowed him to have food and drink) and wait for the doctor.  The doctor comes (very nice lady) and checks out Tommy, we can't tell what part of the leg is hurt, so they do x-rays of the whole leg.  The whole time we're waiting tommy keeps telling us "Bye bye" "all done" (he's ready to go home).  Oh and while the doc is checking him out he plays with her stethoscope and and tries to listen to his pee pee.  When the x-ray lady comes Rob goes back with tommy, I can't go in the x-ray room because I'm pregnant. (understandable).  Rob said he didn't like the x-rays and they did 3 of them.  We wait for another ~hour while the xrays transfer from the xray room to the doctors station (slow connection all electronic), and then she comes to tell us nothing is broken, and we should just carry him a lot and do tylonal and motrin if he needs it.  He is already putting more wait on it and she's happy with everything, so we leave, without waiting for the discharge instructions etc.  We end up leaving about 7:30 after getting there at 5 which wasn't bad for an ER visit.   We get home and Tommy eats 6 hot dogs (Did I mention he hadn't had dinner yet), and then he goes to bed. 

Just got home from our first ER Trip

After a fall on the slide in the bounce house at our church Trunk or Treat he wasn't putting any weight on his right leg.  After 3 xrays and a not bad 2 1/2 hr wait nothing is broken.  He's very unsteady on it, but he's doing better, hopefully it will be better in the morning. 

--
Lydia Conrad
Mommy to Tommy 19 months 3/8/06 + new baby due 4/2008
Lydia@conradzone.com
214-226-3206 cel
http://conradzone.blogspot.com

Tommy's First Hair Cut

IMG_4976, originally uploaded by conradzone.

Tommy had his first Hair cut today. Check out more pictures here:

More Pictures Click Here

He did great, was a little fussy about having his hands covered up, but overall did GREAT! Enjoy!

Combing his hair

IMG_4755edit, originally uploaded by conradzone.

Tommy gave me a little scare today

He got a hold of some cashews again today, and started reacting immediately, puffy around the mouth.  So I rushed him up to the chiropractor, and she found some folic acid would help him out.  He laid on her pad for about 30 min and he was doing much better.  The puffiness around his face was doing much better.  So we went home for our nap.  Disaster avoided thank goodness.   Scared mommy half to death because of how bad he reacted last time (ears swelled up and everything).  We now have an EPI Pin just in case, but hopefully we won't have to use it EVER!