Isla Marie, October 20, 2010

Our beautiful daughter, Isla Marie, was born at 5:05 p.m. via c-section on Wednesday, October 20, 2010.  She's doing really well considering she was only 25 weeks +1 when she was born.  We're so proud of our little lady.  She has a caringbridge.org website where I try to post updates on her progress often.  You can check it out here:  http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/islamarie

Isla Marie

Well, we have some good news regarding Baby and some not great news.  First the good news: she has a name!  Isla Marie.  Now when I'm praying for the little peanut I can be more specific.  Not that I'm worried God will get her mixed up with anyone else :)  Okay, now the not so great news.  I'm in the hospital on bed rest until probably next Tuesday.  Last Tuesday - when Isla was 24 weeks along - we went in for a fairly routine echo of Isla's heart because of some heart issues my DH had when he was born.  Well, Isla's heart looked great.  Unfortunately, for the first time, she was tracking on the small side.  Approximately 1.5 weeks small to be exact - which is a lot when you're only 24 weeks old to begin with.  Also, while Isla otherwise appeared to be healthy, her cord flow was clearly compromised.  We were told on Tuesday to come back in last Thursday to do another doppler on her cord.  In the interim though, they gave me a 48 course of steroids to basically boost Isla's underdeveloped lungs in the event they took her early.  On Thursday, the cord numbers were even worse.  So, I was admitted last Thursday and kept overnight for observation until around 5:30 p.m. Friday night.  It was pretty scary actually, because we knew there was a chance the doctors were going to make the decision to take her out.  At only a little over 24 weeks, there would be a whole lot of complications that could occur for Isla.  The weirdest part, was that I was exhibiting virtually zero symptoms.  Even today, I still have not had any pain, cramping, bleeding, etc.  Some of the common symptoms some women might feel if they are going into early labor.  Really, the best way to describe it is that I'm basically fine and Isla is basically fine - it's the connection b/n us where she gets her nutrients that is faulty.  Obviously Isla can't stay in me for the duration if she is continues to receive limited nutrients. 

Well, they sent me home last Friday night b/c her numbers looked a little bit better.  We were told to come back Monday (yesterday) for another ultrasound.  Yesterday her numbers were the worst yet.  Now, not only is the flow limited, it's actually zero flow on her resting beats.  The next step will be for the flow to become "reverse" which, as the doctors describe it, would be an "ominous" sign. They admitted me yesterday for observation and I just found out this morning from the perinatologist that he wants me to stay in the hospital until at least next Tuesday when Isla will be 26 weeks and ready to be measured again.  The point is to apparently keep me calm and readily observable.  They'll be doing daily ultrasounds to check her cord doppler.  It could go reverse at any time though, so there's no guarantee that she might not come out tomorrow.  It's basically a waiting game right now.  I'm stressing out thinking of work which is what I'm not supposed to do, but I can't seem to help it.  I might be sending my lovely DH to work tomorrow for some work that I can do from my hospital bed.  ARGH.  Hubby went back to work today for a half day for the first time since last Thursday.  He should actually be on his way to the hospital right now.  Maybe with dinner?  That would be awesome!

Sleep Slacker

Okay, so I stayed up WAY too late last night/early this morning...I couldn't even tell you when I actually fell asleep.  What was I doing?  Solving the world's problems?  Getting some darn laundry done for once?  Um, no.  I was cram-watching episodes of Dexter.  Boy was I feeling it today.  I woke up with a truly splitting headache that seemed to linger for hours.  Also, since I'm prego, my headache fighting arsenal is limited to Tylenol which generally has no effect (I can't wait to be able to take Ibuprofen again!).  I was barely able to roll myself off the couch - where I'd fallen asleep with the TV on - at 7:30 a.m., throw some clothes on and get to work at a respectable hour.  What possesses me to do that to myself?  Am I harboring some misguided desire to be a freshman in college again?  Somehow I don't think the "I just rolled out of bed and came to work in my pajamas look" will go over well when I have court appearances.  The most pathetic part of my Dexter binge is that I get the seasons through Netflix. That's right - I could have kept the darn DVD for as long as I freakin' wanted.  Now my day was negatively affected because I've been tired, had a headache and was rushed out the door.  I think a good goal for me would be to try to get my lazy butt into bed every night by 10:30 p.m. 

I'm constantly reminded about the Slight Edge at work in my life.  Last night was an example of making a dumb/bad decision that won't necessarily kill me or irreparably harm my life, but if I continue to make the same dumb/bad decision every night for years could do my life incredible harm.  Just say no!  Get some Z's.  If I've said it once, I've said it a million times:  television is the security blanket of America.  I need to SNAP OUT OF IT!  No offense Dexter - you're awesome. 

Journal

I've decided to take the leap and start keeping a journal.  I'm REALLY going to try and be faithful to the journal writing process.  I'd like the journal to more than just capture my everyday life and instead be something that will allow me to track new ideas, personal growth, etc.  So far, I've purchased a journal (baby steps).  The first blank page is a little intimidating, but I'm resolved to write my first entry sometime today.