Christmas at Ludlow

On Christmas morning we're usually at Francis' family party but this year since we were blessed with an early Christmas gift, we stayed at home and the families came to us :) I felt so bad this year because my doctor put me on bed rest so early that I didn't have a chance to do any Christmas shopping for anyone this year. Thankfully our families have been amazing through everything this year. Honestly I feel lucky to have the families we do and I don't know what we would have done without them this year. To our amazing families: We love you so much. Merry Christmas everyone!

Below are a few pictures of the babies from earlier today. 

We'd like to introduce

Our beautiful daughter Peyton Aurora Vita!!!!!

On December 11, 2012 Peyton was born in Providence Holy Cross Medical Center by Dr. Mojan Gabbay via C-Section. She is a tiny 4lbs 14oz and 19 in. This little ball of love arrived a bit early but we couldn't be happier. She is the best Christmas gift I have ever received. She's beautiful :)

Around 2am Francis and I decided to head to the hospital after getting a blood pressure reading of 186/110. We tried waiting it out hoping that my blood pressure would go down but no such luck. So we were off to the hospital. I think deep down we knew that this was it, so we nervously packed our bag and double checked everything before going to the hospital.

Upon our arrival, we were admitted into tiny, freezing cold room to wait for morning to hear from Dr.. Gabbay. The admitting nurse said what I was so nervous to hear but knew was coming, "I think they should just deliver you". My blood pressure was consistently elevated throughout the night and when morning came, it was decided. I was scheduled for my C-section at 4:00pm. Last time I only had a few minutes to deal with knowing I was going to have a C-section, so 9 hours was just torture. I  had 9 hours to think about all the ways that this could go horribly wrong. I talked to Francis for a bit about how nervous I was, and being the sweet husband I married, he reassured me and reminded me how strong I was. Then we talked about how by the end of the day we were going to have little Peyton in our arms. I knew whatever happened today, it would all be worth it.

Right before I was wheeled into the surgical room, our families came in to see us. I felt better knowing that they were there. They started a spinal on me, laid me down on the bed and prepped me for surgery. All of a sudden I started to get a horrible headache and I told the anesthesiologist right away. I was nauseated and as soon as he gave me something for that, the headache started. The pain went from unconfortable to excruciating within a matter of seconds. I looked to the right and saw my blood pressure climbing. 170/100. 180/110, 200/110, then finally 232/?. I didn't dare to look at the bottom number in fear that seeing it would make it go higher. At that point I felt like my head was literally going to explode and the only thing I could think of was "stroke!!!". I remember hearing Dr. Gabbay ask me if I was ok, but the pain was so excruciating that all I could do was shake my head and cry. The pain was worse than any contraction or labor pain I've felt. Then finally the medication kicked in and the pain slowly subsided. Francis was walked into the room when they had my BP under control and the surgery began.

A few minutes passed and I heard the most beautiful sound a mother could hear. I heard Peyton cry!!!! Beautiful and tiny, she was placed in my arms and it was a moment of complete bliss. Francis and I had just brought another beautiful baby girl into this world! We were in love for the third time. There's no happier feeling than seeing your child for the first time. Nothing else mattered in that moment except for her. She was perfect! After recovering a bit, the family trickled in one by one to meet her.

The next few days were a complete blur! I got a whopping 2 hours of sleep over 3 days (10-20 minutes at a time), Peyton had jaundice, and I cried uncontrollably every time Alana went home with my parents. Between the exhaustion and raging hormones, pretty much anything made me cry. And the recovery fro the C-section wasn't a picnic either. The only thing that kept Francis and I going was the fact that we now had 2 beautiful daughters to come home to. As painful as everything was, going home with my growing family kept me motivated toegt through it.

Looking back on this past week, I feel so lucky. Peyton is beautiful and healthy and that's all a mother could want. I didn't think it was possible to love so much, but my little one made room in my heart just for her.

Tick tock

These days I feel like a ticking time bomb. My blood pressure is constantly up or down and I can't believe that even with medication, my blood pressure is still through the roof. Besides my pregnancy-induced hypertension, I've never had high blood pressure so it worries me. Some days my blood pressure is so high that I wonder if I need to go to the hospital, but then when I recheck it goes back to normal. I feel like just thinking about it makes it go up, but how can I not? I want to make sure that the baby is healthy. The wait is driving me crazy! 12/28/12 is my scheduled C-section date, but I have a feeling that she's not going to wait that log to arrive. Either way, as long as she's healthy, that's all that matters. 

18 more days! 

Being a patient

Being a patient lately has really gotten me thinking about myself as a nurse. I see patients all the time in home health and I've definitely forgotten the hospital setting. The constant vial sign checks that wake you up every hour of the night, the crappy meals and most importantly, the quality of the nurses. Now that I've been a nurse for a few years, I can recognize the types of nurses right off the bat. The new grads who do everything by the book and look nervous the second they walk through your door. The somewhat experienced nurses that still take the time to care about their patients. The experienced nurses that have been hardened by the job and are quickly in and out of your room. The veterans that do their job well, but without empathy. And last but not least, the rare nurses that do their job to the best of their ability and have compassion for their patients simply for the love of caring for another person. This is the type of nurse that I want to be and being a patient has helped me recognize and learn things to improve myself. It's gotten me thinking that I want to pursue my BSN, but we'll see. Maybe 2013 has something in store for me. Can't wait!

Birthday in the hospital

After an appointment at the MD office today, I ended up in the hospital. While I was at the MD, I had an NST performed and was having regular contractions. I thought they were just Braxton-Hicks contractions, but apparently the fact that they were occurring during regular intervals made my doctor worried. That and the fact that I had been nauseated, vomiting and dizzy along with high blood pressure didn't help the situation any. So I was in the hospital for a few hours, bored and hoping that this baby wouldn't be arriving anytime soon. 3 more weeks until she's full term!

All of these things happening honestly made me forget that it was my birthday but my friends didn't let me forget :) We had a little dinner at the palace, decorations and all. Thank you to Rees for planning and everyone else who helped make my night a little more special! Love you guys :) Turning 30 ain't that bad after all!

Bed rest

So today I had an MD appointment and my doctor noticed that my blood pressure was high. So starting monday of next week I'm off work and on modified bed rest. Basically, I can shower, quickly fix my meals and drive myself to and from appointments as long as I'm feeling well enough to do so. So, how do people with toddlers do this exactly? 

Anyway, I was a little relieved but bummed that I had to get off of work. However, I know it's what's needed to take care of this little one in my belly so for her I would do anything. I must admit though, I know this bedrest is going to drive me crazy. On top of that we have a party at our house next saturday and it's going to drive me nuts that I'm not able to clean the house. Just thinking about it right now, I want to sweep and mop the floors already! 

But regardless of what Francis will tell you, I will take care of myself. Despite the occassional LIGHT cleaning (and by this I mean picking up a bottle that Alana has thrown on the floor), I will restrict myself to the bed. Wish I had time to stock up on art stuff to play around with though before this bed rest. Apparently I'm not allowed to go shopping either!!! (cry)

Why hello there!!!!!

Today the following people joined Francis, Alana and I during our 3D ultrasound of our little one (Lola Celia, Lolo Bal, Lola Cristina, Lolo Roy, Auntie Heidee). It makes me happy to know that baby #2 is being so loved already before she's even born! I was a bit worried that she would be neglected since Alana was born so recently but it hasn't been that way at all. Both families are extremely excited and it makes me happy.

Here are the pictures from the day. Enjoy!!!