Please keep my friend Nina in your prayers in the weeks to come. She is pregnant with her second child--a little boy they will name Lukas. She will be induced on Tuesday, November 23rd (unless he comes before then).
Halfway through her pregnancy or so, Nina noticed a lump on her thyroid. When she had it checked out, the doctors determined that the growth was cancerous, and that her entire thyroid would need to be removed shortly after the baby was born. So she will be induced this week, and will then have the surgery to remove the thyroid on December 9th.
Once the thyroid and the cancer is removed, the prognosis is pretty good. She and the baby have been monitored, and it does not sound like this has hurt Lukas at all. But I can imagine that it would be rather overwhelming to know that you're going to face surgery just over two weeks after giving birth. And it's always concerning to hear the words "cancer" and "surgery"--even if the prognosis is good.
Nina has been a great friend and support to me through our journey. Having faced some similar struggles, she has been really understanding. She has a great husband, and a beautiful three-year old little girl. Please keep their little family in your prayers in these next couple weeks as she gives birth, prepares for surgery, and then recovers.
Today's blessing is my brothers. As I mentioned yesterday, today is both of their birthdays. I love them both very dearly, and I'm so glad that they are part of my life. I admit that I was a rather bossy big sister when we were growing up, but I do pray that God has helped me to become a better sister in the last couple of years as I began to appreciate my family more and more.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Birthday Celebrations
Yesterday was my Boppy's (my grandpa's) birthday. Today is my Sister-in-Law's birthday. Tomorrow is both of my brothers' birthdays (yes, they have the same birthday...no, they are not twins). And Wednesday is my Dad's (now Ella's "Boppy") birthday.
I admit that I've been so caught up in caring for Ella that I neglected to send cards or gifts. I will get to see my Dad and one of my brothers over Thanksgiving when they came to visit, and I sent my Sister-in-Law a text-picture of Ella with a sign that said "Happy Birthday Aunt Heidi". Oh well...I'm sure that they understand.
Today's blessing was watching my husband really step it up today in caring for Ella. He loves playing with her when she's happy...but he tries to hand her off to me when she gets fussy. Sure, I could "rescue" him each time...but I need him to be the care-giver that I know that he can be. So I gave him some pointers entrusted her to his care. Sure enough, he stepped it up big time, and even exceeded my expectations! He also effortlessly introduced a bottle to her for the first time! He was so proud of her, which makes me so proud of him. I really am blessed with this partner that God has given me, and Ella is equally blessed to have him as her Daddy.
I admit that I've been so caught up in caring for Ella that I neglected to send cards or gifts. I will get to see my Dad and one of my brothers over Thanksgiving when they came to visit, and I sent my Sister-in-Law a text-picture of Ella with a sign that said "Happy Birthday Aunt Heidi". Oh well...I'm sure that they understand.
Today's blessing was watching my husband really step it up today in caring for Ella. He loves playing with her when she's happy...but he tries to hand her off to me when she gets fussy. Sure, I could "rescue" him each time...but I need him to be the care-giver that I know that he can be. So I gave him some pointers entrusted her to his care. Sure enough, he stepped it up big time, and even exceeded my expectations! He also effortlessly introduced a bottle to her for the first time! He was so proud of her, which makes me so proud of him. I really am blessed with this partner that God has given me, and Ella is equally blessed to have him as her Daddy.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Office Visit
I brought Ella into my office for the first time yesterday. Aside from her little announcement that she was hungry about halfway through our visit, she was fabulous. It took her a moment to warm up to having so many people want to see her, and I'm sure that the florescent lights probably didn't help either. But soon enough, she was smiling and cooing for everyone. While they IT guy updated my computer, she was perfectly content to just happily squirm on a blanket on the floor in my office, much to my delight. Many people commented on how happy and content she was, which made me really proud of her (and myself).
The main purpose behind going in to the office was to attend a going-away party for a colleague who I really admire and respect, and will deeply miss when I return. She has been with our college for 12 years, and is quite popular, so plenty of people were in attendance to wish her farewell and good luck. I put Ella in the Baby Bjorn (which this colleague actually handed down to us, along with so many other helpful and thoughtful baby items), and she conked out and slept through most of the commotion. She woke up--happy--when everyone quieted down for the "good-bye" part of the party, but patiently waited till it was time to head out. Again, I was really proud of her for being so well behaved! I was a little worried that she might have a meltdown and ruin the party, but all my worrying was for naught.
It really was nice to visit with all of my colleagues again. I know that I'm good at my job, so I do feel like I am contributing to society (or at least the university) through my work with my students...but like I said previously, I'm still dreading leaving Ella and going back to work. At least it's nice to know that I'm missed and they will appreciate having me back when I do return in January.
It was such a blessing to attend the party and celebrate the 12 years that this colleague has contributed to our college. She brought so much joy and energy to our office, and she will really be missed. But she is leaving to pursue her dream of being a nurse, and I couldn't be more proud of her for listening to her heart. I know that she will be wonderful in her new role.
The main purpose behind going in to the office was to attend a going-away party for a colleague who I really admire and respect, and will deeply miss when I return. She has been with our college for 12 years, and is quite popular, so plenty of people were in attendance to wish her farewell and good luck. I put Ella in the Baby Bjorn (which this colleague actually handed down to us, along with so many other helpful and thoughtful baby items), and she conked out and slept through most of the commotion. She woke up--happy--when everyone quieted down for the "good-bye" part of the party, but patiently waited till it was time to head out. Again, I was really proud of her for being so well behaved! I was a little worried that she might have a meltdown and ruin the party, but all my worrying was for naught.
It really was nice to visit with all of my colleagues again. I know that I'm good at my job, so I do feel like I am contributing to society (or at least the university) through my work with my students...but like I said previously, I'm still dreading leaving Ella and going back to work. At least it's nice to know that I'm missed and they will appreciate having me back when I do return in January.
It was such a blessing to attend the party and celebrate the 12 years that this colleague has contributed to our college. She brought so much joy and energy to our office, and she will really be missed. But she is leaving to pursue her dream of being a nurse, and I couldn't be more proud of her for listening to her heart. I know that she will be wonderful in her new role.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
100
For the most part, I've done a really good job of not doing any work while I've been on maternity leave. To be honest, it takes more time to care for Ella than I had originally imagined. Prior to bringing her home, I think I had these grand illusions of having all sorts of free time. Yeah...that hasn't happened.
I've really tried to make a conscientious effort to leave work at the office, but I admit that I couldn't totally ignore it. I missed out on my students' registration time, and even though I had an out-of-office auto-reply on my email to explain that I was out and to provide them with their other options, I still worried about them. So all along, I've been logging into my email every other day or so to forward any necessary student emails on to the appropriate advisor (and to delete spam). But there were plenty of other "keep for later" emails that I left on the server. Oh--and I should mention that I was just checking my email remotely online through our home computer--my work laptop has stayed stashed away in the corner since I brought it home in late September (aren't you proud of me!?!?). Well, I got an email yesterday from our IT department explaining that they need to do some sort of conversion for our whole college, and they gave us some different dates and times of when we needed to schedule an appointment. Turns out that they are available tomorrow, and I'll actually be heading into the office to attend a going-away party for my colleague who I really admire and appreciate. So I figured it was about time to pull out my work laptop, see if I could remember the password, and download the remaining "keep for later" emails.
Perhaps I should have done this earlier...because I had 100 "keep for later" emails. 100! And like I said, I've already forwarded the student question emails and deleted all of the spam emails. Granted, I'm on a couple of listservs that don't necessarily know that I'm on maternity leave--I can delete some of those emails, but others I'll need to keep. And that information will still apply to me, so I feel like I'll have a pretty big learning curve when I go back to work in January. I'm afraid I'm going to be playing catch-up for a couple of days...if not weeks! I guess it's a good thing that I go back on January 3rd but classes don't get started until a week or so later. (How I dread leaving Ella to go back to work!!)
I'd like to say that I'm going to be more consistent about checking my email to avoid another 100 emails, but I'm pretty sure that's not going to happen. After getting my computer updated tomorrow, something tells me that it will go back to its little corner and stay there until January. And why not? Ella deserves to have me focus on her as much as possible while I can. (I don't know how I'm going to balance it all out when I go back to work...but that's a problem for another day.)
Today's blessings is my OB/GYN. I had my postpartum follow-up appointment with her today, and got the all-clear to return to regular activities. She really was so good to us throughout the entire pregnancy, delivery, and even came by to check on me after my return trip to the hospital. As we said our goodbyes, she said "Well let's do this again sometime!". We'll focus on Ella for now, but I sure hope that we do have the chance to do this again in the relatively near future.
I've really tried to make a conscientious effort to leave work at the office, but I admit that I couldn't totally ignore it. I missed out on my students' registration time, and even though I had an out-of-office auto-reply on my email to explain that I was out and to provide them with their other options, I still worried about them. So all along, I've been logging into my email every other day or so to forward any necessary student emails on to the appropriate advisor (and to delete spam). But there were plenty of other "keep for later" emails that I left on the server. Oh--and I should mention that I was just checking my email remotely online through our home computer--my work laptop has stayed stashed away in the corner since I brought it home in late September (aren't you proud of me!?!?). Well, I got an email yesterday from our IT department explaining that they need to do some sort of conversion for our whole college, and they gave us some different dates and times of when we needed to schedule an appointment. Turns out that they are available tomorrow, and I'll actually be heading into the office to attend a going-away party for my colleague who I really admire and appreciate. So I figured it was about time to pull out my work laptop, see if I could remember the password, and download the remaining "keep for later" emails.
Perhaps I should have done this earlier...because I had 100 "keep for later" emails. 100! And like I said, I've already forwarded the student question emails and deleted all of the spam emails. Granted, I'm on a couple of listservs that don't necessarily know that I'm on maternity leave--I can delete some of those emails, but others I'll need to keep. And that information will still apply to me, so I feel like I'll have a pretty big learning curve when I go back to work in January. I'm afraid I'm going to be playing catch-up for a couple of days...if not weeks! I guess it's a good thing that I go back on January 3rd but classes don't get started until a week or so later. (How I dread leaving Ella to go back to work!!)
I'd like to say that I'm going to be more consistent about checking my email to avoid another 100 emails, but I'm pretty sure that's not going to happen. After getting my computer updated tomorrow, something tells me that it will go back to its little corner and stay there until January. And why not? Ella deserves to have me focus on her as much as possible while I can. (I don't know how I'm going to balance it all out when I go back to work...but that's a problem for another day.)
Today's blessings is my OB/GYN. I had my postpartum follow-up appointment with her today, and got the all-clear to return to regular activities. She really was so good to us throughout the entire pregnancy, delivery, and even came by to check on me after my return trip to the hospital. As we said our goodbyes, she said "Well let's do this again sometime!". We'll focus on Ella for now, but I sure hope that we do have the chance to do this again in the relatively near future.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
New Appreciation
I have developed a new appreciation for mothers of twins.
My very-dear friend's son will be five weeks old tomorrow. She and her husband are in their very busy season of finishing up med school and interviewing all over the place for their upcoming residencies. I know that they are juggling a lot, and I have the luxury of staying at home and doing nothing with Ella (and "nothing" actually turns out to be quite a lot!), so I offered to try to help out today. Since she pulled an all-nighter last night at the library and left her husband home with bottles, she took me up on the offer so that she could first sleep, and then study.
I arrived around 9:30 am (it really was the earliest I could be there--getting myself and Ella ready and out the door is proving to be more time-consuming than I imagined), and her son, Silas, was fed, wide awake, and happy. Ella, on the other hand, was ready to eat again. So I sent my very-dear friend to bed, fed Ella, and entertained Silas to the best of my abilities in his bouncer. When Ella finished up, she was more than happy to check out Silas and all of his toys. Aside from a few little squawks from each of them, I was able to avoid any complete meltdowns, and miraculously was able to get each baby to sleep for a little bit, thus allowing my very-dear friend to get in a much needed nap.
When everyone woke up, we all ate, and my very-dear friend headed to the library to finish up a project. Again, both babies were happy. I'd like to think that they were curious in each other, but really--that probably won't happen for another fifteen years or so. We joke that it would be great if they did grow up and fall in love, but we'll just let them be "best buddies" for now. Here they are..happy as can be:
(Did I mention that Silas is just about two weeks younger than Ella...and yet he's so much bigger!)
And then, not even two minutes after I snapped the picture, it all fell apart. I heard a big poop from Silas, and knew it was the type that would require some changing. My very-dear friend had mentioned that he needed a bath, so I had planned on trying to cover that for her to make her life easier. Ella was really content at that time, so I put her in his bouncer, brought the hangy-toy within reach, and headed upstairs with Silas to change and hopefully bathe him. On the way to the nursery, I started the water to get it warm enough for a quick bath. By the time I had the dirty diaper off, I could hear Ella crying from downstairs. So I decided to forego the bath efforts, and headed back down. Halfway down the stairs, I hear a knock at the door, and am pleased to see that it's the parents of my very-dear friend. So with Ella crying, I hand over their grandson and go to console Ella...only to find that Silas' bouncer has the same effect as our bouncer at home: major diaper blow-out. So there I am with my screaming and poopy baby in front of my very-dear friends parents, looking totally incompetent. But they were wonderfully understanding, and were more than happy to take over the care of Silas--who, even without the bath, was much cleaner than poor Ella. So even though I had intended to bathe Silas for my very-dear friend, it was Ella who ended up getting the bath. By the time that I had her, the bouncer, and myself cleaned up, Ella was fast asleep and my very-dear friend was home to feed Silas.
What a day! I didn't leave her house until almost 4:00 pm, so really, the first five hours were great! It was just that five minutes of chaos when first one baby, then the other baby, decided to poop. I joked with the parents that I don't know if they came at the absolutely best time, or the absolute worst! All I know is that I have a whole new appreciation for mothers of multiples, and I'm glad to be home where I can devote all of my time and energy on Ella.
Even though I didn't get my own nap in, it was still such a blessing to be able to hang out with my very-dear friend while we fed the babies and catch up with her. She and her husband--and now Silas--are a great source of fun and support to my husband and me--and now Ella. We truly are blessed to have them in our lives, and it was also a blessing to be able to help her out a bit today.
My very-dear friend's son will be five weeks old tomorrow. She and her husband are in their very busy season of finishing up med school and interviewing all over the place for their upcoming residencies. I know that they are juggling a lot, and I have the luxury of staying at home and doing nothing with Ella (and "nothing" actually turns out to be quite a lot!), so I offered to try to help out today. Since she pulled an all-nighter last night at the library and left her husband home with bottles, she took me up on the offer so that she could first sleep, and then study.
I arrived around 9:30 am (it really was the earliest I could be there--getting myself and Ella ready and out the door is proving to be more time-consuming than I imagined), and her son, Silas, was fed, wide awake, and happy. Ella, on the other hand, was ready to eat again. So I sent my very-dear friend to bed, fed Ella, and entertained Silas to the best of my abilities in his bouncer. When Ella finished up, she was more than happy to check out Silas and all of his toys. Aside from a few little squawks from each of them, I was able to avoid any complete meltdowns, and miraculously was able to get each baby to sleep for a little bit, thus allowing my very-dear friend to get in a much needed nap.
When everyone woke up, we all ate, and my very-dear friend headed to the library to finish up a project. Again, both babies were happy. I'd like to think that they were curious in each other, but really--that probably won't happen for another fifteen years or so. We joke that it would be great if they did grow up and fall in love, but we'll just let them be "best buddies" for now. Here they are..happy as can be:
And then, not even two minutes after I snapped the picture, it all fell apart. I heard a big poop from Silas, and knew it was the type that would require some changing. My very-dear friend had mentioned that he needed a bath, so I had planned on trying to cover that for her to make her life easier. Ella was really content at that time, so I put her in his bouncer, brought the hangy-toy within reach, and headed upstairs with Silas to change and hopefully bathe him. On the way to the nursery, I started the water to get it warm enough for a quick bath. By the time I had the dirty diaper off, I could hear Ella crying from downstairs. So I decided to forego the bath efforts, and headed back down. Halfway down the stairs, I hear a knock at the door, and am pleased to see that it's the parents of my very-dear friend. So with Ella crying, I hand over their grandson and go to console Ella...only to find that Silas' bouncer has the same effect as our bouncer at home: major diaper blow-out. So there I am with my screaming and poopy baby in front of my very-dear friends parents, looking totally incompetent. But they were wonderfully understanding, and were more than happy to take over the care of Silas--who, even without the bath, was much cleaner than poor Ella. So even though I had intended to bathe Silas for my very-dear friend, it was Ella who ended up getting the bath. By the time that I had her, the bouncer, and myself cleaned up, Ella was fast asleep and my very-dear friend was home to feed Silas.
What a day! I didn't leave her house until almost 4:00 pm, so really, the first five hours were great! It was just that five minutes of chaos when first one baby, then the other baby, decided to poop. I joked with the parents that I don't know if they came at the absolutely best time, or the absolute worst! All I know is that I have a whole new appreciation for mothers of multiples, and I'm glad to be home where I can devote all of my time and energy on Ella.
Even though I didn't get my own nap in, it was still such a blessing to be able to hang out with my very-dear friend while we fed the babies and catch up with her. She and her husband--and now Silas--are a great source of fun and support to my husband and me--and now Ella. We truly are blessed to have them in our lives, and it was also a blessing to be able to help her out a bit today.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Ella's Accomplishments
As I was formulating this post in my head, it dawned on me that I had written a post about around this time last year about all of my accomplishments while my husband was in Djibouti. Then when I went back to find the link, I realized that it was exactly one year ago--November 15th--that I had reflected on all that I had done while he was out of the country. And what a year it has been! But back to Ella and her accomplishments...
She doesn't like her tummy-time all that much, so she quickly discovered (at about 2-1/2 weeks) that she could roll over from her tummy back to the comfort of her back. The first time, I figured it was just an "accident", but she did it three times that first night. I think that she often forgets that she can accomplish this maneuver, because she doesn't do it every time, but she has started to do it more and more regularly. My husband finally got to witness it for the first time this morning as well.
Everyone has been really impressed with her neck strength and head stability since pretty much the day that she was born. When she is up on my shoulder, she usually has her head up and looking around. Our favorite pediatrician noticed this as well at one of her early appointments. I'm still careful to support her, just in case she tilts her head back just a little too far, but it's great to see her looking around so much.
Speaking of looking around, she has really become so much more alert in the last couple of weeks. She makes amazing eye contact--and usually smiles and coos when she does. She's also starting to notice other objects--like the toys hanging from her activity mat or bouncer--which is great for me, because she's starting to entertain herself for longer periods at a time so that I can prepare a meal, eat, clean up around the house...or get in a dreaded pumping session.
She has become so much more audible. I came into the living room on Saturday morning to see my husband on the ground singing our fight song to her, and she was just cooing along with him. It was so sweet! And her little giggles are just as sweet. I heard the first one a week or so ago when I was putting her to sleep, and it totally warmed my heart.
Ah...sleep. No, she's most definitely not at the "sleeping through the night" phase yet (and I admit that I think that we have a ways to go before we get there...we're at the five-hour mark for now). But she is learning how to fall asleep in the cradle with only a little bit of help. We stopped swaddling her at around three weeks--mainly because she likes to have her arms free. Even when I swaddled her up as tight as I comfortably could, she still found a way to bust her arms out and stretch them above her head. So now we just make sure that she's warm enough in foot-pajamas and cover her up with a blanket. By placing my hand on her chest and singing to her or "sh-sh-sh-ing", she can usually (I admit it's not always) fall asleep within a few minutes (perhaps this is as much of an accomplishment for me as it is for her--it feels so good to know that I can usually find a way to comfort her and help her fall peacefully to sleep).
Now for a not-so-fun trick...I previously shared that she has a knack for peeing or pooping in that half-second between when I take the old diaper off and put the new diaper on. We have three changing pad covers, and it's not uncommon for us to go through all three in one week. Perhaps I'm a bad mother, but I've gotten to the point that if it's not too wet or too dirty, that I'll just turn the cover inside-out and make use of the clean(er) side in case it happens again (I know...I'm so bad!). But her talent isn't restricted to the changing pad. Oh no! She is also really great about having a blow-out diaper in the swing, car seat, or bouncer immediately after I've reassembled them after getting them out of the laundry for yet another blow-out. I think it must be something about that semi-reclined position that just opens up her bowels.
I know that there will be so many more little and big accomplishments in the days, weeks, months, and years to come. Good and bad, it's so amazing to see her grow and develop. There is so much more to which I'm looking forward!
Today's blessing is a quiet day at home with her. I'll be heading into town Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for various commitments, so it will be nice to just hang out around the house with her today.
She doesn't like her tummy-time all that much, so she quickly discovered (at about 2-1/2 weeks) that she could roll over from her tummy back to the comfort of her back. The first time, I figured it was just an "accident", but she did it three times that first night. I think that she often forgets that she can accomplish this maneuver, because she doesn't do it every time, but she has started to do it more and more regularly. My husband finally got to witness it for the first time this morning as well.
Everyone has been really impressed with her neck strength and head stability since pretty much the day that she was born. When she is up on my shoulder, she usually has her head up and looking around. Our favorite pediatrician noticed this as well at one of her early appointments. I'm still careful to support her, just in case she tilts her head back just a little too far, but it's great to see her looking around so much.
Speaking of looking around, she has really become so much more alert in the last couple of weeks. She makes amazing eye contact--and usually smiles and coos when she does. She's also starting to notice other objects--like the toys hanging from her activity mat or bouncer--which is great for me, because she's starting to entertain herself for longer periods at a time so that I can prepare a meal, eat, clean up around the house...or get in a dreaded pumping session.
She has become so much more audible. I came into the living room on Saturday morning to see my husband on the ground singing our fight song to her, and she was just cooing along with him. It was so sweet! And her little giggles are just as sweet. I heard the first one a week or so ago when I was putting her to sleep, and it totally warmed my heart.
Ah...sleep. No, she's most definitely not at the "sleeping through the night" phase yet (and I admit that I think that we have a ways to go before we get there...we're at the five-hour mark for now). But she is learning how to fall asleep in the cradle with only a little bit of help. We stopped swaddling her at around three weeks--mainly because she likes to have her arms free. Even when I swaddled her up as tight as I comfortably could, she still found a way to bust her arms out and stretch them above her head. So now we just make sure that she's warm enough in foot-pajamas and cover her up with a blanket. By placing my hand on her chest and singing to her or "sh-sh-sh-ing", she can usually (I admit it's not always) fall asleep within a few minutes (perhaps this is as much of an accomplishment for me as it is for her--it feels so good to know that I can usually find a way to comfort her and help her fall peacefully to sleep).
Now for a not-so-fun trick...I previously shared that she has a knack for peeing or pooping in that half-second between when I take the old diaper off and put the new diaper on. We have three changing pad covers, and it's not uncommon for us to go through all three in one week. Perhaps I'm a bad mother, but I've gotten to the point that if it's not too wet or too dirty, that I'll just turn the cover inside-out and make use of the clean(er) side in case it happens again (I know...I'm so bad!). But her talent isn't restricted to the changing pad. Oh no! She is also really great about having a blow-out diaper in the swing, car seat, or bouncer immediately after I've reassembled them after getting them out of the laundry for yet another blow-out. I think it must be something about that semi-reclined position that just opens up her bowels.
I know that there will be so many more little and big accomplishments in the days, weeks, months, and years to come. Good and bad, it's so amazing to see her grow and develop. There is so much more to which I'm looking forward!
Today's blessing is a quiet day at home with her. I'll be heading into town Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for various commitments, so it will be nice to just hang out around the house with her today.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Don't Tell
Don't tell my husband that I played around with his fancy new camera today without his permission...
Today's blessing is a happy and photogenic baby...and a big memory card. I really had fun with her...and I don't think that my husband will mind too much.
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