The Circus

We took Savannah to the circus today and she loved it! Although I didn't take a lot of pictures, her face was priceless during a lot of the show. I think her favorite part was watching trapeze women as she kept calling them princesses. Dave and I both enjoyed it, even though it had tons of filler that could have been omitted. It was a fun outing for a Saturday and further proved to us that Savannah is almost potty trained . . . no accidents in panties for the circus! :)

As for an update on the mysteries, I did end up taking Savannah to see Dr.Baker yesterday afternoon. The nurse that I talked to on the phone said she needed to be seen soon and it was fortunate for us that Dr.Baker actually had an opening so we took it. He assured me that she would not just stop breathing for good. According to him, our bodies have several "security features" that serve as back ups when one thing stops working. Whew! He said it sounded like a form of sleep apnea so off we go to a sleep specialist next week. Just pray that we don't have any more scary episodes as they are no fun!!

It's All A Mystery

Savannah was having these crazy breathing spells at 5:00 this morning where she seemed to be gasping for air and then wheezing, all of which was loud enough to wake me up over the baby monitor. It would stop for a few minutes and then start again, so after a few episodes I decided to go in and try to soothe her to see if she would go back to breathing normally. Well she did return to normal, but only because she woke up. Any ideas what could be causing this? It happens about twice a month or so and is REALLY scary. That's mystery #1.

The second mystery is that when she did get up, she was fully dressed in her footed pajamas (yes, we're back to wearing feet in our pjs) but didn't have on any panties or a diaper. I know that she can get out of the pajamas, but I can almost know for sure that she can't put them on herself, zip them up, and snap them at the top. So either she is a genius and has figured out how to undress herself in the middle of the night, remove her pull up, and put her clothes back on OR we put her to bed without a pull up. Hum?? The stranger thing is that nothing was wet. Not the pajamas, sheets, or anything seemed to be the slightest bit wet. How in the world??

Finally, the last mystery of the day is why in the world Mecklenburg county is considering offering domestic partner benefits when we're already not going to have enough money for the budget. Sorry, I don't ever talk politics, but when I saw this in the paper this morning it made my blood boil!

Any insights from my loyal readers??

The Beach

This morning Savannah woke up saying "I go beach with Grammy and Papa". I figured Dave had just casually mentioned that we were planning to go to Hilton Head in a few months with them and tried to ignore the statement hoping to avoid any whining. Our little girl has no concept of time so if we tell her we're going to the beach in a few months, she wants to go TODAY! Anyway, the conversation didn't end. "We ride bicycles and daddy pull me in my special seat" she continued. Well after a few more sentences about going to the beach she finally let it drop . . . at least until after nap time. When she woke up this afternoon from her nap she started again "I need wear bathing suit at beach." I tried to explain that it was cold and that she couldn't put on her swimsuit, but she just wasn't buying it. So for the next 10 minutes or so she stood in her closet, crying, pointing to her bathing suits. Oh Savannah, I wish we were at the beach, but that will have to wait.

As a side note, potty training is going well. Although she did have an accident at WEE school yesterday, today she has been perfect. It was our first venture out to My Gym and the grocery store in panties and she stayed completely dry! Awesome! We're still working on the poops, but I'll take what I can get for now. Way to go Savannah!!

Day #2 SUCCESS!

Today has been amazing! Although Savannah did wear a pull up for church this morning (which was only slightly damp afterwards), other than that she has been in panties and had ZERO accidents! We have seen such a huge improvement from yesterday. Today when we ask her if she needs to potty she will say yes or no, yesterday it was always yes and most of the time nothing would happen. Today we've only had one time of sitting on the potty with nothing happening and that was because I made her sit on the potty after her nap. WOW! I just pray this continues tomorrow when I'm doing this solo!

Potty Training Day #1

We decided to start potty training today since we had nowhere in particular to go. I have no clue how many times Savannah tinkled on the potty, as I lost count somewhere after 15. We had 5 accidents (1 nasty one) but thankfully nothing was bad enough to hit the floor. I went to Target and bought another potty for downstairs so now we're set. Hopefully tomorrow will go as smoothly, if not better, than today.

As a side note, a huge thank you goes out to my wonderful husband who not only helped with most of the wet pants, but also entertained Savannah for most of the day today! They played Go Fish this morning, worked out together, played outside lots, and who knows what else she convinced daddy to do. I'm saving up energy for next week when I have to do all of the potty training myself! Let the loads of laundry begin . . .

Potty Training is the Pitts!

Okay so maybe I just woke up on the wrong side of the bed at the wrong time (too early), but Savannah is making me CRAZY today. I'm not sure we're ready to be doing this potty training business because it is making me insane. Every morning she wakes up saying she needs to pee pee. I rush in and take her to potty (which she is capable of doing by herself) and for the past two mornings, nothing happens. Then for the next 4 hours she says she has to go potty at least 20 times an hour. We go at least 4 of those times each hour and maybe, just maybe, once she will actually potty. WHAT IS GOING ON???

Then we're in the middle of story time at the library and of course she has to go again "mommy, I need to potty" she whispers during the story. Great. I'm not supposed to be lifting her, but what else can I do in a bathroom that is totally not kid friendly? She actually went potty so we try our best to wash our hands and dry (without papertowels) them well only to head back into story time where not 1 minute later she again says "I need to potty" and is holding her bottom. This is ridiculous. Is she really ready? All the time while she has a wet pull up. HELP!!

Exciting Times!!!

Savannah woke up bright and early today shortly before 7am crying "mommy, peas come. I pee pee." Thinking that she had once again wet the bed through her nighttime pull up I have to say that I was a little reluctant to put down my Bible study and head upstairs to get her out of bed. I tried to wait a little bit thinking she might fall back to sleep (bad mommy, I know), but then I thought about how cold she must be sitting in a soaking wet pull up and PJs so I went upstairs to get her. When I opened her door she says, "mommy I need go pee pee!" OHHHHH, sorry Savannah! She actually had not wet the bed but was trying to tell me that she needed help to go pee on the potty! WOW!!!

Now we've had days where she would potty one time on the potty, or at best twice, so I never imagined that she would continue to tell me today that she needed to potty. We were in the middle of My Gym class and she suddenly said "I need go potty" so we rushed to the bathroom and once again she pee peed on the potty! I cannot believe it! Even once we were home getting ready for nap time she went on the potty AGAIN!! Maybe it's just my lucky day, or maybe it really does happen overnight, but either way I'm super excited! Way to go Savannah!!!

To make my day even better I realized that UPS had delivered a package while we were gone. It was our baby boy's first full outfit!! My precious friend Jennifer who lives in Wilmington sent us this adorable outfit! THANKS Jennifer, I LOVE IT!!

First Time in the Snow!!

Although I was sad to hear that WEE school was cancelled today, Savannah and I made the most of a beautiful snow day! The first thing she said when she woke up is "where is the snowman?" I tried to explain that we had to go outside and make a snowman. So, finally after listening to her talk about the snow for a few hours we bundled up (and I mean bundled up) and headed out. I quickly discovered that it is quite complicated to take pictures, use the video camera, and try to play all at the same time. After only about 20 minutes she was ready to "go inside" and we decided that a snow day would be much more fun with daddy home! It was fun to see her reaction though.

She was so cute in her snow suit!

Here is my puny snowman . . . sorry Savannah!

It's a . . .

Sorry this picture is blurry, but I haven't figured out the scanner we got for Christmas just yet. Anyway, it's a picture of our perfectly healthy baby sucking his thumb!

It's a BOY!!!!

We are so blessed that everything looks perfectly healthy with our little boy. The ultrasound technician said it appears he wasn't bothered at all by the surgery. Praise the Lord! Now we just have to work on names. Whew!

When we told Savannah this afternoon that she was going to have a brother she jumped up and down and yelled "yeah!" She then looked up at us and said "maybe I still get sister." Sorry Savannah, that ain't happening, but hopefully you'll love your little baby brother!

Grateful

This past week has given me an entirely new perspective on just how big my God is. I've always known that He has a plan, is in control, and knows the outcome of each and every situation before it happens, but this week I have experienced God in an entirely new way. As I sit today in a quiet house, still sore, but feeling much better than I did even yesterday, I've had some time to reflect on some of the ways He has provided for our family . . . ways bigger than I ever imagined.


* The night before surgery was a little restless to say the least. However, each time I woke up the following chorus was running through my mind "I will fear no evil, for my God is with me. And if my God is with me, who then shall I fear? Oh, no You never let go, through the calm and through the storm. Lord you never let go of me." Just the words to put me right back to sleep.

* The day of surgery I was sitting in the waiting room waiting for the nurse to come and start my preparation when I noticed that we were sitting directly across from the Hemby children's Center locked door. Was this the door where the angel appeared just a few weeks ago? I'm not sure, but somehow I had a little extra comfort knowing that there were angels completely surrounding me.

* After getting dressed in my lovely purple hospital gown I was taken to a room to wait for another nurse to get some more pre-surgery info. Next to me was another lady waiting for surgery as well. Her nurse was not so nice, nor were the things that she had to endure before being taken to the holding area. I prayed hard for a nice nurse and that I wouldn't have to have the same shots and preparations this lady was having. Thankfully, I was wheeled out before her with not even one stick by a super sweet nurse!

* In the holding area right before surgery, I was moved ahead of about 5 other people waiting for surgery. Immediately the anesthesiologist, who was super calming, came over and started asking me a ton of medical questions. Before I even knew it, my IV was started and I met Christy, the anesthesiologist's assistant, who stayed by my side the entire process. She was probably the one person responsible for keeping me calm as we rolled into the operating room and waited for about a half hour. Christy and I quickly realized that we were the same age and had lots in common which gave us plenty of stuff to talk about while waiting. No tears this time, the last thing I remember is her saying okay, here comes the good stuff, take two deep breaths.

* After surgery, although things were extremely painful, we soon knew that the baby was okay and once settled into my room I had some of the best nurses in the world!

If that isn't enough to be grateful for, here's how my family, friends, and church made me even more grateful.

* My mom and Dave's mom travelled long distances to take turns with Savannah. They were awesome and pitched right in with daily tasks as well as taking care of Savannah. Boy did she eat up that time with granny and grammy!

* Friends prayed, called, visited, brought meals (and are still bringing them), and sent cards to help me feel loved and cared for during this time.

* Our church sent flowers, a pastor to visit, and even called a couple of times to check on us. Not to mention the many prayers that were said on our behalf.

Then there's the icing on the cake.

* I'm healing more and more each day and am able to bend a little further too. This is happening way faster that I ever imagined it would while I was in the hospital.

* My RINGS FIT!! I haven't been able to wear my wedding band or engagement ring since probably late November and they slid right onto my finger today!

I'm sure the list could go on and on, but the point is that I'm super grateful. Grateful for a God who is bigger than any worry, fear, frustration, or issue I may have. So now that I'm on the other side of the dreaded surgery, I can honestly say I'm grateful for this experience. Thank you Lord for the lessons learned . . . I pray that they carry me through the rest of this pregnancy and beyond.

Home at Last!

I'm finally home!! It feels so good to be in my own house with my own shower, couch, pillow, etc. and of course Dave and Savannah too. I have to say that I was a little disappointed that Savannah wasn't more excited to see me, but then again, it's nice knowing she doesn't mind me being gone . . . vacation here we come!!!! Seriously though, I know it's because she has been so well taken care of by my mom, Dave's mom, and of course Miss Heather too.

The pain is much improved, although not gone, but I'm trying to manage without any further medication. The excitement of Tuesday (when we find out the sex of the baby) is keeping me excited about next week when all of our help is gone. Dave's mom is here now and Savannah is still LOVING all of the attention. She is simply not going to know what to do when her granny and grammy are gone. Please just keep praying for a speedy recovery so I can get back to a semi-normal routine.

I'm Going Home

It's sort of official . . . the doctor said that once I met the checklist (and I have) I could go home and that it would be today . . . so now I wait. Dave is stuck at home with Savannah asleep, I'm stuck here at the hospital waiting for my doctor to come back and write discharge orders, Dave's mom is stuck at the airport waiting for her plane, and Heather is stuck at her house waiting to know which direction to go!

All I can say is Praise the Lord that we have so many willing people to help out! The end is in sight!

Still Recovering

Well, I'd love to say that I'm comfortably recovering at home, but that just isn't the case quite yet. There are a few things that my body still hasn't done (those of you who have had abdominal surgery in the past know what these are) and until these things happen I can't leave. Although the nurses keep saying that the normal stay for surgery like mine is 3 nights, Dr. Fletcher assured me that they would do their best to get me out of here by lunch today. YIPPEE!

The pain is much better and I'm learning to love eating plain soup, as it is a step up from the nasty broth they served for the first two days. Savannah seems to be doing well and loved having her granny here for 3 days. Dave even said she requested to have granny do her bath last night. Who knows what kind of things they got into, but I do know that I am super thankful for my mom's help in keeping Savannah busy and taking good care of her.

Off to shower! Thanks again for all of the continued prayers!

Recovery

I just want to send out a huge thank you to all of my friends and family for the constant prayers over the past two days. God has been amazingly good and has provided for even the smallest details. I was quite nervous yesterday, but through some great nurses was able to feel rather calm right up until they said "take two deep breaths" as then I was out!

According to my doctor things went really well, although not quite what we expected. Originally we thought that the huge cyst was on the left ovary and that I could possibly lose the ovary due to the size of the cyst. However, after opening me up, what they found was that the cyst (which ended up being the size of a closed fist) was on the right ovary - the same ovary that had a cyst removed back in 2002. For this reason, my doctor removed the right ovary. She also found a smaller cyst on the left ovary, but was able to drain it and fully remove the entire cyst wall meaning that the left ovary could stay. That was probably way too much information.

For now, the prayer continues to be for a decrease in pain. They are removing the pain pump this morning and will switch me to pain pills that will hopefully work just as well. The biggest pain comes from taking deep breaths, not from the incision. I have to get up in a little bit and start walking around so that may add to the pain. Please just keep praying for me and this precious baby. Hopefully we'll return home tomorrow . . . but recovery is 6-8 weeks as I was told yesterday. :(

Surgery Preparations

Well, I think I'm just about ready to head off to surgery. My bag is packed, I've written 4 legal pages of instructions for the mothers who will be here over the next 5 days to care for Savannah, caught up the laundry and dishes, instructed Dave on dinners for the next few days, Savannah's lunch is ready for WEE school, I've gathered some magazines to keep me busy, charged the laptop and cell phone, said good night to Savannah for a few days, washed in my special body soap from the hospital (boy was that a treat) and have reviewed my list of no's for the morning:

• NO jewelry
• NO hairbands
• NO finger nail polish
• NO makeup
• NO food or drink
• NO contacts (I plan to break this one)
• NO personal items
• YES to clean clothes - it was on the list!!

Although I am still quite anxious about everything, I have already felt the prayers of our many friends and family. Through these prayers I have been able to hold it together today for a really fun day with Savannah. Plus, it helps that my husband doesn't seem worried at all. I think the fact that we have to get up at 4am is the worst part for him. I praise the Lord for a husband who is so strong and so NOT a worrier! Hopefully the next time I update this blog I'll be comfortably recovering from a successful surgery with a baby still healthy as can be. Until then, keep on praying! :)