Curing the Winter Blues

I read back over my last few posts and there is a distinct sound in all of them.

A WHINE

I think I’ve reached that stage of RSV isolation where I’m just stir crazy and whining. The lack of sleep recently as we get through our first teething adventures isn’t helping much either.

Luckily, I have a ton of reports to do for my work from home/work from work 1 day a week job to keep me busy.

Drake was born in February smack dab in the middle of a serious RSV season in our area. We ended up being in isolation until mid-June at our pediatrician’s recommendation, so we only had a very brief time out and about until going back into hiding when October hit.

Today, as the wind blows 30mph and it’s 27 degrees outside is a day for summer dreams!

1. Zoo Trips – Gammy gave us a season pass to the Cincinnati Zoo for Christmas. I love our zoo, and CANNOT WAIT for long summer days visiting all the animals.

2. Vacation – We are determined to at least take a mini 3-4 day trip this summer. ROAD TRIP. We’re operating at about half income with my part-time status, but we should be able to make it happen somehow.

3. Swinging – For his first birthday, we got Drake a toddler swing to hang off our swing frame in the back yard. He loved his infant swing and I can’t wait to introduce him to the joys of flying through the air.

4. March for Babies – Late April is kind of hit or miss in our area. I’m hopeful it will be a beautiful spring day and we can participate in our first March for Babies as a family. It takes place a day after the anniversary of our original due date. A poignant reminder.

Happy, Healthy cold/flu/RSV season to all! I hope your summer dreams are just as sweet.

 

Home Stretch to B-Day

I can’t bring myself to order the birthday supplies. It’s 22 days to Drake’s birthday. We’ve picked out the perfect decorations, cake and tableware. It was fun to do so, but I just can’t make myself check out and pay.

We’ve agreed to a small gathering at Gammy’s (hubby’s mom) house of only great aunts & uncles so about 7 people including us. Adults only as we’re in RSV isolation still.

He is so amazing. He deserves his journey of the past year to be celebrated with unwavering joy. The timeline of memories leading up to Drake’s premature birth are painful and/or guilt inducing ones.

On this day last year, I found out my Granny was dying of perforated bowel. She was 93 and suffering from advanced dementia.  She died on the day of my baby  shower February 5, 2012.  I wasn’t able to travel for the funeral as I was already classified as high risk. Knowing now that I had Drake 15 days later, I’m so glad I followed that medical advice. 15 days is the difference between a 27-28 weeker versus a 30+2 weeker. What I did experience was hysterical grief. I loved my grandmother, and not being able to say goodbye on my own terms plus pregnancy hormones was an awful combination.

Then the following Friday, I was in a minor car wreck as I lost control in some ice and slid into the car in front of me on the way home from work. Everyone was fine, and my car sustained only minor damage.  I called the doctor right away and they advised me that as long as my kick counts were going ok I could wait to come in at my regular appointment time on Monday. Everything checked out fine. My blood sugar from the Gestational Diabetes was well under control as was my chronic hypertension. I wish I had stayed home that day as my husband asked me to, or left work the hour early I was supposed to.

My appointment to preregister for the hospital was scheduled for 2/20/12 at 1pm. My son was born at 10:09am by emergency cesarean because he was breech and I was 6 cm and 85% effaced.

Some things are foggy whether due to medicine, exhaustion, stress or magnesium. I don’t know.

My darling boy. What an amazing fighter you are.  Mommy is still sorting out getting all the what ifs and if/thens out of my system.

 

20 Years From Now…

We just started our first family team for the March of Dimes March for Babies 2013 walk. We’ll be participating in the Greater Cincinnati/NKY one. So far we have 4 family members/1 good friend and we’re about halfway to our team goal. Yay Team Drake!

One of my husband’s co-workers shared her preemie experience with twins. They are now 20 and in college. They were in the same NICU where Drake had his stay. I love it. Preemie success stories remind you that your hope and dreams for your child’s full life aren’t dashed. That no matter what their struggles may be health or development-wise most likely they have long, full lives ahead of them and so do you.

I’m not a fan of New Year’s resolutions. I tend to forget to track them about 2-3 weeks into the year. I only have one thing I am resolved to accomplish this year. I  WILL TAKE JOY IN MY SON’S JOURNEY.

That’s what this blog is for. It’s for me to “write it all out” and get peace in my heart, mind, and soul so I can be a good mama to this amazing warrior child.

 

 

A NICU Dad

When a NICU mom is born, so is a NICU dad. I have a tendency to forget that my husband had his own experiences with Drake’s birth. Joel at Papas of Preemies reminded me today with an invitation to share our husband’s stories. The new series is called, “Moms Say Thanks,” and I am honored to have shared our story with a guest blog. 

You can find my submission at Papas of Preemies here: MOMS SAY THANKS – A NICU DAD

Thank you for loving us so much.