A Sleeping Kitty

There is a kitty sleeping in his kitty bed next to my chair. He is snoring lightly.

He sounds like Levi.

I'm suddenly feeling very drowsy and could use some snuggles. I wonder if Kiybu would object to my climbing into his bed with him?

Striding Right

We went to the mall today to fill a prescription for Daddy’s glasses. While there, we walked around a bit to let Levi enjoy being out of the house (cabin fever sucks the life out of him). He didn’t want him to play in the tot park in case he was still contagious, so we walked a lot to keep him interested. At one point we walked by Stride Rite and I saw in their window a display of Robeez. I thought Stride Rite was hard soles only, so I dragged them inside to take a look.

The sales associate was very nice and helped us figure out that because he is walking, but isn’t used to shoes, the SRT Step 2s would be excellent for him. They have flexible soles and match the shape of a toddler’s foot very well. We decided to try a pair on and she measured his foot to see where he was at. I thought he was a size 5, but he’s a 6 wide. My jaw dropped! He has size 5s, bought by Grams, at home. No wonder he didn’t like them!

We chose this style and after some initial confusion he really took to them. He enjoyed walking around the mall with Daddy instead of strolling in the stroller. Uh, wait. Maybe that’s not a good thing? ;) The associate was very nice and gave us $5 off since we were “nice and it was our first time” then made sure I saw the survey on the receipt to get me a discount for another $5 off my next purchase. Nice!

They’re pricey, but he’s walking. In shoes. I don’t have to worry about dirty floors ruining socks or cold feet or questionable surfaces. It’s such a nice feeling!

Zoo Trip

We took another leisurely Sunday trip to the zoo today. Levi has really started to notice the animals, even if they don't necessarily keep his interest for very long. It's still super hot (it is Atlanta in August after all), so we didn't stay long.

We stopped at the meerkats, fed some parakeets, got a peek at the baby giraffe and stopped to pet some goats.

After a refreshing break to cool off and nom on some snacks, we checked out the pandas!




I'm sure passerby think I'm a little weird for plopping down on the ground to take pictures of my boys, but when I get shots like this one it makes it all worth it!

A Year Ago Today

One year ago today, we dressed Levi in his going home outfit and waited for three hours for the pediatrician on call to clear him for going home. Laura, the nurse we saw the most of, prepped us with the paperwork and junk we'd need to take to our pediatrician the following day. She stuffed prescriptions for painkillers in my hands and then she took the staples out of my incision – which, the mere thought of having them removed, ironically made me more frightened than the c-section itself.

The pediatrician finally came by and declared Levi perfect. As we were wheeled out, I saw the outside of my room for the first time and was surprised that there was a kind of small kitchenette area right outside my door. I had refused to walk the halls and opted, instead, to pace in my room during my recovery. While I’m sure I got the same amount of exercise either way, the cabin fever was INSANE. I vowed right then that I won't do that if there's ever a next time.

Sitting in the wheelchair, holding my son, we waited for my husband to pull the car around from the garage. While waiting, two women approached and cooed at Levi. They asked, politely, if they could ask why he had been in the hospital. When I looked at them blankly, trying to figure out what they meant, one said, "Did he have surgery?" I laughed and said, "Oh! No, he was just born. We're going home." They were shocked - big baby is big, apparently.

When we got home, we introduced the cats to the newest household member. They were happier to see us than him. ;) Then my husband made me take a nap and said he'd be on baby duty. I don't remember how long I slept, but it felt good to be home. I didn't sleep too long because, as he is fond of remembering, I told him I couldn't sleep without hearing Levi's coos and gurbles.

My parents called and asked if we needed anything, soI unloaded a huge list on them. They totally stepped up and brought everything I asked for: diapers (I asked for size 1 - ha! he didn't fit in those for a while), formula, *bottles* (was unprepared for how poorly breastfeeding would go from the start), the breast pump recommended by the LC (seriously, that's love right there) and they chose to bring dinner, too - rotisserie chicken and trimmings. And, oddly, they also brought a Costco super pack of butter. I’ll always remember that – I used it all, so it’s not like it was wasted, but who brings butter? LOL We celebrated Levi's homecoming and it felt so good to be home. Did I say that already?

After everyone left, we settled in to our new life. Feedings, diaper changes, naps. We started to watch the shows TiVo had built up while we were in hospital and, normal is as normal does, AGT was at the top of our priority list. As we settled in to watch Grandma Lee flirt with Piers, I looked down at Levi who was napping on the boppy on my lap. I couldn't believe that the little guy I would dream about as he performed sea monster rolls in my belly was *on* my belly. As I was watching TV. Like normal.

This, this wonderful new life, was my new normal.

Dear Levi,

This past Friday you turned one years old. It’s amazing how the last year has been both the slowest and the fastest of my life.

The day you were born, you snuggled in the crook of my arm and I could count the dark hairs that together formed the peach fuzz on your forehead. I held you for so long, just looking at you and not moving, that my hand formed a hand print in your head. Your dark steel blue eyes looked into mine and I was hooked.

Today you are go-go-go. You snuggled for a few minutes this morning while you drank your bottle. I tried to find hairs to count on your forehead, but they are so blonde it’s hard to see them. Then you were off - toddling around and crawling. Your head is, thankfully, not as soft as it once was. I am thankful for this since you decided to roll right off the bed during a diaper change Friday. Did we really want to spend this birthday in the hospital, too? No - thankfully -you actually laughed it off. We’re still not sure what color your eyes will be, as they are now a mix of grey/blue/hazel, but you still take the time to look into mine, forehead to forehead. And it makes my heart melt.

You are growing up and your spirit is one I am trying hard to encourage and guide without breaking. You are an amazing little boy. :) I can’t wait to see what this next year holds!

Smooches and hugs,
Mama

August 6, 2009

On Tuesday I woke up rather late because of the disappointment of the previous night keeping me up (an induction that we decided against), around 1:00 or so. I had a fever of 101.3 with no other symptoms (I am known for stress related fevers) so I called the OB’s office and they told me to take tylenol and keep an eye on whether it gets worse, or other symptoms arise.
Nothing else happened, my fever went down, etc.

Wednesday I woke up around 10:30, feeling irritable and uncomfortable. I confined myself to the couch all day. By 4:00 I began wondering if I had been having irregular contractions all day. My wonderings were confirmed by 5:00 when I realized that I was not only having contractions, but that they were regular at 12 minutes apart.

I had a light dinner filled with protein because I figured this was it. About 8:00 we were all (me, my husband and my FIL) convinced that I was truly going into labor. My husband took my blood pressure and found that it was 160/110. He called the OB on call and she said, “Get thee to the hospital!!” So we went. I got checked at the triage unit of L&D and they determined I was maybe dilated 1cm, no effacement and baby in Egypt. Wonderful.

But my contractions were 4-6 minutes apart and painful. I was crying. My OB ordered that I be admitted and they asked if I wanted an epidural. My husband, and I just about fall apart with love when I remember this, squeezed my shoulder and said, “Don’t be a martyr. If you want one, we discussed this long ago for this very reason. Remember you can get one if you want it.” So I got one. At this point it was about midnight.

At 12:30 my water broke - true labor! Yay!

They monitored me for the next 13 hours. There was a lot of concern because my fever returned and I wasn’t making any dilation progress very well. The most I got was 4cm, 90% effaced and -2 station - and it remained that way for six hours. They said they’d let me battle it out all I wanted to if it wasn’t for the fever, so we went with a “vaginal bypass.” Snark snark, I love the new name. ;)

Baby Levi Zechariah was born into the world at 2:37pm on Thursday August 6, 2009. He was 9lbs 8 oz at birth and 20.5 inches long. Big Baby!

The c-section went extremely fast and uncomplicated. I ended up with no ill side effects from the epidurals. The only thing I experienced was shaking (from the epidural) during the operation but the staff were excellent at keeping me focused and they oohed and aahed when the big baby head emerged.