Happy St. Patrick's Day!

We may only have a pinch of Irish in us, but we're celebrating anyway!

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!

Kiss Me???

With a face like this who can resist?!?!?!

One month!

 4 weeks!

I can't believe it has been 4 weeks since this new little person arrived.

We are still watching his jaundice closely.  He looked a little more yellow to us over the past few days, so I took him back in yesterday for a check-up.

His bili level was at 14.7, so it had gone up, but not enough for the doctor to be too concerned.  We will have it checked again next week just to make sure it's not still going up.  The doctor called it "breastmilk jaundice".  My niece, Jayde, had it when she was a newborn and that was the first time I had heard of it.  I still need to do some reading about it to find out more info, but in short, it can last for up to 3 months, so at this point it's nothing to freak out about.

He now weighs 8 pounds 10 ounces, meaning he gained a little over half an ounce per day since his last weight was done.  The peds would is happy with is weight gain, but he was acting hungry while we were there even though I had just finished feeding him!  She then brought up the idea of supplementing with either formula or EBM after feedings if needed.  Thankfully I had started pumping and had some milk in the fridge and freezer.  We ended up needing to use it later last night.  I fed him and an hour later he woke up hungry again!  Thank God for a little bottle action!  I think Michael was thanking Him too!

Please pray and wish us luck that Michael gets all the nutrition he needs and that his weight goes up and bili goes down!

I'll be the first to admit that I'm slow with getting pictures up here.

This may come as a shock, but I haven't been doing the best with taking pictures of him.

Even though we did take some "good" pics of him a week ago, my sister mentioned that she regretted not having professional pictures taken of her girls when they were newborns.

On a whim on Monday, Rob and I took Michael into Target for a last minute photo session.

For being Target and only having a 20 minute appointment with a not-so-happy baby, we got some pretty good pictures.

I tried to attach a link, but can't figure it out.  You'll have to take my word for it...we have a pretty adorable baby!  Once I figure out how to attach them, they'll be up here.

In the meantime, this was Michael's opinion of having his pictures taken...

I really need to get the camera out more often!

Thanks for checking in!

2 weeks in the blink of an eye!

Make that 2 weeks and 3 days!

I've tried starting this post multiple times over the past 2 weeks.
You know how it is.  Still enjoying being a mommy!

I'll try to bring you up to speed.  Unfortunately, it'll be a long post and I totally understand if you skip it.

On our last day in the hospital, I realized that we hadn't taken a picture of Michael with his Birth Day Cake.  It's a tradition my sisters and I started with the birth of each their children and my sister, Dee, was sweet and brought Michael his first Birth Day cake.

We ended up having to stay in the hospital for one day longer than we were anticipating.  I was feeling great, but little Michael was needing a little extra time.  He hadn't pooped in 38 hours, his bilirubin level was high (jaundice) and he had lost 11% of his original weight (down to 7#1oz.).  Because of all these thing, the pediatrician felt better having him stay an extra day.  I felt better too!
By the time we left the hospital, he had pooped multiple times and had gained 2 ounces.  Unfortunately his bili level was still high, but not high enough for phototherapy, so they let us go home with orders to follow up in the clinic.

Our first day home was relatively uneventful.  Harley greeted Michael by ignoring him.  No worries there! My friend, Chantel, and sisters, Dee and Kate came over to visit, but other than that, it was time to relax and enjoy being home.

Sunday, Feb. 20th was Michael's first official blizzard.  Shakopee got about 15 inches of snow.  We got to spend the day snuggled in the house.

Rob had one more week of vacation and was enjoying every minute of it.  He didn't change a diaper or help with feedings, but he was wonderful and waited on me hand and foot.  With my hands full with fulfilling Michael's needs, Rob fulfilled all of mine.  It was great!   I even got a foot rub for my crazy "Fred Flintstone" feet!

We had both sets of grandparents come to visit and bring us wonderful meals that we didn't have to cook for ourselves.  Their payback was a little snuggle time with the peanut.

Michael's first doctor visit was on February 24th.  He had gained 5 ounces since discharge from the hospital!  However, his bilirubin level was still high at 16.3.  Being an L&D nurse, I know just enough about bili levels to be irritating.  Apparently the new standard is to not worry about the levels until it hits 20.  The fact that Michael is also alert, wakes for feedings, is filling his diaper regularly and has gained weight were also good things and made this first time mom a little more comfortable with having a yellow child.  We have a recheck sheduled for tomorrow, March 3rd.

On Sunday, Feb. 27th, we had planned having an "us" day.  A day with no visitors and nothing to do, but hang out at home as a family.  I had talked to my parents and they were planning on spending the morning with my Grandpa.  When Michael woke up, it was apparent that he was not going back to sleep, so we got ready, loaded everything up in the van and headed to Belle Plaine to visit Grandpa.  We took the 4-generation picture, but Grandpa had no interest in holding Michael.

Just as we were getting ready to leave, Grandpa was sitting in his chair and my Dad said "Here, Pops" and placed Michael in his arms.  I had my camera ready and snapped as many pics as I could of my Grandpa and Michael.

Someone mentioned the fact the with all the grandkids and great-grandkids, that Grandpa should be used to holding babies.  I replied by saying that it was always Grandma who held the babies.  Even after her stroke, she would use her good arm to hold the sleeping little ones.  In the end, I think Grandpa enjoyed holding a baby more than he will admit.  They are pictures I will always treasure.

Rob headed back to work on the 28th, so Michael and I were home alone for the first time since he was born!  All went well and I even got in a nap or two!

I had my 2-week post-op appt on March 1st.  This was my original due date, and as Rob pointed out to me, also the 3 year anniversary of our engagement!  My appointment went well.  I just need to follow up in 4 weeks.

Michael had his follow-up appointment at the pediatrician on Thursday, March 3rd.
Again, nothing but good news!  He is now weighing in at 8 pounds 3 ounces and his bilirubin level went from 16.3 to 13.7.  His doctor says that even though the bili is still higher than normal, he is on the mend and does not need to be seen again until he is 2 months old.  Yay!

We also had Michael's first photo shoot this week.  He was cooperative (for the most part) and I think we got a couple cute pics.   Maybe now I can order his Birth Annoucements!

Here are a few pics...
Enjoy!

Welcome Michael Robert Polingo!

I can't believe that it's been a week since I last posted!

But I have a good excuse...

I've been busy being a MOMMY!!!!

Do you believe it?  The baby that started way back here has finally arrived!

Michael Robert Polingo

came into the world on February 15, 2011 at 7:28am.

He weighed 7 pounds 15 ounces and was 20 inches long.

His Apgars scores were 9&9!

As you know, I had to have a c-section due to my surgery over a year ago.

However, my wonderful husband is not a medical person and has a tendency to feel faint just watching medical stuff on TV.  Because of the risk of him fainting in the OR if he moved anywhere beyond the protection of the curtain, I asked my doctor and anesthesiologist if my sister, Jodene could come in the OR with us to take pictures of the momentous arrival.  Thankfully, they said yes, and thanks to Jodene, we have some amazing pictures of his birth!

Here I am world!

Michael and Dr. Brown

My first glimpse at my Baby Boy!

Rob was able to trim the cord!

Our first family picture!

Being a labor and delivery nurse, I wasn't expecting to get teary during the delivery.

And despite what some people thought, we really did NOT know what we were having.

When Dr. Brown annouced to us that we had a little boy and I heard him cry for the first time, I'll admit I got a little teary.  There is no other feeling like knowing you not only had a baby, but that he was healthy!

I've said it multiple times to Rob since Michael has been born.

I feel so lucky.  Lucky to have him here and lucky to have him be healthy.

What more could I ask for?

We spent a hour in the recovery room and then made our way to the 4th floor where Michael had his first bath followed by a little skin-to-skin time with Mom.

I love his blonde fuzz!

Skin-to-skin

Our first day was a busy one!

Lots of family members came to visit us.

Who am I kidding???

They came to visit Michael.

But that's okay.  Who can blame anyone for wanting to meet the newest addition to our lives?

Auntie Jo and Michael

Papa and Nana Peeps

Auntie Dee

Michael with Daddy and Gramma and Grampa Polingo

Uncle Peter

Cousin Joey

We had a lot of visitors that were not family members too.  One of the perks of working at the hospital is that all of my "work friends" were able to meet him too.

Thanks to everyone that stopped up to say hi, see how we were doing and to meet Michael.  It's so great working with such wonderful people!

It was also nice to have some alone time during which I was able to snap this quick picture.

I Love You, Michael!

Almost there!

Today is February 14 aka Valentine's Day.

However, in our world, it is the day before BABY DAY!!!!!

Because my doctor does not want me to go into labor, my c-section is scheduled for tomorrow at 38 weeks.  Unfortunately, because it is scheduled for a week earlier than when they normally do c-sections, my doctor wanted me to have an amniocentesis done today.

An amnio is when they inset a needle through your abdomen and into your uterus and withdraw amniotic fluid.  Then they test the fluid to see in the baby's lungs are mature.

The perinatologist didn't want to go through my placenta (which takes up a good part of the anterior part of my uterus) because it can lead to bleeding and seperation of the placenta.  In order to not go through the placenta he had to go into a smaller pocket of fluid on my left lower side.  Once he was able to finally get into that pocket, of course, the baby decided to move it's arm in the way.  Luckily, he and the ultrasound tech were able to stop and wait until the baby moved out of the way.  When he was able to get the fluid out, he said that it was nice and clear and it had bits of vernix in it.  Vernix is the white, cream cheesy stuff that babies are covered with in utero.  The closer baby gets to the due date and maturity, the vernix starts to slough off and into the fluid.  The doctor said that this is a good sign that the results will most likely be mature.

After the amnio was done, I was put on a monitor to make sure the baby's heartrate was good and that I wasn't having contractions.  Everything looked great!  Baby's heartbeat was perfect in the 130's with beautiful accelerations and not a contraction was had!

They then let me go about my day with instructions to take it easy.  No problem with that!

Once they get the results, they'll call my doctor who will call me and let me know that we are officially on or off for tomorrow.  Believe me, I'm hoping we're on!

There'll be an update once I hear the results.  Wish us luck!


UPDATE!!!!!

As of 5:45 pm, we are all set for tomorrow!
My doctor called me at home to let me know that the results were great!
For those L&D, SCN and PP nurses out there, even the PG was present!
Yay!

Do you think I used too many exclamation marks?

Can't help it.
Just too excited!!!
(And maybe a little freakin' out!)

A Rough One

It's been a rough week..emotionally and physically.  But like they always say, "What doesn't kill us makes us stronger."

This past week started with the passing of my Grandma.  She was a great woman who loved her Lord and is now happy and content in his Kingdom!  It gives comfort now, but at the time, her passing only brought sadness.

By this past Wednesday night, I was starting to not feel well and chalked it up to baby getting bigger and my stomach running out of room.  Turns out it was a touch of the lovely bug...norovirus.  I would have given anything for a couple bags of IV fluid!

During the few days of not feeling well was also my Grandma's wake and funeral.  I was honored that my aunts and uncles asked me to give the eulogy.  The only problem?  I'm a hormonal, pregnant woman and with the virus making it's way through my system, just standing for a few minutes made me feel dizzy and lightheaded, not to mention emotional!  My family had to think I am also the laziest pregnant woman ever since I had to sit the majority of the time.

On Sunday my family and I celebrated my Dad's 60th Birthday.  As I wrote in the post about the Dells, he's one of the most active and healthy 60 year-olds I know...until he gets hits with the norovirus too :(.  Today is my Dad's official Birthday and he's back at work...and still not well.  Did I also mention he's one of the most stubborn men I know?  I think that may be where I get it from.  Love ya, Dad!

By Sunday night I was starting to feel better, but my dear hubby is now getting sick too.  Hmmm...

Today is now Tuesday and I am back to feeling 100% and Rob went back to work today.  Thank goodness this bout of the virus was relatively short-lived.

I had my 37 week doctor's visit today.  Everything still looks good.  Baby's heartbeat, my blood pressure and lab work all look great.  We are right on track for next week!  Did I mention that this baby is coming out in one week?  Yup!  7 days!  I don't know about you guys, but this has gone super fast for us.  There were days I never thought we'd get here, but now here we are and it feels like we're running out of time to get the last minute stuff done.  AHH!!

After my appointment, I got to spend some time with my sister, Dee at lunch.  It was nice to be able to eat real food again!  Then I went shopping for the last minute "I need it now" type of stuff.  Done and done!

With the last week being what it was, I took some "me time" today and got a pedicure.  It was a wonderful, relaxing way to end a rough week.

As my Grandma taught us ...
with a strong faith and a positive attitude, we can be carried in the Lord’s arms through any challenge.

Thank you Grandma!  I love and miss ya!

Yet another...

post about the preggo.

Today I had my 36 week visit.

Heartbeat in the high 140's with lots of movement.

Blood pressure?  Good.

One less thing to worry about this week.

2 weeks to go!