Wow, after much delay I finally organized and uploaded all of the pictures from these past seven weeks. I wanted to upload them to a site where they could be easily downloaded/printed by family and friends, so I ended up using Picasa. Click here to go to the photo gallery.
We did some more house hunting this weekend and put another offer on a home. This one is a short sale so there will be a lot of red tape, but we really like it and hope to hear back from the bank soon.
The heat here has been insane and I don't know what would be more overwhelming, being nine months pregnant here in the summer or hauling around a newborn and all of her "extras" (diaper bag, stroller, etc). Either way, it is what it is so we will just keep plugging along! Overall, I feel like we are finally adjusting to this new life as a family and it is so amazing.
Alright, both of my babies (Hazel and Marlee) just puked! Motherhood is calling...
Monday, June 29, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Update on Hazel's Heart
Thought I would post an update as to how our appointment went on Wednesday to check on the cause of Hazel's heart murmur. We were referred to Children's as our pediatrician thought the murmur sounded more "harsh" and she wanted us to get it checked out as it could possibly be due to her having a hole in her heart.
I don't know what I was expecting from the appointment, but I honestly was surprised by my reaction. I had been to Children's Hospital once before, but never in the capacity as a mother and I can't explain how profoundly I was affected by it. For some reason I thought it would just be like any other doctor's visit, but then I got there and started seeing all of the sick kids and their parents it was heart wrenching. Her appointment was at the "Heart Center" and there were other kids with us in the waiting room who all had heart conditions. The little girl sitting next to me was just clinging to her mother and saying "Mommy, I'm scared" and it was just about all I could do to hold it together. At this point I definitely became much more anxious wondering about what Hazel's results would be. I was also thinking that I really wish Marshall had been there, but then again the thought hadn't even crossed my mind when making the appointment. They called me back and started to check Hazel's weight, length, etc. At this point she started really crying and when they tried to take her blood pressure she was wailing to the point that they said "you need to give her a bottle!" I told them that I wasn't bottle feeding her so they said I needed to feed her right away so that they could get a reading and do the EKG. I started feeding her and that helped a bit but she was still upset while they did the EKG. Then the pediatric cardiologist sent us over to get an ultrasound of her heart which seemed to take forever, especially since the ultrasound tech wasn't talking during the entire thing (which made me even more nervous). The whole time they were doing the ultrasound, Hazel was crying her little heart out which added to my stress. Add to it that she had FOUR (yes, FOUR!!) "blowout" poopy diapers during this ordeal on top of everything else. Anyway, the ultrasound tech said she would share the results with the doctor and he would come discuss them with me. After a few minutes he walked through the door and pronounced "so we have a normal healthy baby"! Ah, the relief I had was incredible. He went on to explain that she did have a "communication" between the two sides of her heart, which is absolutely normal at her age. He said that she did not have a hole and that the murmur was caused by the fact that she still has narrow valves since she is small, but that as she grows it should go away. As we were discussing this and I was holding Hazel we all noticed that she had finally stopped crying and had fallen fast asleep. The doctor told me that it happens often since babies are very intuitive and she could tell that her mom had finally relaxed.
All in all, I am so thankful that everything is fine with her heart. I am so thankful that Children's Hospital exists and that such skilled and caring people work there. I returned from the hospital exhausted and overwhelmed by what I had experienced and the insight that I gained. I am so in awe of mothers who have sick children and the strength that they have on a daily basis. I am so amazed at how strong those little kids at the hospital are and what great attitudes they have. I thought of my friend Danielle often that day and am even more amazed at her dedication and perserverance with her daughter Jackie and know that I only "understand" 1/1,000 of what she and other moms must be going through. What an intense afternoon...
I don't know what I was expecting from the appointment, but I honestly was surprised by my reaction. I had been to Children's Hospital once before, but never in the capacity as a mother and I can't explain how profoundly I was affected by it. For some reason I thought it would just be like any other doctor's visit, but then I got there and started seeing all of the sick kids and their parents it was heart wrenching. Her appointment was at the "Heart Center" and there were other kids with us in the waiting room who all had heart conditions. The little girl sitting next to me was just clinging to her mother and saying "Mommy, I'm scared" and it was just about all I could do to hold it together. At this point I definitely became much more anxious wondering about what Hazel's results would be. I was also thinking that I really wish Marshall had been there, but then again the thought hadn't even crossed my mind when making the appointment. They called me back and started to check Hazel's weight, length, etc. At this point she started really crying and when they tried to take her blood pressure she was wailing to the point that they said "you need to give her a bottle!" I told them that I wasn't bottle feeding her so they said I needed to feed her right away so that they could get a reading and do the EKG. I started feeding her and that helped a bit but she was still upset while they did the EKG. Then the pediatric cardiologist sent us over to get an ultrasound of her heart which seemed to take forever, especially since the ultrasound tech wasn't talking during the entire thing (which made me even more nervous). The whole time they were doing the ultrasound, Hazel was crying her little heart out which added to my stress. Add to it that she had FOUR (yes, FOUR!!) "blowout" poopy diapers during this ordeal on top of everything else. Anyway, the ultrasound tech said she would share the results with the doctor and he would come discuss them with me. After a few minutes he walked through the door and pronounced "so we have a normal healthy baby"! Ah, the relief I had was incredible. He went on to explain that she did have a "communication" between the two sides of her heart, which is absolutely normal at her age. He said that she did not have a hole and that the murmur was caused by the fact that she still has narrow valves since she is small, but that as she grows it should go away. As we were discussing this and I was holding Hazel we all noticed that she had finally stopped crying and had fallen fast asleep. The doctor told me that it happens often since babies are very intuitive and she could tell that her mom had finally relaxed.
All in all, I am so thankful that everything is fine with her heart. I am so thankful that Children's Hospital exists and that such skilled and caring people work there. I returned from the hospital exhausted and overwhelmed by what I had experienced and the insight that I gained. I am so in awe of mothers who have sick children and the strength that they have on a daily basis. I am so amazed at how strong those little kids at the hospital are and what great attitudes they have. I thought of my friend Danielle often that day and am even more amazed at her dedication and perserverance with her daughter Jackie and know that I only "understand" 1/1,000 of what she and other moms must be going through. What an intense afternoon...
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
New Video!!
Here's a new video of Hazel that Marshall and I put together late last night. It is also posted on YouTube. Watching the clips I can't believe how much she has already changed! Of course I think she is as adorable as ever.
In other news, we did not get the house we put an offer on as someone else submitted afoolish "substantially higher" offer than ours. The thing is that as much as we liked the place we would not have felt good overpaying for it, especially in today's market. Since the list price was so much higher per square foot than the comps within half a mile, our realtor doesn't even think it will appraise for the sales price. Either way, we believe we will get the right house for us in due time.
Hazel has an appointment today at Children's Hospital to determine the cause of her heart murmur. I am pretty anxious about it but will be happy to have a clearer picture of what is going on. I will post more info about it once we find out more.
In other news, we did not get the house we put an offer on as someone else submitted a
Hazel has an appointment today at Children's Hospital to determine the cause of her heart murmur. I am pretty anxious about it but will be happy to have a clearer picture of what is going on. I will post more info about it once we find out more.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
House Hunting!
Well June has proven to be quite an exciting month for us. On top of life with a newborn and Marshall's graduation, Marshall got a job offer (congrats sweetie!!) and we started house hunting (finally!). We went and looked at a bunch of properties yesterday and found one that we really liked so we put in an offer! What is funny is that our first apartment and second apartment in Fresno were only about 1/3 mile apart and this house is within walking distance of our current place. We just can't seem to leave the area we are in, but that is good cause we really like it.
Hazel is doing great and celebrating Father's Day with Marshall today. Her heart murmur got louder this week, so we will be doing some more testing to pinpoint the cause, but our pediatrician keeps telling us not to stress about it. It did help to talk to my mom though and find out that she had a heart murmur and so did I (or Lili, she can't quite remember and with four kids I don't blame her...)
Well that is all for now. Can't wait to find out if we get this house!!
Hazel is doing great and celebrating Father's Day with Marshall today. Her heart murmur got louder this week, so we will be doing some more testing to pinpoint the cause, but our pediatrician keeps telling us not to stress about it. It did help to talk to my mom though and find out that she had a heart murmur and so did I (or Lili, she can't quite remember and with four kids I don't blame her...)
Well that is all for now. Can't wait to find out if we get this house!!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Hazel is Thriving
Overall, the graduation and graduation party went well (albeit a few minor meltdowns by yours truly). It was so incredibly great to have our wonderful family and friends come from near and far to celebrate in Marshall's amazing accomplishment and Hazel's utter cuteness! While I was so happy to see everyone, it was a bit overwhelming to have them all here at once, so I am hoping for some individual visits in the future!
In the words of our pediatrician, "Hazel is thriving"! Yesterday she weighed in at a whopping 8 pounds 14 ounces, which caused the pediatrician to ask me twice if that was solely on breastmilk with no added formula! As for breastfeeding, I believe we are finally on the path to recovery with my pain. It turns out I had an infection in both my milk ducts and nipples that has been causing the pain along with Hazel having an infection as well. I also found a breastfeeding clinic here in Fresno that has been treating me and helping me get through this, so I am eagerly awaiting pain free days ahead. Also, yesterday at her doctor's appointment, the pediatrician told me that Hazel has an "innocent" heart murmur (peripheral pulmonary stenosis) which I guess is common in newborns. We will continue to monitor it and if it hasn't gone away by six months we will do further testing. Of course it is a bit concerning to me, but after researching it a bit I have confidence that it is pretty "normal" at this age.
We started our cloth diapers this week and it has been going GREAT! They are comfortable, easy to use, super absorbent and I absolutely LOVE not having to buy disposable diapers or contribute to our ever growing landfills. I am actually going to be bummed this weekend to use disposables as we are going out of town and I won't have access to laundry facilities. We are heading to Pismo Beach this weekend to see Matt and Samantha get married!! I am looking forward to it, although I have never had to pack for a baby yet and am nervous I will forget something obvious!
Way to go Dad!!
Cutie Pie
Here is what she thinks about all of the pictures being taken!
Checking out the world
Lounging
In the words of our pediatrician, "Hazel is thriving"! Yesterday she weighed in at a whopping 8 pounds 14 ounces, which caused the pediatrician to ask me twice if that was solely on breastmilk with no added formula! As for breastfeeding, I believe we are finally on the path to recovery with my pain. It turns out I had an infection in both my milk ducts and nipples that has been causing the pain along with Hazel having an infection as well. I also found a breastfeeding clinic here in Fresno that has been treating me and helping me get through this, so I am eagerly awaiting pain free days ahead. Also, yesterday at her doctor's appointment, the pediatrician told me that Hazel has an "innocent" heart murmur (peripheral pulmonary stenosis) which I guess is common in newborns. We will continue to monitor it and if it hasn't gone away by six months we will do further testing. Of course it is a bit concerning to me, but after researching it a bit I have confidence that it is pretty "normal" at this age.
We started our cloth diapers this week and it has been going GREAT! They are comfortable, easy to use, super absorbent and I absolutely LOVE not having to buy disposable diapers or contribute to our ever growing landfills. I am actually going to be bummed this weekend to use disposables as we are going out of town and I won't have access to laundry facilities. We are heading to Pismo Beach this weekend to see Matt and Samantha get married!! I am looking forward to it, although I have never had to pack for a baby yet and am nervous I will forget something obvious!
Way to go Dad!!
Cutie Pie
Here is what she thinks about all of the pictures being taken!
Checking out the world
Lounging
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
