Reid's Upcoming Surgery / Life in a Nutshell

Reid's Upcoming Surgery 

I've had a lot of people ask when Reid will be having his surgery. It's this Wed, Sept 4th at Brenners Children's Hospital. I'm not sure what time. Sometime in the AM, I think. 

I copied and pasted below the details of his surgery from my last post:  

-We will be able to start seeing a difference in his head shape about 6 weeks after the springs are placed in between the fused plates.

-His head will continue to widen the next 4 months while the springs push the plates apart.

-While the springs are in, Reid will wear a protective helmet at least 22hrs out of the day to protect the big soft spot "valley" created by the springs.  

-By the end of the 4 months(ish), his skull will have formed new bone in the "valley".  He should be left with just the normal 2 soft spots.   (That's fast! CRAZY!)

-Then the springs will be taken out in outpatient surgery.  

-The doctor says by age 2.5 to 3 you shouldn't even be able to tell he had this issue.  :) 

I realize there are a LOT of babies/kids that go through much more serious procedures that this one.  I'm thinking in particular of a friend whose baby recently had open heart surgery at around Reid's age.  I can't IMAGINE how he and his wife felt!  But, God is good.  He took care of their little one just like I know He has his hands on ours.  

Still, any prayers between now and Wed would definitely be appreciated!  

Life in a Nutshell 

CrAzInEsS!!  :D  The babies are 4 months old. Sam is almost 3.  Housework tends to take a back burner.  Ben and I run around like crazy 24/7.  ..... But I wouldn't have it any other way.  Ok ok, I WOULD like a butler.  That would be grand.  

Sam- my lil tornado.  Nothing is out of reach. If it can be broken or spilled, it will be.  Hilarious. Loves his "babies."  Will recite 5 Bible verses for $$.  

Reid- my happy boy.  Easy going.  Extremely alert.  Loves his momma.  Serious thighs.   Pitiful cry. 

Stella- my mini-me.  Sweet. Hormonal. Smiling to screaming in 1/2 sec.  Wishes she had more hair. Melts my heart.  

*** By the way... I don't have time to figure out how to get that dern baby ticker off the side of my page.  Can't remember how I got it there in the first place.  Any tips are appreciated.  :)  

CT Scan and Surgery Date / Pics

CT Scan & Surgery Date

I planned on putting up a quick blog post yesterday, but the 3 hours of sleep we got that night was catching up with me! :)

First-- Thank you SOO much for all the prayers!  

We had to be at Brenner's Children's Hospital at 7:45AM for Reid's CT scan..... Leave the house at 6:45AM with 2 infants? Sure, no prob! Ha. (My mom had lil man.)  I had to set my alarm for 4:45AM to give Reid his last feeding in case they needed to sedate him.  I did NOT want him sedated if at all possible. 

They took us back around 8:15.  Of course, Reid wouldn't lay still for the scan because he's used to practically eating every hour!  After they ruled out sedation (b/c they forgot he was premature), our last ditch effort was to allow me to nurse him, swaddle him, and pray like crazy.  We did and thankfully he slept through the whole scan!  WHEW!

Purpose of the CT scan:
-To confirm that the plates in his skull were fused and to make sure his brain looked ok.  Both were found to be true.

Next step:
-Surgery on Sept 4th.  They pushed it back a month to make sure the bones in his skull could handle the tension of the springs.

Other details I learned:
-We will be able to start seeing a difference in his head shape about 6 weeks after the springs are placed in between the fused plates.

-His head will continue to widen the next 4 months while the springs push the plates apart.

-While the springs are in, Reid will wear a protective helmet at least 22hrs out of the day to protect the big soft spot "valley" created by the springs.  

-By the end of the 4 months(ish), his skull will have formed new bone in the "valley".  He should be left with just the normal 2 soft spots.   (That's fast! CRAZY!)

-Then the springs will be taken out in outpatient surgery.  

-The doctor says by age 2.5 to 3 you shouldn't even be able to tell he had this issue.  :)

My question: Why did this happen in the 1st place? 
- Dr. David said (in my paraphrased words) this was not a genetic issue or caused by anything I had done. It was simply a communication error in the cell level.  The cells in the plates told them it was time to fuse together way before it was actually time.  It was kind of a coincidence occurrence, although it's a common issue that she deals with.  


Soooo... it looks like we will just go about our normal lives until his surgery on Sept 4th.  Thanks again for all the prayers!! 

Pics

Here is a picture of my sweet babies at 1 month.  They aren't too happy, but you can see the difference here in their head shape.  I'm anxious to see how different his head will look at Christmas!  

Stella at 1 month: Sweet baby girl with a feisty side ;)

Reid at 1 month: This pic made me laugh!  "What-choo-lookin'-at?!"

Screenshot of the BEST YouTube video ever! My BFF from college's mom told me about it.  It puts my screaming kids to sleep in seconds!!

My wonderful husband arranged for me to have a girls night with the bestie last week! 

Spectator Magnet

Spectator Magnet

So obviously, most of our time is spent at home. If I think I need to go somewhere, I usually change my mind after visualizing getting out with my highly active 2 year old and 2 one-month old babies who prefer to literally be attached to my chest 24/7. .... "Nawwww, we don't need milk for our cereal. Water will suffice."

But lately I have been going stir-to-the-flippin-crazy. I've been grabbing any available friend or family member to help me get out of the house before it completely closes in on me.

For some reason, when about 2 out of 3 random strangers see this sweaty mommy pushing her 3 lil ones in the 'tram', they feel compelled to stop and have this identical conversation. Every. Stinkin. Time.

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Stranger: "Ohhhh!!! (*insert their germy head waaaay too close to my babies*) Are they twins?"

Me: (*fake smile*) Yes.

Stranger:  "Is it two boys?!"

Me: (*Yes, that's why I dressed one in blue and one in pink with a headband*) "No, a boy and a girl."

Stranger:  "Are they identical?"

Me: (*Yep! Completely identical! Besides the whole penis and vagina thing. Oh, and the fact that they look nothing alike. Seriously people, boy/girl twins cannot be identical. Insert half a fake smile.*) "No, they aren't." 

Stranger:  "Do twins run in your family?"

Me: (*Why ask this?! If we were friends, I'd tell you about our infertility issues. But I don't know you from Adam...avoiding eye contact now.*) "Nope!"

Stranger:  *insert long story about someone they know who has twins*

Me: (*Trying to chase down my two year old and calm a baby.*) "ohhhh." 

Stranger:  "Well you sure have your hands full."

Me: (*Doing my best to walk away*) "Yep! Sure do."

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For real-- that conversation happens every aisle at the grocery store and every so-many feet anywhere else! I don't mean to sound rude, but just 'smile' at us and let me get in and out as fast as possible!!  Thank you!!

Side note: I don't mind stopping and talking to my friends. Most of them anyway.  ;)

Another side note: before I had the babies, I shared this YouTube video on facebook that my friend showed me. Scary how accurate it has become!! Video still makes me laugh. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tT-lgB_HGEE

Last side note: Our family and friends rock. Thank you sooooo much for all your help!!!

First appointment at Brenner's / Who needs sleep??

First Appointment at Brenner's

Today was Reid's 1st appointment at Brenner's Children's Hospital at Baptist. The pediatric plastic surgeon he saw was extremely nice and highly recommended from friends, our pediatrician, and Women's Hospital. 

Dr. David felt Reid's head and said by the looks of it, she believes he will probably need surgery.  But, we will need to do a CT scan on June 11th to make sure. Immediately following the CT scan, we will see Dr David again and she will determine if surgery is necessary. If so (and it probably will be), then we will schedule surgery for when Reid is 3 months old. (End of July)  

It appears that both the back and top of Reid's skull have already fused together. If they do surgery, they will make a small incision in the top of his head & place two springs in between the plates. This will cause his plates to slowly separate, giving his brain room to grow. 

Good part: the first surgery will only require a 1 night hospital visit, and the 2nd surgery to remove the springs a few months later will be outpatient. 

Bad part: No momma wants to see her baby go through any of this!!! :(

However, I am SO thankful this is treatable!!  Reid is a very very sweet little boy. I'm so blessed to be his, Stella,& Sam's mommy!!

Who Needs Sleep???

We were spoiled with Sam. He was an easy baby. (He's actually been a pretty easy toddler too!) Still... I thought with 1 baby I was tired.  Pshhh!  

The twins are 3 weeks old today. Seems crazy! Almost everyone asks, "How are they sleeping?" ...to which we laugh...or cry... depending on the day. ;) 

Some nights I'm up every hour, some nights for 2 hours at a time, and other nights for random 30 min intervals. 

But ya know what??  Lack of sleep just comes with the whole newborn territory.  Especially when you have two of them.  Sucking it up b/c before I know it, they will be grown and I'll be wishing they were tiny again.  

Conclusion: 

-Sleep is overrated.

-Coffee is underrated.

-Tandem nursing is gonna be a MUST if I wanna get some decent sleep. For this to happen, the hubs and I tag team... He helps me hold babies on the giant nursing pillow, keep them awake, change diapers, feed me Ben & Jerry's, keep me awake, etc.  He rocks. :D  
-We are blessed. 

Birth Day - Short n Sweet / Birth Day - Longer Version / NICU / Appt at Baptist

( Couple days before delivery )

35 weeks pregnant with twins

Birth Day - "Short n Sweet"

Thing 1 and Thing 2 were born at exactly 36 weeks on Tues, April 30th just after lunch.

Stella Lynn - 6lb 10oz 19in ... Born vaginally, no problems! 

Randy "Reid" - 6lb 12oz 19.5in ... Born via Emergency csection. 

Birth Day - "Longer Version"

The week before I went into labor, I was up 4 nights with false labor.  Kinda strange to me that I only had contractions at night or if I was trying to catch a quick nap. Anyway, by Monday morning (April 29th) I was pretty tired.  I started having some pains/discomforts around 8:30am.  This time, instead of having contractions in my belly, it was back labor.  (Same kind that I had with Sam)  The contractions were pretty consistent throughout the day and slowly becoming stronger.

Hubby and I decided to go ahead and head to the hospital around 1pm.  (Especially since I was 95% effaced and dilated to a 4 almost a week ago.)  No change.  We stayed at the hospital a couple hours walking the halls with no progression and then went home.  

My mom kept little man with her that night since I was pretty sure I'd be heading back to the hospital.  I labored at home until they were around 6min apart, then hubby drove the 30min to the hospital.  (Just after midnight)

As soon as I got there they checked me and said I was at 8cm.  They offered me an epidural, but I had been doing so well I wasn't sure I wanted it.  The 2nd time he asked me I decided to go with it b/c I knew my risk of a repeated csection and I really didn't want to be put under general anesthesia again. (if there was no time to waste)  So, epidural was in ... my pain was gone ... and my labor slowed.  Boo.  

Feelin' No More Pain

Labor slowed... Ben catching a nap.

Around lunch on Tuesday, it was go time.  I pushed for about 15-20min.  When the midwife and nurse saw the head, they called in a giant crew of people.  (standard procedure for twin births)  There were doctors, nurses, NICU ppl, a pediatrician, ....probably even the cafeteria staff... all to witness the birth of Miss Stella Lynn.  Still, everything was perfect.  She was perfect.  :)  We were able to have delayed cord clamping like we wanted. 

Daddy and Stella 

About 10 min later, my water broke again and it was time to start pushing.  When instructed, I began pushing... only to be told to STOP.  The midwife and nurse saw that baby boy's cord was prolapsed.  After confirmation from the doctor, the whole crew of people started moving very quickly.  My heart was racing as they rushed me down the hall to the OR.  (**Oh, did I mention that a sweet nurse had to jump up on the bed with me, shove both hands/arms "up there" to push baby's head back off the cord that was being kinked?  I was PRAISING GOD that I had an epidural!!!)  

Ben came and sat next to my head.  I felt like they were ripping this child from my gut.  (Thankfully felt no pain though)  A min or so later, I heard Randy "Reid" cry... which made me cry.  

Ben went to look at him, then came back to tell me that Reid was being taken to the NICU.  I asked to see him first, and was really scared when I saw all around his lips/nose were blue.  He looked like he had a blue goatee and a really swollen upper lip.  

Reid's blue goatee 

I insisted that Ben go with Reid b/c I didn't want our baby being alone with all the doctors.  :(  

I was so shook up laying there as they stitched me up.  A sweet nurse rubbed my head and face, which really helped to calm me down as I prayed.  

I found out later that Reid's face was blue-ish b/c of the prolapsed cord.  The blood tests do not indicate that anything resulted from the short time of less oxygen.  He also had a partial collapsed lung.   

NICU 

Stella was able to come home with us on Saturday, but Reid ended up staying in the NICU from Tuesday April 30th to Tues May 7th. We were soooo glad to bring him home!  :)  

Twins re-unite for 1st time since the womb!  

Daddy visiting Reid in NICU

Almost time to get outta this place!!

Reid going home!!  

Stella <3

Appt at Baptist

A week from tomorrow, Reid has an appointment at Baptist with a pediatric plastic surgeon.  It looks like the plates in the back of his skull have already fused together. They aren't supposed to do this until age 2. Because of this issue, Reid's head is very narrow and goes to a point at the back.  Something will have to be done about it or his brain won't have room to grow. (probably surgery)  To be honest, some days I am worry free and totally trusting God ... but in the blink of an eye I start to contemplate the "what if's" and I spiral down into tears and stress.  I have to consciously stop myself and say, "No!  ... Jenn, God's GOT THIS. You serve a big, BIG God.  He loves you and loves little Reid.  There is NOTHING that He can't do!" If you think of it though, say a prayer for us.  We'd definitely appreciate it.  :)  

Mother's Day 2013 -- SMILE, KIDS!!  

Getting CLOSER!! / Lil Man's 1st Shiner

Getting CLOSER!!

Sunday and Monday night I was up most of the nights having contractions.  They bounced back and forth from being consistent to sporadic, light to moderate(ish).  Thankfully, I was able to get a good night's sleep last night!!  

(Side note: I went walking around Walmart yesterday.  Unfortunately, no dramatic water-breaking experience.  haha)  

Today I'm 35weeks 1 day.  I had an appointment this morning with an MD instead of a midwife.  She answered my list of questions and then checked my progress.  

This past Friday I was 50% effaced and dilated 1-2cm.  

Today (Wednesday) I am 95% effaced and dilated 4cm.  

EEEK!  I still would feel better having these babies closer to 36 weeks, but I guess they will come when they are ready.  Who knows?  I could technically still be pregnant in a week.  Note:  You may not want to be around me if that is the case!

Hubby has been running around like crazy trying to get as much done with the garden and the two rooms he's been remodeling in the basement.  Any free second, he's working on one of the two projects w/ lil man.  

Lil Man's 1st Shiner

Speaking of lil man.... He got his first shiner/goose egg today at Mother's Day Out.  :(  He fell head first into the toilet.  The stool flipped out from underneath his feet.  He is rolling his eyes at me for taking this picture!!  

**** I still need to post pics from the shower and my 35wk pic. Procrastination at it's finest.  :)  ****

30 Second Update :)

30 Second Update :)

I saw my midwife again today.  I'm 34.5wks.  She said I'm 50% effaced and 1-2cm dilated.  Yay! I'll TAKE it!  Especially considering last time they checked me I had zero progression.  :)  

She still thinks I will go by the end of the month. (I'll be 36wks on April 30th)

Although I am incredibly uncomfortable and cannot WAIT to see these babies, my prayer is that they will not come until their lungs are completely developed. Now, once their lungs are all good-- there's NO NEED to dawdle!!! 

34 weeks preggo with twins