24 Weeks 3 Days

Well, since it looks like it has begun, I’m going to use this blog to keep you guys updated on everything going on with me and the little guy. Now that I’m on bed rest, I should have plenty of time to post, so check here weekly or every few days for an update. So, here’s the scoop on what’s been going on over the last couple of weeks.

Last week, as many of you know, we had to make the decision to say goodbye to our beloved dog, Astro. He was 15 years old, and had been in Steve’s life since he was a teenager. He was old, sick, and suffering, and we know we made the right decision. But it was very hard on us as a family, and the first time we’ve lost a part of our family together. I had been having mild contractions off and on for several weeks, which was expected with my history, but I wasn’t too concerned yet. After we lost Astro, the stress and emotional toil of it all got to me, and I started having much more frequent and painful contractions. I saw my doctor, she checked my cervix, and all looked good. So she told me to just continue taking it easy and minimize stress as much as possible. I had another rough day last week of frequent contractions, but I managed to get them to stop, and didn’t go in.

This week had been a really good week. Which probably made me feel more comfortable trying to get more things done, and I probably overdid it. Thursday night I had a rough bout of contractions every 3 minutes for a couple of hours, but no pain with them, and I got them to stop. Yesterday morning/afternoon, I had stayed home from work, and was just sitting around doing nothing when they started up again. This time, I thought I better call the doctor to be safe. My doctor was not in, so they sent me over to Christus St. John’s hospital to be evaluated and have my contractions monitored. The on-call doctor from my clinic was also on duty there at the time. I got there, fully thinking it was a complete waste of time because I wasn’t in pain, but contractions never did stop. After being monitored for an hour or so, they decided that contractions were coming to close for comfort, so they started me on IV fluids, which can sometimes help, and a dose of narcotics to help me relax, in hopes that would stop them. When that did nothing, they gave me a dose of terbutaline, the drug I took during my pregnancy with Isaac that helps relax smooth muscles and stop contractions. It has some unpleasant side effects though for me, including racing heart and trembling. My cervix was checked by several people (not a fun experience), and was found to be thinning, and very slightly dilated (less than 1 cm). This suggests that the contractions I am having are doing something, which is concerning. I received a second dose of terb when the first didn’t stop them completely. We got a sneak peak at the little guy when they did an ultrasound to check on how he was doing. He looks absolutely perfect, and is definitely all boy. He’s measuring about a week ahead, and seems perfectly happy in there. Finally, they brought me some food at this point. It had been 7 and half hours since I’d eaten anything but ice chips – there has to be a law about starving a pregnant woman.

After the second dose of terb, contractions had stopped, so they sent me home around 9pm last night with strict orders of bed rest and a prescription of terbutaline pills to take around the clock. If they start back up, it’s back to the hospital. Otherwise, I’ll see my doctor on Monday to check on things once again. I had a tough time sleeping last night, and did have some contractions this morning that were worrisome, but I think the terb has kicked in now.

At 24 weeks, the survival rate is 50%. But that jumps up to 70% next week , and 80% the week after. However, the risk of long term complications this early are high, and remain high for several more weeks, although decreasing with each week he stays in. Every day counts. So, your thoughts and prayers are very important at this time. You can watch our progress on the ticker at the top of this blog page. We are so appreciative to have such an incredible support system. Thank you all for your prayers and support, it means the world to us.

Lastly, we wanted to share the name we have chosen for this little guy with everyone, so you have a name to use in your prayers. His name is Lucas Vincent Bohannon. There’s still some talk as to whether or not we’ll call him Luke or Lucas (my vote is Luke, Steve’s is Lucas), so that’s still up in the air.

Thanks again. And feel free to post comments so I know you're reading!

Julie

18 Month Appointment

Yes, Isaac will be 19 months old in a few days, but he just had his 18 month check up this week, and I thought I'd update all, because I know you are waiting on the edge of your seats wondering just how Perfect this kid is. And yes, confirming what we all know, he is perfect. Not to mention, unlike the 15 month appointment, he was a perfect angel this time, smiling and flirting with the nurses, med student, and doctor through the entire thing (with the exception of the final nurse carrying the poking instruments). He was first evaluated by a cute blonde 3rd year medical student, who I swear had to be like 22 years old. She looked so young. He sure did have eyes for her, but then again, she did look like a younger me (yes, I'm another year older since my last post, now putting me officially in my "late" 20s - I can hear 30 knockin'). She had him giggling and laughing in no time, but he still wouldn't give her a view of his teeth. Anytime she came near those lips, the clamped tight behind a sneaky little grin. His first dentist visit should be lots of fun.

Although he is technically perfect, there were a couple areas of concern yet again, things we just need to "keep an eye on". His lack of weight gain is rearing it's ugly head again. At 21.3 lbs he's only a few ounces heavier than his last visit 3 months ago. He's now officially fallen off the charts in weight. As far as height (22%tile) and head circumference (25%tile), he's fine. At least he doesn't have an above average head on a below average body and look like one of those bobble heads. But we need to get him to eat more. He's not a fan of food for some crazy reason. I cook for him daily, and I'm no frozen dinner, microwave, type mom/cook either, I cook the good stuff! Everyone loves my meals and typically walks away with an extra pound or two after a few of my meals, but not this kid. He will turn his nose up to anything - be it made from scratch sweet potato pancakes, homemade chicken soup, chicken marsala, balsalmic pork loin with real garlic mashed potatoes, he won't touch it unless he wants to, which isn't too often. If it's remotely close to the color green it's totally off limits - don't even get it near his tray or he'll have a meltdown and shove everything onto the floor and refuse to eat a bite of anything for days. Even sneaking the green in - hidden under his favorite pasta - his tongue will find it and push it out and won't sample another bite. He does love his milk though - be it from a cow or Mama, so the doc has suggested adding Carnation Instant Breakfast to his cup of milk he gets while I'm at work. However, this stuff is pure sugar! 20g of sugar in one packet and she wants him to have a whole packet everyday! Can you imagine what this kind of sugar high could do to an already hyper toddler? Of course, he loves the stuff, who wouldn't, it's like liquid candy. But, I've been doing some research, and I've decided I can make him high calorie smoothies that are much healthier using some healthy fatty foods such as peanut butter and avocados. So, on to experimenting with the smoothie maker - this should be a fun and tasty adventure, and will probably result in gaining a few extra pounds myself.

Additionally, the little guys lack of word power was a 'slight' concern, but nothing to panic about yet. He has about a 4 word vocabulary at this point - Mama, Dada, Joe, and dog (said with a significant hick twang to it - like 'dawwwg'). And he refuses to mimic sounds for some reason. This kid just has a mind of his own and wants to do things in his own time. If he doesn't want to say something, he isn't going to say it. But he sure can understand words. His favorite phrase is "Mama Milk" which is also his favorite treat, and you can say this to him in the middle of a huge hysterical meltdown and it brings instant smiles - but most be followed through on or then we're in for big trouble. He also knows the word "No" quite well, although often shows signs of selective hearing with this particular word. And he knows "outside" and "Bye-bye" pretty well too. So, it's not an issue of not hearing well or comprehending, it's an issue of stubborness I think. I'm sure in a month's time, I'll be begging him to shut up. We were concerned with the walking, but that sure has resolved itself - he's running everywhere now, and I know the same will hold true for the talking.

So, his next check-up shouldn't be until 2 years old, but they want to see him again in 2 months to check on his weight gain and vocab development, which I'm sure will be perfect by that time.
So, wish me luck in our eating and speaking adventures! I've just ordered the books "Deceptively Delicious," which has recipes for sneaking veggies into yummy meals to trick kids into eating them, and "Toddler Cafe" which promises to get even the pickiest toddler to eat healthy - I'll believe that when I see it.

Photo Tag

Ok, so Rebecca has tagged me, whatever that means. I'm not up on my blogging lingo, since I'm not quite the blogging queen that she is. But I'll try this out. I think, if I understand correctly, that I am supposed to post the 6th picture in the 6th photo folder on my computer and talk about it. Is that right? Since I have no pictures on my new lap top at home, I have to do this from my work computer which has a few pictures on it.

So, I'm not sure if this qualifies, because the 6th folder is actually a folder of pictures that Rebecca took and I stole them from her. Also, if you follow Rebecca's blog, you will see this very picture just a few posts down. This is my daddy with his 3 girls. It was taken when I was visiting over last summer.


If I were to skip this folder, since it technically isn't "my" picture folder, that leaves me with this pic. This is me and Isaac sitting in my very first car for the very last time :( It was a bittersweet day. I got this car when I was 17, right around the same time that I met Steve. We made a lot of memories in that car - high school, college, marriage, bringing Isaac home from the hospital. It moved with us from Arkansas, to Missouri, to Kentucky, and finally to Texas. It sufferred many scrapes and dents at my hands. But it did it's job faithfully. A car that had primarily been used for rushing to class, weekend trips home, cruising the strip, and the fun midnight runs to Waffle House during the college years had run it's course and had to be replaced with a family car - yes, a minivan. Such is the course of life. I'll never forget the times we had in this car, but now we will make new memories as a family in the new one as well. I'm going to have to go home and scan in a pic of me at 17 with this car in my Senior pictures when it was brand new to see it side by side with this one of me as a mother. Times change.

Now, I think I'm supposed to tag 6 other bloggers. But honestly, I don't think I know 6 other bloggers. I know, I'm lame. But I'll give it a try.

1. Kristen (she needs to update her blog anyway)
2. Rachel (need some pics of Thomas!)
3. Gillian (pics of Audrey always make me smile)
4. Erika (hoping for some pics of Asher, Elly, or Christiana!)
5. Rebecca (can I re-tag you? hehe)
6. Uhhh, I can't think of anyone else. I have no friends :(

My poor son

Can you believe his own father subjected him to such torture on a recent trip to Wal-Mart? This is what shopping boredome can bring him to.

15 month appointment

It went okay. I can't believe he's 15 months. Problem was, it was right in the middle of naptime, so he was not happy. They couldn't even get a weight on him without me holding him, so they had to weigh us together, then subtract my weight. He screamed for 25 minutes straight while we waited for the doctor and they hadn't even touched him yet. This boy is definitely dramatic. I'm sure everyone who walked by the room thought he was getting poked with needles or something. I ended up having to just let him lie on the floor and scream because he wouldn't let me hold him. That, in itself was exhausting. He has some will-power, definitely his mother's son. He was fine once the doctor came in and played with him.

He weighs 20lbs 4oz, 30.4" long. Still just barely on the curve, but she's happy with the growth he's made, so not worrying about it. His development seems to be a bit behind as far as verbal, and his uninterest in walking, though he does seem to understand words and is capable of walking, so she's not really worried about it yet. He's doing great as far as motor skills.
They had to draw blood to test his iron again. Ugh. That was horrible. I knew it would be. He has rolling veins and always has to get stuck at least twice. After 2 vein sticks they usually have to go for the finger. They poked around in his little arm for so long. I had to hold him and he just screamed and kept shaking his head NO. That's one form of communication he's knows at least. They then tried his hand and actually got a vein. His arm is so badly bruised today. I feel so bad for him. He got two shots as well. He was pretty miserable the rest of the night.

Some things I was surprised she asked that he either is not able to do or doesn't do very well:

Understand and follow simple commands, like "pick up your cup" or "give me that toy"

Learning to eat with utensils - He is doing better at this one, but only recently

Know where his eyes, nose, and mouth are - okay, I didn't even realize we were supposed to be teaching this yet. Although we have worked on nose a bit, and he knows that one well

Stack objects - He knows how to knock over stacked objects, does that count?

Does he mimmick sounds you make or animals make? He does not do this at all

I don't know, just the whole appointment made me feel like my kid is dumb. She said she wasn't worried about him, but I couldn't help it when the answer to nearly every question was "No" or "Not really." Just have to keep reminding myself that every child is different and learns at a different pace. I'm just happy he's a healthy boy, he's just patient and taking his time with some things.

First steps to end 2008!

Well, my big boy is truly growing up. He decided he just couldn't let 2008 end without taking those long awaited first steps. Just hours before 2009 started, my 15 month old little boy finally took his very first steps, surrounded by friends and family. It was a perfect moment. Unfortunately, the first time he did it, in my excitement, I grabbed him as he fell into my arms and screamed, which scared the poor little guy into tears. He got over it quickly though and was ready to try again. So far, he's taken only about 6 or 7 steps at a time, but I have a feeling that very soon I'll be chasing after him as he's running from me to get into everything he can reach now at his new level. Next thing I know, he'll be driving.

National Breastfeeding Week

Sorry, no pics of Isaac this blog, although I do wish I had a breastfeeding pic to put up in honor of National Breastfeeding Week which is just winding down. I am so upset with my home state right now, which makes me sad, because you all know I am a true Kentuckian at heart. I just read an article this morning about a woman in Berea, Ky (10 miles from where Steve and I lived in Richmond during college) who was kicked out of a McDonalds for breastfeeding her 4 month old son. This is only about 30 miles from the Lexington Applebees that asked a woman to stop breastfeeding her son a couple of years ago. There is a Kentucky law that protects breastfeeding women against this kind of harassment. How can someone ask a mother to stop feeding her child, or to go to a disgusting public restroom (would you eat your lunch in one?), or her hot car to feed her child???? This baffles me. I can understand people being uncomfortable if a woman is purposefully not being discreet, however most nursing women are quite modest, and very careful to not expose themselves. People get so hung up on breasts being sexual objects rather than a source of nourishment for a child. Kentucky ranks 50th out of the 50 states in breastfeeding initiation. How sad is that? This state is not providing mothers with the education and resources they need to provide their child with the best nourishment there is. Instead, welfare is handing out free formula. Hello, breastfeeding is free too, and scientifically proven over and over again to be healthier! When I think about it, I don't remember ever seeing a woman nursing in public during the majority of my life spent in Kentucky. I don't even think I can think of a single family member or friend who has breastfed. Yet, it always seemed so natural to me, and never occurred to me to do anything else. I am certainly not saying that there is anything wrong at all with feeding your child formula, Isaac had formula his first few days of life, I'm just disappointed that women feel they don't have an option because they are not properly educated and are made to feel scandalous by choosing to breastfeed, like it's something they have to hide. Formula certainly has it's place for women who are not physically able to breastfeed (inadequate supply, incompatible medications, etc) or who work long hours without adequate opportunities to express milk for their child. I hope that I have set a positive example to some woman out there who is contemplating breastfeeding her child by not being ashamed of providing my child with what I feel is best for him, no matter where I am. I wonder if I'll get kicked out of some Kentucky restaurant when I'm home for a visit and my almost 2 year old wants to nurse, haha. I dare someone to try. They will receive quite an education from me.


http://www.kentucky.com/181/story/482335.html