Under the blue lights

I went to see Kai first thing this morning and he is now under the blue lights. His billirubin levels were a bit high (he has jaundice), so they said he'll be under there for at least 24 hours. The sad part is, we won't get to hold him during that time. =( He looks adorable though, with his little shades on - just relaxing under the light like looking like he's getting a tan.

8-24-09

I just got back from the NICU after watching Kai eat on his own. What a little champ! He is eating 10 ml of breastmilk every three hours. He did really well with the whole sucking and swallowing thing. They feed him using a bottle nipple and putting my breastmilk into that one syringe at a time.

Right now, Kai can only be held by mom and dad and only twice a day. I held him this morning for a good 20 minutes or so before we had to put him back to warm up. This evening, I'll get to start Kangaroo care (skin-to-skin) contact with him. My doctors and Kai's doctors recommend that for both of us - to help him connect to mom and dad and to help lower my blood pressure.

They moved me from the labor and delivery side to the postpartum side of the hospital this morning. I'm off of the magnesium drip and am IV free. I'm able to get up and move around at my will and am doing so pretty well. I feel a bit of pain at the c-section incision site especially when I sit or stand up. But, other than that, I feel okay. Unfortunately, my blood pressure is still high even though I don't really have any symptoms. I'm anticipating that my doctor will put me on blood pressure medication to help with that. Makes me feel old.

My head is still swimming with all of the events of the last week. I'm trying to relax, but worrying about my boys. My mom and dad watched Sage again last night and said he had a rough one. He kept waking up saying, "ma ma ma ma." That breaks my heart to hear. It sounds like he has realized that this isn't just a weekend trip to grandma and grandpa's house. This is the longest he's ever been away from home and definitely the longest he's ever been away from me. I miss him terribly! Makes me cry just thinking about it. I just want to hold him, cuddle him, and love on my little man. It hurts me because I can't really do that with either of my little guys right now.

Continue to send positive thoughts and prayers our way for quick healing of mom, quick growth for Kai, a return to normal for Sage, a positive outcome for Jared, and a big happy Kelly family.

Introducing...Kai Michael Kelly

Here's our little fighter:

Baby Boy #2 is here

Baby boy Kelly is here! After an emergency c-section, Baby Boy made his arrival at 10:40 pm on Saturday, August 22, 2009. He weighs in at a small, but fiesty 4 lbs., 5 oz. He is in the special care unit, but is breathing room air on his own. Yea! We're so excited to meet our newest little man. He came so fast, however, that we haven't decided on a name yet... Continue to pray that the little guy stays strong and grows quickly. See the attached video for a glimpse of our little firecracker!

Coming soon

I know it seems weird that I'm blogging when I'm in the situation that I'm in right now. But, really it's to record what's happening to tell baby #2 someday.

It's 8:10 pm on Saturday, August 22, 2009. I developed a sudden, completely unexplainable case of preeclampsia. It's an illness curable only by delivery of the baby. The doctors are acting quickly because I'm quickly getting more and more ill. From the time I got to the doctor's office yesterday until now - roughly 36 hours, I've gone from feeling just fine to feeling like crap. Part of it is the magnesium they have me on to prevent seizures and stroke.

I just spoke to my newest nurse and it sounds like the plan is to do a c-section in the morning. There is a small possiblity that I'll start feeling better and baby can come vaginally. But, not likely.

Jared and I are just praying for a healthy baby!!!

Rough Times

After a very stressful 3 days of serving as juror on a 1st degree murder trial, I went to the hospital Wednesday night with contractions. Although they were not too painful, they were 4 minutes apart - much too frequent for this early in the pregnancy. I was given medicine to stop the contractions and sent home for 24 hours of bed rest.

On Friday, I went back to the doctor fully expecting everything to be fine. Wrong! My blood pressure was high and there was lots of protein in my urine - the hallmark symptoms of preeclampsia. I was immediately sent over to labor and delivery and hooked up to monitors.

Since then, it's been a whirlwind of activity. I'm in the middle of a 24 hour urine collection which will give the doctor a better idea of how severe my condition is and how soon I have to deliver this baby. My blood pressures have dropped - but only if I'm laying down and unstressed. Not easy when I'm worried about my unborn baby.

Right now, it sounds like I'm not leaving the hospital without delivering. And, that may be in the next 24 hours. I'm feeling scared for my baby and even me. Overwhelmed by how fast this is happening. Praying for a healthy baby as early as baby may be. Please send your positive thoughts and prayers this way.

They're about to give me magnesium which is going to make me very tired and feeling bad, so most likely the next post you see will be will be announcing the arrival of baby #2.

They're back!!!

my Shrek feet, that is...

I started back to work this week and that means that I'm on my feet a lot more during the day. The school I work at is 3 levels and there is no elevator, so I have to do a lot of stairs. When I came home from work on Wednesday, I was disgusted to see my swollen ankles and feet. The swelling didn't even really go away overnight. Yuck! They look so gross.

I would have to say that as far as appearance goes - the swollen ankles and feet are the worst thing about the 3rd trimester. On the physical side, my hips are killing me this time around!!! With Sage, I had hardly any hip pain. But, this time, it started early and is really bad now. I guess it's because my hips didn't have time to get back to normal from Sage.

How many more weeks to go???

On a more positive note, I have been truly enjoying watching/feeling baby #2 move lately. This baby is very active - probably because it's always be poked, prodded, and aggravated by Sage! Baby #2 also gets the hiccups a lot. Can't wait to meet the newest Kelly.

Baby #2 Check-In

I visited the doctor again today. It's still amazing to me that it's late enough in the pregnancy to be seeing her every 2 weeks. "Everything looks great!" she said. Then she asked if I'm ready? Uh, no! But, at the same time - YES!

There are only 5 more weeks until baby #2 is full term and only 8 more weeks until baby is due. 5 weeks! That's so close! We are ready as far as having everything baby will need right away.

I go back to work full-time on Monday. I love my job, but I love being with Sage too. At the beginning of the summer, I was kind of scared as to whether or not I would like being mommy all day. I didn't think I would. But, I do. I love it! Especially since Sage seems to learn something new everyday. It's definitely going to be hard to leave the little guy next week. The good news is - it won't be for long. Once I start maternity leave, Sage will only go to the baby-sitter 2 or 3 days a week - if at all.

Feeling anxious

I've crossed the 30 week mark with baby #2. Everyone I talk to that had back-to-back babies said they delivered #2 early - most by more than a month early. So, even though I'm hoping for a late September baby, I'm trying to prepare for an early September baby.

That makes me nervous! I don't know why, but with Sage I couldn't wait to until he was here - I was so excited! This time, I'm feeling more anxious with each passing day. I'm worrying about how we will manage two little ones. Sage has become this extremely mobile, very active toddler who is even starting to get a little bit of an attitude and very much has his daddy's stubborn streak.

Don't get me wrong, I'm definitely tired of being pregnant! I feel like an elephant having been pregnant for almost 2 years straight! Probably look like one too. =( I do enjoy pregnancy as far as creating a miracle and love to feel baby #2 moving. But, after nearly 2 years, I'm ready to be done!

More Lake Fun...

While Jared enjoyed a boy's weekend out of town to celebrate Justin's bachelor party, Sage and I headed to the lake. It was a lot of fun because more of the family was there. Somehow, the lake is just not the same when it's not crowded with family. =)

Sage enjoyed his first boat ride and had a chance to play on the beach. Maybe next summer, when I'm not pregnant, he can have his first wave runner ride!

Good times!