5.30.08
Whoa - two posts in ONE day? Crazy, I know. Howevah, I came across this girl on youtube when I found the Target lady video below, and she made this dope video to one of my favorite songs of all time: Hide and Seek by Imogean Heap. Enjoy.
5.30.08
Okay, okay, my last few posts have been KIIIIND of downers, so I thought I'd post one of my favorite characters from SNL for your viewing pleasure - the Target Lady, played by Kristen Wiig. Unfortch, someone at You Tube has removed all of the sketches in their entirety, but I did find this one that is pretty funny. Please to enjoy:
Scarlett, Simon, and Gavin. Mommy loves you.
The Prayer
Andrea Bocelli
I pray you'll be our eyes, and watch us where we go.
And help us to be wise in times when we don't know.
Let this be our prayer, when we lose our way.
Lead us to a place, guide us with your grace
To a place where we'll be safe.
I pray we'll find your light,
And hold it in our hearts
When stars go out each night,
Remind us where you are..
Lead us to a place
Let this be our prayer
When shadows fill our day
Guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe.
Let this be our prayer,
Just like every child.
We ask that life be kind
And watch us from above.
We hope each soul will find
Another soul to love.
Let this be our prayer,
Just like every child.
Needs to find a place, guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe.
5.28.08
For the past few years, whenever I have thought about having children, I have thought that I did not want to breastfeed them. It’s not that I have anything against it – it just wasn’t for me. When we found out we were having trips, it kind of sealed the deal. I couldn’t imagine breastfeeding three babies almost simultaneously and maintaining my sanity. However, I had decided that I would pump, and we would supplement with formula so that Tom and I could both participate in feeding them.
Welllllll, life is funny. Since the babies were born, I have tried to pump unsuccessfully now two and a half weeks, and never get any more than a few milliliters each pumping. I have tried pumping every 3 hours. I have tried pumping every 2 hours. I started taking fenugreek. I have tried warm compresses and massage, and putting the babies to my breast to stimulate my supply, and still…nothing. It is extremely frustrating and stressful, and I have spent quite a few days crying about it. I know it is not my fault if my milk supply just isn’t there, and I have read that someone low in iron has more trouble building up their supply (as I do after having lost so much blood in delivery). I have read that first time moms have trouble sometimes, as do women who deliver via c-section, as do “older mommies” (thank you for those words, Lactation Consultant – now get out of my face before I smack you).
My friend Sarah told me about the conversation she had with a friend of hers who had the same problem. “You can’t run a race if your leg is broken. You may be able to crawl a mile, but after that, you just can’t do it.” Breastfeeding is the same way. I am a healthy person, and before we got pregnant, I was in the best shape of my life. I ate better, worked out faithfully, and took better care of myself than ever before. I KNOW that it is not my fault if my milk doesn’t come in, but every time I pump, and there is nothing to show for it, it is tears and frustration all over again. I realize I will get to the point where I accept it, and clearly the babies are not suffering from not having vast amounts of my milk, since they are gaining weight day by day, but for now, please indulge me while I attend my pity party. I’ll cry if I want to.
5.20.08
"Wow - you are aMAZing to have carried triplets for so long!"
"You did such a GREAT job!"
"You are heroic for carrying them as long as you did!"
These comments, while all kind and generous, puzzle me. I have heard them quite frequently since the c-section, but although I appreciate them, they are stated as if I had something to do with how long I carried the babies. I tend to think, however, that it was someone higher than me who chose to let them stay “in residence” for the 34 weeks that they did. It was not through sheer determination or willpower on my part. In fact, by the end, I selfishly wanted them OUT.
I don’t have any deep thoughts about these compliments from friends, family, and even strangers. What I AM certain of now, especially when we are in the NIC-U with them, marveling at their teeny fingernails, their perfect little ears, or their enormous eyes in those tiny little faces, who look up at us as if they already KNOW us – what I know now for certain – is how thankful I am that they DID stay with me as long as they did. That someone up there knew better than me how important it was for them to stay snuggled and warm in my belly.
5.19.08
Wow. On Friday, May 16, at 7:45 a.m., we welcomed our Trips to the world. Gavin Frankie was born at 7:45 a.m., at 4 lbs, and was 16 inches long:
Simon Jack was born at 7:46 a.m., 4 lbs, and was 16 inches long:
And "little" big sis Scarlett Fiona Carolyn was born at 7:47 a.m., at 4 lbs, 5 oz; and was 17 inches long.
And as much as I have been whining and complaining that I am ready to leave the hospital after almost 2 and a half months, now that the babies are here, it suddenly doesn't seem so urgent that I leave. They are precious, and I cannot believe that they are ours. When we go to see them in the NIC-U, it is like Christmas morning every day - you don't know which one to go see first, because they are ALL the best.
Tom has been my rock through this whole ordeal, and watching him watch our babies makes me love him more than I ever thought I could. I am especially in awe seeing him with Gavin and Simon, because they are like miniature versions of Tom. It is precious.
Though I can't say my experience at the hospital was perfect (how could it be being a pregnant, hormonal woman stuck in a small room for 2.5 months?) I have had a great experience and met SO many wonderful staff here that I consider friends and family now. Seriously, from my day-of C-section and working my way back to my first day here, I feel compelled to list some of the people here that truly touched me most. I also know I may miss some people the first time around, so I will update the following list as the drugs wear off and I remember everyone:
Dana - Day of C-section nurse and fellow former bedrest-on-pregnancy survivor - Thank you SO much for taking care of me, talking to me, soothing my nerves (even if you DID make me drink that NASTY Bi-Citra...) I sincerely appreciate everything you did.
Cathy - Probably has the coolest, most eclectic taste in music and movies (thank you, by the way, for burning the CDs for me - I know I will enjoy them). I appreciated the talks we had about our "movie of the weekend" - it helped take my mind off my "worry of the day."
Heather - I cannot count the number of times you must have had to put the babies on the monitors, and you did it with a smile on your face each time. All I can say is, you are a woman of great patience. Thank you!!!
Holly - Sorry for the 25 minute contraction that necessitated you checking my cervix. Believe me, it was as much fun for me as it was for you, I'm sure. Ahem. Seriously, I appreciate your calm presence that night - it helped me through that night!!!
Emily - Your patience in answering my increasing questions each day was such a help the longer I was here. I sincerely appreciate you taking your time to answer each one in a way that I could understand and not come out the other side even more apprehensive! You were such a calming presence - thank you!
Val - I know we didn't have this conversation until near the end of my stay, but I totally enjoyed talking to you about interior design and home renovation. Seriously, every conversation that took my mind off of my worries was a help, and from one fellow renevator to another, I thank you!
Coco - THANK YOU for giving me options besides just sitting in my room, resources to check online, books, handouts, etc. etc., but mostly, thanks for just stopping by to chat every now and then. I don't think I ever told you this, but Tom and I decided you look like Tina Fey, so I guess that makes you the Social Worker Rock (I know, I know, a bad play on 30 Rock) of Overland Park Regional Medical Center.
Sarah - Aaaaiiiight - from the beginning, you know I dug your smart-assery (yes, that is a real word..), the DQ Blizzard in the midst of my "ice cream phase," the times you stopped by to chat even when you weren't on Antepartum, and your coolness in general. Thank you for EVERYTHING, and I will miss you!
Susan - Dude. You ROCK. You really do not know how much I looked forward to your visits every afternoon, especially on those days when I was having a rough hour on the monitors. You were also an invaluable resource for my innumerable questions about everything from bitching about the hospital food (me, not you), to, oh, about 587 questions regarding c-sections. Not to mention just taking your time to hang in my room and watch me get bigger every afternoon. I will miss you!
Michelle - If I could have requested you on every one of your shifts, I would have (and by the end, I DID finally smarten up and start doing it). I appreciated your total sincerity in everything you did, the times you stopped in just to say hi or let me know that you were going to be taking care of me, answering questions and more questions, and just being a cool chick in general. And your Craigslist addiction just clinched it for me - Uh - HELLOOOOO fellow bargain shopper!!! I will miss you!
To the Makers of Ambien - Sigh. I will miss you MOST of all.
I am sure there are people I have missed on this list, so as I said below, I will add to it as they come to me! But seriously folks (okay, how many times can I say that?) I truly appreciated the sense of family I had while staying in room 3401 (heretofore named The Shannan C Extended Stay Executive Suite and Spa). From the fab nursing staff to the docs who stopped in everyday to marvel that I was STILL there, I thank you all!!!
Mmmmmmwwwaaaahhh!!!
Day 65 - 5.15.08
Apparently I have now taken to talking to myself in my Ambien haze. Though I haven't made any crazy comments lately - that I know of - I DID wake myself up with the following comment the other night. I have no idea what I was dreaming about, but I was pretty adamant in my confession:
"I am a BITCH!"
As much as I could look around to see if anyone else had heard, thankfully, there was no nurse in the room, and Tom only answered my comment with a steady snore. So that's it - the truth is finally out, and you heard it here first (unless you have visited the KFC restroom on Noland Road in Independence) then you've probably read it on the bathroom wall in the stall closest to the door.
I kid! I'm a kidder! It's the SECOND closest stall to the door. Geesh!!!
Day 64 - 5.14.08
Here they come! We went to have a scan this morning, and the doc decided to schedule the c-section for this Friday, May 16 at 7:30 a.m. Babies look good, fluid looks good, but he did think Baby A's stomach was measuring a little small. His weight showed 3 lbs15 oz, which is what he measured at last week, but the doc said he was having trouble getting accurate measurements because of the jumble of little body parts smooshing him down. Baby B weighed in at 4 lbs, and Baby C weighed in at 4 lbs 10 oz. Girl is going to kick those boys' ASSES. Needless to say, we are excited, happy, nervous, scared, but glad to finally see the light at the end of the tunnel!
When I got back to my room, of course I laid down to nap (all of that crazy wheelchair joy-riding really takes it out of a person)! I was dozing off, and had the most PRESENT feeling of two of my beloved uncles who both passed away a few years ago. It was so REAL. I could see them walking down the hall of the hospital together, to my room, just looking in on me, kind of like they were saying "We're here - we're watching - we love you." I can barely get this onto the page because I am crying so hard, but I really feel like they are our guardian angels at this moment. I love them and miss them so much.
For those of you who know us and have been following my crazy ramblings on this blog, we thank you so much for your love, support, thoughts and prayers. Stay tuned for more updates, and hopefully some pics soon of our little peanuts.
Day 60 - 5.10.08
-
It is virtually impossible to shave your legs when PG.
- See number one: this goes double for wiping. Ahem.
- It is entirely POSSIBLE that your pelvis will swell up as large as a bowling ball.
- Don’t plan on rolling over in bed in the middle of the night. Just switch sides when you get up to go to the bathroom for the 157th time.
- Your husband could become your best pedicurist in your third trimester. I do not know this from firsthand experience, but have heard of such a myth.
Still Day 59 - 5.9.08
Yeah, I'm posting again today, even though it'll be a short one for now, and I may post AGAIN before the day is out, so suck it! Here is my favorite line from NBC TV last night. Enjoy...
"This is a virtual guaranteed disaster, worse than eating a burrito just before sex."
30 Rock
My Groups
-
Girl Talk Updated: 5 minutes ago
-
Design Inspiration Updated: 2 days ago
-
Gift Girl Updated: 2 days ago
Neighborhood
Explore friends, family, friends & family, or entire neighborhood.
