Cardiologist check up for both of us

 Yesterday I had my follow up with the cardiologist and EK had her appointment to check out her heart (because of my congenital heart defect she needed to be checked out). I scheduled this appointment some time ago, then last week less than a week before my appointment the office calls to say that they can't get our echo's scheduled at the time they told me and could I come another day/ time?! I was beyond upset because here I thought it was scheduled and hubby had taken the day off to come with me. We were able to work it out that we went to the hospital right by the doctors office for the echo's then to the doctors office to see the doctor, however this meant we had to be at the hospital (downtown) for registration by 8:15- YUCK!!! We managed to get the 2 older kiddos ready for school (my mom took them for us), and the two younger ones ready in time to go, traffic was horrible but we got to the hospital no problem. The problems arose when we got to the hospital, they didn't have the orders for EK, then insurance denied her twice even though the day before we had received a letter saying she was covered! After several phone calls we got both issues straightened out. We finally headed to get our echo's. EK went first and she did quite well, I feed her during the procedure which helped. Then it was my turn, it was enjoyable- LOL! Yes in a dimmed room, laying on a bed covered up, yes I took a little nap while I had the echo. I'm telling you with the lack of sleep, when I see a bed I want to lay down and sleep, ask me to lay down where it's quiet and the lights are dim I'm going to fall asleep!!
After both of our echo's we trekked over to the doctors office to fill out a ton of paperwork and to sit and wait and wait!!! Finally we were called back where both EK and myself got weighted, blood pressure checks and ekg's. Little Miss Chunky Monkey weights 10lbs 8oz!!!!! I knew she had gained but not that much- wow!!! Then it was time to see the doctor, and I'm so HAPPY to say we both got great reports!!!! EK is a beautiful healthy little girl:) She has a small vsd, and slight murmur which are all absolutely normal for her age. They do want to see EK back in two yrs to make sure the vsd closed up and everything is still normal, which the fully expect it to be. My ticker is doing great, the doctor said looking at my echo/ ekg etc you would never know I've had a baby let alone two- that everything is the same no effects from the pregnancies. WOO-HOO!!!!!! That was the best news after spending ALL morning at the hospital/ doctors- it was after 12:00 by the time we got done! EK and L were both troopers. I was so so proud of L, she was in the stroller the whole time and did awesome!!! By the time we stopped and had lunch because we were all starving!! I had to drop hubby at his afternoon doctors appointment at the orthopedist (he's been released, just ease back into things the next couple of weeks), then head to M and H's school to pick them up. It was a long day but with great news:)

6 weeks old!!!!!

Yesterday our littlest princess turned 6 weeks old!! Time is going by too fast, she growing and changing too fast, I think with three other kiddos and craziness it seems to go by faster. I just want to freeze time to be able to enjoy her more when she's so tiny. EK, still doesn't have a good feeding schedule and will often fall asleep during a feeding, I'm trying not to get too worked up about it because she is growing. I've backed off waking her every 2 hours to feed- the doctor said I should feed her every 2 hours till she is 10lbs; I don't let her go a very long but I'm more lax. EK is becoming more alert starting to coo and "talk". Her smile just melts my heart.
On a different note, it's been 6wks since I had EK that means hubby and I can have sex again. Hubby started hinting and alluding to this starting last week UGH!!!! REALLY!!!!!! I'm sorry but that is the LAST thing on my mind. I love my hubby but to be honest if I see a bed all I want to do is crawl in it and sleep, matter of fact anything in a horizontal position makes me think of sleep because I'm exhausted!!! Hubby just doesn't get it, and makes me feel bad, saying I'm not attracted to him, etc...  I just don't think he realizes what my days/ nights are like, I honestly believe he thinks oh she's home all day etc...Any suggestions?

Kindergarten check-up, beginning of school, H's 6th birthday , EXHAUSTED

WHEW!!!! What a crazy busy week we had! H had his kindergarten check-up last Wed. afternoon luckily hubby kept M and L at home since he was home for lunch and I took H and EK with me. H was too funny at the doctors. When the nurse came to get him, he wouldn't get up till she answered his questions- am I getting a shot? Am I getting my finger pricked? Once she said no, he said okay, got up and followed her back. Once back in the room I reminded H goes by his middle name, so she showed him how she was going to change it in the computer, she asked H what he preferred to be called, he said hum (you could see the wheels turning!), then he replied LaVale. WHAT?! So the rest of the appointment they all referred to him as LaVale- LOL!!! H was messing with EK who was asleep in her carrier, I told him to leave her alone and let her sleep because if she wakes up she is going to want to eat. H then turns to the nurse and says "and you don't want to see that!" OMG! H was so thrilled when the nurse said he was going to have to pee in a cup- must be a boy thing! When the doctor came into the room she started off asking developmental questions like do you know your colors? H said no! I said yes you do! So the doctor had to test him on his colors to which of course he knew. The doctor said you do so know your colors, why did you say no? H said "just checkin to see if you do!". LOL! H got a great check-up :) He is in the 23% for weight and 9% for height- I wasn't shocked by this, the main thing is he is growing and he is healthy:)
Last Thursday was the kiddos first day of school, and they did awesome and had a fabulous first day (they had an early dismissal on Thursday to help them ease back into the school year). Since the kiddos are back in school I've found it's more, yes more of a challenge to do some things because L misses her bubby and sissy and she is bored so she is into A LOT more things especially when I'm feeding EK!
L is quite the handful because she is trying to be so independent, and VERY strong willed two year old! Trying to go anywhere with L and EK is quite the chore, trying to carry the car seat carrier and hope L will listen and follow directions. L HATES riding in carts at the store which is quite the challenge; getting into the car seat is also a battle. I keep trying to tell myself this too shall pass its a phase, however I'm overwhelmed with things and then factor in the lack of sleep. I'm now getting up to start my day at 5:30am unless EK has a feeding right around that time like this morning when my day started at 5:00am and no naps I'm running on very little sleep. EK is still on an every 2 hour feeding schedule. EK is not a great eater, often falling asleep so some feelings take 1-1.5 hours!!! I've tried everything I can think of, tickling her,taking her clothes off etc..
This past weekend was H's 6th birthday!!! I can't believe my baby boy is 6yrs old!! On Friday H took some cookies into school to celebrate- he was so excited to celebrate his actually birthday instead of his "fake" birthday as he called it (his preschool celebrated his half bday bc school didn't start in time for his actual bday). On Saturday we had his friends party at a local trampoline place. When I got up a few minutes after 6am to feed EK, H was already up- someone was VERY excited about his birthday:) His party went ok other than the trampoline place wouldn't allow outside food and drink and I was not aware of this policy so H was not able to have his cookie cake a juice boxes with his friends- I was not happy and I felt horrible!!! My mom made me feel worse by saying I really should check into these things before I plan etc... H didn't seem to mind, we had the cookie cake that evening with my brother, niece, nephew and my parents when we celebrated his birthday and he got his presents. H got all kinds of le.gos- I said he has so many now instead of moving we will just build an addition with them!!!
Yesterday we had EK's 6wk pictures taken (a little early she isn't 6weeks till tomorrow but with our schedules this is what worked best), it kind of snuck up on me with the start of school and H's birthday. Saturday afternoon/ evening and Sunday morning/ afternoon before pictures I was searching for fancy/ lacy white bloomers and a small bow headband for pictures. Sunday I finally found a place that said they had the bloomers (mind you the person I talked to on the phone was VERY rude)  so I loaded all the kiddos and headed there (hubby is at the gym almost all day on Sundays), when I get to the store, they don't have the bloomers they use to but they were out, and apparently the sales lady (same rude person I talked to on the phone) thought it was funny! I noticed they had headband bows, I asked what size it was and the last says "it has elastic, it will fit any size", so I try it on EK it's too big and falls right off! The sales lady them tells me I could cut the bow off the headband and use a little El.m,ers glue to stick it on EK's head- it's a photographers secret! REALLY?! What photographer because I want to make sure not to take my baby there! Needless to say after I left this place I was not happy!!!! I ended up having a meltdown, between the lack of sleep, the kids not behaving, not being prepared for pictures/ finding what I wanted and feeling like I have no help it was too much! THANKFULLY pictures turned out fabulous, EK did awesome and I found a couple of cute outfits in her closet for pictures.
Sorry for the long post, told ya we've been busy:) hope I didnt ramble too much! Thankfully this week looks pretty calm.

One Month Old :o

Yes, I know hard to our little EK is one month old!!!! We are all doing well and settling into a new normal/ chaos. I'm doing well, getting more confident about going out with the kiddos, although its still a juggling act with breast feeding and trying to get things done she eats every 2 hrs (dimetimes sooner!) I'm still not back to doing everything that I was before- haven't attempted the grocery shopping- although after hubby's half hearted attempts (without any kids) I think it's time I figure out how to grocery shop- preferably without the kiddos or at least all of them! Hubby either spends a fortune (getting name brand stuff and "extras" that weren't on the list or doesn't get the right stuff/ forgets to get everything on the list.
This week has been my "crazy" week with 3 doctors appointments; school mtgs and activities etc... But managed to get through it okay:) The kiddos start school next Thurs so that will be another adjustment/ new normal. I am hoping and praying the kiddos have a great school year!
Today we took EK for her 1 month check-up and she is doing great:) She's up to 8lbs 14oz and 21 in long- growing like a weed! Poor thing had to get a shot- broke momma's heart; never is easy when your kids are in pain :(
One of my "saving graces" has been some new meals/ recipes that are super easy, can be made ahead; and are large enough I can freeze half for another meal. And the awesome part is two of them have been a HUGE hit with M who hardly ever eats dinner, because she is BEYOND picky (she doesn't like meat, veggies etc... Makes dinner time really enjoyable *note the sarcasm!).
Well time to get a few things accomplished while EK is napping! I still have to plan/ work on H's birthday, next Saturday he will be 6yrs old !!!

Surviving!!!!

Well hubby went back to work on Monday, and I'm surviving!!! Monday went better than expected, while L and EK were napping I was able to put together a casserole so when it came to dinner time I just heated the oven and put the casserole in:) To top things off EVERYONE including M liked and ate the casserole, WOO-HOO that's a HUGE win!
Tuesday went well, even with two extra kids, my niece and nephew! My sister in law called yesterday morning wanting me to watch them so she could go with her mom to a doctors appointment. She was suppose to be at my house by 11am well finally at 12:25pm she shows up! Of course it was lunch time, the kids hasn't had lunch so I had to make them lunch. I never heard from her till she finally rolled up in my drive at 4:30 to get the kiddos. I find it very fishy and have to wonder if her mom actually had a doctors appointment?! I say this based on previous experience. I'm happy to help out, enjoy having my niece and nephew I just don't like being taken advantage of!
Yesterday afternoon my mom came by to stay with the kiddos so I could run and get lab work done without having to take everyone :) While I was out I stopped by a local nursing store to check EK's weight because my mom was concerned and thus had me worried that EK wasn't gaining/ growing; even though she was content, wetting and dirtying diapers. Well no worries she is past her birth weight :) she is 8lbs 0.7 oz. So I was happy to have affirmation that she is growing and I'm doing a good job of breast feeding. Next Friday is EK's 1 month check-up so we will see what the pediatrician has to say.
Next week starts the "craziness"!!!! I have 2 doctors appointments, one of which I will have to take all the kids with me! EK has her 1 month check-up and will have to take all the kiddos with me once again! Mon- Wed night of next week M has a cheerleading clinic; Tues night we have a kindergarten parent night and Thurs night we have school supply drop off night and meet the teachers (school starts the 15th).
Lets hope with the "craziness" beginning I can get some more energy/ more sleep. EK is still not a great night time sleeper- hoping it will come with time! Couple that with L not sleeping well/  refusing to sleep in her bed so its a nightly struggle and even if we do get her to sleep in her bed at some point in the middle of the night she comes in our room and gets in our bed. So when I do get to sleep its not very comfortable because I usually have little space or have feet in my back etc... I just keep telling myself in time it will work out and I will miss these nights ;)
So like I said I'm in survivor mode right now, I don't feel like the greatest mom but I'm doing the best I can!

A new experience

I've had a new experience with EK that I didn't think I would get to experience- breast feeding:) With L, my milk production was never very good, and I couldn't get her to latch properly. I attribute both of these issues to two seperate things: 1. My milk production because I didn't ask for a lactation consultant right away; L was given a bottle in the nursery (unbeknownst to us until discharge and against our wishes); and the fact that I didn't start pumping right away either. 2. When I did finally have a lactation consultant in my room I had an "audience" my mom and H were visiting and it was very distracting and uncomfortable having them in the room. However at the time I didn't know these were probably my issues, I assumed do to my augmentation/ reduction surgery that is why I had issues with bf and assumed I would have the same issues this time but was willing to try again (mind you last time with L I pumped till she was 4 months old however I was getting very little breast milk and she was receiving majority formula.
This time around with EK I made it known I was bf and she was not to receive a bottle. I also requested a lactation consultant right away. I think these two things made quite the difference! The LC started me pumping after every feeding for 15 min to help my milk production. Although EK lost more than 10% of her body weight by the time we left the hospital, I increased feedings to every 1.5 hrs and she gained a couple of ounces in one day!! Since leaving the hospital I've been able to bf exclusively with no supplementing of formula:) and no pumping!!! I'm so thankful and blessed to have this experience and special time with EK!!

Hospital stay

So my hospital stay was not what I pictured. I knew going in this time I would be spending the first 24 hrs in ICU, so that wasn't a shock like last time. However I was surprised that I was only allowed to see EK during feedings and once the feeding was over it was back to the nursery for her. I also was taken aback by having to have someone from the nursery with her/ me at all times- nothing like having a stranger in the room when your breast feeding! I was also bummed in the or, because I only got to see EK, I wasn't able to hold her. I was surprised that I was so sick after my c-section. I usually don't get sick after surgery etc... But I didn't eat anything until late that night and it was crackers (aside from the Popsicle I had earlier in the evening), thankfully by the next morning I was feeling a little better and able to eat some breakfast and keep it down! Speaking of food- I was so not impressed with the hospital food- and they had me on a regular diet, but the menu consisted of a lot of sandwiches and homemade soups with no flavor. I was so glad to get home and have my momma's hot homemade food:)
Another "disappointment" of my hospital stay was the lack of rest I got! I know the nurses have to come in for vitals but it seemed like someone from the hospital was constantly in my room (and when your breast feeding every 2 hours and then pumping for 15 minutes afterwards it seemed like everyone in the hospital saw my breasts!!). Then you add the construction going on right outside my hospital window it was constant noise and commotion! I had all intentions of staying the "extra" day however I wanted some rest and I knew I wasn't going to get it at the hospital- I really wanted my bed!!!! The hospital bed was so uncomfortable. EK didn't like the isolet so I was hoping when we got home she would like the bassinet however she wasn't a fan of that either- she took some getting use to it and is doing better:) Until then though we/ I spent a lot of nights in the recliner!
Then there was the loneliness, I know your asking how could I be lonely with the constant whirlwind of hospital staff in my room but I was! Hubby was hardly ever at the hospital- he was working out, going to lunch and/ or dinner- instead of bringing it back to my room and eating with me; or home sleeping/ napping. My mom came one afternoon with my kiddos but it was crazy with them and it was hard on her to bring them. One night I did have a friend, uncle, cousins and brother/ sister in law all come to see me in one night. It just like I said wasn't what I expected, I thought hubby would be at the hospital more but he was too busy taking care of himself! Since we've been home we haven't had any visitors except the grandparents- I'm really surprised by this but it is what it is. Thankfully my mom has been a HUGE HUGE help with everything!!! She even took the kids school supply shopping for me:)