Hospital Turkey

Monday after Retta was discharged, I woke up feeling a bit nauseated myself...but I tried to convince myself that it was nothing. That afternoon I called Szymon to come home FAST....the stomach bug had hit! As soon as Szymon stepped in the door...he too went down. Not fun for both adults to be out of commission while caring for a two year old. I wasted little time and had Jaja drive me to triage at the hospital. Szymon weathered the storm at home while caring for Retta.

Just a few hours in I was already dehydrated and much to my surprise, started having contractions. It was all a blur, but I was admitted on L&D and started on IV fluids and medications to stop the vomiting and contractions. Grandma and Grandpa left work and drove in right away all the way from Houston for much needed support and help with Retta.

I continued on mag-sulfate for several days to reduce the contractions and to provide neuro protection to the little turkey inside of me...should he decide to come sooner than later.  So much for going to Houston for Thanksgiving. I was finally tapered off the medication on Thursday (Thanksgiving) and transferred to the antepartum unit. By that evening (a good 12 hours off the mag-sulfate) my appetite returned and I finally could eat! Szymon, Retta, my mom and I had a make-shift Turkey dinner in my hospital room.

Grandma dressed Retta up to come see me at the hospital!

She was a little "Pocahontas Turkey" and about the only thing that could bring a smile to my face!

(A few pics from my phone)

I was discharged on Friday with instructions for strict bed rest in hopes of keeping Baby W in for a few more weeks. ....which was all the doctors were hopeful for.

However, after two weeks of tearful bed rest at home my perinatologist gave me permission to resume moderate activity! (She could tell that the bed rest was causing me a great deal of distress). Her thought was if Baby W was to come early...laying around wasn't going to stop him. 

 (I am back-dating this post) so it is safe to say, despite all the worry and tears...at this point, it looks like we might just make it to term. Repeat C-section scheduled for Wednesday, January 8th!

But, we'll keep taking it day by day!

Stomach Bug = Hospitalization

Poor Retta came down with a nasty stomach bug early Saturday morning. Despite all attempts to keep in fluid at home...we ended up going to Methodist Children's ER.  We had consulted with our pediatrician by phone earlier in the day and were told that if it was a virus it may take up to 12 hours to run it's course. 

However, new mommy lesson learned - I will never let a baby go longer than 4 hours vomiting. There is absolutely no point for a baby to have to suffer for that long. 

By the time we made it to the ER that afternoon, Retta was moderately dehydrated and I felt absolutely horrible for not bringing her in earlier. After reviewing Retta's GI history, the ER doctor wanted to admit Retta to rule out a stomach blockage. So Dad stayed the night while I went home to sleep for 3 hours...it was a long day.

By Sunday morning, Retta was ready to party...Dad was ready to sleep! 

I returned to the hospital at 6:00AM to catch the physicians rounding early...however, being Sunday, we didn't see the doctor until that afternoon.  X-rays and sonograms ruled out a blockage. Chronic constipation was the culprit (my guess). 

And by then, Retta was ready to EAT!  Here she is so happy to eat a cracker!  She was so hungry, she shoved an entire piece of toast into her mouth before we could stop her...and proceeded to choke on it. I practically pulled out her IV trying to get her to cough it up. 

She was feeling much better.

They wanted to keep her for another night to make sure she continued to tolerate her B.R.A.T. diet, but I rebelled.  Instead, I asked if the hospitalist could consult with Dr. Brigmann (the pediatric GI doctor we have been waiting to get in with for quite some time) to see if Retta could be seen earlier.  And it worked! We were in the following week!

Complications were ruled out..

Retta was back to acting like herself...

we were going home!

.......

...or so we thought.

All Saints Day!

Fabulous friends from Holy Trinity hosted a super fun All Saints Day Party for our little Saints in the making! Retta and I rushed over after PT to join in on the fun!

Retta quickly found the snack table and started signing for a cracker!

Retta dressed up as The Blessed Mother Mary (the primary patron saint and Queen of Poland) and her baby doll "Rosco" dressed up as Baby Jesus. 

My Little Angel!

She was hungry after PT!

Lourdes, Retta, Caleb and little Samuel in the background!

It was impossible to capture a picture with everyone...

Retta and Lourdes chatted about their Baby Jesus' for quite sometime.

It was great fun!