Life the last year hasn't been as simple but still remains pleasurable. To keep these next couple posts not so boring I will briefly "Ketch-up" on a few of our happenings, too many things to share them all.
Last September I went insane, maybe the reason why I don't remember everything since then. I got a full time job as an admission RN for Odyssey Hospice. I needed the hours to keep my license and knew Hospice was something I really enjoyed being apart of.
I can say I really enjoy working with this company, despite the fact that sometimes I was pushed to do more then I could. The idea of Hospice is amazing and there have been several times I have felt the greatest peace and comfort by being with a family who have come to terms with the passing of their loved one and the relief of abandoning longterm suffering and treatments for a better quality of life. I took a 2 month leave and will return back to work PRN, as needed, once or twice a month.
A couple of weeks after my hiring I found out I was pregnant. This one was the hardest on me. With the stress of work, calling and home I had some physical complications and seemed to skip altogether the "energetic" 2nd trimester. Add to that my son, 18 months at the time, fractured his femur. Unknown how he did it. All we guessed was a vitamin D deficiency precipitated it, followed by getting his foot stuck in his crib bars and landing on it wrong later that morning.
We spent all day in two hospitals getting tests, drugging him with morphine and having us wait to see when he could go into surgery. Luckily we got in that night and only had to pay one night's stay, ($13,000/night for an RN to check on him twice and pump him full of Valium, Fentanyl and Morphine...YUCK). He was a trooper and we only blue coded once- Cole goes unconscious anytime he is in bad pain or goes without sleep and food, all of which was happening that day) I was the most calm person in that room during that episode, more freaked about what they were going to do to him, when he was fine. :)
Cole is quite amazing, didn't cry much after coming home, only had Lortab 2x's after the hospital and never seemed to complain, even though he had to lay on his back and belly most days.
We borrowed a recliner from a friend, he loved that thing. He got a little too comfortable being a couch potato, mommy feeding him, watching movies, etc.
This was after the morphine was given, beforehand he was in pain for 4 hours. I was so glad to see him like this. I sure hope this isn't foreshadowing this boy's E.R. future.
Our 13,000 dollar room and bed, after he recieved his spica cast. This cast went from his right ankle to his right hip and crossed over to his left hip, exposing enough area to tuck a diaper under it and allowing him to have his left leg for movement.
The day we got home we ordered pizza and he couldn't stop eating. Here is a spoiled life, being fed by dad.
Cole's highchair for eating was perfect. Too bad mom's leg and back felt the pressure from holding him all the time. He was 35lbs and that didn't keep us from going outside in our pull wagon. Cole enjoyed a beanbag, blanket and juice while he held his sister's princess umbrella, so cute to see-no picture sorry.
He got the cast off 6 weeks later and is still having difficulty walking/running at times. That doesn't stop him and another reason why he ends up in messes occasionally.
After 6 weeks of doing nothing Reed and I got anxious and had a spending spree and finally had time to prepare for the coming of Bennett.
We broke down to get our van. It wasn't the SUV I thought it would be but I sure am glad we went with the minivan. It has saved us countless times and we got it for a steal of a deal.
Here was the greatest blessing we received this year, Bennett "Benny", "Chief". He was born at 8lbs 15oz, small head, four hours labor and came out after 2 pushes. The perfect birthing experience so far. I went natural with a midwife, the only way to go!
Norah is happy, no matter how much less attention she is given, as long as she has her puppy and horse.
We signed her up for a dance camp with a couple friends. She loves to dance, even though she has mother's gracefulness. She did great in each class and loves to wear her tutu. Next we hope to learn some tap, mother daughter tap dancing via you tube, where all the professionals are. :)
Just wanted to share this embarrasing moment. Right after my mother left, one week after Bennett was born, I was going upstairs to turn on the stove for tea. It was 11pm and I didn't notice I turned on the wrong burner, the same one that Reed left a plastic tray on earlier. Yep, nice little fire erupted in our kitchen and Reed was fast enough to get the extinguisher.(He said he really enjoyed spraying that). The smoke and mess of the spray was horrible. This will be on my list of the dumbest things I have done working on sleep deprivation. Glad I could share that with you too.
Quite the year review. Can't wait to see what happens the next six months!!!
