The Brucia Files

Friday

• Monitoring my mysterious fever, which is doing a bit better today.  If only I didn't have a headache...have a feeling that's from hormone levels dropping since it's in my normal migraine spot
• Trying to stay cool in front of a "swamp cooler" - a pseudo air conditioner
• Watching the Red Sox/Mariners, now going into extra innings
• Kathryn got to hold her niece
• Kate is a sleeping champ today...probably means a long night...
• She really likes looking at her reflection in the window as she's on the changing table

Waiting for Kate to wake up...

She faked me out.  It seemed like she was stirring to feed again, but she's now conked out again.  But, alas, I am now fully awake.  So, a little computer time as she decides what to do. 

Some of these blog postings may not be interesting to folks, but I probably have no hope of writing in an actual journal - who writes by hand these days! - so there are certain things I do want to chronicle for future reference.  So, feel free to skip some of the medical updates:

• Since I was in labor, I've been monitored for high blood pressure problems.  I did not know that it was possible to get preeclampsia AFTER you give birth, but apparently it is.  At a check up yesterday - 10 days after Kate's birth - my blood pressure is still too high.  However, I managed to again avoid any medication to lower it because the other labs looked good.  This was great news because any medication they put me on to lower blood pressure would negatively affect my milk supply/breastfeeding. 
• Apparently, I've been the talk of the OB department as they are still very confused about how Kate came out at 9 pounds when they thought she was around 6 pounds.  The latest hypothesis is that I probably had gestational diabetes, which caused Kate to pick up weight.  My test for that was in normal limits, so they hadn't done the full test.  However, should I get pregnant again, this is something they will test for to the full extent.   

Chris and I took Kate for our first walk last night as I did get clearance from the doctor to walk around freely, high blood pressure or not.  I proclaimed our destination as Dick's to get some ice cream.  I was laughing because Dick's is just a few blocks away, yet it seemed much further.  I can't wait to get my stamina back.  Between the boot, pregnancy and now labor recovery, it's been months since I've been able to walk like I used to.  In good news, Kate seems to like being walked in the infant car seat/stroller.  We need to get out the Ergo baby carrier and check that out next.  I do think that will be my best solution to walk Dill and Kate at the same time.  BTW, Dill continues to do very, very well with Kate.  He's curious, but not at the point of being annoying.  Just comes around every couple hours for a sniff of her head. 

Today should be a good day as it's our first this week without any doctor's appointment...

One doctor's appointment down...

Kate is one week old today, and we all met our new family practitioner for the first time.  We're going this route because we all needed a new doctor.  And, we all had a good visit.  Some highlights:

• We made it out the door and were on time for the appointment:)
• They saw us right away
• They weigh the baby naked on a scale to get an accurate weight.  Kate's answer to that was to pee all over the scale - I didn't witness this, but some also landed on Chris' shoe.  Fair enough - he is calling himself the "sanitation department" for the Brucia family.  He has added many dirty diapers to the usual Dill pick up. 
• Kate has returned to her birth weight, a sign that she's feeding well.  Now 9 lbs. 1.5 ounces and 38 cm long

4 p.m. Pacific and it's been a good day.  I took a good nap when we got home from the doctor, as did Kate.  I woke up to find her sleeping on Chris' chest as he cleverly managed to play a video game at the same time.  (Yes, Mike, you're his inspiration on this.  I did get a photo, but I'll have to wait for Chris to post later.)

Overall, I feel like I've turned the corner.  My own physical recovery was much tougher in the first week than I could have imagined - God bless my parents for all of their help; they went home last night - but I'm starting to feel like myself again.  I haven't cried yet today, and I'm thinking it's going to be a tear-free day.  Woohoo! 

George and Alice arrive tomorrow to meet their first grandchild.  That will be the fun part of the day.  The not-so-fun part will be an appointment for me at the foot doctor to make sure my stress fracture is healed.  Last time I was there, I waited for several hours.  I hope that doesn't happen tomorrow since we'll have Kate in tow.  Where I go, she goes...Chris is sanitation, and I'm the milk machine.

Stacey and Dill and Kate (and me)

Today was a big day--Dill was back from doggy day care. The big showdown when the two "kids" met was a bit of a fizzle. To everyone's surprise, Dill was well behaved. He was definitely curious, but in a very calm way.

We made a trip out to the courtyard and took a few pictures of the happy family. All photos are, of course, available here, but here are a few samples:

It's Late but Here's Kate

For the 3 blog readers we have left, apologies for not updating sooner. Kate Brucia was welcomed to the world at 11:22 p.m. on Father's Day night, weighing 9 pounds, 1 ounce and measuring 22 inches long. Apparently she has not heard there's no such thing as a tall Brucia.

After a few nights at the hospital, we came home Tuesday morning. Mary and Gerry had arrived into town that morning, and we're grateful for their help as we get settled into our new life as a full-fledged family.

Here are a few choice photos so far. The nice camera we bought is definitely getting a workout so far. :)

We'll be posting more stuff more regularly at this Shutterfly site. Thanks to everyone for the well wishes. This has just been really exciting and wonderful.

40 weeks, 3 days

Good report at the doctor's this afternoon.  The baby is doing well; he or she is just happy to stay where she is.  There's plenty of amniotic fluid left so we just hang out and see when this happens.  If I don't go into labor, I have another doctor's appointment Wednesday where they will check levels again.  And, we're signed up for an induction next Saturday if nothing happens before then.  Hope that natural labor begins well before then, but we're not in control:).  Still, fingers crossed for a Father's Day baby.  Mary and Gerry arrive on Tuesday afternoon, and we hope the baby beats them!

The baby's not ready yet, but I am...

I think I just reached a low point of "pregnancy brain."  Went to do laundry using our stackable system, and it wasn't until I was pouring the soap into the bottom washer that I realized it was still empty...I had put the actual laundry in the dryer up top. 

This is a sign that it's a good idea for Chris to drive me to my routine doctor's appointment later this afternoon.  I need a warning label like they have on prescription meds: "Do not operate heavy machinery." 

Makes me wonder what I'll be up to when this baby still isn't here after the Tuesday due date. 

Some stats...

• 37 weeks = an officially "baked" baby.  That said, lots on the "to-do" list still so I'm negotiating with my tummy nightly that he/she continue to grow.
• 21 pounds = amount mom-to-be has gained so far.  There probably will be a few more, but let's hope not too many.
• 6.5 pounds = Estimate from the ultrasound last week, although we're told they're not very accurate.  Thankfully the baby is "head down" and not breech as the doctor was suspecting.
• 2 hours = Time I laid awake last night because sometimes it's hard to fall back to sleep after changing positions/needing a middle of the night pee break.
• 3 weeks = Countdown till due date
• 1 minute = The amount of time it takes to install a car seat when you consult a professional.
• 20 minutes = Amount of time it takes when Chris and Stacey try to tackle on their own, giving up because the professional is coming the next day anyway.
• 5 days = Time my mom will be here whipping us into shape this weekend and lending a helping hand.  Thank god!  Bring on the homemade meals to stock the freezer, help figuring out where to put the baby stuff in our condo with three total closets and shopping for things for the hospital.

Pregnant Robocop at Rest

My boot lady is enjoying some sun this weekend.

People say the darndest things...

Chris and I took the bus downtown Saturday afternoon because it was a beautiful day out, and we wanted to get lunch and eat outside.  But, I wasn't really ready for the public commentary:

• The bus driver as I was climbing the stairs (okay, slowly, I admit): "That's quite the combination."
• Teenager behind the counter at sandwich shop: "When are you due?" (I answer, "June.")  His eyes pop out of his head, and then he says, "Are you having twins?"
• Random guy on the street as we head towards the bus stop on the way home (I don't hear this comment, but Chris does.): "You look like you're about to pop." 

Awesome...so glad being pregnant is like wearing a sign on your forehead that says, "Please, tell me what you think.  I'm dying to know."