Back to the Hospital

So, my little Hallie had to be readmitted to the Intensive care unit for some photo therapy. She was not nursing, and not having any dirty diapers which made her bili levels sky rocket. So we had to go back to the hospital and stay for 2 days. It was truly an awful day when we went. We had a weight check and then the lab work and then we had to go to the lactation place to get some help. I never imagined we would have problems nursing, after all she is my 4th. But that doesn't matter. Michael also called this great day and told me his academy president was not going to let him fly home to visit. He was planning on coming Friday, but then he couldn't. The lactation lady told me that Hallie was tongue tied and needed the connecting skin under her tongue cut. GREAT! Then the doctor told me she had lost too much weight, even though she was still in the 7 lb range. So I started pumping and giving her bottles. We made it through the 2 days back at the hospital. I really do hate the hospital here. I have been way too much, and each time I've had to check in at the ER. With Mallory going the week before I had the baby, I was getting to know all the ER people! After we came home we had lots of frustrating moments getting her back to nursing. I just don't have time to pump and I hate formula. She had to get her tongue clipped a second time too. Each time we took steps back in nursing. I think it hurt her for a few days after. She is still not back to her birth weight and she will be 3 weeks tomorrow. But she is nursing and gaining some weight (she will only nurse with a nipple shield though...really annoying). Needless to say, it was a really hard 2 1/2 weeks. We are doing better now. It was hard doing it all on my own with no husband. But I am glad we were at my parents. They have helped so much with the kids. I am so grateful that nothing was seriously wrong with Hallie. Being in the ICU for 2 days gave me a huge understanding of gratitude and humility! There were babies really sick in there. The second night we were there an emergency baby came in with her lungs filled with blood and fluid. It was crazy how they work with these little bodies and can get them well. I felt so sorry for the mom whose baby was being transferred to a entirely different city. Tears came to my eyes as I stared at my new little baby, thanking Heavenly Father that we were really ok, with or without a husband there to help!

Baby Hallie Janelle

Little baby Hallie was born July 10 at 3:30 am...that is in the morning! I had all day to go into labor, but she wanted to wait for me to be good and tired!! She was 8lbs 9oz, and 21 inches long, a very big baby. No wonder I was so uncomfortable. I had been dialated to a 4 for about a week, so the doctor warned me that my labor would be fast. She was right! I had a few strong contractions about midnight, but nothing regular. We were all up helping (or watching) Jeff and Megan pack for Hawaii. They were leaving that morning at 6. I wasn't sure if I really was in labor or not. My mom kept telling me we should get to the hospital but I told her no, and sent her to bed. Then I had 2 strong contractions 8 minutes apart and thought maybe she was right. So I gathered my stuff, and we left the house about 2:30. It took a long time to check in (they make you go to the ER ad check in, and I was already registered too). Once I got up there they checked me, I was at a 6. I called Michael and told him the baby was coming. My water broke right away, which was the first time it has ever broke on its own. And 30 minutes later Hallie was born. It was a super intense 30 minutes which involved me screaming for medicine the whole time. I had a horrible on call doctor. The only thing he said to me was that if I wanted the pain to go away then I should push. He was such a jerk. I am glad it was fast and had no complications!

This is her first picture.

She came out screaming. I nursed her and then went straight for the binkie. she had to have it in or she would scream.

I had her on Sunday, so before church the girls came for a quick peek at their new sister.

The hospital was no fun at all. I was all by myself and Hallie never slept. She was sooo fussy!

She looks like baby Jillian here.

I do look awful. Don't think I had slept in a LONG time.

She has a big head...it is so round!

Getting dressed to go home.

Leaving the hospital (only to return a day and a half later).

She looks so tiny in her seat. (My friend made me this super cute car seat cover...I love it)

Finally home with all the kids. I was so glad not to be alone in the hospital. Really missed having a husband through all of this. I would NOT suggest it at all! He will pay!

Baby Shower

My mom and sister in law had a surprise baby shower for me. It was so much fun. It was at Casa Orozco, a super yummy Mexican joint. She even had some friends come! It was tons of fun. Loving the HUGE belly. Oh, that looks like it hurts!

Nana and Mallory

Me and Nana

Crazy kids!

Me and my girls

Trying to hide the big belly behind everyone!

4th of July

We had a fun filled 4th of July this year. The kids made their own shirts with Uncle Jeff and Auntie Megan. Thy had a blast learning how to tie dye.

Uncle Jeff was making them be silly!

We made homemade Root Beer...it was yummy!

The kids loved all the smoke from the dry ice.

This kept Logan busy all afternoon.

Papa BBQ the kids hot dogs and corn...yum yum. Think Logan dipped everything in the ketchup. He's my boy!!

We made some delicious homemade ice cream too.

Then we did some sparklers and some little fountains. Logan got a little scared.

Slightly dangerous...give a 2 year old a stick with fire!

Uncle Jeff is always coming up with something new. Floating fireworks. It was pretty funny.

We got to celebrate Megan's birthday too. We had yummy brownies with our homemade ice cream and strawberries and then opened presents. We had a fun day shopping at Macy's in the morning, swimming all afternoon, and watching the capital 4th....all hoping to go into labor and get this little girl out!! No luck though.