- Nazarene tape - Measuring tape
- 'Nother - Somewhat of a mix between "Other" and "Another." Example: At church on Sunday, Dylan heard Gramma Beth while he was in the nursery with my mom & me. He said, "Hey, that sounds like my 'nother Gramma!"
- "I'm cold & chilly." - Usually just a ploy to try to not go to sleep, but can often be remedied by throwing a small blanket on top of him.
- "Get me up." - Pick me up or more commonly, "Let me sit on your lap at the computer so can distract you & convince you to let me play a game."
- My personal favorite: When getting undressed for bed, Dylan likes to run around naked, so I call him Nakey Dylan. He is apparently confused & continues to call himself "Sneaky Dylan." No amount of repeating the correct thing back to him seems to be convincing him that he is wrong. It's almost too cute to correct though!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Dylan-isms, Part 2
It's time for more Dylan-isms...because they are just too cute not to share!
Friday, October 7, 2011
Happy Birthday to my Sweet Boy!
Three years ago today we were in the hospital preparing to welcome our tiny baby boy into the world, 3 months too early. We had no idea what the future would hold for our tiny baby boy or if he would survive his first week in the world, let alone make it to his third birthday.
My pregnancy had honestly not been a bad one. I was thrilled to be pregnant after years of trying - I made it a personal goal to not complain too much about the aches & pains that pregnancy can bring on. Maybe that was part of the problem. I knew that I had been having some pretty major swelling & some headaches, but I get migraines anyway, & I always thought the swelling was normal for pregnant women.
*If you are pregnant & are having major swelling, migraines, black floaties in your vision, trouble breathing, or aren't feeling your baby move, CALL YOUR DOCTOR! It may be nothing, but those were all signs of pre-eclampsia that I ignored because I didn't know what to look for. Don't mess around - just call!
I was admitted to the hospital in Davenport on October 1st & was transferred to the University of Iowa Hospital in the evening of October 2nd. The NICU in Davenport cannot handle babies born before 30 weeks & I was only at 26 weeks. Following the first round of a steroids shot to speed up the development of our baby's lungs, I was loaded onto a gurney & hauled off to an ambulance. I was devastated to find out that Derrick was not going to be allowed to ride with me to UIHC, but that he would have to follow in our car. Since I was rear facing in the ambulance, I was able to watch him follow us, which brought me some comfort. The ambulance ride was really the first indication that there was something really wrong with me - especially when the EMT commented that "I must be still doing okay because they didn't start an IV at the hospital. Hopefully I don't have to do one on the ride up." I told him I hoped he didn't have to either!
Upon arriving in Iowa City, we went in through the emergency entrance & made our way through the maze of halls. I had never been to the hospital in Iowa City before, so it was completely new for me. I had no idea that I would become a pro at navigating those halls. We eventually made it to the Labor & Delivery department. I was taken to a triage room. Not because I was actually considered a triage case, but because L&D was completely full. I spent a terrible night in a tiny room with no windows & an awful bed. Derrick slept in a weird chair, hardly leaving my side. I had the most fantastic nurse though - Shelia - she was a blessing! One of those nurses who knows how to follow protocol, but could also take her cues from the patient. She understood that I felt terrible chained down to my bed with IVs & wires & allowed me to sit up in a chair (as long as someone was with me). She continued to be my nurse for several days of my stay & was always such an encouragement to me.
Finally, after about 24 hours in the triage room, I was moved to a BEAUTIFUL L&D room. Huge room - not really sure how I scored it. I can only assume it is because that was the first room that opened up to get me out of that crazy triage room. Throughout the next few days I bounced back & forth between L&D & the Mother-Baby unit 7 times (Mother-Baby is where you go after your baby is born...or where you go to be on bedrest). I spent time in L&D until they got my blood pressure stabilized then they bumped me over to Mother-Baby. I would get settled in Mother-Baby & then they would check my blood pressure & find that it was extremely elevated, so I'd get bumped back to L&D. We get it straightened out & back I'd head to Mother-Baby. I moved so much that my mom took to calling us when they got to the unit so they knew which room we were in at that particular time.
Sunday, October 5th, 2008 was a great day for me. I felt pretty good, my blood pressure looked good, & I was allowed to go on a wheelchair ride around the hospital. Derrick took me all over. We looked around in the library, we looked at some artwork, we found out there were church services offered. I still remember telling Derrick, "I wish we had known that! We'll have to go next Sunday." Derrick was preparing to head back to work early Monday morning, so we were just enjoying the time we had left before he went back. Writing that, it doesn't make much sense that he would wait until early Monday morning to head back, but I am glad he did.
Sometime in the middle of the night on the 5th, I started having a lot of trouble breathing. Tests revealed that I had fluid gathering in my lungs. As we made another trek from Mother-Baby to L&D (still in the middle of the night), I told Derrick, "You can't go back to work tomorrow."
Early the next morning we met with the doctors on my case. My pre-eclampsia was getting worse & the decision was to deliver the baby. It wasn't going to be an emergency delivery, but they wanted us to start prepping for a c-section. We called our family. Sometime during all of this I was started on magnesium sulfate to prevent a seizure. The mag makes you feel terrible. Hot, tired, foggy. Things are pretty cloudy for me from then on until right before the delivery.
I was taken into the delivery room to be prepped while Derrick gowned up to join me. A guy we call "Medical Student Joe" assisted with my spinal block. He had been on rotation in the unit when I came in & could have passed for a doctor. He was professional, kind, honest & so, so nice. We have such great memories of him! I was thrilled to know that he was there to help with the delivery. It was nice to have a familiar face in the room full of people I had didn't know. I had met a few of them before, but he had connected with both Derrick & I & I know we both felt good knowing he was there.
Derrick joined me just as they were making the first incision. There was lots of pushing & pulling, I threw up, Derrick took pictures, & within minutes, Dylan Jay Sindt was born. All 2 lbs, 3 oz, 14.5 inches of him. He came out limp & didn't cry. It is absolutely terrifying to deliver a baby & not have him cry when he should. Eventually he did make a little noise. As they were stitching me back up, someone brought Dylan over for me to see. He was so fragile that we couldn't even touch him. Derrick took a few pictures & then Dylan was whisked off to the NICU. I was stitched up, cleaned up, & taken back to my room (which was now full of visitors). That entire night is kind of a blur. I know I kept crying & asking about "the baby." Derrick was finally able to see him about 3 hours after his birth. I was cleared to go see him about 24 hours after his birth. I was overwhelmed by how tiny he was. That was a feeling that didn't leave for several weeks.
Writing this entry has been hard for me. Emotionally draining. Frustrating because it is hard to find the right words. Why? I don't know. I think it's because of what I do know. We could have a child with physical handicaps. We don't. Dylan could have brain damage from his early birth. He doesn't. Instead, we have a completely on target, smart, funny, wonderful, precious boy. I told someone this week, "I am a proud Mama. Dylan could have so many problems, so every time I see him keeping up with kids his age, I am so thankful." I think that's where the struggle in writing this post comes from. I am thankful - for his craziness, his constant chattering, his spirit that shines through. He is amazing & I need to remember to thank God for him more often.
On top of all of that, I wonder where the time went. How is he three already? When did he grow up? I need to remember to cherish these times, because there is no slowing them down!
Happy birthday, sweet boy! We are so proud of you & the person you are becoming! Mama loves you!
My pregnancy had honestly not been a bad one. I was thrilled to be pregnant after years of trying - I made it a personal goal to not complain too much about the aches & pains that pregnancy can bring on. Maybe that was part of the problem. I knew that I had been having some pretty major swelling & some headaches, but I get migraines anyway, & I always thought the swelling was normal for pregnant women.
*If you are pregnant & are having major swelling, migraines, black floaties in your vision, trouble breathing, or aren't feeling your baby move, CALL YOUR DOCTOR! It may be nothing, but those were all signs of pre-eclampsia that I ignored because I didn't know what to look for. Don't mess around - just call!
I was admitted to the hospital in Davenport on October 1st & was transferred to the University of Iowa Hospital in the evening of October 2nd. The NICU in Davenport cannot handle babies born before 30 weeks & I was only at 26 weeks. Following the first round of a steroids shot to speed up the development of our baby's lungs, I was loaded onto a gurney & hauled off to an ambulance. I was devastated to find out that Derrick was not going to be allowed to ride with me to UIHC, but that he would have to follow in our car. Since I was rear facing in the ambulance, I was able to watch him follow us, which brought me some comfort. The ambulance ride was really the first indication that there was something really wrong with me - especially when the EMT commented that "I must be still doing okay because they didn't start an IV at the hospital. Hopefully I don't have to do one on the ride up." I told him I hoped he didn't have to either!
Upon arriving in Iowa City, we went in through the emergency entrance & made our way through the maze of halls. I had never been to the hospital in Iowa City before, so it was completely new for me. I had no idea that I would become a pro at navigating those halls. We eventually made it to the Labor & Delivery department. I was taken to a triage room. Not because I was actually considered a triage case, but because L&D was completely full. I spent a terrible night in a tiny room with no windows & an awful bed. Derrick slept in a weird chair, hardly leaving my side. I had the most fantastic nurse though - Shelia - she was a blessing! One of those nurses who knows how to follow protocol, but could also take her cues from the patient. She understood that I felt terrible chained down to my bed with IVs & wires & allowed me to sit up in a chair (as long as someone was with me). She continued to be my nurse for several days of my stay & was always such an encouragement to me.
Finally, after about 24 hours in the triage room, I was moved to a BEAUTIFUL L&D room. Huge room - not really sure how I scored it. I can only assume it is because that was the first room that opened up to get me out of that crazy triage room. Throughout the next few days I bounced back & forth between L&D & the Mother-Baby unit 7 times (Mother-Baby is where you go after your baby is born...or where you go to be on bedrest). I spent time in L&D until they got my blood pressure stabilized then they bumped me over to Mother-Baby. I would get settled in Mother-Baby & then they would check my blood pressure & find that it was extremely elevated, so I'd get bumped back to L&D. We get it straightened out & back I'd head to Mother-Baby. I moved so much that my mom took to calling us when they got to the unit so they knew which room we were in at that particular time.
Sunday, October 5th, 2008 was a great day for me. I felt pretty good, my blood pressure looked good, & I was allowed to go on a wheelchair ride around the hospital. Derrick took me all over. We looked around in the library, we looked at some artwork, we found out there were church services offered. I still remember telling Derrick, "I wish we had known that! We'll have to go next Sunday." Derrick was preparing to head back to work early Monday morning, so we were just enjoying the time we had left before he went back. Writing that, it doesn't make much sense that he would wait until early Monday morning to head back, but I am glad he did.
Sometime in the middle of the night on the 5th, I started having a lot of trouble breathing. Tests revealed that I had fluid gathering in my lungs. As we made another trek from Mother-Baby to L&D (still in the middle of the night), I told Derrick, "You can't go back to work tomorrow."
Early the next morning we met with the doctors on my case. My pre-eclampsia was getting worse & the decision was to deliver the baby. It wasn't going to be an emergency delivery, but they wanted us to start prepping for a c-section. We called our family. Sometime during all of this I was started on magnesium sulfate to prevent a seizure. The mag makes you feel terrible. Hot, tired, foggy. Things are pretty cloudy for me from then on until right before the delivery.
I was taken into the delivery room to be prepped while Derrick gowned up to join me. A guy we call "Medical Student Joe" assisted with my spinal block. He had been on rotation in the unit when I came in & could have passed for a doctor. He was professional, kind, honest & so, so nice. We have such great memories of him! I was thrilled to know that he was there to help with the delivery. It was nice to have a familiar face in the room full of people I had didn't know. I had met a few of them before, but he had connected with both Derrick & I & I know we both felt good knowing he was there.
Derrick joined me just as they were making the first incision. There was lots of pushing & pulling, I threw up, Derrick took pictures, & within minutes, Dylan Jay Sindt was born. All 2 lbs, 3 oz, 14.5 inches of him. He came out limp & didn't cry. It is absolutely terrifying to deliver a baby & not have him cry when he should. Eventually he did make a little noise. As they were stitching me back up, someone brought Dylan over for me to see. He was so fragile that we couldn't even touch him. Derrick took a few pictures & then Dylan was whisked off to the NICU. I was stitched up, cleaned up, & taken back to my room (which was now full of visitors). That entire night is kind of a blur. I know I kept crying & asking about "the baby." Derrick was finally able to see him about 3 hours after his birth. I was cleared to go see him about 24 hours after his birth. I was overwhelmed by how tiny he was. That was a feeling that didn't leave for several weeks. Writing this entry has been hard for me. Emotionally draining. Frustrating because it is hard to find the right words. Why? I don't know. I think it's because of what I do know. We could have a child with physical handicaps. We don't. Dylan could have brain damage from his early birth. He doesn't. Instead, we have a completely on target, smart, funny, wonderful, precious boy. I told someone this week, "I am a proud Mama. Dylan could have so many problems, so every time I see him keeping up with kids his age, I am so thankful." I think that's where the struggle in writing this post comes from. I am thankful - for his craziness, his constant chattering, his spirit that shines through. He is amazing & I need to remember to thank God for him more often.
On top of all of that, I wonder where the time went. How is he three already? When did he grow up? I need to remember to cherish these times, because there is no slowing them down!
Saturday, October 1, 2011
This time of year...
It's that time of year again. Most people think, "Fall? Halloween? Christmas shopping?" For me, the answer is different. This time of year is when I reminisce & remember the fall 3 years ago when we were blessed with our little boy, 3 months too early.
I realized over the past couple days of preparing to write this blog that I had never really talked at all about the hospitalization that led up to Dylan's birth. This is the first part of that story...
3 years ago today I went into my OB's office for a check up. My blood pressure had been high & I had just completed a 24 hr urine collection to be checked for protein spillage (I am still not entirely sure what that means, but I do know that it required me to collect all of my pee in a jug for 24 hrs...not really a fun time). Anyway, I had turned in the pee jug a couple days before & headed in to my appointment ready to be told that I was going on home bedrest & that I was to stay in bed & try to keep my blood pressure down. That was not what happened.
Derrick & I were taken into a exam room, where a sweet nurse came in to take my vitals. She took my blood pressure, but didn't give me the results. Instead, she said, "Roll over, lay on your left side, don't move & I'll be back." Obviously, that is a strange thing for a nurse to say, but I complied. I tried to stay calm, but I was terrified. The doctor came in. He took my blood pressure again. Then he told us. My blood pressure was too high & there was too much protein in my urine.
I still remember his directions. "Leave here & go directly to the Labor & Delivery floor of the hospital. Do not go home & pack a bag. Go to the hospital. I will call & let them know you are coming." We left the doctor's office & went to the car. I sobbed. SOBBED. I had no desire to go to the hospital & be on bedrest there. I had nothing with me. I cried as we drove to the hospital (not a far trip). I had previously been admitted for a 24 hr urine collection that they eventually released me from & let me complete at home, so I was holding out hope that maybe I wouldn't have to stay for very long.
I checked in & was taken up to the Labor & Delivery floor. Vitals, blood pressure, more urine collection. Lots of phone calls. No one really knew what would happen next.
I honestly don't remember a whole lot of that night. Derrick went home at some point to get us some clothes & things. I know I was terrified to let him leave my side. My mom & step-dad came to see me. I had a CNA come in who was a lady I knew from foster parenting classes. I tried to get some sleep. Little did I know what the next few months had in store for us...
I realized over the past couple days of preparing to write this blog that I had never really talked at all about the hospitalization that led up to Dylan's birth. This is the first part of that story...
3 years ago today I went into my OB's office for a check up. My blood pressure had been high & I had just completed a 24 hr urine collection to be checked for protein spillage (I am still not entirely sure what that means, but I do know that it required me to collect all of my pee in a jug for 24 hrs...not really a fun time). Anyway, I had turned in the pee jug a couple days before & headed in to my appointment ready to be told that I was going on home bedrest & that I was to stay in bed & try to keep my blood pressure down. That was not what happened.
Derrick & I were taken into a exam room, where a sweet nurse came in to take my vitals. She took my blood pressure, but didn't give me the results. Instead, she said, "Roll over, lay on your left side, don't move & I'll be back." Obviously, that is a strange thing for a nurse to say, but I complied. I tried to stay calm, but I was terrified. The doctor came in. He took my blood pressure again. Then he told us. My blood pressure was too high & there was too much protein in my urine.
I still remember his directions. "Leave here & go directly to the Labor & Delivery floor of the hospital. Do not go home & pack a bag. Go to the hospital. I will call & let them know you are coming." We left the doctor's office & went to the car. I sobbed. SOBBED. I had no desire to go to the hospital & be on bedrest there. I had nothing with me. I cried as we drove to the hospital (not a far trip). I had previously been admitted for a 24 hr urine collection that they eventually released me from & let me complete at home, so I was holding out hope that maybe I wouldn't have to stay for very long.
I checked in & was taken up to the Labor & Delivery floor. Vitals, blood pressure, more urine collection. Lots of phone calls. No one really knew what would happen next.
I honestly don't remember a whole lot of that night. Derrick went home at some point to get us some clothes & things. I know I was terrified to let him leave my side. My mom & step-dad came to see me. I had a CNA come in who was a lady I knew from foster parenting classes. I tried to get some sleep. Little did I know what the next few months had in store for us...
Monday, July 18, 2011
Reminded
After I posted my last post I went to look at the entry. I was caught by the title of this blog - "Content in the Chaos." Today was not a good day as far as contentment goes. I need to work on that for tomorrow. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance (patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23
God, help me to live this out every day - even on the long, stressful, chaotic days. Help me to love like you do. Help me to be the wife, mother, & woman You created me to be.
God, help me to live this out every day - even on the long, stressful, chaotic days. Help me to love like you do. Help me to be the wife, mother, & woman You created me to be.
Rough Day
Today was a rough day. Stressful. Almost overwhelming. Exhausting. And here I am, at 10 pm, blogging.
I'm not sure why today was so rough. Nothing jumps out at me as different than normal. But today just felt long.
Dylan was a crazy man all day, constantly hanging on me, whining, disobeying. Pushing the button on that annoying Lightening McQueen. Schooling didn't go well - he just wasn't interested in any of it today. I saw a couple glimpses of what I thought was interest, but it was just the glimmer of "what naughty thing can I do next?" in his eyes.
Baby A didn't want to nap, deciding to finally nap when he should be waking up & waking up right when Dylan went to take a nap. After some play time & a bottle, baby A went back to sleep for an hour. He also managed to poop out of his diaper & all up his back before his afternoon nap. He's teething & is having crazy poop & a terrible diaper rash. I was so ready for some peace & quiet after all of that! I tried to recover from the crazy morning & tried to prepare for the long afternoon.
I had to wake Dylan up after a 2 1/2 hour nap (no wonder he was so whiny) so we could take baby A to the doctor. After the doctor it was dropping off Avon books, going to the bank, grocery shopping, hauling 2 disgruntled kids home.
Thank goodness for my fantastic husband who arrived home just minutes after I did & hauled in all the groceries for me, made the dinner that I was too exhausted to make & stayed with the boys while I finished up the grocery shopping I hadn't accomplished earlier. He was a little frazzled when I got home, but who wouldn't be after trying to put 2 active, wild boys to bed by yourself? He then retrieved all the groceries from the van for me (again!) & helped me put them away. He's a keeper!
Now I am worried about tomorrow. Will it be the same? We had such a good week last week & I can't figure out why today was so rough. I think I am heading to bed soon to pray for tomorrow to be better.
I'm not sure why today was so rough. Nothing jumps out at me as different than normal. But today just felt long.
Dylan was a crazy man all day, constantly hanging on me, whining, disobeying. Pushing the button on that annoying Lightening McQueen. Schooling didn't go well - he just wasn't interested in any of it today. I saw a couple glimpses of what I thought was interest, but it was just the glimmer of "what naughty thing can I do next?" in his eyes.
Baby A didn't want to nap, deciding to finally nap when he should be waking up & waking up right when Dylan went to take a nap. After some play time & a bottle, baby A went back to sleep for an hour. He also managed to poop out of his diaper & all up his back before his afternoon nap. He's teething & is having crazy poop & a terrible diaper rash. I was so ready for some peace & quiet after all of that! I tried to recover from the crazy morning & tried to prepare for the long afternoon.
I had to wake Dylan up after a 2 1/2 hour nap (no wonder he was so whiny) so we could take baby A to the doctor. After the doctor it was dropping off Avon books, going to the bank, grocery shopping, hauling 2 disgruntled kids home.
Thank goodness for my fantastic husband who arrived home just minutes after I did & hauled in all the groceries for me, made the dinner that I was too exhausted to make & stayed with the boys while I finished up the grocery shopping I hadn't accomplished earlier. He was a little frazzled when I got home, but who wouldn't be after trying to put 2 active, wild boys to bed by yourself? He then retrieved all the groceries from the van for me (again!) & helped me put them away. He's a keeper!
Now I am worried about tomorrow. Will it be the same? We had such a good week last week & I can't figure out why today was so rough. I think I am heading to bed soon to pray for tomorrow to be better.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Dylan-isms
So it's been almost 9 months since my last update - wow. Apparently I got a little sidetracked. Not long after the previous entry we took a break from our preschool work. Dylan wasn't catching it, we were both frustrated & I ended up having to go back to work. Just recently we have started schooling again, with a simpler program by the creators of Letter of the Week. It is a preschool prep course called http://letteroftheweek.com/Preparatory.html. So far we are really enjoying it. But more on that later. Right now I want to share some Dylan-isms.
First, I have to say that 2 1/2 is fun. He's so funny & he is starting to get things, but he is still such a baby in some areas. One area I have noticed this the most is in his speech. He says the most hysterical things, sometimes on purpose & sometimes out of "babyness." I want to share some with you:
First, I have to say that 2 1/2 is fun. He's so funny & he is starting to get things, but he is still such a baby in some areas. One area I have noticed this the most is in his speech. He says the most hysterical things, sometimes on purpose & sometimes out of "babyness." I want to share some with you:
- "I not can't find it" - I can't find it.
- "Slippers-sippairs" - The Berenstine Bears
- "Buzz take Woody spot. My daddy telled me so." Apparently Derrick told Dylan that Buzz took Woody's spot in the Toy Story movie. Derrick does not remember this conversation.
Here's an exchange between Dylan & me this morning:
Dylan: We eat pillows?
Mama: No, we don't eat pillows.
D: We eat blankies?
M: No, we don't eat blankies.
D: We chew blankies?
M: No...well, I guess you do.
D: Mama chew a blankie?
M: Nope, I don't chew a blankie.
D: Mama have a Geekie (Dylan's stuffed monkey)
M: Nope, Mama doesn't have a Geekie.
D: That sad, Mama. That sad.
What a nut! We love how funny & goofy & smart he is getting. He makes us laugh every day & we are thankful for it!
Friday, April 22, 2011
D&C Follow-Up - April 2011
I want to thank everyone who has been praying for us over the last few days. We have felt your prayers & they have been an encouragement to us. It is a blessing to know that we are loved as we move through this phase in our lives.
Surgery went pretty well yesterday. No major problems, but I had a much harder recovery than I expected. I feel much better today & was even able to go to work (a good thing since there were several things to finish up for the Good Friday service tonight). I am honestly feeling physically better than I have in weeks. Emotionally, I am still hurting & a little sensitive about things, but that's also somewhat normal (just ask my husband).
We think we have decided on a name for this little one. Since we weren't able to find out gender & I don't want to get to heaven someday to have my baby say, "Mom, why did you name me a boy/girl name when I am a girl/boy?" we decided that we would try to find a gender neutral name. For anyone who knows me well, you know that this was a struggle. I love strong boy names & cute girl names & can't really figure out how to make them overlap. Derrick finally suggested Alex. That was a name I hadn't thought about, but it's a good one. Some of you might think it's a little weird to name this baby, but I think it will bring some healing & closure for us.
We're through the surgery & recovery, but as I learned last time, sometimes the pain of the loss comes when you least expect it. Please continue to pray for us. I appreicate all of you so much for all your support & love!
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