Morgan's Progress

She is still doing really good but was a little fussy last night & this morning. Beverly said they came in almost every hour last night & every time she got Morgan settled someone else would come in & want to poke at her. But she seemed muck better after my oldest sister Karen feed her lunch & she took a quick nap. Then I got to hold her & she was awake with bright eyes & as happy as she could be.

We are still waiting on the culture results from the surgery to see what type of staf infection she had & her IV fell out last night so now they are giving her liquid antibiotics. They are not going to try & place the IV back in since they had so much trouble with it over the weekend. They will probably come home on Thursday as long as Morgan continues to show no signs of further infection. Her voice is a little raspy but the doctor & nurse checked her out & she seemed to be fine. She may just be hoarse or have a little sore throat but other than that she is doing great. What a sweet baby we have.

Morgan update

We (Chris & I) were at the hospital last night until 8:30 when I knew I needed to go & rest plus my family was strongly suggesting me to go home too. Of course I cried because I didn't want to leave but I knew I needed to. The last we had heard at that point was they were coming to get Morgan at 10pm for surgery & I knew I would never make it that long. I was already extremely tired & I didn't want to end up in misery.

They did come get Morgan at 10:30 pm for surgery & that is when the torturous waiting began. Morgan had not eaten since 2pm because they kept telling us all day she was next for surgery but several emergencies Peds cases were in front of her & of course it should be that way. Then finally at 1:30am the surgeon came to speak to Beverly with Morgan screaming due to hunger & she had been screaming since 10:00pm to tell her Morgan may have to wait 2 more hours. He also gave Beverly the option of moving Morgan's surgery to 7:30 am today & promised she would not be bumped. Beverly asked if she moved her to 7:30 would Morgan be able to eat & he said yes, so she didn't hesitate & moved her surgery. The nurses immediately brought Morgan some PediLyte & some formula which Morgan drank like it was the best thing ever. They were able to give her one more PediLyte before the surgery too.

Morgan was out of surgery & back in her room this morning at 10am & is doing very well. It turns out they are now just calling it an abyss not the brachial cleft cyst. Last night after we left the abyss opened on its own & drained a lot of fluid & the doctor took a sample of it. The results from the sample probably will not be back until tomorrow or Wed but they are pretty sure it was just a staf infection. Mama said as soon as the abyss drained Morgan's skin was laying flat & no longer raised or yellow. They did make a small incision to check the abyss & get more drainage & they didn't see any other infection other than the abyss site. They were also able to finally get an IV line in Morgan's little foot while she was sedated so now they can administer her antibiotics that way instead of injections every hour. Morgan does have a bandage on her neck & will probably be in the hospital until Wed or Thurs but everyone is doing fine. There are still no signs of a fever or Morgan being sick at all she is just very tired, as is Beverly.

New Nickname

Have a mentioned yet that my mother gave me a nickname while my sister was in labor 2 weeks ago? I am now "Angie Byrd Square Feet" instead of Sponge Bob Square Pants due to my very swollen ankles & feet. I had been calling my feet Fred Flinestone feet since they so swollen. Just a funny I thought I would pass along.

14 days old

and my baby niece, Morgan had to be admitted to the hospital. She isn't sick, she has an boil/abyss on her neck that is raised & had us a little concerned. We suggested that Beverly, my sister, contact the Pediatrian & they said they did want to see her. The Pediatrain saw her Saturday morning & said Morgan should be admitted. They are thinking it is just a localized infection.

Saturday they tried 5-6 times to place an IV in her with antibotics but were completely unsuccessful in her hands, feet, arms, legs & even her scalp. They are giving her antibotics by shot until they are able to get that IV in. They tried again today to place the IV & they still are not having any success. They have been using warm compresses on Morgan to try & get the abyss to open on its own to drain. Its about the size of the tip of your pinkie finger & raised about .5 inch off her neck near her collarbone.

The surgeon was just in a few minutes ago & he seems to think its a brachial cleft cyst which is when while a baby is in utero these places normally close up but Morgan's did not & it became infected. The surgeon consulted with a Peds surgeon & he thinks they need to do a small incision to get it to drain instead of waiting on the compresses to drain it.

Now we are just waiting on the Peds surgeon to finish with some other patients and they are going to come get Morgan. It may not be until tomorrow morning until they do surgery on Morgan to drain the cyst since she isn't showing any other signs of infection. She doesn't have a fever, she is eating fine, going in her diaper fine & she is acting just like herself, she just wants everyone to stop poking at her.

I will update you when we know more. My sister, Beverly is doing fine, she is just tired as we all are since this all started Saturday morning at 11am & Morgan didn't get her 1st dose of meds until 11pm Sat night. Yesterday was a very long day & today has been pretty much the same.

Last Class

I totally forgot to mention our last child birthing class we had on Monday & maybe that was because it was pretty uneventful. Most of the class was about taking care of Mama & baby after delivery & once you get home. She also showed us the things the hospital would give us during recovery after the delivery. We learned how to swaddle & a Pediatrian was suppose to come visit but he didn't show. All in all it was a pretty boring class & thankfully we got to leave early that night.

Good Times

Yesterday the ladies from the office gave me a baby shower. Amy hosted it at her house at lunch time & we had mexican, since they know I have craved that a lot while being pregnant. They were originally planning on surprising me with a shower last Wednesday, but that plan got busted by corporate's lay offs. We had a great time & I got some really nice things. Now I just have to put it all away after Chris has a chance to see what all we got, which is actually a chore I enjoy. I just love walking into her room, it makes me smile everytime.

Mean Mail

I have to share or vent, which ever you would like to call it, about the mail I got over the weekend. I got a certified envelope from the corporate office & we just assumed it was Cobra insurance papers or something, but no. It was a package disclosing the discrimination act, a list of all the employees titles (not their names) that were laid off & their ages. I guess its a way to cover themselves from lawsuits. Then the last 8-10 pages were of all the employees that still remain working there & their ages. Now that is just mean. It even mentioned that this was an agreement between the party it was delivered to & HR, but I didn't agree to this arrangement. Now don't get me wrong I do look forward to staying home with little Emma as long as I can, but I still loved my job & will miss it & all the people I worked with a lot. Anyway, just thought I would share that little tid bit with you.

34 weeks

Friday was my 34 week appointment at the OB & it went pretty well, except for having to wait 45 minutes to see the doctor. I am not real sure why they have become so slow but hopefully next time will be better since our appointment is at 8:30am. My blood pressure was a little elevated so the doctor had the nurse come back in & check it again before I left & it had dropped so the doctor let us go. She was a bit concerned about the swelling in my feet & ankles & told me to elevate my feet as often as possible. Its funny, the last doctor we saw 2 weeks ago said that wouldn't really help much but I will do it regardless. I gained 3 lbs in the last 2 weeks & externally I measured dead on 34 weeks. I wonder when Emma will decide to make her appearance. In 2 more weeks at my next appointment they will check for Strep B & to see if I am dilated or thinned out.

She's growing

Yesterday was our final appointment at the Maternal & Fetal Medicine office & it was a great visit. We got some great ultra sound pictures of little Emma & in some of them she is even smiling. They even gave us some 3D/4D images to take home. According to their measurements I am 6 days ahead = 34 weeks & 6 days, but they said that was still in the normal range. Emma estimated size is 5 lbs, 5 oz so she is growing wonderfully. I can't believe we only have 6 weeks or less until we get to meet her.

Corporate America Strikes Again

in the Byrd houshold. Yes, I got laid off on Wednesday, again by the same company on Wednesday but at least this time it wasn't a total surprise. We got word that our boss who is in Atlanta at the Corporate office was coming into town for a Production Meeting, yea right. The last time he came to town was to interview me almost 2 years ago, so we got a little concerned. The other 2 girls I work with Anita & Vicki started probing him with questions which he avoided answering, so we got our Publisher to do some digging. She asked our Regional Manager if she knew any details & she said she knew John was coming to town & that it wasn't for a good reason. Our minds started to spin & we thought maybe they were moving our art departement of 3 to the corporate office & that all 3 of us were being laid off. My gutt told me otherwise. I had a feeling it was going to be me since I was the last one hired & our new CEO was streamlining. We also found out on Tuesday that several higher ups were laid off as well.

So Wednesday morning came & I was asked by our Regional to step into our conference room & there sits our boss on the other side of the table. I sit down & he tells me HR is on the phone to witness & he starts reading his script. I handled it really well & didn't shed a tear. There was a severance package offered & we plan to accept it. After the script was read & I asked the few questions I had to the HR rep on the phone, it was a done deal. Then my boss & I spoke candidly, which of course we were not suppose to be doing but he is such a nice guy I wouldn't expect anything less. He was visibly shaking & continued to apologize, not only for laying me off, but for having to do it a second time & to a pregnant woman. I told him that I total understand that he is just the messenger & that I don't hold any bad feelings for him at all. That is just how it goes sometimes. I just hate I have to leave a job & co-workers that I love, again.

So our plan now is for me to be a stay-at-home mom until I find a new job. Hopefully I will find one faster than I did last time, 11 months but we know the good Lord will take care of us in the mean time.

Introducing...

my niece, Morgan Riley Shane born Saturday, Sept 13 at 3:19 am. She weighted 7 lbs, 4 oz & was 19.5 inches long. Is she a cutie or what. She looks so much like Beverly. We love those little chubby cheeks & she also have very long fingers (Beverly calls them basketball hands) & toes.

I love this one, aren't they sweet!!!

This is my mom & her mother, Gram, who will be 91 next month with Morgan (she's yawning).

This is my oldest sister, Karen with Morgan & her paci which she loves.

This is me of course with baby Morgan sleeping (please ignore the cleavage, Chris was behind the camera).

As for the story of Morgan's arrival, it went really well. Beverly had been having contraction off/on all week last week but Friday afternoon they started around 5pm. I got a call from Mama around 6pm saying her contractions were 5 minutes apart for at least 30 minutes & she was heading over to check on her. Then I got a call from my sister Karen around 7pm saying they were heading to the hospital.

Chris & I got the hospital around 8:30 & Beverly was getting her epidural already. We got to see her about 10pm & she was moving right along. By 1am Saturday it was time to push & she arrived at 3:19am. It was a hard labor since Morgan was face up instead of face down but Beverly & Morgan made it through with flying colors.

Beverly didn't get to hold her since Morgan was grunting a little from possibly swallowing merconium so she only got to see her & talk to her. Mama & Beverly say when Beverly spoke to Morgan she turned her head straight toward Beverly & looked at her, which made it all worth it. The took Morgan to the NICU just as a precaution to observer her but Morgan was fine & was able to get rid of the merconium herself. The NICU kept her for a little while & Beverly finally got to hold her around 2pm Saturday afternoon, after she had been admitted to the regular nursery.

The Pediatrian says she is in the 50% & has strong muscle tone, which saw frequently. Morgan is holding her head up & turning her head all by herself already. She is constantly turning in Beverly's direction when she talks which is very sweet. We are all so glad to finally meet her.

My niece

is here!!! She arrived early this morning 9-13-08 at 3:19 am. Beverly, my sister & baby Morgan Riley are both doing well. We haven't seem Morgan yet, but Beverly said she has chubby cheeks & is very cute. She weighted 7 lbs 4 oz & I don't know a length yet. They did take Morgan to the NICU for observation to make sure she didn't swallow any merconium. We are heading to the hosptial in a couple hours & I hope to post some pictures by tomorrow. I can't wait to see her.

EPIDURALS!!!

That was the topic of our 3rd birthing class this past Monday night & I was surprised to hear that our instructor who is a licensed doula had one with her last child. She has been so against them since our first class & then she mentioned she had one, but she of course wishes she had not. She informed us that she got her when she was 7 cm & 45 minutes later she had her baby, which she seemed to think was a bad thing. But she also continues to tell us that at any point during your labor you decide you can't see yourself handling the pain/discomfort in an hour that it is probably time to ask for an epi. So at least she isn't telling us not to get one at all.

We watched 2 videos & the first one was fine which Chris didn't watch but the 2nd one made me a little uneasy. It was on epidurals & they showed it being administered, which I didn't watch (I just can't handle that type of thing). Then after the video she passed around medical equipment that would be used during labor/delivery & I thought I was going to have to leave the room. I started to get really hot, light-headed & a huge headache. I just kept telling Chris I don't want to see any of it, I just couldn't handle it. The only instruments I did look at was the monitors that would be placed on my belly. I can handle watching birthing videos all day long but I can't deal with seeing all the medical instruments or needles. Chris of course was fine, what a pair we are - me a medical whimp & he gets nervous with the whole reproductive/birthing issues. Luckily I don't have to see the epi being administered & Chris will he at my head during labor/delivery so we should both make it through without getting sick. Although my Mom will be on stand by just in case her assistance is needed.

1 down, 9 cm to go

No, I am not referring to myself, but my sister Beverly. She had her 38 week appointment Friday afternoon & that is what they told her. They also put her & the baby on a monitor for 20 minutes because Morgan's heart rate was a little lower than they liked. In those 20 minutes Morgan's heart rate did increase & Beverly had no contractions so they sent them on their way say see ya next week. The doctor did of course suggest that she walk if she wanted to push herself into labor sooner. Right now her doctor is predicting Morgan will be here fairly close to Beverly's due date, Sept 18. Beverly is of course hoping for are earlier delivery, she is really ready for little Morgan to arrive.

Uneventful appointment + consignment shopping

I had my 32 week appointment yesterday and I must say it was pretty uneventful, except for having to wait 45 minutes to see the doctor. My blood pressure, proteins, weight & Emma's heart rate were all good. Although I am up to 34 lbs gained so far the doctor is still okay with it. She did tell me to start paying attention to how much she moves since now she will be running out of room in the uterus. In a 2 hour period while I am at rest or at least still, she should move at least 10 times. The doctor especially brought this to our attention since Emma has a rotated heart, she wants me to pay special attention to her movement. She was actually a little surprise that the Maternal & Fetal Medicine doctors do not have me monitoring her heart rate myself at home, but that has never been mentioned.

So today I went on a photo shot at work with the Art Director & didn't go into the office. After we ate lunch I headed to 2 consignment stores near by to shop. I ended up buying 8-9 outfits for little Emma & I can't wait for her to wear them. I really wanted some dressy clothes for her to wear to church & outfits that are not pink. Most of the clothing we have received as gifts is pink but I wanted a variety. I totally understand that girls should wear pink but really, not every day. Anyway I had a great time today, I only wish I could have shared my shopping fun with Chris, my sisters or Mama.

New Name

I am considering renaming my blog & changing the design & I thought I would ask from some input from all of you who visit regularly. I haven't quite picked out a design yet but the new names I am considering so far are (which incorporate our last name):

"The Byrd Nest"
"The Byrd Seeds"
"The Seeds of Byrd"

If you have any suggestions or votes feel free to chime in. I am not the best wordsmith & welcome any assistance you can give.

Great Weekend

I love weekends like the one we just had + we got an extra day. We spent a lot of time with our families & had a great time. Friday night we went shopping for baby Emma, but came home empty handed. I was looking for an outfit for her to wear for her first picture at the hospital but didn't find it. Saturday we went to 2 local consignment shops with my sister & mama & picked up 1 outfit & 2 pairs of pants for Emma. Beverly got a Boppy & infant swim suits. Saturday night we went to Chris' parents house for dinner to celebrate Chris' birthday, its a bit early but his brother was in town from Maryland. Sunday we went swimming with my family. Monday we went to the White Water Park in Charlotte just to walk around & to eat lunch. My mom & oldest sister Karen + her family had never been & we just tagged along. We didn't ride any white water rafts or anything but we still had a great time walk around the park & watching (its free). I only wish we had remember to take the camera. We could have gotten some great shots for our adoption profile which we need to update soon. Then we went swimming & ordered pizza. Weekends like this help me appreciate the fact that our families live so close by & we can spend time together.