Day 4

Chris and I have been rotating who goes home and gets a good night's sleep and I was the lucky one. When I got to the hospital there were doctors and nurses swarming her room. Chris was standing in the hall and told me not to go in. Her blood pressure had dropped really, really low and everybody was frantically trying to stabilize her. They gave her dopamine and epinepherine to help with her heart function, extra fluid in case she's dehydrated, fentanyol to help with her profusion (blood flow), antibiotics, hydrocortizone (a steroid), calcium and potassium, a blood transfusion, and completely paralyzed her ALL to increase her blood pressure. They also drew blood to test for any infection and took a chest x-ray to see if her lungs had collapsed. Fortunately they hadn't! The doctors don't know what caused the drop in blood pressure so they covered all the bases to be sure. She's been resting peacefully since.



I asked her cardiologist why delay the surgery. He said they were waiting for the baby things (jaundice, infection, different ultrasound things) to go away. When she was in the NICU she was started on antibiotics but looked like she didn't need them so she was taken off. Now they've started her back on them in case there is infection and we'll have those results in a couple days. We're beginning to think she won't come home without first having her surgery which is good and bad. Good because she needs it, obviously, and we'd very much like to have this all behind us sooner than later. Bad because we want her home to grow bigger and stronger. As I'm being educated with her condition I've learned that although she has a heart disease her biggest problem will be lung disease, not being able to breath. I understood initially there'd be breathing problems but I was under the impression once her heart was fixed her lung problems would disappear. Not exactly. It could take years before she might function at a normal level, possibly never.

I find myself playing the "I would rather" game. I would rather have her healthy than deal with...it's a vicious game that never seems to end happy. So many times through out the day I catch myself.

We know everything she is going through is completely necessary and that it will get better but when we look at her and she's so beat up it's impossible to remember that. She's where she needs to be I know but the other half desperately wants her home, snuggling on my shoulder or screaming at 2 in the morning. I've never changed her diaper or kissed an untapped cheek or held her for longer than 3 minutes. I feel very robbed but at the same time so lucky. There's way to many emotions to sort through. It's quite the roller coaster!

Equipment Upgrade

How are things going? Well...here's what her room looked like when we came: 2 monitors-1 to measure her heart rate, CO2 levels, blood pressure and the other is for her ventilator. She had one drip which is her nutrients and one pump to give her something, I'm not sure.

Today has been quite the day. Now she has 4 screens, 7 pumps, 2 drips, and she has been completely paralyzed. She's demanded several doctors, nurses, respiratory therapist ALL day and usually all at the same time. We knew this wouldn't be easy but there's NOTHING that could've prepared us for this roller coaster.

Crystal, this one's for you! We named her Sophie.

Love At First Sight

The troops got to come down Thanksgiving morning and see their long awaited sister. Tatum was thrilled! She practiced all night how to hold a baby and how to be soft and gentle. She immediately fell in love, she talked and sang songs to her, rubbed her head and kissed her little legs. I felt really bad she couldn't hold her but she seemed content enough with what she was able to do.

Tucker was also excited to see her, just not as excited. He looked at her for a minute or two and was done after that. He was more interested in his chips and the play area. This is the best picture I could get.

T&T worked really hard on this art work and couldn't wait to show her. They each chose where to hang their picture. Tatum's are on the right and Tuck's are on the left.
Tucker enjoying some much needed Dad time.

After the visit we were off to try

and enjoy some yummy food.
Tuck and his dad being silly. Tuck
really needs his Dad!

Jersey, Day 2

We FINALLY got to hold her!! It's quite the process to hold her, there's SO many chords and wires but it's worth it! We've only been able to hold her twice and it seems that will be it for a while. Sniff, sniff.

Here she is snuggling with her platipus, we named it Wilma. I love to snuggle so hopefully she'll be a snuggler.

This is the one and only time she's opened her eyes. We spent half of the whole 4 minutes taking pictures rather than enjoying the moment. Her best picture yet!!

Some of her very special visitors. Bishop Guttery.

Grandma (Chris's Mom) Grandpa (Heidi's Dad)

We got lucky and a spot on the pediatric cardiology floor opened up so we were transferred. Here's Jersey's new home for the duration of her stay. This is where, when she has surgery, she will recover, basically this our home away from home. Look at all her fancy equipment.

After a very long, very exhausting, very emotional day we came home to this, pink balloons tied to forks stuck in our grass!! SO, SO cute!! Thank you very much whomever you are, it really helped to lift our sagging spirits, you have no idea.

She's here!!!

This afternoon at 2:22 pm our little baby Jersey Anderson was born. She was 5 lbs, 9 oz, 18 inches long and tons of dark hair. Heidi's labor was long, but towards the end it went very quickly. Heidi handled it like a champ and everything went smoothly.

Jersey had a more difficult time. When she was born there was an army of people around. She was having a very hard time breathing so she was immediately hooked up to a ventilator. Once the team had stabilized her she was moved to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Unfortunately for Heidi she didn't get to see Jersey for more than 5 seconds before she was rushed away with the doctors. A terrible thing for a new mother.

Upon her arrival in the NICU a series of tests were run. Heidi and I weren't allowed to be with her so we had to sit and wait in our hospital room until our cardiologist came in to tell us how everything was going. He explained that her pulmonary arteries are dilated to the point that it is blocking her airway (this is why she couldn't breathe when she was born). He also said that her right ventricle wasn't working properly. Because of this she will be monitored for the next 7 to 10 days. After that they will have a more definite answer on when they will do surgery. Either way she will have surgery, it’s just a matter of when. Ideally we would like to wait until she is a little bigger and stronger, but there is a possibility that the surgery needs to be done sooner rather than later.

At this point Jersey is stable and seems to be responding well to her treatment and meds. She is adorable and has Tucker's mouth and Tatum's nose. She's perfect!!! Heidi has been a trooper throughout this whole ordeal. She didn't get to see her newborn daughter for almost 4 hours and handled it very well. We are grateful for everyone's support and hope to keep everyone updated.
Below are some pictures of our day...

It's time...

This is Chris, Heidi's husband. I decided to make a post in honor of Heidi. Currently we find ourselves in a hospital room at St. Joes in Phoenix, AZ. Below are a series of events that lead us to where we are today.

Heidi goes to her doctor every Monday and Thursday to do a stress test and an ultrasound. This is done to make sure the baby's condition doesn't worsen or if there are any issues. So today at Heidi's doctor appointment our child failed her "stress test" and they noticed something irregular with the heart beat. This caused concern because of the diagnosed heart condition. Our doctor decided that we should go to the hospital to be monitored.

After we got here and got all settled in they hooked Heidi up to monitors to make sure the baby is okay. After about an hour and a half our doctor came in and explained they were going to induce labor. Since Heidi is almost 36 weeks pregnant the doctors determined it would be better for the baby to be out of her body than in. So to make a long story short, here we are.

Hopefully sooner rather than labor (get it?) we will welcome our little baby Jersey to our family. We are excited and nervous and we will welcome her with open arms.

BEAD PARTY IS CANCELLED

I regret to inform everyone that the bead party scheduled for tomorrow, November 25th, will be cancelled. Why you may ask??? I'm in labor at St. Joes Hospital. More details to come...

IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS PLANNING ON COMING, AND DOESN'T BLOG, PLEASE LET THEM KNOW.

MISSING: Ninja

MISSING: Ninja. Sulcata turtle. He is two months old. Smaller than the palm of an adult hand. He has a hard shell with rectangular markings. He likes to eat: grapes, lettuce, and endive. He won't come when called to. Last seen in our back yard enjoying the warm sunlight on 11/18/08 at approximatley 2pm. He has a twin sister named Gisele. Please call if you've seen him, have any information, or know of his where abouts.

This handsome little boy is heartbroken and misses his "little buddy". Look at him adoring his little guy. Sniff, sniff! He's been VERY brave and would love to have his Ninja back home.

Bead Party!

It's Another Bead Party!

Who? You and your friends!

When? Tuesday, November 25th @ 7:00-???

Where? Heidi Anderson's, e-mail for directions

Think Christmas dresses, stocking stuffers, Teacher gifts, Grandma's and Mother's. Come early and stay late! Bling Bling baby!

Missing Blankets

We searched every room, top to bottom. Looked under every bed. Checked the cars and in the backyard. Turned over every couch cushion. Looked in every cupboard. And then we did it all again. How could both of their blankets be missing at the same time? Where were their blankets? THE FREEZER!

Sweet, Sweet Children of Mine

There's nothing like being pregnant and not feeling attractive. I'm not complaining, pregnancy is temporary, it doesn't last forever. Chris does an ok job of making me feel...not ugly/fat/unattractive, you get the idea. But there's something like a child's honesty. I know my blondies love me so when Tatum pokes at my love handles and says, "Mom your skin is squishy," I can smile back. Or when I'm pushing Tucker in a grocery cart and he looks down and says, "Mom, your legs are fat," I can ruffle his hair and pretend he didn't say what he just said. Or when I put on one of my 2 church outfits and Tatum says, "Why do you always wear that dress?". Or when I'm dressing this morning and Tuck says, " Your back is getting fat," I can grit my teeth and try not to oink back. Aren't they sweet?

Boutique

5 Weeks and Counting!

FIVE WEEKS AND COUNTING! That's only 35 days assuming I don't go into labor before then. Originally I was going to be induced December 10, 2 weeks before my due date but things are a little different now. With Tatum and Tucker I took castor oil which put me into labor BOTH times but I don't want to chance anything with this baby. So, my friend Mandy has an herbal regimen she follows 5 weeks before she's due that I thought I'd try. I can't not do anything, I need to feel like I'm kind of in control so starting today this is what I take.

Evening primrose oil is an excellent source of prostaglandins, which readies your cervix for labor.

The 5W blend supplies nutrients supportive to the female glandular and reproductive systems and should be taken during the last five weeks of pregnancy. The formula contains iron for the blood and for vitality, manganese to support body tissues, and selenium to assist in healthy tissue growth.

Red raspberry leaf tea is a uterine tonic used by Native Americans for thousands of years. It tones your uterus by helping to "focus" your Braxton Hicks contractions. Think of its job as helping your uterus do more effective exercising while you are pregnant. It helps to tone the uterus after delivery as well, shrinking it back to size more quickly and reducing bleeding.

The first week you start with 1 capsules of 5W, 3x's a day. Week two it's 2 capsules, 3x's a day. Week 3-5 3 capsules 3x's a day. Every time I take a 5W I also take an evening primrose oil capsule and twice a day I drink the tea. It's a lot to take but I want this baby to come!!

Here's me in all my glory, 34 weeks. Jersey Girl weighs 5 pounds, 7 oz. She's growing great, she's in the 56th percentile and everything is looking SO good. She's being monitored twice a week so if there's anything new we'll catch it! I'll be induced December 18th but cross your fingers she'll come sooner. We're watching, waiting, and praying things continue to go well and we can't wait to hold our girlie.

Flu Shots

Today at the police station they were doing free flu shots and we, rather I, decided to take full advantage. I warned the kids a day before the dreaded event so we could discuss it and so they could get their whining out. Tucker and I picked up Tatum from school Friday and were off. It was a fun car ride, they knew exactly where we were going and had A LOT to say about it. Tatum said, "shots are BORING!" while Tuck said he would puuunch the police officers. I went first and then Tuck. I had to bribe him with gum to get him to take off his jacket. He did pretty good. Of course he was crying before it even happened but quickly calmed down after. Poor Tatum was cowering in the corner sobbing while Tuck was getting his shot. It took both the fireman and I to hold down Tatum. I'm sure everybody in the station heard her scream! I promised them lunch after their traumatic ordeal, they wanted pizza so off to Barro's to meet Dad, Noni and Papa. As we walked to the car I asked Tuck to hold my hand and he said, "I can't, my arm is too sore." I knew his arm hurt because mine did!

Tatum post shot.

Enjoying their well earned pizza.

Swim, Bike, Run

On Sunday Chris was invited by his friend Matt to participate in a sprint triathlon Saturday, as in 6 days. Ummm, Chris hasn't been to the gym in 3 months so why he committed is a mystery. Saturday morning dawned and him and Matt were off early to Coolidge for the big race. Renae and I decided we'd be good, supportive wives and load up the 61/2 children and make the trek to watch our husbands.

Chris and Matt just finishing swimming are quickly throwing on shirts and shoes and are off to bike 10.2 miles. The blondies and I ran over to watch Chris's exit and Tucker was SO sad his dad couldn't give him a love before he biked.

We found a shady spot to wait for the dads to complete their bike rides.

The best thing to do while you wait is eat, so the rugrats enjoyed donuts and juice while keeping their eyes peeled for their tired dads.

And he's off to run 3.6 miles.

Matt finishing strong.

And Chris, 2 minutes behind him looking...well...tired.

The boys enjoyed themselves, I guess. Matt wanted to know why he does these races and Chris was glad he didn't barf a second time. Chris finished in 1 hr. 19 mins which is pretty darn good for not having trained even one minute!