Penelope's Eye Update **UPDATED**

Today, I took Penelope to a Pediatric Ophthalmologist to look at the skin tag that she has on her left eye. At first glance, we thought that the skin tag only involved her top eyelid, and might be easy to remove. But after he looked at it, he found (and showed us) that the skin tag involves both the top and bottom lid of that eye. To be more specific, the corner of your eye is shaped like a "V" turned sideways. When we lifted up the skin tag on that eye, the corner of that eye is shaped like a "C" turned sideways. This Ophthalmologist told us that he could numb it and take it off if we were interested in having it taken off today. However, he also told us that he couldn't guarantee that it wouldn't look different or need additional cosmetic surgery. So he gave us the name of a pediatric cosmetic surgeon to visit. I plan to call tomorrow to make an appointment. He also told us that most doctors probably won't do anything with it until the baby is at least 10 weeks old. And as I told the doctor today, we are in no rush to remove it. We want it to be removed correctly with no cosmetic difference and functional problems with her eye.

So, we'll keep you posted on how things go and when we make a final decision on what we will do with it.

**Update**
On Friday - I called the plastic surgeon that the other doctor recommended us too, and they told us that they would prefer to see Penelope when she was older, rather than now. Which is exactly what we thought might happen. And as I stated yesterday, she is still our darling with or without the skin tag. We want it to be taken off correctly with no problems, so we won't rush into anything.

Tomorrow, we are having her newborn photos taken. I was sort of going back and forth between whether to go forward with the photos or not. But we have decided to have them done, regardless of her eye situation. This is the way that she was born, and even if she won't be proud of how she looks as a baby (when she's older) we love her the way that she is and want to remember her the way that she was when she was born :)

Which is worse... No Sleep or Sore Cracked Nipples??

I'll take both please!! Boy, the last few days have really begun to be a nightmare for me as a mommy of 2. I as so spoiled with Finnegan, who was a good sleeper and a fairly good eater from the beginning. Yeah, we had trouble with breast feeding, but who doesn't in the beginning. But my sweet darling little girl is proving to be more troublesome on my body as a whole.

Two nights ago, she started cluster feeding, which is fairly normal for babies to do around the time of growth spurts. Most do it in the early evening time and feed nonstop for 2 or 3 hours. My little princess likes to do this in the early MORNING hours - between the hours of 1am and 5am... sometimes it starts earlier (last night it started at midnight). And she will feed (and want to nurse) non-stop for those hours. She'll fall asleep for a few minutes, but as soon as i wake her to burp or put her in her bed, she wakes up and wants to nurse again. Nothing else will pacify her. Oh, man, is this rough. I calculated the hours of sleep that I got on Saturday, and they totaled 3 (2 at night, and 1 hour nap during the day). And then the same was true for Sunday. I slept 3 hours at night (2 hours straight, and one hour during the feeding frenzy), and another 1.5 hour for a nap. And no one can run on 4 hours of sleep, I am convinced... especially a new mom, recovering from major surgery and looking after a toddler. Oh, and my darling husband was suppose to return to work today. It was a little more than overwhelming. So, in the wee hours of the morning, I've been researching how to help my daughter get past these cluster feeds in the early morning hours (if they were in the late evening - or literally any other time of day, I think I'd be coping a whole lot better). And to my suprise, I've found little to NO information about how to get our loved ones through this time. All I've found is in regards to how long it lasts. Some say it lasts just a week or so (to help get them through a growth spurt), and other record that it can happen for weeks and even months. Oh, MY! I certainly can't go on like this for MONTHS, let alone the rest of the week!! After two days, i feel like I'm at wits end. So, for experienced moms out there (especially those who are schedulers with their infants) do you have any suggestions to help us regulate this time? I have a couple of ideas that we're gonna start today, but thought I'd ask those who have experience... (I was also blessed when my husband told me that he wasn't going into work today that he'd work from home. Oh, the best words I could have heard today... so I was able to get a nice nap this morning and feel better about the outcome, rather than my world is crashing all around me as I felt like this morning).

And not only is she not sleeping, but somewhere along the line during our marathon feedings, we've gotten off track with the proper breastfeeding technique and I am beyond sore. To even think of putting her to one side makes me cringe in pain. So, I've resorted to pumping and bottle feeding on and off to give the breasts a bit of a break. We'll see how it goes. In the mean time, I'm nursing sore and cracked nipples and contemplating calling a LC for an in-home consultation.

In other news, we go for her one week appt tomorrow, and we'll learn what doctor our pediatrician will be sending us too about her skin tag on her eye.

Penelope Jean Has Arrived!!

Well, if you haven't heard (and haven't visited Facebook since Wednesday), Penelope Jean Morgan was born on Sept 23rd at 8:40am. She was born via c-section and we are so pleased to have her as part of our family. She weighed in at 6lbs, 7oz and was 19.25 inches long. She has just as much hair as her brother had at birth, is more vocal than her brother, but less observant. She keeps her eyes closed much more than he did. She is a great eater and sleeper, so far, and we are blessed by her each moment!! Here are a few photos from the day!!


The first two were take by a friend of mine who came and took our birth photos. What a blessing to have these photos.








Coming home... She was so small, that the outfit I brought to bring her home in and all the other ones that I took to the hospital were too big. Our friend dropped this onsie off for us and it just happened to be the right size :)


Getting ready to go home with her big brother!!
On our way out the door of the hospital...

Less than 12 hours...

In less than 12 hours I will meet my second child... isnt that crazy to fathom? I've always wanted to go into labor on my own and really thought that perhaps this time I would. But so far, nothing. I was sure my water would just break. But, that hasn't happened either. Never the less, tomorrow is the day!!

All the details are taken care of... at least everything that is within my control and responsibility. It is so weird to think that at this time tomorrow I will have nursed a new baby probably 5 times already (if not more) and I will have a new scar to prove it!!

So, So Crazy, I tell you!! Keep checking the blog for photos and stories, I'm sure there will be plenty to be had...

Love

The Last of the Shots... For a few days!

So, I just took my last shot of blood thinner before the baby's deliver tomorrow morning. And while I'm in the hospital, they'll give it to me through my IV. Pretty exciting!! No more pokes... well, at least until I return home and then I'll only have 6 more weeks of the poking and then I'll be done until next time :)

Finnegan and I have had a rough morning... our Dr. Appt went well, but since then, he's been cranky and unhappy and just not having a good day. Perhaps after his nap, he'll do a bit better.

Two days...

Ok, so here goes... Two days to go!! This photo was taken on Friday (38wks, 4 days). The belly continues to rock and roll every day!! And boy, does she like to move!! I hope this isn't a telling sign that she's gonna be a climber and give me a daily heart attack!! :)

The weekend was pretty relaxing. Friday was Ken's birthday and we celebrated with a dinner outing to Red Robin! We had a great dinner and dessert afterwards, and then some presents. Saturday was Finnegan's birthday, and it was even more low key. I made sandwiches for dinner, and Finnegan took his time throughout the day to open his presents. I went for a pre-natal massage on Saturday before the birthday excitement began, and a pedi. Both were wonderful, although the massage therapist said to me "You haven't had a massage at all during your pregnancy, have you?" Big Fat Nope!! "I can tell!" she said!! And my back could tell too. It was pretty sore the rest of the night, but feels great now. And I am proud to announce that the massage did allow me to STOP waddling. I walk upright and straight, even though I'm 39 weeks pregnant!! It's pretty freeing!! I'll probably go back in a couple of months for a second massage. :) I also had a pedi!! I was going through the photos from Finn's birth and loved to see my pretty toes sticking out of those compression deals that I have to wear during the surgery and for 24 hours after wards.

Sunday was relaxing with a nap and a trip to Costco after church. Just nice to be with the family and have some quiet time before our sweet daughter arrives.

Finnegan and I have been counting down the days with our paperchain. We tear off one ring each day to mark the days until sister arrives. He gets excited each day when we do it!!

Finnegan had his 2nd year doctor's appt today, and it was a rough one. He didn't want to take off his shoes to be weighed. He didn't want to take his clothes off. He didn't want to sit on the table. Just super fussy today. And then we continued with the shots!! He got 3 of them!! He had to sit on my lap (or what is left of it) and had to hold his arms, while the nurse held his feet between hers!! Oh, poor baby! It just breaks your heart each time. So we retreated home for a movie and some chocolate milk!! It makes everything better :)

6 days and counting...

Oh, Man!! The days are ticking away!!

So, I did sleep on the air mattress the other night. And unfortunately it didn't make either of us sleep any better. And this time, I wasn't just awake when I rolled over, but every time Ken rolled over in the bed above me! And I went back to my regular bed at about 5:30am because I missed my husband... it's hard to sleep in a different bed when he's right there and ready for the snuggling!! So, needless to say, I haven't attempted it again. However, the bed is still set up in our room, just in case. :)

Today was the first day of MOPS at our church. I'd never joined before and wasn't really sure what to expect. A new friend that I've made at our church encouraged me to come and I know that this year I'm gonna REALLY need to extra support of other moms and a connection time. So I decided to join. I am so glad that I did. The head coordinator spoke this morning and God really has preparing her and teaching her so much. Things that are practicle and applicable to my own life. I found myself crying at one point, just realizing that I feel the same way she feels and she's just a few steps ahead of me, giving a good example of the actions I should take to make myself a better mom!! She talked about being a Born Mom or a Made Mom. And I know for sure that I am a Made Mom. Being a good mommy doesn't come easy to me, and I never really wanted children. But it's a fight I'm willing to make. I just have to make my choices each day. What a great reminder that God wants me to fight that fight with me and stands right with me helping me to make controlled and loving decisions with my children in mind.

Also, another bit of exciting news. My friend, that I mentioned above, does some photography on the side and has agreed and is willing to accompany Ken and I to our c-section and be our 'paparazzi' when the baby is born. And because she is there, she will capture those first moments together of the baby and us and we won't have to take the photos ourselves, but enjoy our sweet girl!! And since we won't have family there this time to take those photos, Mandy will be doing it for us, and I couldn't be more happy!!

The last of the chores have begun. I started washing the cushions of the couch today, while Finnegan is continuing his "trial run" nap at our friends' home (the M's). We did trial run #1 yesterday and he had a rough time at first but then took a great nap. Today, he did even better. I think he'll be all set for next week!! He adjusts so well so it makes it easier, but I did still cry yesterday when I left him as he was crying!! I've begun to pack Finnegan's bag for his big adventure at the M's house, as well as my bag. We've coordinated the dogs care, and most of the other details. So, unless the baby come early and surprises EVERYONE, we're on schedule!! :)

I have been having real contractions here and there. I had a few on Sunday and a couple yesterday. I had one this afternoon after standing for about 45 minutes, but none since then.

Well, it's off to finish one more chore before I go and get Finnegan. I'll keep you posted on all the other happenings soon!!

Oh... Wait... One more thing... Can I just say how HAPPY I am that the new seasons have started for prime time television??? Ok, so yes, my life is ruled by TV during the fall and winter seasons. I write the premires in my planner in hopes of not missing any show that I want to watch!! I know it's completely pathetic, but hey, that's me!! Survivor is on tonight as well as the office, and Grey's is on next week!! Yippee!!