Housebound

"You need to write a blog. We can't let my Olympic weeping story be the first thing people read." Matt said this after we ate dinner and settled down for a night of relaxing with the kids.

"What in the world do I have to say or write about?" I thought. I've been practically housebound for the past two weeks recovering from surgery. The highlights from the past 14 days (besides spending time with my daughter and son) include friends and family coming to visit, going to church, a quick stop at a party for a friend of ours, time at the Combers, and a trip to the Rite Aid.

Harrison and Libby are amazing. Harrison has been getting into trouble more often to get our attention, but when it's just the three of us, he's incredibly helpful. Libby is so awesome to watch. It's amazing how she can break my heart with a yawn or a toothless grin.

I've been working on getting Libby on a routine and learning how to balance my time and energy with two kids. Matt's been Mr. Incredible with helping me around the house and his two week paternity leave was a HUGE blessing. When he went back to work on Tuesday, I was so afraid to be left alone, to be outnumbered, to be housebound with two kids. Thankfully, I had major help.

On Matt's first day back to work, he came home early and we went to the Combers to celebrate Gerry and Adia's birthday. Even though the kids were well behaved and I achieved getting both of them to take a nap at the same time, I was surprised to find that I was exhausted before I could say "Happy Birthday." On Wednesday, Matt's mom took Harrison for the afternoon. Thursday, Matt worked from home and friends from my high school brought us dinner (thanks Bri, Justin, and Avery!), and today Harrison's friends came to play in the afternoon and I was able to talk to their mom for a while. Hooray for adult conversation! It was a great way to end my first week as a stay-at-home mother of two.

This has been an insane 16 days since Libby's birth, but I can't imagine or remember what it would be/was like without her in my life. It's an amazing experience that's for sure.

-Katy

There's no crying in the Olympics! (by MJC)

There I was, sitting with my daughter in my arms watching women's gymnastics. Shawn Johnson gets the gold. Her mom cries and is embraced by her father.

I wept.

There is just something about the pride and joy of her parents that got me thinking of watching Libby succeed in life. What will it be like to watch her graduate high school, or college? What will it be like to watch her land a great job and enjoy a career? To walk her down the aisle? To see her with her own family someday?

I am overwhelmed by my little girl's promise for her future, and that I can witness it all and root her on from the sidelines, just like the parent of an Olympian. If she becomes like Shawn-- young, bright, pretty, well spoken, respectful, and hard working-- I am sure I would also be crying for all the world to see.

Libby already holds a gold medal in my book. She is beautiful. She is patient with us as parents. She looks at us with amazement and love. And I stare back and wish her all the joy and success that life can bring.

No Laughing...an update by MJC

So it's about 9:30 pm last night, we are watching Olympics and trying to get the kids to fall asleep. Falling asleep to the Olympics has been Harrison's latest bedtime routine since staying with his Grandma for four days, so we're sticking it with it. It also allows us to catch the Games. Harrison has taken all the pillows off the couches and has laid them in front of the TV, and has curled up with a blanket all "comfy cozy" as he says (a saying from a Blues Clues episode). As he sits there, Katy and I laugh at one of Libby's cute characteristics.

Harrison interrupts, "I don't like laughing...no more laughing Daddy."

It reminded me of my childhood dinners when my siblings and I would get rowdy at the dinner table and my dad would yell at us, "Stop it. No laughing, no smiling, no showing your teeth!"

As you could imagine, it was hard not to chuckle at the comment, and very soon Harrison was laughing himself and tickling me and all our laughing resumed.

But this was one small funny moment I wanted to share with you. It illustrates the little guy trying get attention instead of Libby. I think we are doing okay with that, but of course a newborn will always demand constant attention, so it will never be "equal."

What we are doing more and more is letting Harrison know we love him. We always did this before, but it seems that it is happening more since we need to reinforce it with all the attention that is shifting away from him. And in turn he tells us he loves us, and he tells Libby he loves her, and all is well with the world in those little fleeting moments.

Just a little update for you. Note the time. Those little fleeting moments are what keep us going with little sleep. So I hope Harrison has more in him...

Even "superheroes" need a percocet, a shower, and a couple of hours of sleep once in a while...

Warning: This blog is going to be completely random due to percocet and the quick blurbs of sleep I've been getting lately. I watched the Olympics last night! As I nursed my daughter (every hour at ten til the hour) I got to see all the coverage re-runs... it was inspiring. I want to be an Olympian when I grow up.

I just took my first shower since coming home on Friday, and it was glorious! Libby's taking a nap, Harrison's playing independently (!!!), and I'm actually on the internet while Matt watches Libby. I feel almost spoiled. :-)

I noticed that as my belly slowly disappears, so are my ankles...ah the joys of water redistribution after pregnancy. My belly is disappearing b/c my uterus is shrinking back to its normal size. Matt saw my uterus during my surgery by accident (which was pretty freaking hilarious). The sighting was prompted by the doctor (a man who saw at least ten uterui/uteruses (?) that day before mine) exclaiming "Wow! Look at that uterus!" Apparently, it's a fine looking organ.

"I could see four more coming in the future with that one!" he said.

I didn't have the heart to tell him that he would never see my uterus again since Libby will probably be our last.

The C-section wasn't nearly as traumatizing as Harrison's, mainly b/c I knew that it was going to happen. My friend Allen has this great story about how he was awake during his wisdom tooth extraction and how cool it was to hear and see everything that was going on without feeling anything. Despite the fact that a baby and not a tooth was being extracted from my body, the experience was on a slightly larger scale, but feeling my organs being shifted and hearing the doctors dialog as to everything that was going on, was indeed pretty cool.

The recovery however: not cool. In the hospital, the nurses and Matt (see the Super Hero blog) were somewhat amazed at how quickly I was progressing, and I was super proud. But here at home with the little to no sleep and a three year old who desperately wants my attention, the pains of recovery are worse and I had to take my first percocet last night. I feel somewhat defeated, but every time I look at Harrison and Libby it feels so incredibly worth it.

So I have six weeks of recovery. The first two weeks I'm not even allowed to walk up the stairs (unless absolutely necessary) or drive, or well, anything. My doctor described like this: "During your first two weeks you are a queen, the next two weeks you are a princess, and the last two weeks you'll start to behave like a commoner."

How do you behave like a queen with a three year old? Matt is doing the best he can to help, and he's an amazing dad. But, I see him burning out without getting enough sleep. Harrison wants the same amount of attention we're giving Libby, and we are still learning how to balance. His Aunt Reen (hooray for family) took him out yesterday and his cousin came over to play and see the baby, so that was good.

Okay. That's my update. I'm going to see if Libby's awake and ready for lunch before the spell ends and the quiet goes away. Much love to everyone who sent love and prayers our way after Libby's birth! Thank you!!!

First Night with Two Kids

Well, I think the high that comes from witnessing the miracle of birth wore off last night. Two things happened that made for a night of nearly no sleep for Katy, and a night of little sleep for me.

1. Harrison goes to sleep at 5:30pm for a "nap" and is out for the night. Which we realized meant he would wake up super early, maybe 4:30am if we're lucky. Well, with a screaming little sister to wake him up at 3:30am, that's when he woke up, and was wide awake and ready to play! Daddy-- not so ready. And Libby well, she had her own issues (see #2).

2. Katy had a craving for pizza--with peppers and onions. I thought nothing of it, until Libby had the worst indigestion and gas and meant for an all-nighter for Katy, and I was lucky enough to catch some winks during her feeding times. And I got to change some pretty gross diaper "explosions" all while holding off Harrison who wanted to see what was going on. But Libby finally settled down for a nap a few moments ago around noon. But her naps have been short and infrequent since yesterday afternoon.

Poor Katy is doing overtime trying to keep Libby fed. I am glad that Libby is eating well, as she needs to gain the weight she lost in the hospital, but I hope Katy can keep up the pace. It is almost as if Katy has been constantly feeding her since about midnight last night.

Then there is Harrison. The word "rammy" could describe it, but a word like "defiant" also comes to mind. He and I are not communicating well, partly due to my impatience and lack of sleep. But he is now off to the park with his Aunt Reen and hopefully that will lead to a much needed nap at a normal time, and get him back to a regular sleep cycle. It also gives me a bit of a break from him beating me up.

Please keep us in your prayers. Pray of course for sleep but also patience through the tired and weary hours to deal with two kids who have been cranky the last 12 hours themselves.

Sorry this wasn't as nice a blog as some of my previous. But we all must take the good with the bad, and out of the most challenging of circumstances comes the most blessed moments... so stay tuned for those...

Our little Squeakers (by MJC)

So as if Libby isn't a good enough nickname, she has another-- Squeaker. She has gotten this due to her cooing which sounds more like a squeak. Like she swallowed one of those plastic stuffed animal squeaking bulbs. It is the cutest thing.

She is home now and sleeping most of the day. Harrison fell asleep as well, so now we're enjoying a little peace and quiet. And some squeaks from time to time.

Super Woman

I just wanted to comment on how amazingly Katy is recovering. When I saw her first thing this morning she was sitting up, which I was surprised to see, but still not able to stand. Well, her "intense" nurse got her up, into the bathroom, walking around and feeling almost normal. In a couple hours, she got out of bed on her own, went to the bathroom, got dressed into normal people clothes, and rushed back to help me with a screaming Libby. I did a double take. It was as if she was in full swing.

I know there is a long recovery period, but tonight Katy was able to go from laying down at about 120 degrees to sitting up at 90 degrees without holding onto anything, just a straight sit-up motion. It was amazing to see after major abdomenal surgery just 24 hours prior. The nurse and I looked at each other as if to say, "Wow!" Purely Super Woman powers, I'm sure. Harrison would be happy to know his Mommy is a super hero.

I am really proud. Katy looks great, she's eating well, and she's nursing Libby well. It is so great to see, after all the hardships she endured with Harrison's birth. I am looking forward to a few weeks down the road when she and I will be working out and jogging together with the tandem stroller in tow....or we can just play Wii together. That works for me.

Libby arrives!

Whew....so after 40 weeks, 4 days, and about 12 hours of waiting, we finally met the little girl we were so eager to meet. And Harrison became a big brother.

Elizabeth Luwynn Comber was born today at 5:39pm, weighed 7 lb 15 oz, and was 20 inches long. She was born in the Chester County Hospital, West Chester, PA via cesarean section.

It was a long day. Katy was up early with a bit of nervousness, and while I was awake from 4am-6:30am, I slept in until about 8:30am. We got things together and out the door at 10am, dropped Harrison off at Grandma's, and arrived at the hospital at 11:15am. When we were set up in the pre-op room we were told things were backed up due to many emergency c-sections. Since we had dealt with an emergency C-section with Harrison, we totally understood and were willing to wait. I even joked with Katy that she was lucky that she wasn't in pain from dealing with contractions. Kind of strange to be having a baby and not be experiencing any contractions. The hospital staff was very apologetic and accommodating, and finally at around 4:30 they were prepping us for the O.R.

I in my scrubs and Katy in her gown, we just settled down for a little c-section surgery. Why I thought it would be easy or routine after experiencing it once I do not know. It was like everything happened differently. At about 5:30pm they finally came and got me as I sat nervously in the pre-op room. By the time I arrived, the procedure was half over! The one thing that was the same was that the anesthesiologist had the same quirky sense of humor as the one we had with Harrison. The down side-- our doctor was obviously on the end of his shift and had seen his fair share of c-sections for the day. I don't even think he said a word to me during the surgery.

Well, then came the miracle. Say what you want about c-sections, but a birth is a birth is a birth, and it was amazing and miraculous. I peeked over the curtain this time and saw the head!!! Just her head as they lifted her out. Then, they whole body was out and bingo! A girl!!!! Yay! Libby!

I was able to hold her and Katy was able to get a quick look at her before they whisked her away to the nursery for weighing and measurements (again, different from when Harrison was born, where it was all done in the O.R.) I went with Libby to the nursery and saw her get weighed. Almost 8 pounds.

She looked great. Her color was a beautiful pink, she had a full head of dark hair, and her cry was soft but present. She doesn't cry much-- just like her big brother.

The next couple hours Katy sat in recovery room as Libby was cleaned up and warmed in the nursery. I raced around calling folks and meeting family and bringing them back to see Libby through the nursery window. The whole time Katy sat by herself in the recovery room. I really feel bad that I let that happen. Next time, I'll do better, honey, I promise. Then Harrison came and met Libby and that was special. He also got to see his mommy. As of now, the four of us have not been in the same room. But tomorrow, that will be a special treat.

A little after 8pm folks headed home, I ate a quick dinner, and headed back to spend time with my two favorite girls. Obviously, the long and traumatic day took its toll on them and they both drifted in and out of sleep as I watched my new little one with wonderment and awe. She seems so perfect, and life is good.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. Please continue to pray for Katy as the pain will begin with the recovery from major surgery. And pray for Harrison as he spends the next couple days with small intervals of visits with mommy in the hospital.

As for me, I'm on cloud nine and my adrenalin is wearing off. But the thought of more precious moments to come will help me fall asleep and await a new day, filled with joy of welcoming Libby into this world.

The Last Day

Libby is definitely coming tomorrow. How weird is that? I know exactly when my daughter will come into the world. If I don't go into natural labor (chances are slim) by the morning, Libby will be delivered via C-section at 11:30 tomorrow morning.

My resolution to not be disappointed about having a C-section has been hard to keep. I just read my friend's blog about birthing her daughter and I felt a twinge of envy. It's hard to keep reminding myself that this does not make me less of a woman. That, in my situation, this is what's best for my daughter. That I tried my absolute best to avoid the procedure, but there were other plans.

We tried pretty much everything to induce labor. Walking and swimming everyday for hours, eating spicy food, squatting, doing lunges, Chinese food, etc... Maybe I should have scrubbed the kitchen floor...

Hmmmm. Where did I put that bucket?

Today after my pre-op appointment (blood work, meeting the anesthesiologist, getting a physical and answering medical history questions) I took Harrison to get some lunch and we had a picnic at the park. It was so much fun running (yes, the picture of pregnant me running is pretty funny) around and playing with Harrison in the beautiful weather. We stayed out for a couple of hours and until it was time to go home and take a nap. On the way back to the house we discussed what was going to happen when Mommy goes to the hospital.

Harrison's eyes widened when we spoke about Libby and her arrival. His brow furrowed when I told him that I would have to stay in the hospital for a while. His mouth turned from pout to smile when I told him he would sleepover at Grandma's his first night without Mommy. After much discussion, Harrison confirmed that he was ready to be a big brother, that he would be alright while Mommy was away, and that he was excited for tomorrow to come.

Tonight at dinner, Matt commented that it was a bit sad that this was our last night as the three Combers, and it was definitely bittersweet. The end of one chapter and the beginning of another. Our family commencement.

Libby, we are so excited to meet you. Safe travels tomorrow. You are loved, and we are blessed.

Revelation

I was listening to a sermon in church today and I realized something. If I keep harping on the fact that I probably won't experience the birth the way I want, Libby's life would start out as an unmet expectation. I refuse to let my daughter's life to be met with disappointment with the situation. I'm giving it up to God, He knows my daughter better than anyone ever will, He's in full control over my daughter's life and how she will come into the world. I'm letting this go.

Harrison's Day (by MJC)

Since yesterday was Katy's due date (8-8-08), and the baby didn't come, it was her day. My mom took us out for lunch at Nudy's, we went shopping for last minute things at Babies R Us, we relaxed, and we ate dinner and watched the opening ceremonies of the Olympics with my parents.

Today was Harrison's day. We started with "grilled cheese" crackers in bed (normally a definite no-no given the crumb factor), then went out to the park to play ball, play on the jungle gym, and take a walk (also a mission to induce labor). We went out to lunch at Isaac's (complete with Harrison's favorites-- from pickles to cookies). We came home and went swimming at the pool, took a nap, had dinner, and went for a walk in town and stayed out late eating ice cream. He is now sleeping as we watch the Olympics.

On the way to the park, Harrison randomly blurted out, "I like Santa better."

Katy and I looked at each other. "Better than whom, Harrison?"

"I like Santa better than God," he said.

We were shocked at this. First of all, it was very random. Second, we hoped his love for Santa really didn't outweigh a love for God. We talked about it with him, and told him why God is so much better than Santa because "God made Santa. Santa wouldn't be around if it wasn't for God." I think Harrison either understood that, or realized we didn't like his initial sentiments. After a little back-and-forth from Harrison, he finally revoked his previous statement by saying "I like God. He is my BEST friend!" Katy and I, while hoping we didn't force Harrison to say something insincere about God, hope he grows to love God more than anything else, including Santa.

All in all, both days were good family days and fun for all of us. Supposedly, tomorrow is my day. I wonder what that will involve?

The gift of time

My doctor gave me more time to go into labor! I'm excited about the opportunity and the extra time to have the experience, but I was kind of attached to the idea of meeting lil Libby today. So it might be today, might be tomorrow, but if not, they will schedule my C-section for Tuesday.

I need a nap!

Kicked out of bed...

Libby has been pretty routine. I know when she'll be the most active, especially at night. For the past two weeks she starts to wake me up between 4:00 and 4:30. She wakes me up at other times too, but when I get up at 4:30 to stretch and use the bathroom it is difficult for me to go back to sleep.

Last night Harrison crawled into bed with us in the middle of the night. He must know that something is up because Harrison is usually a pretty sound sleeper. When I got up, I walked around a bit and looked at the bed. There he was, sprawled out in a position similar to when he slept with us as a newborn. Hands over head, snoring lightly, knees out and feet together. He's much bigger now so I had to move him in order to get back in bed, and for half an hour, just as I did when he was new, I watch his eyelids flutter as he dreamed, listened to his breathing, and felt his heartbeat close to mine. He is my first born. He is my heart. And his little world is about to be rocked.

Libby must have felt me paying attention to her brother b/c she began kicking like no other. The spell broke and I remembered the little things I need to get done before my doctor's appointment today, so I got out of bed, did some laundry and decided that this moment needed to be documented. At 8:30 today, my doctor will tell me my options. Will this be the day my little one makes her debut?

Waiting...

Well, I had my ultrasound yesterday. Libby grew from being in the 45th percentile to the 75th percentile in one month's time! Her head measured 41 weeks large while her body measured approx. 39 weeks and 6 days. She's already 8 pounds 9 ounces, and I'm starting to come to terms with the fact that my chances of a V-BAC are slim.

Harrison was 9 pounds 1 ounce and he was too big for me to deliver, so with Libby so close to her brother's weight already, I'm thinking that I need to start praying for either a miracle birth or just a safe delivery via C-section. Either way, all I really want is a healthy child.

With everyone praying for me and encouraging me, I feel so supported. However, I can't help but think that I would be letting other people down or some of my friends and family members wouldn't understand my decision if I opt for going for the C-section instead of attempting a risky V-BAC with the high chance of needing a "C" during labor and delivery.

My hope is that the decision will become clear when the time is right.

Gotta go; I have a LOT of thinking and praying to do.
Love,
Katy

Food Critic (by MJC)

Harrison could be so many things when he grows up, and we discussed this today with him, and he told us that he is going to play baseball. When we asked him what Libby will do when she grows up, he said that she is going to watch him play baseball. Well, I can honestly see that he already has a natural pitching arm and the tall lanky build that lends to being a major league pitcher. And he has a love for the game. I saw that when he stayed out and played whiffle ball with my brothers and me for nearly a full hour without losing interest. And he was our batting practice pitcher. Not bad for a 3 year old.

But as I think about it, it is amazing how much potential this little guy has and I wonder what his future holds for him every day. He could be a doctor, and has shown that he loves to make us all feel better playing doctor and checking our hearts and temperatures and blood pressure and giving us shots. He even told us with great certainty that Libby is coming Thursday after giving Mommy and Libby a check-up. He could be a writer with his wild imagination and amazing love of story telling. Not to mention the crazy dreams he has, which must be a hereditary gift from his mother.

He could be a pilot, a teacher, a mechanic, a journalist, the president of the US, a chef....anything really. That just amazes me-- how much I long for the day he finds out what he wants to be. I'm still figuring that out. I am sure my parents didn't watch me playing in the house developing insurance exams. But when I was young I don't know if I ever believed I could do great things. I think Harrison does. And I believe he can.

But the latest of his talents was revealed today at the dinner table. Food Critic. Tonight must have been a blue moon, as I made dinner. And it wasn't breakfast for dinner. I wanted to make the breast of chicken that I had bought a few nights back. The thought of grilled marinated chicken sounded amazing to me. So I came up with a marinade out of the little ingredients we had available. Soy sauce, garlic, a splash of A-1 sauce, and fresh pineapple. I have to say I feel that I executed it well, and Katy did a great job with the frozen chicken fried rice and the fresh broccoli, and I knew we were in for a treat. I just hoped that Harrison liked the marinade. As he grabbed the pineapple slices off the serving plate and put them in his mouth still hot, I figured he would probably like the flavor of the pineapple.

He ate a few pineapple pieces, and then took a bite of the chicken before Katy and I had a chance to sit down or serve ourselves. And out came a very enthusiastic comment. "Daddy, you are the best cooker I ever saw!" I never felt so proud. A 3 year old food critic loved my meal. My ego swelled and I thought that maybe I should even go into business with my brother Shane, a chef at a little place in New Hope, Esca. And then I came back to the real world.

We ate and the meal was good. Harrison shared the same sentiment to his mother for making the broccoli and fried rice. "Mommy, your the best cooker, too!" He said, and Katy and I agreed that sharing that title wasn't a bad thing when you are the parents of a 3 year old. But it just goes to show you that Harrison has so much more real good food to experience to have! As he does, maybe his talent will make him a great food critic. For now, I'll take my one good review and quit while I'm ahead for a little while.

*disclaimer- I wrote this blog in the dark at 10:30 at night, exhausted, and without my glasses. Please forgive any misspellings, poor grammar, or typos. But let this be a tribute to my dedication to this blog and capturing the great moments my family shares.