Hooray! Rebekah's in the Clear!

In the earlier blog I indicated I would update everyone on Rebekah's bilirubin issues....well, I'm happy to report that despite two heels that look like pin cushions, she is done with phototherapy and on her way to being a normal newborn (although a little yellow). Finally, we got a bilirubin result today that demonstrates a reduction in her level without the use of phototherapy. She seems to be even nursing better today (although, that could simply be me having a better outlook on life).

I'll tell you what, these hormones are enough to make a husband run scared! Last night I started crying just because I was sure I was dehydrating my baby and making her jaundice worse. Billy just kind of looked at me like, "are you on drugs?" and put his arms around me and let me cry. I think I need a little more sleep. Being a nurse is NOT good when you have a newborn; especially when you're so militant about no bottles and only breastmilk.

I can say, however, that I'm mighty proud of myself. I made a pact this pregnancy that I wouldn't give up, that I needed to have one last breastfeeding experience with my last baby. Despite intensive care in the hospital (where they demand bottle feeding, unless you're a nurse who demands gavage feeding because you're a breastfeeding nazi), readmission into the hospital for severe jaundice and persistent high bilirubin levels, it looks like we've made it. Now, I have to begin the long stretch of commitment for 6 months of mostly breastmilk and very little formula.

This will be hard considering I go back to work at the end of March. I have rented a hospital grade pump so that I can make sure that my girl gets the best. It will be interesting to see if Rebekah ends up with chronic ear infections like Liam and Rachel who had little to no breastmilk. It will be my own personal study.

Anyway, enough about boobs and milk....

I found out today that one of my dearest friends is moving to Idaho. I am sad for me, but happy for her. She has been a rock for me in the church, my second visiting teaching partner and an extraordinary example in the gospel to me. Her daughter is best friends with Emma and her son is a good friend to Liam. Why is it that friends have to move away? It seems like in Las Vegas that all my friends move away....I guess that's because we live in Sin City and it's not exactly the best place if you're LDS with no family support.

By the way, as you can see, this blog is supposed to be Billy's blog, but I keep hijacking it....boy isn't that a shocker!

....And Again!

On Monday evening, Rebekah had to go back to the hospital because her jaundice got worse despite outpatient phototherapy. Although not something I can say I enjoyed, the hospital was great and they let me stay the entire night with Rebekah. As you can probably tell in my posts, I've been militant about breastfeeding since this is my last one. They let me nurse her all night and she still has not had a bottle. So in that department Shelly is happy : ) We got to come home Tuesday evening, let's hope no more trips to the hospital!

We were able to turn off the outpatient phototherapy yesterday and will hopefully find out this afternoon that we're done with those darn lights all together. If not, we continue to bake her with the tanning blanket to make her less yellow and more white.

Things seem to be beginning to fall back into place. I'm getting more than 2 hrs of sleep at night and the kids are getting back to their routine. I don't know how some people do it....4 kids is a lot and I know lots of people that have even more than that. I'm looking forward to the next 4 weeks to continue to NOT work and be with my family. Secretly, I must say, I love staying home, but I also miss my work. They have been so good to me and haven't bothered me once.....

We are looking forward to this weekend and being with the family. Finally, my incision doesn't hurt much and last night I actually slept in my bed. I can't tell you how perfect and comfortable that was. I think the last time I slept in my bed was almost two months ago. Towards the end of my pregnancy, laying down flat was not an option, so I slept in my reclining chair in my room. When we got home from the hospital, my incision was too sore and it was hard to pull myself up to a sitting position. All that's left now is a night sleeping on my belly....when that happens, I may not wake up when the baby cries, belly sleeping is my paradise!

Anyway, again, thanks to all who have had prayers and good wishes to us. I will post this afternoon so that everyone knows if we're done with the tanning bed or not.

One more thing, Papa Bob, we miss you too and can't wait to see you for the baby blessing. Looks like we're shooting for 03/29/09, that's Fast Sunday since the following Sunday is General Conference and then the following Sunday is Easter. Rebekah is looking forward to meeting her Papa (and all the rest of her family that might want to come) and getting lots of smooches. In regards to your eldest son, I'm not sure there was much damage to undo, he is the most amazing man on this planet and I thank my Heavenly Father every day for crossing my path with his. He is my soul mate and I can't imagine a day of my life without him. So thanks for "making" him and raising him because I'm quite certain my life would be entirely different and really miserable without him.

Posted by Shelly Martin

Home Again!

Yeah! Rebekah and I came home on Friday night. We weren't sure if they were going to let us both come home, just like Rachel, close to discharge Rebekah's bilirubin levels were high. Fortunately, the fact that I'm a nurse and my pediatrician's office is open on Satudays and Sundays, convinced the hospital neonatologist to let me manage the jaundice from home with Rebekah's pediatrican.

Friday night we overdid it, my eyes are usually bigger than my stomach and I think I'm invincible. 4 kids and a fresh c-section incision don't make for easy living! Regardless, we're doing well, short of sleep and still sore from surgery, we are on our road to recovery.

Rebekah has a bili-blanket at home to help chase the jaundice away. Her levels are coming down and I think we've turned the corner (very quickly compared to Rachel). My incision is feeling better and I don't think I've even had to take any pain medication today.

We're diligently working on breastfeeding, doing much better this pregnancy than Rachel as well. I'm looking forward however in a few months to getting a full nights sleep, I think last night I got 4 hours total (divided between midnight and 9 am) and the night before about the same. The things we do for our children.....

Anyway, despite all of that, we are grateful for a big family that loves each other, grateful that I have hours at night to give up to bond with my baby, a job that pays me for maternity leave and most of all, a husband who works very hard to make it all turn out!

Babies are a miracle and Rebekah, just like the previous 3 have strengthened my testimony. To know that Billy and I are loved enough to be entrusted with another sweet spirit is awesome.

We will take some pictures tonight and post them of the newest addition. Emma, Liam and Rachel are eager to get their hands on her. Liam and Rachel are both sick, so they haven't been able to spend much time with her. We'll post more pictures later with the kids when they're healthier and not risking making Rebekah sick.

Much love to all of you who sent good wishes and prayers our way....time to get back to the baby, it's feedin' time!

3 Days Left.....and Counting

Three days from this moment, I will no longer be pregnant and will have one more little girl to chase after (or should I say, Billy will have one more girl to chase after). Rebekah Ashton Martin will arrive on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 at approximately 8:00 am. Although looking back, it seems this pregnancy flew by, from day-to-day, it seemed like an eternity. For anyone reading this blog, it's really hard being old and pregnant! It's hard to believe that our family will be one larger in but a few days.

Friday was my last day at work and I can hardly believe that I won't be working for another 42 days.....I've never taken that much time off in my entire life.

To prepare for Rebekah's arrival, the whole family is nesting (because I'm making them). We are dusting, vacuuming, cleaning bathrooms and getting things ready so that I can bring our new arrival to a clean home! Billy asked me this morning if I had taken crystal meth, I guess the adrenaline is flowing and the energy is abundant, despite limited sleep. A clear sign that the pregnancy is coming to a close. Despite the energy and nesting instinct, I'm trying to take it easy today, my doctor is out of town on Saturday and I wouldn't be a happy girl if some stranger did my c-section.

It's a dreary, wet day in Las Vegas, I hope that it goes by quickly so that I am just one day closer. I am looking forward to bonding with my new little girl, having my body back and beginning the road to recovery from fat, pregnant girl to skinny woman. I have no excuses to stall this time since there will be no further pregnancies in our future (tubes are being tied!!!).

To anyone reading this, love and prayers are appreciated. We are hoping that there are no complications and that Baby Rebekah doesn't follow her older sister's example (Rachel) and end up in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for a short time while in the hospital.

Posted by Shelly