The Yuckos

My poor Calvin Boy has had diarrhea for a week and has been vomiting intermittently. It's so sad to see him get panicked when these awful bodily functions occur. As a mom, all I can do is watch. I comfort him, teach him how to recognize cues, replenish his electrolytes, and feed him foods that are gentle on his digestive system. 

Ultimately, this stomach bug (Calvin calls them "the yuckos") has to take its toll and Cal's got to learn patience. Even though he's feeling awful, he hides it quite well. Today he picked out his own outfit, got dressed all by himself, and played nicely for hours -- as if nothing happened last night. What a champ.

Favorite blanket: "Blue Snowflake"

Favorite TV show today (it changes often): Jake and the Neverland Pirates

(Plays with the figurines while watching the show)

When feeling sick: Needs lots of blankets surrounding him but not on him

On the other hand, Oliver is doing great! He's as healthy as a horse and as happy as a clam. I love having him a part of my life.

5 months old

Length: 25.25 in (25th percentile)

Weight: 13.5 lbs (3rd percentile)

Head circumference: 17 in (50th percentile)

Oliver's Birth Story: Part II

Our dear sweet Oliver had a rough first 2 weeks of life. 

Diagnosis: underdeveloped lungs (which was expected being a premature baby) and pneumonia.

He got some extra help through a cannula to increase his O2 levels and he received antibiotics for the pneumonia.

Most of the time we stared at our son struggling to breathe. The other part of the time we watched his stats on this monitor to see how his O2 levels were doing.

Here's a quick clip of Ollie trying to breathe. It always made me sad seeing him struggling to do something that should come so easily.

He was initially on TPN to help him maintain nutrients and keep his weight up. When the doctors said it was okay to feed him some milk, I got to feed him 1ml of my milk through a syringe. But that wasn't enough, he was squawking for more! We gave him a little at a time to decrease the possibility of refeeding syndrome as well as avoid aspiration. 

After feeding him with the syringe, the nurse helped me burp him. I was afraid of getting the tubes and wires messed up. 

This is the first time Jake got to hold Oliver! They got some good skin-to-skin bonding time. 

Why are there some random pink and blue socks on his hands? Oliver kept scratching off the tape on his face and pulling out his cannula. He's a little fighter. So a nurse put them on him so he'd stop pulling out all the tubes. 

And here is my Mom's first time holding him. He was tube free :) 

Eventually, Oliver was breathing well enough that he was allowed to leave the nursery and sleep in the same room as me! I was so excited. I couldn't keep my eyes off of him.

Calvin LOVED being near baby Ollie. He was excited to hold him (only for about 5 seconds). 

Thanks to Marissa's visit, she was able to care for Calvin at home while Jake and I stayed in the hospital to be near baby Oliver. (Thanks Marissa!) That was a huge help. Every day, she would come by the hospital so Calvin could see us and she could have some good bonding time with her newest nephew.

After 14 days of being in a hospital, Oliver and I were finally discharged. We were so grateful for the special care that Oliver had to make sure he was 100% okay to go home, but man -- we were ready to get out of there.

Oliver was still working on learning how to breastfeed, so his big brother got to help feed him with a bottle. Calvin loves being a big helper.

I love being home with my boys. Life is different with 2 kids in our lives, but Jake and I are excited to embark on this adventure as parents together.

Oliver's Birth Story: Part I

Oliver's arrival into this world isn't at all what we expected. Nevertheless, he came!! And we wouldn't have it any other way.

Our little family of 3 was SO EXCITED for our bundle of joy to arrive. Maybe some of us were more excited than others.

Thursday, October 9th

I was down to weekly check-ups with my OB doctor. I went to my appointment and a routine ultrasound was performed to see how baby's bones were growing. Since I was taking diflucan (can cause fetal bone malformations) to treat Valley Fever, the doctor wanted to keep a closer eye on baby's bones to make sure they were growing properly. Baby's bones looked great! However, the ultrasound tech voiced some concern about the amount of amniotic fluid, or should I say the lack of amniotic fluid. 

During my one-on-one chat with the doctor, she told me my amniotic fluid measured 7.4, which was on the low side of the spectrum (5-20cm). My doctor made an immediate appointment for the next morning with a maternal-neonatal specialist to have her check out my amniotic fluid level on a more accurate/expensive machine. 

I was told that there could be 4 reasons why amniotic fluid decreases:

1) water breaks (which definitely did not happen...I would know)

2) not drinking enough water (I could kick that up a notch)

3) baby's kidneys are not working properly to excrete fluid (the more expensive machine would show kidney function more accurately)

4) placenta not functioning properly (unknown reasons)

Friday, October 10th

Annelise came to visit for the weekend to throw me a super awesome baby shower. We had a full day of fun things to do in Phoenix and to prepare for the shower the next day. Little did we know that we'd never get to do any of it.

Annelise tagged along with me to my appointment with the maternal-neonatal specialist first thing in the morning. She was a big help entertaining Calvin. The doctor performed two exams: 1) a very thorough ultrasound and 2) a 45 minute monitoring session. 

Ultrasound results:

Baby's kidneys were working normally, the umbilical cord was working normally, and there was no indication of a tear where water possibly could be leaking. Unfortunately, my amniotic fluid measured 5.2 (lower than the day before).

45min monitoring results:

Baby's heart beat showed some signs of being stressed. The doctor showed me a graph of two lines: one for the baby's heart beat and the other for contractions. Each time I contracted (What? I was contracting??) the baby's heart reacted poorly. Not enough to go into emergency delivery, but it was a concern. She explained that since there was not enough amniotic fluid to cushion the blow, contractions were harder on the baby. To be perfectly honest, I didn't even realize I was contracting. But according to the graph, I contracted about every 5-10 minutes. How could I not know? I can't really explain it. I just felt tight all the time, so maybe I have been feeling these contractions for awhile...maybe this was my body's way of knowing something was wrong and these subtle contractions were prepping me to get the baby out sooner than expected.

The doctor told me to check myself into a hospital immediately and receive IV fluids. Hopefully the amniotic fluid will increase and I can keep the baby cooking longer, but if it decreased then I would need to get the baby out as soon as possible via induction or C-section.

So, instead of having a fun day with my sister, she dropped me off at the hospital and took over taking care of Calvin. (Thanks Annelise!)

Once Jake got word about me being admitted into the hospital, he left work immediately. He went home to pack clothes and essentials for staying the night at the hospital and arrived at my side as soon as possible. Once again, we were hanging out at a hospital patiently waiting for answers.

Saturday, October 11th

Saturday morning, an ultrasound tech checked out my amniotic fluid level. With constant fluids being pumped into me, there was no improvement: 5.1. Since the baby was doing fine, the doctors wanted to keep me on IV fluids at a higher rate and see if there was any improvement the next day.

I sat in a hospital bed all day being filled with fluids (which made me pee way more than a pregnant lady ever wants to pee) and strapped to monitors to watch baby's heart beat and my contractions (which I still didn't really notice were happening. Weird). 

I was really bummed that I had to cancel the awesome baby shower that Annelise had planned for me, but I'm glad I had siblings nearby to visit me and be with Calvin while Jake and I remained at the hospital.

Calvin could only last so long in a confined space...

...Annelise and Chris took him to go play at Oktoberfest being hosted nearby in Tempe. He had way more fun there.

Most of the day it was just Jake and I. It was nice to have some peace and quite to ourselves. Unfortunately, I had lots of time to think about all the things I needed and wanted to get done before the baby arrived - which made me feel frustrated and completely useless.

Sunday, October 12th

Sunday morning my amniotic fluid measured 3.4 (Below the safe range). 

BABY TIME! 

To be honest, I was slightly bummed. This isn't how it was supposed to happen. I wasn't supposed to be cooped up in a hospital on monitors and IV fluids for days. I wasn't supposed to be induced early. I wasn't supposed to have a preemie baby. Overall, I wasn't supposed to feel so unprepared.

After I got over it, I realized that this is exactly what was supposed to happen. And I'm grateful for excellent doctors and nurses who have carefully watched over me and baby to ensure a successful pregnancy and delivery.

Labor & Delivery Details

At noon, a cervidil was placed to add hormones to help kickstart my contractions. Since I was already having slight, consistent contractions. The cervidil made it so that I could definitely start to feel the contractions. 

For 8 hours, I laid there definitely feeling the contractions get progressively stronger every 1-5 minutes. With the cervidil in, I was unable to know how far I progressed. But I wanted to keep the cervidil in as long as possible to be sure I progressed enough to get an epidural and have a break from all the pain. Jake, my Mom (yay! she arrived in time!), and I took a lap around the Labor and Delivery floor - a much needed walk. 

That was the longest, most painful lap of my life. Every 1-3 minutes I felt a really strong contraction. They were getting longer and stronger. Each time I felt one I stopped walking, winced my face, and focused very intently on my breathing. Some contractions made me sweat, some brought tears to my eyes, but they were all painful and occurring rather quickly (sometimes one right after another). An hour later, I made it back to my room and was eager to get that cervidil out of me and see how far I had progressed. 6cm dilated and 100% effaced! I was ready to do the rest on my own.

9:30pm the anesthesiologist placed an epidural. Phew! Pain was instantly relieved. Thank you modern medicine! However, it only worked on the left side of my body. The nurse suggested laying on my right side hoping that gravity would help bring it to the other side and numb me up. But that didn't work. So I continued to painfully feel each contraction. I freaked out a little bit, thinking, "Whoa! I didn't sign up for this!!" My sweet husband firmly held my hand, looked me in the eyes, and told me, "You can do this!" And that moment helped me get over my circumstance and focus on what needed to be done: get that baby out!

Around 10:20pm, I was feeling nauseous and I knew I was going to throw up (not surprised - that happened during Calvin's labor as well). Combined with the contractions and the force of throwing up, the baby was ready to deliver!! My nurse encouraged me to hold the baby in while we waited for the doctor to arrive (about 10 more minutes). The doctor arrived just in time. Two pushes later the baby was out and handed directly to me (captured in this moment below). I remember telling Jake, "We did it!!" with that big smile on my face. He looks like a proud Papa Bear.

Baby #2's labor was definitely the hardest thing I had ever done in my life. But I felt so accomplished! I even felt like I could've done it all without the epidural (that only worked on one side). 

Who am I kidding. I'd rather not feel the pain if I have the option.

I got to hold my precious boy for 2 hours before the nurses took him away to weigh him, bathe him, and make sure he was doing okay. That was the longest I got to hold him for the next 9 days.

Oliver Charles Scott 

born October 12, 2014

10:41pm

6 lb 1 oz

19 inches long

The nurses noticed that Oliver's breathing was remaining irregular and that his lungs needed a little extra attention. They rushed him to the nursery to be evaluated. Jake tagged along with the nurses. 

Later, Jake came back to tell me the news. Oliver wouldn't be returning to me that night. His lungs needed to be monitored and he needed the assistance of extra oxygen to breathe properly and maintain the right amount of oxygen levels.

My emotions were all over the place. I had a million worries and concerns, but knowing that Oliver was given the care that he needed and knowing he was being closely monitored gave me great comfort.

Calvin is 3!

Calvin's 3-year-old interview:

What is your favorite color? green

What is your favorite toy? cars and trucks

What is your favorite fruit? bananas

What is your favorite TV show? Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? peanut butter sandwich - no jelly

What is your favorite outfit? soccer shirt

What is your favorite game? soccer and hide and seek

What is your favorite snack? cheese crackers

What is your favorite animal? dinosaurs

What is your favorite song? foolish man and the wise man, wheels on the bus go round and round

What is your favorite book? cat in the hat

Who is your best friend? Max McKinnons and Rocky Van Vleet

What is your favorite cereal? cereal squares

What is your favorite thing to do outside? run around and ring around the rosie

What is your favorite drink? milk

What is your favorite treat? donuts

What is your favorite holiday? Halloween - eat candy and jump & slide in the jump house (Waldrip party)

What do you like to take to bed with you at night? blue snowflake blanket

What do you like to eat for breakfast? cereal 

What do you want for dinner on your birthday? spaghetti

What do you want to be when you grow up? Dad

Jake's 1st Job!!!

We are so excited that Jake landed his first big boy job shortly after graduation:

 Market Analyst at

BEST WESTERN INTERNATIONAL HQ

Calvin and I LOVE to come visit him at work. 

Cal especially loves to pretend to "work like Daddy..."

...and climb all the fun stairs.

I'm not sure where Jake's career will take him, but working in a place that looks like a resort ain't too shabby.

I'm so grateful for a hard working husband who found a job that he loves :)

Lake Almanor 2014

Lake Almanor is a magical place. It took away matters from mundane day-to-day life and made me feel tranquil and rejuvenated. Somehow this place figured out how to slow time. We could relax, enjoy each others company, and not have a care in the world about anything else except shooting the breeze with the neighbors -- which happened to be multiple cabins full of extended family.

The Arrival

With a truck bed full of beach gear, personal bags, and lots of FOOD -- we arrive at our cabin and get settled. We anxiously wait for our familial neighbors to drive in from many states. As we meet up, there's always something new to share: a missionary returning home, a newly wed spouse coming for the first time, and even new babies to introduce to the family. We are all genuinely excited to see each other.

Sabbath Day

I loved waking up to the sunrise filtering through the forest trees. As I'd get ready for church, the LDS hymn "For the Beauty of the Earth" would come to mind. Lake Almanor is truly a beautiful scenery and it reminded me how beautiful our world is. 

Starting off vacation with a day to observe the Sabbath was perfect. I loved having the opportunity to spiritually express gratitude and ponder about Jesus Christ amongst many loved ones.

To close off Sunday, all the cousins gathered together for a friendly game of Butts-Up. The parents pulled up chairs around the game to watch and help take care of babies -- thanks!!

This was Calvin's first time being able to join in on the fun -- with Daddy's help, of course :)

Time to Play

There is so much to do at Lake Almanor! Beach, swimming, playground, tennis, soccer, pickle ball, shuffle board, bocci ball, boating, wakeboarding, tubing, relaxing, tanning, reading, etc. You can always find something fun to do at Lake Almanor.

Each morning we walked down and set up camp at our favorite spot on the beach.

Calvin enjoyed all the adventures Almanor had to offer.

He especially had fun playing with his (2nd) cousins in the sand...

...and out in the water.

Calvin also loved visiting the clubhouse to get a delicious treat (at least once).

Family Dinners
Each night, the Green Clan gathered at one of the cabins for dinner. This was a great time to relax, eat some good food and enjoy each others company. 

Except one night we had Adults Night Out: where the younger cousins helped babysit while adults had a night to themselves. This night was so fun! It's always full of laughter and hilarious stories. Hanging out with these guys is never long enough.

Piñata Night

This is definitely a highlight of the week. This year, Calvin finally got the hang of it. And he was pretty good!

Becca, however, tried to figure out how not to damage the bat. Fail.

Calvin liked to help Mom whack the piñata...

...and Dad's, too! Unfortunately, Cal was quite confused and disappointed when the piñata broke and the fun was all done.

Boating

This is our favorite activity at Almanor. We love going out on the water with Uncle Mike. He offers to take whoever wants to go out on the boat to play or to enjoy the scenery. With a family our size, he is literally out driving the boat all day. Uncle Mike has been my driver as I've learned how to wakeboard. I'm so grateful for his patience, kindness, and encouragement as I figured out how to get up on the water and enjoy the ride. Thanks Mike!

This year, however, I was 22 weeks pregnant. So instead of wakeboarding, I was the official photographer. Here are some of my favorite shots:

Jake attempting to jump the wake.

Tyler doing flips and tricks.

Davis looking like a stud.

And Libby falling with style.

Since I couldn't wakeboard, Uncle Mike offered to take me out on a slow tube ride. I'm glad I could do something fun out on the lake. Calvin, however, was not having fun going slow.

So I hopped off and let them go real fast. Calvin loved it! He had the time of his life!

Charlie's Birthday

Charlie was lucky to have his birthday fall on Almanor week! So we surprised him with a birthday party out on a pontoon boat. We spent the day barbecuing, eating birthday cake, swimming in the middle of the lake, reading books, and napping. The day was absolutely perfect.

Calvin refused to go out in the water. The only way we could get him out there was by luring him with a bag of chips...

...and a ball.

Calvin loves hanging out with is Aunties :)

Here's the birthday boy! Calvin is already eyeing the "chwoklate cake."

This kid loves chocolate. Just like his grandpa.

I love capturing moments of Jake being a great Dad :) He's so good with Cal.

*sigh* It was so peaceful and relaxing out in the middle of the lake. We wanted to stay out there forever.

Happy Birthday, Charlie!! Hope it was a good one!

Headed Home

This dreaded day is ignored until the last minute. I hate leaving paradise, but reality is inevitable. This year was especially sad because the annual tradition of the infamous Lake Almanor has come to a close. I am so grateful and honored that I could be a part of the Lake Almanor tradition that Grandma and Grandpa Green began 25 years ago. 

Even though we're not visiting Lake Almanor next year, I have a feeling we'll be back. Lake Almanor has been a significant part of our lives and it will always have a special place in our hearts.