Happy Birthday Sophia!

This was a very exciting week for the Francis Family!  Grandma Francis came to visit and Sophia was born!

Grandma Francis arrived Sunday afternoon from Oklahoma City.  Ava was happy to see to her and we spent the evening at American Village window shopping and then had a nice dinner at a hibachi steak house.

Ava, Grandma, and I spent Monday playing.  Monday evening Garry and I had a spouses pre-deployment briefing for his November Deployment to Afghanistan.  Grandma stayed at home and watched Ava for us. Since we got there early we ate dinner at the restaurant where the briefing was being held.  Ferris Bueller's Day Off was playing on the television so Garry and I joked about that being our first date night in Okinawa.

Tuesday I had my 40 week doctor's appointment.  The doctor who examined me said I wasn't dilated and didn't think I would by the end of week 41.  Since I had been having good contractions she didn't think I was going to dilate.  We discussed induction and talked about the slow process it would have to be because of my prior cesarean.  I told her my biggest fear was to go through trial of labor only to have to do a c-section.  It was not a fun experience with Ava because I was so out of it during the surgery.  I could barely keep my eyes open and really don't remember much of her first night.  The doctor then said let's just schedule you a c-setion.  If I was dilated to a 3 she would recommend waiting but I was showing no progress, just like I did with Ava.  Of course, I was upset and cried in her office and then out in the hallway when we ran into my doctor and then I went into the ladies bathroom where I texted Garry and cried some more.  It was a hard decision but I know it was the best one for both Sophia and myself.

Wednesday morning we check into Labor and Delivery at 6 am for our scheduled c-section at 8 am.  The evening staff started getting me ready for surgery, which was an event in itself.  Two med techs stuck me twice to get my IV started.  The first stick my vein collapsed the second it blew.  I kept telling them that something wasn't right and it hurt.  They kept pushing fluid into my arm causing this big bubble on the side of my arm.  I laughing and yelling at them asking what have they done to my arm.  Then a nurse comes in and attempts a third try.  These sticks are extremely painful because of the size of the needle they used and the fact they didn't numb the spot like most other places do.  I'm beginning to lose faith in my decision for this surgery.  The nurse promises that no one else on the floor will stick me and they are calling in an anesthesiologist to get my IV started.  Both arms are throbbing because of the sticks.  Then the day shift arrives...my new med tech comes in and says I understand they couldn't start an IV so I'm just going to look and if I see anything I will go ahead and try.  WTF???  This girl has got to be out of her freaking mind.  She walks out to get the stuff and when she comes back in another guy followers her and I hear him say, "Your not sticking her again.  She has had three attempts and the nurse couldn't get her.  We have called the anesthesiologist that is procedure.  DO NOT STICK HER."  I'm thinking, thank the lord.  Her response was, I know but I just want to look.  When he leaves she walks over to me and says, "I could get it.  I don't know why they treat me like I can't do anything right around here."  My thoughts, oh crap, oh crap, oh crap...this is what I get for delivering in a military hospital...shit... Luckily for  both me and the girl she didn't even look and the anesthesiologist comes in and saves the day.  Even he was surprised by the size of the needle and no numbing before the stick.  OUCH!!!  Did I mention that it hurt.  We get everything situated and then we wait....

My day nurse finally comes into the room and guess what?  She is my neighbor.  Finally, I have some confidence restored with the team that will be operating on me.  We talk for a while and then wait.  I didn't go into surgery until 9 am.  My arms are still throbbing and now it is time for the spinal block.  I get into position, she gives me the numbing shot and starts with the block and it FREAKING hurts!  I start yelling at her that it hurts and I can feel the fluid in the lower right side by my spine.  Finally, she stops and numbs me up some more and continues.  Yep, it still hurt but no where near as bad as the first time.  By the time I'm laying on the bed, I can't feel my butt and my legs are starting to tingle.  For some reason it really starts to bother me that I can't fell my toes or wiggle them.  Then, they start the surgery prep.  I'm laying on the table with the gown pulled up to my chest and no drape blocking my view.  With Ava that was the first thing they did.  They put up that little curtain that blocked my view form what was going on.  I'm starting to have a little bit of a mental freak out.  I can't feel my toes, I'm naked in front of at least 6 people while they are walking around getting me ready for surgery.  When does the sheet go up?  Does it go up?  Just don't look down...I look down.  Don't look down...I start staring at the ceiling then the walls...oh man this place is old and no where near as nice as a real hospital...what have I gotten myself into...I still can't wiggle my toes, I'm freezing, maybe I could just leave and be pregnant forever...The sheet goes up.  Thank the lord!  Ok now where is Garry, are they going to start without him?  I can tell they are doing something down there, have they started?  Where is Garry?  I get ready to ask and he walks in the room...sigh...and he holds my hand till Sophia arrives.

Happy Birthday, everyone yells in the operating room and I hear that sweet first cry from Sophia.  She is perfect.  Born August 24th at 9:47 am 7 pounds 12 ounces and 19 inches long.  They clean her up and bring her over for me to see her and give her a kiss.  Instead of waiting with me like they did with Ava, Garry and Sophia had to leave.  Which was fine because it took a while to put me back together.  The doctor said my scarring from Ava looked good.  I get back to the recovery room and get to finally hold my baby.

They move me to my new room, which is a single because I had a c-section.  The nurses and staff who took care of me during my stay were amazing and extremely helpful.  Garry spent his time running back and forth between the hospital and home.  Ava meet Sophia later that day.  She really wasn't to interested.  She would just point at her and say "baby."  We left Friday afternoon and have been adjusting well ever since.

One Tutu is Never Enough

While playing in her room, Ava found her tutus and had to have both of them on.  She wore them the rest of the day and would not let me take them off.  Finally, dad was able to complete the mission.

Ava has had a great week, so far.  We are finally getting some what of a routine down during the day.  She is becoming a great listener and a wonderful little helper around the house.  Her temper tantrums are now few and far between.  I feel like I have my little angel back;)  She still has her moments but of course so do I.  I love the time we spend together.  We spend our days coloring, reading, making messes and cleaning them up.  She even helped me organize our shoes at the front door.  We also make trips to the library where we play with puzzles, the computer, read and check out our favorite:  Baby Einstein DVDs!  Those are a life saver, especially when I cook dinner.

Speaking of dinner, Garry and I really don't eat out anymore.  I cook every night and if I don't feel like cooking I always have frozen pizza that I can throw in the oven.  Our grocery bill has gone up but our eating out expenses have gone way down.  I learned to make Yakisoba, a Japanese meal which is quite yummy.  One thing I can't wait to eat again is sushi and yes, I will learn to make that.

Dad has been reading to Ava every other night at bedtime.  She misses him during the day and when she sees his truck pull into the parking lot she starts laughing and yelling,"Yeah, Daddy!  Daddy!"  He can hear her outside she gets so excited.

I can honestly say I'm starting to dig this staying at home thing.  I really didn't think I would like it and even started looking into something to do around here.  Now, Ava and I are having a blast.  I am grateful that we get to spend this time together.  I have found a babysitting service and a lady here on my base that can watch the girls for me at least twice a week.  This will give me time to run errands and any appointments (maybe even a pedi).  Between story time at the library, a playgroup, and possibly a Japanese Language class for toddlers the three of us are going to be very busy.  Once the weather cools down, we will start exploring the parks again.

My 39 week appoint went well.  Baby Sophia is probably around 7 pounds with her head down.  I was only dilated to a 1 but that is better than nothing.  Braxton Hicks contractions have been picking up which is another good sign.  The house is all clean and organized.  The baby car seat is in.  Now it's just a waiting game.

Grandma Francis made it in and will be here for 3 weeks.  Garry went to pick her up.  Her plane arrives during Ava's nap time so Garry and I decided it would be best for Ava to get her nap in. This way Grandma can enjoy a happy Ava and not a cranky toddler;)

That's it for this week!

Ava Quits Daycare/XYSTUS Kids Place

This week was another busy one with more to follow.  Ava hated her daycare.  I take her in Monday morning hoping that this week will be better than last week but no such luck.  As soon as we pull into the parking lot she starts crying and screaming, "No, Mommy!  No!"  I couldn't do it.  I take her to the Kadena base with me and call Garry and then My mom wondering what I am going to do.   I guess with all the changes that she has experienced these past few months this new daycare was to much.  I ran into a friend at the BX and we talked about a babysitting service she has used a few times and recommended.  It is a professional babysitting service and I'm looking to have them out at least twice a week for 4 or 5 hours.  The good news is they will watch both children for the same price.

Now that Ava will be staying at home with me, I have enrolled her into a playgroup at our base.  We are currently number 8 on the waiting list.  I also have her enrolled in story time at the library that meets once a week.  We also have a meeting on Tuesday with a New Parent support nurse who will come to the house and spend an hour going over any questions I have and providing me with lots of information with activities, education and other items for both Ava and Sophia.  If necessary she can do a follow up visit after I have Sophia.  I am confident that we will get in a great routine that all of us will be happy with.

Shopping this weekend has essentially been a bust.  I searched all over for a double jogging stroller, and rocker or glider for the girls room.  They only had one double jogging stroller on base and it was out of stock and they get shipments in every 2 or 3 months.  We went to several different Japanese stores and still no luck on either item.  I did find an online store that will ship the stroller to me and I ordered it.  It was a little pricy but the girls and I will go for runs in the morning, another thing to entertain us;)  I have given up on the rocker, for now, and just put a kitchen chair in there.  I will say that shopping for big items has been the most frustrating thing about moving here.

Sunday we went to an amazing playground designed specifically for little ones.  Ava loved it.  We spent two hours there and she maybe played with half the items they offered.  I wish I would have brought my camera but we will go back soon and get some great pics.  They had at least 3 different ball pits and Ava spent a lot of her time in there.  I know, back in the states the ball pits are a huge germ fest but the Japanese keep everything so clean that it was no worse than her playing on any of the other items.  They even had zip lines for the kids to use.  We will defiantly go back soon and I will take my camera to get some better pictures.

Ava starts Daycare/Tyhpoon Week

This week was extremely busy and stressful.  Garry came home late Sunday evening from his 2 weeks of training.  Ava and I were excited to have him back.  Monday, we drop her off at daycare and she starts screaming and crying.  We leave feeling horrible and want to go back in and get her, especially since Garry just got home.  Ava has always loved daycare and had no problems when she went in for her trial day so we were a little confused.  I didn't bring her a sippy cup so we made a quick trip to the Kadena BX to get one for her.  She was still crying when we got back, which took an hour, so we decided to take her with us for the day.  We spent the day together shopping and working around the house.  Our guess is she was upset because dad just got home and she wanted to spend time with him.

The next day Garry goes to work and Ava and I have a great morning.  She goes in to the daycare with no problem until she sees her class room then throws herself on the floor crying.  Now I'm really confused.  I leave her at the daycare.  I spend the day doing chores and crying off and on feeling horrible for leaving her there.  I go pick her up and she is fine and playing with the other kids in her class.  I spoke with one of her teachers and she said she cried most of the morning.  Ava is excited to see me and sings the whole way home.

Wednesday, I pull up to the daycare and she starts crying.  I bring her in and she is clinging to me and screaming.  I go outside with her to play with the kids and spend time talking with one of her teachers.  Ava clams down as long as I keep holding her.  I was there for about 15 mins and decide to leave.  Of course, Ava doesn't take it well.  I am extremely upset.  I don't know if I should just take her home with me and pull her out permanently or let her cry all day.  After speaking with my mom, I decide to give her another day to see how it goes.  I don't want to go in while she is crying and make things worse.

Wednesday Afternoon, I go to my dr's appointment.  I asked the dr if I will have to come into the hospital during the Typhoon that is expected to hit late Thurs afternoon.  She said no.  I wasn't dilated and was showing no signs of going into labor anytime soon.  We did discuss things to do after the storm left:)  30 minutes after I left the office I get a phone call from the hospital.  The lady says I have to report to the hospital for the typhoon.  I told her I just spoke with my dr and she told me that it wasn't necessary to come in.  The lady says all women who are 36 weeks and above must report to the hospital.  Because of limited space I have to come by myself and bring a sleeping bag, my labor bag, and anything else I would like to pass the time.  I'm thinking to myself, are you freaking kidding me?  I said ok and then called Garry.  We decided to listen to the dr.  I didn't want to leave them during the storm and he said he would just deliver the baby if I went into labor.  Feeling better about that, I go to pick up Ava from daycare.  The teachers told me she did much better in the morning but cried when she woke up from her nap.  When I got there she was sitting at a table with her sippy cup.  She wasn't crying but I could tell that she had just recently stopped.  I informed them that she wouldn't be in tomorrow because of the storm.  I didn't know for sure what time they would be open till but figured it wasn't worth it.

Thursday,  the storm hit sometime in the evening and lasted till Sat afternoon.  It was very boring.  We were trapped in the house but were lucky because the electricity and cable never went out.  We did lose the internet for about 1 day.  The winds were extremely loud so Ava had to sleep in our room both nights but other than that she did great.  Sunday we went for a little walk just to get out of the house.

We are going to try daycare for at least another week.  I hope she learns to love it like the last one she attended.  If she still hates it I will take her out and will see about getting a nanny to come to the house at least three times a week to help with the girls.