August Phone Pictures

Eating ice cream is exhausting work!

Macey helped me make Scott's birthday cake...and then we got to eat the extras!

Cooper got mad at Macey, so he bit her. His marks stayed there the entire day!

Jemma's Heart

A little before turning 38 weeks pregnant with Jemma, I had a size ultrasound. I had, what I thought, was a normal ultrasound. The ultrasound technician was extremely nice and answered my questions. We determined about how big the baby would be, and I left the hospital excited for the next couple weeks!

Honestly, I didn't think anything of that ultrasound until my doctor's appointment the next week. The doctor did the normal physical examination, and then, casually, he mentioned that the ultrasound showed a possible abnormality in Jemma's heart. I was stunned! I couldn't pull together my thoughts to ask any sensible questions. I didn't even think, at this point in my pregnancy, that we would find something wrong.

Now, you have to understand my doctor. He is nothing like the kind of person I am, and for some reason, that really works for me. (Ha! I'm talking about this like some kind of relationship. Although, with the amount of times we have seen each other in the past few weeks...) He is completely laid back. He gets down to business when he needs to, but most things that come out of his mouth are dripping with sarcasm. It totally puts me at ease! (It works out really well when I am in the middle of labor. :))

Being the laid back doctor he is, once this news sunk in, I thought of a few questions to ask. He couldn't remember the name of the condition (it's really rare), but he could vaguely explain what it was. He also told me that she would need an ECHO cardiogram, but they don't offer pediatric ones down here. We would have to go up north. There would be no way to determine if she had this condition or it's severity until after she was born.

I left the doctor's office in a blur. I didn't know the name of the condition to look up information on it. I was still processing, and I was at the doctor's alone. The ride home was good for me. I got to place my feelings before I broke the news to Scott. I knew he would freak out more than me, so I needed to place my feelings before I told him. I prayed out loud in my mini van the whole way home. I immediately felt entirely at peace, and I knew that all would be well during this process. Everything would be okay. I had a received a few blessings this pregnancy, and in every blessing, I was reminded that Jemma was healthy and all would be well.

So we waited. Prayers petitioned our Heavenly Father from our extended families, friends, and to our own family. We felt every single prayer. We learned there is something extremely special hearing a 3 year old pray for her baby sister's heart. There is also something special about a family kneeling in prayer for someone so close to them! What a blessing!

Jemma was born after a 12 hour labor. Her heart rate dropped really low one push before she came out...which made all of us nervous! She was a quiet, calm baby, so the respiratory therapist had to be a little mean to get her to cry. She cried out, but in the end had an APGAR score of a 9 and a 10--basically perfect.

We scheduled an ECHO cardiogram right after she was born. The doctor was out of town for three weeks. He was able to look at Jemma's ultrasound, and he said he didn't see anything that couldn't wait for three weeks. Comforting, right?! :)

I should explain, though, that Scott I felt completely at peace the entire time! We weren't worried, and we both felt that Jemma was healthy. With that, I guess I should also say there is still that nagging that you really don't know for sure. Something could be wrong and we just don't see the symptoms. Anyway, we were really anxious for the appointment.

My mom watched Macey and Cooper, and Scott I headed to Provo with Jemma. Thankfully, the doctor's appointment was two days before school started, so Scott was able to be there for my emotional support, if not for anything else!

If you want to be a paranoid parent, fill out a questionaire at a pediatric cardiologist's office about your newborn's coloring, eating habits, breathing habits, etc.! You start to question everything and wish you would pay more attention to the little things! We met with the doctor first--Dr. Hoffman. He was extremely nice! I almost felt shameful that I didn't know the name of the condition they thought she had. He was able to look back at the ultrasound, and he told me that they thought she had a thickened trebecular valve on the right side of her heart. It is supposed to be thickened on the left side and smooth on the right side. Having a thickening on the right side can cause a thickening of the muscle that surrounds that area of the heart. Eventually, she would have a problem with the way her heart pumps blood.

The first step was to take her vitals. They had to put 13 stickers (electrodes) on her to measure her heart rate. She was NOT a fan, but thankfully, dad was able to hold, and she took a bottle and pacifier. Taking off the stickers was THE worst! It left some red marks that lasted 2 days.

We then went back for the ECHO cardiogram, which is an ultrasound of her heart. It took about 30 minutes, and with the help of some sugar water and a pacifier, she slept through most of it. (This ultrasound only took 4 stickers, poor girl!)

The doctor came in soon after the ultrasound, and he said that her heart looked perfect! He said that he couldn't see any thickening, and she should have a long and healthy life.

The five weeks I waited to hear those words were faith promoting, and I feel like we learned to pray with more earnest as a family. We loved each other a little deeper, and we turned our hearts to The Savior, who suffered all of our sicknesses and infirmities. He suffered JUST so he could run to our sides, when we need it. I am so grateful that He loves, is aware of our small family and so quickly ran to our aid!

(Oh, and proof that Grandma Christensen's house can wear out these kids!)

Life Update!

A blog post, but first, a life update. :)

This may come as a shock to many of you, but three kids under three years old is a bit to handle. Jemma is such a good baby. She is making the transition from two to three kids SO much easier! I'm constantly focusing my attention on one of the kids. I jump from task to task, from child to child. I have to make a conscious effort to go to the bathroom and eat. It can be crazy, at times. The other day, I didn't realize I had been wearing my shirt backwards all day until 3:30 in the afternoon. Eh, that's life. Plus, I hadn't left the house or seen anyone else that day, anyway!

I mentioned briefly in one of my previous posts that Macey had pink eye. I tried everything I could to keep it from the other kids. Macey got rid of it, Cooper got it in both eyes. Macey got it again in one eye. I got it in one eye. Jemma got it in one eye. (All of these were seperate occasions with day breaks in between!) Both kids came home from nursery two weeks ago with horrid colds (Cooper even had a low grade fever for a couple days last week). I discovered how difficult it was to keep two kids away from a newborn baby (they love to help baby sister), make meals, keep the house clean, and stay sane.

Last Sunday, Scott was in horrible pain. He had pains in his stomach all weekend, and they came to a peak on Sunday. He got to the point where he couldn't eat. Honestly, I didn't know how bad Scott's pain was. Because of things he ate and endured on his mission, he always has stomach pains. Because they are always there, he generally doesn't talk about them. I knew he was having pains in his stomach, but I didn't know it was bad. On Sunday, I asked if he wanted me to try and get him a doctor's appointment on Monday, and he responded that he wanted to go to the ER as soon as possible. That shocked me! Scott handles pain well, and he has never voluntarily gone to the doctor. I knew then that it must be bad. Thankfully, we called Scott's parents, and they came right down to stay with all of our kids and give Scott a priesthood blessing.

We were in the ER for hours. They guessed it was stomach ulcers, and they gave him what they called a "GI cocktail". It numbed from his throat down to his stomach. They weren't able to tell what stage the stomach ulcer(s) were in without doing a GI study, but we know they are there. So, right before Scott's 26th birthday, he was prescribed his first steady medications. He has one that protects the lining of his stomach and one that reduces the acid in his stomach.

While in the hospital, Scott's blood pressure was high. It has always been a moderately high, and it hasn't worried us. The hospital staff sure seemed worried, though! So he has another appointment with our primary care doctor to talk about that this week.

As for now, our diet has to totally change! Scott can't have carbonation, caffeine, chocolate, high acidity fruits and anything tomato based--so pizza, spaghetti sauce, tomatoes, etc. With Scott's blood pressure, I'm sure we will be on a low fat diet soon enough, too! (One the good side...maybe we will all lose our pregnancy weight quicker?!)

Our family is keeping the Intermountain facilities in business--single handedly. We have been to the doctor's more than we would like in the past 3 weeks! When we were married, Scott's dad gave me advice at my bridal shower--get the best insurance possible. I am so glad we have heeded that advice! Our insurance continually saves us and our wallets!

It's been a rough and busy few weeks. We are surviving, though! That's all that matters, right? :)

Two weeks after Jemma was born, we were able to go to Area Convention for Seminary and Institutes in the Utah East Area. It was in Nephi this year, and we were able to listen to Brother Staheli (former secretary to President Hinckley and current secretary to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles). It was awesome! Jemma came along with us. We went to dinner at Olive Garden in Provo, and while we were there, we ran into two other teachers (one from Nephi and one from North Sanpete) so we all ate dinner together! It was a fun couple days (and spiritually filling days) away!

Cooper is the funniest eater. He doesn't like the thought of sitting still to eat. We literally strap him to his chair every night, so he will eat with us. He lasts maybe 10 minutes before screaming ensues. Lately, he has been throwing his food on the ground (much to our dismay). We let him down after much screaming, and then he sits on the floor and eats his food off the floor. For a skinny boy, whenever, however, and whatever he eats, I try to be okay with. However, this eating habit drives me nuts! We are working on it. For now, we'll find it cute. :)

We all still love our sleep. (Wait...sleep?! What's that?) At least everyone else does. :) One night, Scott went to put the kids to bed, and Macey had a fit because she had already put Elsa to sleep. Scott went in to find this. I guess Elsa needs a pull up at night time too :)

Macey is hot and cold with me, some days. She misses the attention that once was so readily hers, and I don't think she appreciates Jemma most of the time. She loves her...just doesn't appreciate Jemma sometimes. :) Last Sunday, Scott went to BYC after church, Cooper and Jemma went down for a nap, and Macey and I had a lunch date! We had fun taking silly pictures and giggling. Fun girl!

We also got to have ice cream cones. Well, I ate the cone. Macey wanted a "poon" to eat her ice cream with! She left the cone behind.

Feeding

I have had such different an unique feeding experiences with all of my kids. If I have learned anything through this, it is to expect the unexpected! (Warning: this is going to get personal REALLY quickly. :) )

Macey was my first, and everything was so new with her! I attempted breastfeeding. I had no idea what I was doing! I got help with latching, and I knew something was coming out. At her two week appointment, I was shocked to see that she had lost almost a pound since birth! The doctor suggested supplementing with formula. We did, and she started to gain weight. (It wasn't until I was talking with another mother later that I realized breast milk was supposed to be creamy and not water-like.) My "milk" totally dried up around 4 months.

Macey also had horrible gas pains. Scott and I remember well the first week of Macey's life. I remember feeling so hopeless! We felt like she was always crying (if she wasn't sleeping), and the only way we could get her to sleep was in a bouncer. I went to Macey's two week appointment, and I asked about the gas pains. The doctor suggested gas drops. Macey had problems going to the bathroom, so he suggested an enema for her. He then told me that this was common, and that's all he could suggest. I still remember him putting a hand on my shoulder, saying he was sorry, and telling me it will probably go away around 4 month old. He left the room. Tears streamed down my face as I dressed Macey. I sat in the room holding my Macey and just cried. It was hard, and I felt then that I REALLY didn't know anything about parenting.

And then we decided to have another. :) With Cooper, we were poor, and so I was going to do everything in my power to breastfeed...because we couldn't spend all that money on formula. I read everything I could get my hands on about breastfeeding. After he was born, I tried feeding Cooper at the hospital, and nothing would happen. I had at least 6 nurses/doctors/lactation consultants come, and I stumped everyone. They urged me to keep trying, but when Cooper's blood sugar dropped low in the hospital, we decided formula was the best option for him. I pumped every three hours for two weeks--nothing happened. I did, however, get double mastitis. Cooper was formula fed from day one, and he is perfect!

With Jemma, I decided from day one that I was going to formula feed. It wasn't worth the hassle--especially after giving birth and being on an emotional roller coaster. I just didn't want to have to deal with what I had already gone through. Sevier Valley Medical Center is awesome, and they sent me home with enough formula for a week! We were set. I didn't leak at all with Jemma. After about a week, I was so engorged that it was painful to do anything. I made Scott go pull my breast pump out of our shed, and I decided to try it. Lo and Behold...it worked. I have been pumping for 3.5 weeks now, and we are going strong!

I considered breastfeeding Jemma, but I decided against it for two reasons. First, I knew that bottle feeding and breast feeding use different facial muscles. If you start a baby out on one, it is really difficult to go back and forth between bottle and breast. Second, with Macey, I had no idea she wasn't getting enough to eat. I knew with pumping, I would be able to see how much food Jemma was eating. To me, it was worth it.

Pumping at home, is kind of hard. Modesty went out the window very quickly. Jemma eats every three hours. I feed her, and then I pump. It takes a lot of time out of the day, but for now, it's working! I don't know if it will last a year, but for now, it's working! (Plus, I don't mind having the extra money in our pockets!)

The First Week!

Jemma is officially a week old! Can you believe it?! Each new day brings new struggles, but with the struggles, come blessings and ways to handle the situations. My mom has repeatedly told me that as a mother, the Holy Ghost is the most important tool. There were several times as a mother when she felt led to say something to one of us or to do something that we needed. I am beginning to learn how true that is! I'll be the first to admit that I have no clue what I am doing, but I am thankful for the Holy Ghost--who fills the gaps when I can not.

One of the first things I love to do when my babies come home is bathe them. There is nothing better than a clean smelling baby! It has taken a while for Jemma to get used to baths, but she is slowly coming around! The best part of bath time is snuggling with the babe at the end.

Jemma continues to be a peaceful baby. She sleeps so well, and even lets us sleep for about 5 hour stretch every night! Is there anything better than a sleeping baby? :)

Both of our kids love Baby Jemma more than I imagined they would! Cooper is especially protective, though. He likes to help and be in the middle of everything Jemma! One of the things he does is "read" to Jemma. When he notices one of us holding Jemma, he runs to find a book, and we have to read page by page to Jemma. He repeats (as best as he can) what we say until the book is finished.

On Jemma's one week birthday, we decided that we needed to celebrate! We headed to the new frozen yogurt place in Richfield, and we actually saw my doctor, his PA, and nurse out to lunch. It was a great reunion!

Oh, and did I mention how much Jemma likes to be swaddled? :)

The two downsides to this week coming to a close are first, Scott's paternity leave is over, so he is headed back to work this week. (It's been kind of nice having him home 24/7!)  Second, after a few days of curiosity, we took Macey to the doctor's today. Turns out, she has double pink eye! Now, I just need to protect everyone else from getting it...here is to week two of being a family of 5! Busy, busy!