Landry's Traumatic Experience

Landry needless to say is not coping well with her little brother. She has generally gotten very clingy to Mommy and Daddy especially when they are holding Ian.

I got a call from Shannon about 2:30 yesterday, that Landry had fallen and hit her face on the granite surrounding our fireplace and was bleeding. She had knocked a couple of teeth loose. She was dancing (trying to garner some attention) and slipped on a blanket and fell.

I hurried home and rushed her to the pediatric dentist to have her checked out. She seemed fine in the waiting room, but once we hit the dentist chair it was bloody murder. Shane Moore's office was awesome by the way. Very patient with us and gave her lots of toys, balloons, stickers and attention diverters. We finally got an xray (I had to hold her in my lap with the lead blanket over both of us). Sure enough both her top left front tooth and bottom left front tooth is knocked out of socket. Time will tell if they will live or not. Hopefully we won't have to pull the tooth. At least they are baby teeth.

Ian Gregory Herrick Arrives

Ian Gregory Herrick was born at 1:35 am on 9/25/07. He weighed 5 lbs 14 oz and was 19 1/4 inches long. "Ian" is just a name that Shannon and I both liked and "Gregory" is from Shannon's grandfather. Ian is a very Scottish/English - so I everytime I say it feel like I am inviting him over for "bangers and mash" or to grab a pint.

Shannon went into labor at about noon on Monday. She called me at work at 2:30 and said that the contractions were five minute a part and intense. She went and took a shower and tried to relax but by 3:30 she called me back and said "This is it!" We showed up at the hospital at about 4:00 and were put on a monitor. We stayed on the monitor for the next 2 1/2 hours (contractions still about 5-8). But she still wasn't progressing (still dilated 2.5 cm). Shannon looked like she was about to cry. The doc gave us the option of going ahead in checking in or going home. We decided to check in and get some pain meds. GOOD THING! As soon as we were settled into a room, things started to move a lot faster . . . contractions were quicker and more intense. They checked her around 9:30 and she was dilated to a 4.5. Shannon screamed "Get me an EPIDURAL STAT!" Two hours later (seriously) the anesthesiologist showed up and gave it to her. She was crawling up the walls by this point. But as soon as the epidural hit it was go time. She went from a 6 to a 10 over the next hour and the doc was setting up shop by about 12:45. She pushed literally on three contractions (three times it) and Ian was here!.

We got almost no sleep that night. After delivery, they assessed and weighed him in the room. Shannon got taken care of by the doc and we got to enjoy some time with Ian in the room. But it was almost 4 before everyone was out. An hour and half later it was up for the day. Ugh.

Landry is getting used to the idea. She brought flowers for Mommy and Ian to the hospital. As she was clutching her Little Mermaid figurine her first words about the baby were, "The Mermaid is mine, the baby can not have it." Well how that we have set the ground rules. She eventually warmed up a little bit to the little man and gave him a kiss when she left. This should be interesting.

We are so excited that Ian is here. We are so blessed! Here are some more pics for those interested:

2007-09 (Sept) Ian Birthday

Dr. Landry

Landry is getting into the playing doctor! Guess she wants to be like Mommy - or maybe a vet since she checks out Murphy too!

Last Round (hopefully) of Chemo

Dad started his last round of chemo today. He was actually supposed to start last week but came down with a mild case of the shingles. It was a little painful, and indicated an immune system that was down. A week of anti-biotics got it under control and he was cleared. So two more days and hopefully he will be on to the next stage, REMISSION!

A test in patience

This past week has been very trying for me. Last Thursday, I started having contractions about 10 minutes apart after I got off of work. They lasted that entire evening all the way through the next day. I saw my OB on Friday; he felt I was in early labor, but couldn't tell me if this would last for a day or for weeks. I was dilated 2 cm at that time. I tried to rest on Saturday, but early Sunday morning I woke up with contractions five minutes apart. I thought this was it....Ian was coming. Jason and I went to the hospital at 2 am and were promptly sent home at 4 am because I wasn't progressing. I've been on partial bed rest since then. The contractions have slowed down (thank goodness......I don't like to be in pain if I'm not going to have a baby!) I'm no longer working, and I'm supposed to sit on the couch all day. This is obviously impossible with a two year old so Jason's mom and our nanny have been watching Landry all day. This is very difficult for me. I'm used to being very active and I'm having a hard time sitting still. Of course, as soon as I start doing too much, I have more contractions. I'm trying to enjoy the rest before the baby comes because I know I will be totally sleep deprived in a few weeks!

Tea Party with Caroline

Landry had her friend Caroline Gleason over and they had a fun tea party and dress-up party!

A little scare

Tuesday was a little scary. Shannon called me about 2:30 pm and had not felt the baby move all day. She had tried all the normal things (eating, drinking a coke, lying on her side) be he seemed to be unresponsive. She was very upset so we dropped everything and headed to the doctors office.

We spent 2 hours on the monitor checking for heartbeat and movement. The heartbeat was normal speed but not variable? He was also still not responsive. The doc called this "not ominous, but not reassuring." What!!?!? They gave us another sonogram to check things out and everything looked good. However, the doc had us check in the hospital to monitor the baby for a few hours straight and make sure. After an hour or so, and dinner in the hospital, Ian started moving around a little bit. Everyone felt good enough to let us go home that evening. Thanks goodness everything was ok! By the next day all was normal (lots of movement).

Shannon had her normal OB appointment this morning and is already dilated 1 cm. She is having some contractions maybe 1 or 2 per hour. Guess I better get busy prepping the baby stuff!

Gymnastics

Landry had her last gymnastics class so I got to come and see how the class goes. She is actually really good. I thought way ahead of the other kids (championship!) and much farther than when I saw her at the first fo the summer. She loves it, for about 45 minutes and then just wants her stamp and is ready to go home. They just have the kids walk backward on the beam do front rolls, donkey kicks, etc. Pretty funny.

Landry Gymnastics 2007-09