Our Beautiful Girl

zonked out

getting sleepy

back when she had hair...

a little lost in her carrier

Alice in her crib

look at those long legs!

Alice's 1st day of going to church

she can feed herself

getting kind of chubby there

the naked smile (and double chin)

she loves her mommy

one happy girl

going to the doctor

cozy in Aunt Al's outfit

Our Little Nightmare

On February 22 at about 12:30 am, I took Alice into PCMC with a fever of almost 102 (Scott had a group project the next morning, so he stayed home to sleep). After taking urine and blood samples from my sweet 20-day-old baby (and finding them normal), they did a spinal tap. Thinking that she probably just had a virus, I was shocked to hear that she had meningitis. We were admitted that night (or morning, rather) and didn't leave until about a week later. Let me tell you, it wasn't fun.

They spent the entire week taking blood samples, growing cultures, pumping Alice full of several antibiotics, and performing more tests than I care to remember. The doctors were completely baffled as they later found out that she had bacterial meningitis caused by a staph infection and an abscess on her cerebellum. They discussed possible surgery to drain the abscess on her brain- including taking out a piece of her skull (they assured me it would grow back). Hearing all of this and much more scared us to death! The pediatrician told us that in 30 years, she had never seen such an infection in a 20-day-old.

Luckily, after a week of pure hell and 4 weeks of receiving antibiotics every 6 hours through her PICC line, Alice's abscess is completely gone. Her meninges are still inflamed, but things are looking up. The doctors don't envision any long-term effects. I am really hoping to be done with the PICC line next week, as it is seriously messing with both mine and Alice's sleep schedule. There were so many people praying for our little Alice and we were so grateful for that. I would also like to note that I am thankful for priesthood blessings and a husband who is ready and willing to administer them.

Alice sleeping peacefully

my sweet mom holding Alice (both sets of grandparents went above and beyond holding Alice for hours while I slept, bringing meals to us, and giving us our greatest support)

mommy & Alice

my poor baby hooked to electrodes, an IV, monitors, and with stickers on her cheeks to hold the oxygen mask in place

Our New Arrival

On February 2nd, I went to the doctor and was once again disappointed that I had not progressed at all. Almost in tears, I left the doctor only to wait for the next day to finally be induced. To pass the time, I went to my sister's house for dinner, cute nieces, and treats. On the way there, I got a call from my doctor telling me that she had been begging the hospital staff to squeeze me in for an induction that night and that there was a small chance that I would receive a call to come in. I was hopeful, but cautious. I had all but given up when at 8:13 pm, I got the call! I rushed home to get my bag and my husband and we were there by 9:15 pm. Here I am before we left:


I don't want to bore everyone with all of the details, but here are a few of the highs:

*Having an 8 hour labor
*The epidural not hurting as much as I imagined it would
*Getting a nice sleeping pill to help me pass the time
*Pushing only three times!
*Having the most beautiful, healthy baby imaginable

And now for the lows:

*Almost needing a c-section due to Alice's plummeting heart rate with each contraction
*Having to wear an oxygen mask
*The epidural not working on my left side at the beginning
*Having to spend an hour and a half getting stitched up afterwards
*Having an evil nurse that made me cry

Here I am ready to go

And now here's Alice Ann Hewitson, born February 3, 2011 at 6:20 am. She was a whopping 5 pounds 7 ounces and 17 1/2 inches long. We adore her!

My Resignation

Well, after trying just about everything (minus castor oil) that everyone suggested for getting me to go into labor, I have finally decided that nothing short of the will of God will make Alice come out. So, I guess I have resigned myself to the fact that Alice will be born on February 4th, as I am scheduled to be induced at 8:30 pm on Thursday, February 3rd. I must admit that it is a bit disappointing that she hasn't come sooner or on her own, but all that really matters is that she is healthy.

On a good note, I have been happily enjoying my maternity leave. I can't express how nice it has been to escape the stress and utter anxiety of my job. Sad, but absolutely true. So until Thursday, I plan on getting the sleep that I won't get later and spending time with my sweetie. It really hit me tonight that this is practically "it" during family prayer when Scott prayed that I would be prepared for labor "this week." This week!! Ready or not, here she comes......

Frustration

Well, here I am at 39 weeks. I can't believe I've made it this far! Now if Alice would just show her face. I went to the doctor yesterday, hoping that I was at least beginning the dilating process. No such luck! My sister told me to ask to have my membranes stripped (whatever that means) and apparently my doctor was incapable of doing even that due to my uncooperative cervix. Let's just say that I was a little less than pleased.

I know that it's healthy to let the baby come in her own time, but I long for an induction! My doctor informed me that she won't induce before 41 weeks. That would put me having the baby on February 3rd. I just don't know if I can wait that long!

Although Scott and I are impatient and frustrated, I know I need to look on the bright side. It really isn't that long until she comes (although it may feel like an eternity to me). I have been mostly healthy throughout this pregnancy, there have been no complications, and Alice is doing very well (to my knowledge, anyway). Plus, I know that I am very blessed to even be pregnant and to have a baby. What am I complaining about?!?

Unfortunately, patience is a virtue that I do not possess.

Pictures

our very first Christmas tree

the wood lettering we bought for the nursery

me and my new pjs Christmas Eve (35 weeks)

the spread at the shower

visiting at the shower

me and Ella (& Gracie) before opening the largest package of wipes ever seen

me and the wipes (thanks, Korrin!)

me and my cute cousin, Sadie

Lately

Well, I haven't posted for a while. After getting my camera fixed, I only have a few pictures to share, but I figured I'd get up-to-date with what's been going on lately:

-Christmas was awesome. We ended up going to Aunt Lisa's Christmas Eve party and we had a blast eating, playing a white elephant game, and playing Skip-Bo. Then we stayed over at Scott's parents house, opened presents, talked to his brother on a mission, and had a tasty breakfast. Later that night we partied at the Dicksons with a delicious dinner, program, presents, and a fun game of Hink Pink.

-I had two excellent baby showers over the Christmas break. The first was given by my sister-in-law and sisters. I actually got a few pictures out of that one. The second was given by my husband's aunt, his cousin, and his grandma. Unfortunately, I did not get any pictures of that one. I was kicking myself the next day, as some great friends showed up that I don't get to see every day! Both were lots of fun and I got some great gifts. Thanks to all family who made it possible and to everyone that came!

-New Year's Eve was spent seeing "True Grit" (which I love) with Scott's parents during the day and playing games at my brother's house at night. We ended up playing "Beyond Balderdash" with lots of laughs and also "Trivial Pursuit." After the ball dropped, we spent some time predicting who we all thought would die in 2011. My well-informed sister predicted about three people who are already dead.

-Now with the new year here, we are doing things to get ready for Alice. Her nursery is done and very cute, might I add. We still have a few things to get for her and an apartment to clean (probably a few cars too), but we are ready for her to be here already! After being sick for weeks and not being able to take drugs that actually help, I have decided that I am done with pregnancy. I have a terrible cough and cold that have been lingering forever, and then yesterday I went to the doctor only to find that I have an outer ear infection in both of my ears, pink eye (where in the world I got that, I will never know), and some sort of bacterial infection. About $70 later, I went home with antibiotics, eye drops, and ear drops. I feel like a disease! Today I went to the OB/GYN and I have not dilated at all. Well, there's always next week, I suppose.