Ichthyosis

Kallie has been diagnosed with Ichthyosis, which is a skin condition which causes the skin to be really thick and scaley as it peels off. Here is a link to the website
http://www.scalyskin.org

There are like 15% of children who it clears up on its own within 2-3 weeks, its a long shot but we are praying for that.

Some of the risks are overheating, b/c her skin is so thick she cannot sweat and adequately cool herself. As athletes this upsets me b/c she may not be able to play outdoors for extended periods b/c she will get too hot. Obviosuly she can't spend much time in the sun, although there is literature that says the sun can be good for it. They also worry about skin infections, b/c her skin is dry and flaky it is susceptible to infection. They also worry about her eyes and ears, eyes b/c they will get dried out and ears b/c the skin can grow around them.Its just so heartbreaking and worrisome, she is such a pretty little girl and I would hate for this to affect her negatively for the rest of her life. There is no cure but they can treat it.We will know more on Monday when we see the dermatologist, so please please pray that this is a mild case (which several of the docs think its really mild) b/c if that's the case then its just a matter of keeping her skin hydrated. If its more of a moderate case she may require OT to straighten out her hands and feet b/c the skin is so tight it may not allow them to straighten out.

Kallie's Arrival

Kallie arrived on May 26th, 2009 at 7:50am. She weighed 8lbs 3oz and was 21 1/4 inches long. She has SO much dark hair and is just beautiful. The csection went really well! The morning started out a bit rough, b/c I had to be up so early I was already a little sick to my stomach. When the nurses tried to start the IV, I got sick and started throwing up. She had to quit working on that arm, so they stuck my other arm, and the first nurse couldn't get it and then the second nurse tried and couldn't get it there either. So then they brought in another nurse and she finally got it started in my right hand. The nerves really got a hold of me then and I was REALLY freaking out. But I heard Kennedy Jane's little voice as she came down the hall looking for me and all my fears were gone.

We got in the OR and they got to work on the spinal. It was harder than last time, it seemed that he had a harder time finding the spot he needed. One time it was a sharp pain but he got it started. I told them before that I would throw up and already had but unfortunately they didn't listen so I was throwing up on the table in the OR. They finally got that under control and before I knew it she was out. I think it was about 2min after they started. She came out screaming right away and was just beautiful!! They tied my tubes and the whole procedure took 11min start to finish.

I got back in my room and felt so much more relaxed. Kallie started nursing right away and has nursed like a champ ever since!! The doctor did mention that she was really swollen but that can be normal so we weren't concerned about it. When I did see her she was definetly swollen and her skin was really dry but we just weren't worried.

The next morning the pediatrician came in and said that she looked so much better and that he thought it was either skin irritation from the amniotic fluid or she was gestationally further along that we thought. He said that he wanted to bring in a Neonatologist and we would know more then.

So we met the Neo later in the morning and he diagnosed her with Colodiun baby, which is a VERY serious skin disease. Scot didn't agree with that b/c having called on dermatologists before he knew enough to know that was not it. So then they brought in a geneticist and he said that it was Ichthyosis which is a much more mild version of Colodiun. He wanted us to run a genetics test on her b/c this is inherited. He also suggested that we see a dermatologist to get an accurate diagnoses.

We talked a lot about the genetics test and decided that it didn't make sense right now. It would not change how we treat her or the diagnoses and it increases the risk for infection b/c there will be an open spot on her skin.

Our pediatrician made a few phone calls and was able to get us in with a derm on Monday, so we will know a lot more at that time.

FINAL Belly Shot!

Well this is it, the very LAST belly shot ever for me. I am so excited that Kallie will be here tomorrow!!

39w1d Belly Shot:

38 Week Appointment Report

Well today was my FINAL doctor's appointment before Kallie's arrival. I am having tons of pelvic pressure and he said that there has been no progress. Thats so hard to believe and I asked if I would ever have babies if he didn't go get them and he laughed and said no. We talked about delivery, he said that they would use another spinal which I am glad about b/c it worked great last time. I asked him what happened last time and he said that he didn't know, which doesn't give me a warm fuzzy about it not happening again this time. The only thing reassuring is that he will be in the office so I will be able to talk to him if it does happen again. So he doesn't want to see me again until next Tuesday when he delivers her. I can't wait, 8 more days!

Wish for a New Baby Poem

Someone posted this and I just had to share it, its perfect and so so true!

A Wish For A New Baby
I wished upon a star...
I closed my eyes and prayed,
I threw a shiny penny,
into a well each day.

The same little wish was wished,
upon my birthday cake
I asked the Lord...
Please hurry, just for heaven's sake!

I was trying to be patient,
but I had waited long enough
my wishing well with pennies,
was now completely stuffed!

I would start and end my days
repeating the same prayer,
I knew that up in heaven,
they could see I really cared.

Just when I thought I couldn't,
bear another day
it is then that I learned,
you were on your way.

All the prayers and wishes,
finally did come true
The blessing God gave me,
was my pregnancy with you!

37W Appointment Report

GREAT APPOINTMENT! Last night I was in the bathtub and I felt her drop down, it was the strangest feeling but I literally felt like she was going to crawl out. It was not painful at all, maybe b/c I was in the bathtub.

I haven't gained any weight and asked if he was worried about that. He asked if I was eating and I said yes but not as much. He asked if I was throwing up, no, and if I had an upset stomach and I told him occassionally but not enough to be worried. He said that he was not worried as long as I was eating. I told him I could not eat as much and he said that's b/c the baby is taking up all that room.

When he did the internal it didn't hurt AT ALL which is nice b/c usually its really painful. He said that she had completely dropped which is exciting b/c Kennedy Jane never dropped. I still have not made any progress but that may change now since she dropped. I asked him if he thought it was likely that we would make it 15 more days and he said "it's likely" and grinned so I guess we will see what the next 15 days hold for us!

I am just glad to make some progress and I think even if we make it all the way to May 26th the delivery will be easier b/c Kennedy Jane was still so high and Kallie will be where she needs to be!

Here is a 37 Week Belly Shot:

Kennedy Jane's 1st Spend the Night Party with Gane & Aunt Ali

Last night Mom and Ali wanted Kennedy Jane to spend the night and it made sense because mom was keeping her for our doc appointment today. They were over for dinner and we packed her stuff up and off they went. She just waved and said "bye mommy" and I thought I might lose it, my baby is growing up. She had a great time, they watched Pinochio in Gane's bed til she fell asleep and then she slept with Aunt Ali b/c her bed will push against the wall. They said that she did great, she didn't even want to talk to me on the phone this morning. She was at least excited to see me when I went to pick her up but she still wasn't ready to leave Gane's house.

As for me, I took a nice long bath while reading my book, watched Amazing Race and played online and went to sleep when I was ready. Then this morning I actually laid it bed until 8:30 watching Today Show, which I never get to do anymore!

It was a good experience for everybody!

Kennedy Jane burned her hand

Wow I got the worst Mom of the year award yesterday! I was getting ready to go play Bunko and plugged in my curling iron. Kennedy Jane was watching Babar and playing with a puzzle and not thinking I walked into the bathroom and then I hear her crying. I run in there and sure enough, she grabbed the hot curling iron. It was just awful, for two hours she cried on and off and nothing we could do would work for long. I have never felt guilt like that, knowing that it was my fault that she was hurt. She is doing a lot better today and so I am but I can say that we BOTH learned a lesson the hard way yesterday!

Disney on Ice

We took Kennedy Jane to Disney on Ice on Cinco de Mayo and she LOVED it!! We got great tickets through a friend so we were really close. She was just mesmerized! It started out with the usual Disney characters and then it was Cars, Little Mermaid and Lion King. After intermission was Tinkerbell which was really cute but a bit long. It lasted two hours total and we were a bit worn out at the end. She now loves Tinkerbell though and woke up the next morning asking for the movie. I figured since I didn't have to buy a $12 sno-cone we could get the movie!

We are going to take her to the circus in June and I know she will love it just as much! Here is a pic of her watching the show:

36 Week Appointment

Yet another uneventful appointment but at least we are in the home stretch now. He did the GBS test, I am still not sure why he does that with me, it only affects vaginal deliveries but whatever. He also checked me and said no progress. There is a shocker. 5 hours of contractions during Disney on Ice and nada, but that's just how it goes with me! We have two more appointments and then Kallie will be here!!