The Miller's Place

It’s been awhile since I have posted, plus there was a ton of things that happened today, and of course I want to build the suspense, so this might take awhile 🙂

After Michelle and Matthew dropped me off at work, they went and ate breakfast and dropped by Walmart to waste some time until the doctors appointments.  Michelle started picking some small things out one in blue and one in pink.  She started asking Matthew which one he liked.  After awhile he started saying “I don’t like the pink one, I want the blue.”  Previously Matthew has really not commented on the boy or girl question, other than a small “I want a baby brother.”

In any case, they came and picked me up from work off we went to the doctors.  Michelle’s first appointment was her visit with the high risk doctors.  As usual we waited and waited and finally got into an office where one of the doctors in the practice came and chatted with us.  We went over a few things and we then were pushed back into the waiting room to wait for a room for the ultrasound.  He I think we waited another hour before being taken back, but the time waiting was well spent as we discussed more baby names.  After awhile, Matthew finally wanted to join in so he gave his opinion on all our suggestions, “No!” and gave some choices of his own, Mater, Marlin, Nemo, Sally, and various other cartoon characters 🙂

Michelle went back first because the nurse didn’t want Matthew around if by chance there was anything wrong.  I don’t know about you, but this bothered me.  I understand her concern for Matthew, but he is so young, the only thing he understand is if his mother or father are upset.  What about Michelle, should something be wrong, she would have been alone in this cold room as the nurse tells her “I am so sorry to tell you this, but…”.  In any case MBS was not cooperating very well so Michelle went to relieve her bladder and try to get MBS to turn some to get a better look see.  In the mean time, the nurse brought us back to the room and we waited for Michelle to get back.

Michelle got back and got all set up and here’s where the fun began 🙂  Matthew stood on the stool next to her and I stood up as we watched the pictures come across the screen.  I have to pause here and say, in my opinion, ultrasounds are the most amazing thing in the world.  There is nothing like knowing you have created a new being, but to see this being alive, moving, and to actually see fingers, and bones, and a spine, all I can say is breath taking.  Matthew really enjoys seeing the baby on the screen and talks the whole time.  Well we get a good picture of the heart and see it beating up a storm and the nurse tells up it’s the heart but Matthew proclaims to us “I see the babies head!”  We try to tell him that it is the heart but he was having nothing to do with it, “See you can see the mouth moving!”  Well we all got a kick out of that and the nurse kept getting pretty good shots of the fingers and arms and legs, the whole nine yards.

Well MBS was not cooperating much at all in getting a head shot or a genital shot so the nurse proceed to push pretty hard into Michelle’s stomach and wiggle quite hard.  Kind of felt bad for the kid as they were going through a hurricane right now 🙂  Well MBS finally moved a bit and we did get to see the head and face as well as a quick glance at the genitals.

Have I put you through enough torture yet 😉  Well, with 95% certainty the nurse says, “It’s a girl!”  To be honest I am thrilled for Michelle, because I knew she wanted a girl.  The cliche of wanting a healthy baby is really true for me.  The only thing I care about is a healthy baby whatever 🙂  But the only thing I am having difficulties with at this point is that I don’t see a baby girl currently at 20 weeks old, no, I see a 16 year old beautiful young lady trying to go on a date and me with numerous guns there cleaning them as her date comes calling to the house.  At some point pretty quickly I am going to hvae to get this image out of my head 🙂  In any case, she had her legs crossed at the ankles and her head down to her chest which made things very difficult.  The nurse and the doctor who later came in said that everything looked great.  She currently weighs 12 ounces.  No visual birth defects, everything looked completely normal which I am thrilled with.

Well Matthew still I don’t think has taken to the fact that he will have a little baby sister instead of a brother.  Michelle is a little worried about that but I told her he will have to adjust to any new child, boy or girl, doesn’t matter.

To be honest I can barely keep my eyes open any longer as this has taken way longer than I wanted, but it was fun torturing all of you that made it this far 🙂 The next step is to go to the polls section and vote for what name you like.  Michelle and I have our favorite, but I am not willing to call it a day yet as we still have plenty of time left to make a decision.

Thank you to all of you that read this and for all the support you all give us!

All our love, Scott, Michelle, Matthew, and MBS! 🙂

No time like the present they say. Well that’s how Matthew decided to grace us with his presence.

Saturday Michelle had been complaining about a spot in her left eye enough that I made her call the doctor Saturday night. Of course the doctor wanted us to go see them so we jumped in the car and went to the hospital. We arrived at the hospital about 9:30 Saturday night and Michelle was examined by a few nurses and then seen by two of the doctors in the practice. Both agreed they thought that the spot was more neurological symptoms of the preeclampsia and that the best course of action would be to induce her since she had pasted the 32 week marker. Michelle was admitted around 1:30 Sunday morning and given some IV’s to try and induce her.

At around 3:30 her water broke, and we thought we were home free then, but it didn’t quite work out that way. It seemed that after her water broke her contractions slowed down and she stopped dilating. After numerous uncomfortable exams and some extreme discomfort, the doctors decided the best course of action would be to perform a C-Section at about 10:30 Sunday Night.

Michelle was in the OR by 11:00 and Matthew was born 11:22 Sunday night the 4th of January, which most of you know is my birthday as well. He weighed 3 pounds 10 ounces and 16.5 inches long. He currently has straight dark colored hair, which doubtfully will change, and has dark colored eyes.

Matthew is currently in University of Pennsylvania Hospital’s Intensive Care Nursery only due to the fact that he was premature. From day one he has been breathing on his own and has never needed any help. Tuesday they placed a feeding tube in his nose to help things and he has an IV in his right hand for fluids. The nurses said they might end up taking the IV out this evening because he’s eating enough that the fluids are minimal now. Early estimates are for Matthew to stay about 2 to 3 weeks, until he is at least 4 pounds and with no other complications.

Michelle is doing well and has looked much better as the last few days have gone by. She had a strange reaction after the surgery and her saliva ducts clogged causing massive swelling around her jaws. If you see some of the pictures don’t be surprised if it looks like her head is twice the size because it almost was. The doctors came up with some wonderful medicinal treatment for her, shock tarts. Yes I said correctly, the Willy Wonka Candy. They said it hasn’t happened often but the last time the mother ate some sour candy and it cleared the ducts and the swelling went away. So since Monday, Michelle has been eating lots of candy to try and clear it up. As of this morning, most of the swelling was gone. Outside of some cramping and pain when she coughs, everything is tolerable right now, that is as long as she’s on the percocet. The doctors said she should be able to go home Thursday.

Stay tuned as more pictures start popping up and hopefully some video clips as well if I can get my new toy figured out 🙂

Thanks again to everyone for all their thoughts, prayers, flowers and words of encouragement. I can honestly say this has been the most exciting and wonderful birthday’s I have ever had.

All our love,

Scott, Michelle, and Matthew

For an update…

Tuesday we found out from the doctor that her latest lab results were absolutely normal. As we all were confused by the results the doctors wanted to rerun some of her labs to find out which set were in error. Friday we found out that miraculously everything was fine. Michelle came home and is under strict bed rest for a long time and has to see the doctor twice a week to make sure everything is going ok.

Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers, emails, and calls. Michelle is home for the holidays and both her and Matthew are doing fine. We will certainly keep you up to date on everything as it occurs.

Once again thank you again for everything.

Love,

Scott, Michelle, and Matthew!

This certainly has been an eventful weekend. Friday Michelle went to her doctors appointment and the doctor advised that she should go to the hospital because of her high blood pressure. She had had problems with it being high the last few weeks but she was put on bed rest and it helped so the doctor let her do a little bit. After monitoring her closely they decided to admit her around 8 pm Friday. The doctors were not sure if it was preeclampsia or a lupus flare up. She was given Magnesium to lower her blood pressure and a steroid shot to help Matthew’s lungs.

Saturday, was mostly monitoring and rest for Michelle. Saturday night after 24 hours on the magnesium the doctors gave her another steroid shot and took her off the magnesium. They then moved her out of Labor and Delivery and placed her in another room on the women’s floor.

This morning, one of the doctors finally did tell us they think that Michelle has severe preeclampsia and the the plan now is to keep Michelle in the hospital until the baby is at the 32 week mark and then induce labor to eliminate the threat to Michelle and Matthew. The 32 week mark will be approximately Monday the 22nd of December. This is about 8 weeks ahead of schedule, and of course Michelle and I are concerned, but the doctors feel very comfortable with the situation.

So to wrap it up, Michelle is currently in the Hospital at the University of Penn and will be there until the birth, around the 22nd, unless there are further complications. I hope you’ll keep all of us in your thoughts and prayers.

All our love,

Scott, Michelle, and Matthew!