December was an eventful month in our household. The last we spoke, the remodeling of our home was well underway and Ladybug's arrival was scheduled for December 31st. Hunter's casting had been postponed due to fever and we were working on scheduling a new casting date for either December 30th or January 15th. In retrospect, probably a few too many balls to juggle at once, but what can I say, that's how we roll.
James had told baby girl that she could come anytime after December 10th. I, on the other hand, was coaxing her to stay comfy a little longer, in hopes that we could finish the remodel and get Hunter squared away. Look at me trying to think I could control the situation!
Anyway, after talking with the nurse at Scottish Rite, I remembered that our next casting date must be before the end of February, because Hunter must have an MRI of his spinal cord done prior to the beginning of March. So, we had to move forward with the December 30th date.
I'll be honest. I was a little anxious about sending Hunter and James to Dallas the day before our supposed c-section date/Ladybug's birthday. Little did I know, God's plan to our story was going to unfold a little differently than what we were anticipating.
I had had issues with my blood pressure at the end of my pregnancy with Hunter, so I was already being monitored a little more closely this go around. I started having issues with my blood pressure again after James returned from Colorado. My doctor decided that she wanted to continue to monitor, but gave me a range to watch for and told us that we must come in if it got up to a certain level. I tried to keep things as low key as possible and basically had as much voluntary bed rest as my two- year old nugget would allow me to have in a home that was/is under construction. Ultimately, based on bloodwork and my blood pressure reading at the next doctor's visit on December 18th, it was determined that the best option for safety was to deliver early on December 23rd. Definitely not what we were anticipating, but we knew that it would actually be better for Hunter and his casting scenario.
The irony in the situation....last year, on December 18th, we received a call that Hunter was scheduled for surgery on December 23rd to untether his spinal cord. The same calendar dates a year apart...what a difference a year makes! Here's to hoping that next year we will have a hospital free Christmas.
We went into the hospital on December 23rd, little girl's birthday, and it ended up being a blessing as my blood pressure was excessively high and the nurses remarked that they were thankful that we didn't wait any longer. She was almost two weeks early, but our little ladybug was perfect.
Hayden Ansely Sitton
December 23, 2014
4 lbs. 9 1/2 oz.
17 in. long
A mother memorizes and recognizes her baby's cry. When they lifted Hayden up and showed her to us, it was somewhat surreal. She looks so much like Hunter, yet her cry is so different.
After recovery, they brought her to me and my nurse was commenting about how tiny she was, yet she appeared to be alert and strong. Hayden ate like a champ from the word go, no jaundice in sight, just tiny. My nurses commented that Hayden was "tiny but mighty" and "tiny but tough". Even at two weeks early, we were very surprised at how small she was, but somehow I don't think size will ever be a problem for her. You see, dynamite comes in small packages, and I'm sure that she will give her brother a run for his money.
I love quotes and really anything motivational. One of the things that I used to take pride in doing at the end of every basketball season, was to choose a quote for each player that I felt embodied their personality or character. So, it's probably not surprising that I would choose quotes/verses for our own children. One of the quotes that I chose for Hunter's room is, "Let him sleep, for when he wakes he will move mountains." I decided to do the same for Hayden. The two quotes/verses that I had picked out prior to her arrival are below. I think they will fit her perfectly.
"She is clothed with strength and dignity and she laughs without fear of the future." Proverbs 31:25
"Though she be but little, she is fierce!" -William Shakespeare
Sibling Comparison
Hunter
Hayden
Hayden's features are a little more dainty, but as you can see, they look so much alike.
Name Trivia
We actually didn't intentionally choose two "H" names for our nuggets. While you don't hear the name Hayden a lot for girls, we both really liked the name. Coincidentally, Hunter and Hayden actually have the same initials. Hunter's name is Hunter Anderson Sitton and as I introduced earlier, we now have Hayden Ansely Sitton. Hunter's middle name, Anderson, was after James' grandfather, L.A. (Lucius Anderson) Sitton and Hayden's middle name is honoring my grandfather Ansel Holmstrom.(We're pretty content with two, however we'll see what God has in store for us. If we were to decide to grow our family any more we are really going to have to put some effort into choosing another name to fit the H.A.S. trend.)
What I've learned in the first two weeks as momma of two:
My mom, sister, and brother-in-law stayed with Hunter while we were in the hospital. He was obviously in great hands and well taken care of. They got him through the adjustment of being away from us for the first time. (Hopefully he wasn't too much trouble.) My mother continued to stay after we were home to help us get adjusted and give Hunter special attention, especially since I am unable to lift anything heavier than Hayden for a while. While in the hospital James and I looked at one another and agreed that we couldn't have made it without them. Hunter was glad to see his Momma and Daddy when we came home from the hospital on December 26th, but has been continually asking for his Mimi, Aunt Cara, Uncle John, and Preston, now that they have all gone home.
2) Our children don't like to be dirty for long. Hunter had to be changed immediately after a wet or dirty diaper. James used to say that I changed a diaper like a pit crew changes a tire. He admired my speed, but I'm sure he was also trying to get out of changing diapers. We haven't potty trained Hunter yet, because of the cast. Since we have two in diapers, we have been tag teaming and either my mom or James has diapered Hunter and I have taken Hayden. I was telling James that Hayden is quickly following suite on the clean diaper front. He joked that our kids are like artists that just like to have a clean canvas.
3) Naps are like dessert. You get a taste of sleep and you just want more. Too bad the kiddos are trying to limit my sweet tooth.
4) Retouching makeup takes on a new meaning when you wake up with a baby in your arms and yesterday's makeup on your face.
5) There's nothing sweeter than watching your first born learn to love and protect his little sister.
Update on little man:
Casting surgery # 6 was December 30th. James and Hunter were troopers as a Daddy and his little buddy made the trek to Dallas. Hunter did well with the casting, however, for the first time, he had no improvement from cast to cast. To be honest, I don't want to over-analyze or speculate as I tend to do. I am choosing not to worry or question the details. I am reminding myself of the words of Kay Warren that have crossed my mind many times in the last month, while trying to stay focused on God's plan and not my agenda.
“Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life; the quiet confidence that ultimately everything will be alright, and the determined choice to praise God in all things.” Kay Warren
I've referenced this quote before, but it seems to continue to have valued importance. As we begin this new year and make resolutions and goals, I am going to focus on letting God's story unfold rather than trying to alter the details. I challenge and encourage you to do the same.
Hunter actually lost weight over the last two months and was continually sick. We've decided to focus on what we can control and try our best to encourage Hunter to eat higher calorie foods, gain weight, and hopefully, in turn, encourage growth.
Hunter's next casting will be on February 26th and will include an MRI. We will have his cast removed the day prior to casting and he will have some water time, which will be so exciting for him after a year of no water play or true baths.
Hunter's story is now featured on the website of the Infantile Scoliosis Outreach Program.
You can access his story at the following address: http://www.infantilescoliosis.org/hunters-story/
Please continue to keep Hunter and our family in your thoughts and prayers as we continue to pray for growth and correction and we will be thinking about and praying for all of you.
Cheers to 2015 and the blessings to come! May God bring you and your family Faith, Hope, Love, and JOY!
