Tuesday, April 27, 2010

March for Babies 2010

We did the annual March of Dimes March for Babies this past Sunday. As a team, we beat our goal by $55! Saturday morning, we went to our local elementary school's carnival and raffled off a Boogie Wipes basket. We were able to raise $50 from that.


Sunday, we all drove to Cleveland for the walk. It was a bit chilly, but we tried to enjoy the 4.2 miles anyway. After the walk, we hung out for the closing ceremonies and food and music. It was a great day and a lot of money was raised for a great cause! We were proud to be a part of it!


Team Carter 2010
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Sunday, April 18, 2010

Please support TEAM CARTER!

We only have 7 days left until the 2010 March of Dimes March for Babies!! Team Carter is still very far from reaching our $300 goal. It is such a great cause and we are really looking forward to walking for it! If you would like to make a donation in sponsorship of Team Carter, please click the link. Every single dollar counts and every donation makes a huge difference in the lives of babies and parents everywhere!


THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
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Saturday, April 17, 2010

My birthday? You're kidding!

So, yesterday was my birthday...although it sure didn't feel that way. I spent most of the day at the hospital. I guess with pregnancy, you never know where you'll end up on any given day.

Thursday evening, I got a call from my OB. He said that my urine culture from Monday grew the same bacteria as before and that I had to call Infectious Disease. He told me that the regular treatment was Cipro, which cannot be given to pregnant women. I would need to get IV antibiotics...most likely through a PICC line. Come again?!? I am so not cool with pain...especially not that kind of pain. I have heard that getting a PICC is one of the most painful procedures. So, after I broke down into tears, sobbing, I called Infectious Disease. I was able to talk to a doctor who told me that he would like to see me right away...the next day...my birthday. I agreed and made the appointment. All of Thursday night was spent worrying about myself and Jackson. Were we going to be OK? What happens if we can't kill the bacteria? Can this be passed to Carter or Steven? Will the PICC line hurt? I was up all night. I finally fell asleep about 2 hours before it was time to wake up. I totally forgot it was my birthday. I was way too worried about my appointment. I got up, showered, and got Carter dressed and ready to go...I wanted him there if I was going to be in any pain because I knew I had to be strong so he wasn't scared. I also dragged my mom and my friend Mandy along for support. I may be 28 years old, but I always need people to hold my hand! 

We got to the hospital and Carter ran around the waiting room, chased by my mom, until we were called in. My entourage followed me and sat with me until the doctor that I had previously talked to came in. He was one of those people who's general demeanor just puts you at ease. He answered all of my questions before I even had to ask them. I am not sick, neither is Jackson. This is a totally normal infection that is simply tricky to treat during pregnancy. I cannot pass this to anyone. Most importantly, no PICC required!! He wished me a happy birthday and handed me a prescription for an oral antibiotic. It is a powder that you mix in water and take 2 days in a row. It is not 100% effective, so I will need to be tested again next week. I could still require an IV for antibiotics, but I will take it. It will stink because I will have to keep it in for 7 days, but I don't want this to cause any issues later in my pregnancy, so it has to be taken care of now. I need lots of prayer that this horrible tasting oral antibiotic works well.

After the appointment ended and I could breathe again, Mandy treated us to my birthday lunch. Of all places, I chose the hospital cafeteria! This is the same hospital I rehabbed in for 2 months after my accident and where I spent 10 days living when I had Carter...not to mention his 15 day NICU stay. Their food is great and I have lots of good (and bad) memories from there. It was a great birthday lunch!

We came home just as Steven was arriving from work. He's the best husband ever, so he made me some cupcakes then we cleaned up the house and started getting ready for my cousin's 21st birthday party. Her birthday was this past Tuesday. We had a really good time with my family at Red Robin. The food was great!! I had never been there before, but I will definitely be going back! 

We got home just in time for bed. I hadn't gotten much sleep the night before, so I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow...and that was my birthday!

Carter did give me a present 2 days early...he peed on the potty! We are so proud of him!! Although he is still peeing in his diaper, he has gone on the potty almost every time we've put him on. I just can't believe how fast he is growing...I wish I could slow it down just a little!!
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Monday, April 12, 2010

IT'S A BOY!

I had to make a surprise visit to my OB today because I have been fighting a UTI for a few weeks. After the results of my urinalysis come back, I may have to be put on IV antibiotics in order to get rid of the infection for good. If the test comes back positive, he is going to arrange for a nurse to come to my home and administer the meds so I don't have to be in the hospital on my birthday.

So, the bigger, more important news is that we got our gender scan and we are having another BOY!! We are very excited...especially for Carter. He and his little brother will be the best of friends and we cannot wait to see them play together!! Its also somewhat relieving because we saved all of our stuff from when Carter was a newborn/infant, so other than a few odds and ends, there's not much that we will need. 

So...without further adieu, I would like to introduce Jackson Vaughn Butchino!!

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Sunday, April 11, 2010

The End is the Beginning...

After being out of work for 6 months, Steven has finally gotten a new job. It is with a very good company and is an opportunity that most people pray for for years but never get. He starts tomorrow. I know I am supposed to be happy, and I truly am, but I can't even begin to express how much I am going to miss having him here every day. Not only will I miss sleeping in and the constant help around the house, and with Carter, but just him being home. I truly enjoy being with him...even if we do have disagreements and such. What couple doesn't?? 

Before we got married, Steven and I took a class with our pastor. He didn't teach us how to get along every moment of every day, but how to fight fair. I really consider that the most valuable information we have ever gotten. From the outside, it probably looks like we are always in disagreement, but we fight fair and we love each other from the time we wake up until the time we close our eyes every night. I am very proud of the relationship we have and that we have stayed together through the good times and the bad since we were in high school.

The thing I will miss most every day is seeing how Steven and Carter have become best friends. They understand each other in ways that others probably never will. They have become inseparable this past 6 months...they play together, sing together, dance together, eat together, and sleep together. I see so much of Steven in his little boy...and I am so grateful for this time that they have had. I pray that I can fill that space for Carter and that he won't be too disappointed when he wakes up from his nap yelling "Dad!" and sees me come through the door. I hope that I can truly do this by myself...without my other half.
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Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Easter 2010

We had a great Easter. Steven and I woke up about an hour before Carter...that is rare! We were able to shower and get ready for church before he woke up to see what the Easter Bunny had left him. I totally forgot to get pictures of his basket, but I did get video, so I will upload that eventually. Among all of his loot, Carter got a set of golf clubs, so Steven took him out before church to try them out...


After church, we came home and made a wonderful dinner while watching The Passion of the Christ...which is a tradition. After we ate, we rested and Carter napped. Later on, we went to our visit some very close friends and Carter played outside with the other kids. He is growing up so fast...


I hope you all had a wonderful Easter!
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