ten

That is the number of days postpartum I am and the number of millions of things it feels like are going on around here. At this moment Stan has gone to the hospital to help get his mom checked out (more to come on that), Kirby is acting out what he wants to happen and the pool later this afternoon, Bennett is playing in the curtains (he must want a spanking), Judah is napping and Grommy and Poppy are on their way back to Gastonia. Here's a little more detail on everyone...

-Yesterday morning my Mother-in-law woke up and her leg was swollen and splotchy. Since they had just arrived on Monday night from FL and had been out for two days with their group (they are spending their first week working with some folks from our home church in FL and a good friends ministry here and week #2 is just for us) the biggest concern was that she had a DVT. Stan and his dad took her to the hospital to have her checked out. They admitted her so that they could run tests and monitor her closely. All tests came back normal and they are releasing her now. Huge praise!
-Judah is doing well. He's getting on a regular 3 hour schedule, the biggest concern right now is that he's still a sleepy head and sometimes falls asleep before he's finished eating. It's slowly getting better as he is more and more alert. This boy also has amazing neck control.
-Kirby and Bennett are still so in love with Judah. Kirby does this funny thing to love on him. He rubs his chin or cheek on Judah's face. This is because ever since Kirby and Bennett were babies Stan will tickle their faces with his facial hair. Kirby imitates Stan in so many ways so it just makes me laugh that he's doing that, even without having facial hair. Bennett is doing better than I thought but his hugs and kisses are just a little too rough, we're working on it.
-Grommy and Poppy flew out this morning. :( It was so nice to have them here. The boys soaked up every minute. I wish I had had more time with them. Of course the first few days I was so pregnant and miserable there wasn't much fun to be had and then it was hospital and newborn time. PTL parents excuse some grumpiness, I hope at least. I'm praying they will be able to make a trip to China so they can see our home and city...maybe they will win the lottery.
-Stan has been the MVP. This is the first time he's really been around for those postpartum days. Usually it's right back to work but now our job situation is different and allows us to have this time together as a family. So he has been running errands, keeping the boys entertained, he took my parents out a couple of times so they could see more of Bangkok than just the hotel and helping me in so many more ways. Unfortunately for him I don't feel the guilt of waking him in the middle of the night like I did with the other two. That's what you get when you don't have to be at work at 6 am anymore. He obviously can't help me feed Judah but he has helped with a few fussy times. Nice for me, not so much for him.


As far as things go for me, I'm feeling pretty well. I went to the doctor on Wednesday so she could take the plaster off my incision and check out the healing. I told her that I had been itching so much so I was worried there was a problem. Found out that the incision looked great but the itching was from a slight allergic type reaction to the plaster itself. Perfect. She gave me a little cream to put on it and after one day it was so much better. Only she said that bikini style underwear would irritate my incision so I needed to wear briefs (aka: granny panties). Since I don't own any I begged a couple pair off my mom--sorry to talk about your underwear mom--and have to just wash them constantly. I must say the doctor was completely right on that call, it's so much more comfortable. My pain level has been pretty minimal. I found out what I thought was such a great pain pill is really just slightly stronger version of Aleve. So I stopped taking that one every 12 hours and have just gone to taking two Extra Strength Tylonol. No I'm not a crazy person but I know the more pain meds I take the more like Superwoman I will feel and I will definitely over do it. If I take enough not to be miserable I can monitor my activity level much better and, hopefully, heal quicker. I did give in and took the Aleve before bed last night, but let's be real, there's no need not to sleep as comfortable as possible. Oh and speaking of sleep I have been able to sleep on the bed again. That has led to my leg and ankle swelling to go way down and a much better time of rest. I still don't get why I couldn't lay comfortably at first--I'm thinking cause they cheated me on the good pain killers.

I hate that I still look pregnant and that I'm so wiggly and jiggly. I lost 13 of the 35ish lbs gained in one week so hopefully by week 4 when I get checked before we leave I can be pretty close to pre-Judah weight. Wearing maternity clothes for weeks after giving birth is simply torture. I refuse to go anywhere without Judah because if I get asked when I'm due I'm pretty sure I would become violent. The day after Judah was born he was circumcised and here they watch them for 4 hours after the procedure to watch for excessive bleeding. During that time is when we got our daily visit from my parents and the boys. Since Kirby couldn't find baby Judah he looked at my tummy and asked me if they put him back in. Nice. Not to mention that I was about 40 lbs more than I would like to be anyway (moving to the other side of the world led to stress eating--don't judge) so I will be doing what I did after Bennett was born and working my butt off to lose the weight. I tried to convince my OB to do a c-tuck (tummy tuck done during a c-section) but she wasn't supportive. Something about complications could lead to not being able to care for my baby. OK, that might be a valid reason. Anyway, I am totally looking forward to some stress relieving runs at the lake when we get home and an end to my menopause-esque hot flashes. All in all I will enjoy my last few weeks of my time in Bangkok--my wiggly jigglyness will not keep me from getting some good food at Hard Rock and Outback--and look forward to getting home to a new normal for our family and good friends that I miss.

Disclaimer: Being ten days postpartum, I am in no way responsible for rambling and incoherent sentences. Thanks.

dealing and healing

Things are going a lot smoother than I anticipated. This is probably mostly due to the fact that my mom and stepdad are here and Stan's parents will arrive late tonight so there are lots of extra hands to help and extra energy to keep Kirby and Bennett entertained. But Judah is adjusting to life outside the womb well. You can read more about him here. I could definitely use more sleep but I'm feeling so much better than I expected. Since I was pretty much not active in any way since week 24 of my pregnancy I was so worried that my body would just not handle the surgery well at all. I have been pleasantly surprised. I don't know exactly what kind of pain medication I'm on but I do know that it must be pretty strong since I only take it every 12 hours. I only have enough to get me through Wednesday, when I go in to see the Dr., so if she doesn't give me more I may be in for a world of hurt, literally.

It's pretty funny how some things were so very different here than delivering in the States. Mostly little things. Like did you know they still make maxi pads that you wear with a belt? Think: Are You There God? It's Me Margaret. I can now confirm that they do and if you are ever in need of knowing how to use them I can help you out. Let me just say, PTL I came along in the time of self adhesive. Also the doctor gave me a girdle type thing to wear. I laughed at first but can now say that it really makes a huge difference. I have been able to walk around without feeling that my incision would open up and my guts go spilling out...not to be too graphic. Also she used stitches instead of staples to close the incision, so I have a water proof bandage over it that I will have to go in to have removed on Wednesday. At that point she will also check things out to make sure I'm healing well and that the stitches are beginning to desolve. I think all is well cause the incision has started to itch. Also I can cough, laugh and sneeze unaccompanied by a wince of pain. The only bad thing is I can't lie down flat to go to sleep and even laying on my side is uncomfortable. I don't remember this being such an issue after either of the last two c-sections. I've resorted to sleeping semi upright in an arm chair that is in our room. Hopefully for just a night or two more. Baby steps.

I will leave you with picture so you can all admire (and be jealous of) the beautiful flowers my Stan bought me while I was in the hospital. I don't know what I would do without a husband that is also an amazing father. He's the absolute best!

Judah Wallace

We are please to announce the arrival of Judah Wallace Pittman!

Born July 21, 2009 at 7:21 am

9 lbs 2 oz

We are all doing great!

More to come soon!

we made it

The time has finally come. Tonight, just after midnight, we will check into the hospital, get settled to try and rest a few hours and then have Judah at 7 am. I am so thankful we made it full term...Judah will be born at 38 weeks 5 days. At times I didn't think we could possibly make it this far. I was able to check off every item on the list except for the tax receipts, a trip to the Aquarium and there is a little bit of laundry left since it is really a never ending thing. So I'm pretty pleased with how much we got done and I am about as ready as I think I can be. Here is one last big belly shot, as promised.



Yeah, no face cause no make up and I'm just not wanting to remember the fat preggo face, even though sweet Stan told me he thinks I've only gained in my belly and no where else. More to come tomorrow.

38

Today I am 38 weeks and just 5 days away from C-Day! I actually had a pretty decent night's sleep last night and I feel pretty good. I feel like there is a ton to do in the next 5 days. The only good thing about being busy is that it will make these next few days go by quickly. So here is a little run own of things we have planned, things that have to be done and things that would be nice to do before next Monday at midnight--when we check in to the hospital.

-I have an appointment to get my hair trimmed today at 2:00. I've decided to keep it long because right after I had both Kirby and Bennett I got a cute haircut that was super high maintenance and I never had the time or energy to deal with it. This time I decided to stay long (it's the longest it's been since I started college) and then maybe do something different later on, plus Stan likes it long.
-Get our Thai visas extended, our initial 30 days will be up in 9 days and I'm expecting next week to be a little crazy. PTL the hospital will take care of most of the work.
-Have my final appointment pre-delivery Friday morning. Hoping there will be no cause for alarm or need to move up the c-section.
-I have to get receipts together and the amounts sent in for our taxes. One of the great things about living overseas is that taxes are a lot less complicated and we get an automatic extension. The bad thing is the automatic extension makes me lazy. Of course it has been really helpful for us this year.
-My mom and stepdad arrive around midnight on Friday...YAY!
-My mom and I want to go get a pedicure and I would love to include a quiet trip to Starbucks in that somehow.
-Maybe a visit to the Aquarium here in town. I would like to see it but didn't want to do the walking before our back up arrived.
-Take Stan for a date lunch at Outback on Monday to celebrate his birthday since we will be in the hospital on Tuesday, his actual birthday. He's turning 36!
-Have my parents stocked with groceries for at least breakfast, lunch and snacks for the few days we will be in the hospital.
-Have all laundry washed, dried and put away.

OK, That list has gotten a lot longer than I originally thought. I think it can all be done. Oh and in case you were trying to figure out exactly when we would be in the hospital having Judah the c-section is scheduled for 7 am Tuesday the 21st, that will be 8 pm Monday the 20th east coast time. I'm hoping to have at least an update on FB shortly after the surgery (thanks to Stan's new ipod touch) and then a blog by the time everyone wakes up on Tuesday morning. I may not have much time to post over the weekend but I will hopefully have at least one last belly shot before we go in. Have a great weekend...I know I will. :)

prayers for Judah

As we get closer and closer to Judah time I wanted to share the things I've been praying for him (and me) throughout the pregnancy. Obviously there are a few that have already been answered--at the top of that list is getting to Bangkok before going into labor and making it to full term. I praise God for those two things especially. But I wanted to share a few things that I hope you will join me in praying this last week as we wait for him.

-That he will not have to spend any time in the NICU. We are at one of the top hospitals in the world and the NICU here is excellent but I would like for one of my boys to not have to spend anytime there. I have never had the experience of spending my baby's first day with him and I would really like to.
-That the surgery goes smoothly and quickly for both of us. Ditto for recovery.
-Judah will do well with nursing from the very beginning. Both K and B did really well with nursing from the start and I would love to have that same success again.
-That we will have a an easy time transitioning as a family, especially since our first few weeks will be spent here in BKK and not in our home.
-We will be able to get all of the necessary documents for Judah as timely as possible so we can make that transition back home. And of course that once we get there we can get settled into a routine and create a new 'normal' for our family.

I would love for you all to send these up as prayers, good thoughts or whatever for Judah and our family. Thank you!

37 week appointment

I had my 37 week check up this morning. It went really well, I was in and out in about 30 minutes. My blood pressure was back down to normal and my weight even dropped slightly (just over half a pound so not a lot). This time the doctor was concerned that I was losing weight, but we both agreed that I was a lot less swollen this week so that was probably to account for the loss. I'm still not dilated at all so she went ahead and agreed to wait till the 21st for the c-section. I will see her again next Friday for the final time pre-Judah, of course this is all if I don't go into labor on my own. I'm off the medication so contractions could come even more now but I think I will still be taking it pretty easy to hold out as long as possible. Grommy and Poppy (my mom and Larry) will arrive in one week (well really late next Friday night) and I am really excited. I really want to have some time to spend with them before heading to the hospital. My mom and I are planning to get a pedicure and maybe go sit at Starbucks for some girl time. It's been a long year of no mommy/daughter time. Of course once Judah is born they will be here to spoil Kirby and Bennett rotten--and I know they will.

I spent a little time in the pool yesterday, got a little burned but not bad. The doctor said to keep this up--well not the sunburn part--as much as I feel up to because it will give my muscles and joints a chance to move and stretch without the strain of weight from my very large baby belly. I think that is one order from the Dr. I can definitely adhere to. No problem!

No picture again...I promise to at least post one right before I have him. Just not a fan of the camera right now.

no energy

I have nothing profound to write because quite frankly I have no energy. I had intentions to be a little productive while we are here. I brought little preschool learning flash cards to work on with the boys and I brought things to do language study for myself as well. Neither have been touched since unpacking. The cards for the boys aren't such a big deal other than the fact that when they aren't at the pool or out and about they have on Cartoon Network. I now hate Cartoon Network. My mom suggested I just turn it off. That would work to keep them from watching so much TV but it would leave them with very few options for entertainment. We weren't able to bring a ton of toys with us so when they get bored, which happens rather quickly, they start to fight--apparently that's what brothers do--and my nerves just can't take that right now. The bigger issue is that I really need to be studying language. I need to be spending time at least keeping my brain used to hearing and thinking Chinese. Especially since I can already feel the mush brain coming on. The only time I really have enough quiet to do this is when the boys are napping but this is usually the only time I have to nap as well. And right now a nap is quite necessary since I don't sleep very well at night...no matter how tired I am.

So all this to say I have no energy to be productive but I'm kinda ok with that. I've decided that I'm just going to do what I can--even if that means hibernating in the AC for the next two weeks. After Friday I will know if the Dr. is wanting to move up the c-section. We are praying not but are ready to go with the flow.

Maybe something more exciting in the next post.

dear judah

We have made it to July and I'm writing this just days before your scheduled arrival. Even after some scary moments we have made it safely to Thailand before you got too interested in being born. That makes my heart so happy. I've already been experiencing contractions but still holding out hope you will make it till the 21st. I worry that if you come too early we will once again face time with a child in the NICU--my hope is third times the charm. I feel so anxious about these last few weeks. I described myself to your daddy as miserable and grumpy, I'm pretty sure he agrees.

I think a lot about what you will be like. Will you be an easy baby like your big brother Kirby and fall into a schedule the minute you are born or will you take a little longer to adjust to life here like your big brother Bennett. What do you look like? Will I finally get my little son with curls or will your daddy's genes for stick straight hair dominate once again? Will the brown eyes that you are almost sure to get be smooth and dark like daddy's or flecked with green like mine? I will soon know the answers to all these questions. I can't wait to learn your personality like we did with your brothers. I know in my heart you will be your own little man, not quite like them but also not so completely different. I know Kirby already has that deep brotherly love for you, let's hope Bennett figures it out before too many pokes in the eye or pinches on the cheek.

When I think back to April 5, the morning I thought we could lose you, I remember asking the Lord to prepare me to be the mother you need. Even if that meant the mother that would lose you. I gave you over to HIM and I pray even now that I can continue that commitment I made. None of us are our own and none of you boys truly belong to me. I get to have you for just a brief time to care for before you are on your way. You are here to serve God and I hope you feel that importance each day of your life.

Your life will be so different from so many people. Born in a country that is not your home nor your homeland. Where will you fit? You will be a true Third Culture Kid--culturally born an American but growing up in China, you will be of a culture that you and your brothers will understand even though I cannot completely. Your first memories will be of a place that is sometimes still so foreign to me and your daddy. I love this about you already. I hope because of this you will be one that feels at home where ever you are. I hope you know that your home is always with us but most importantly that your home is with God.

We are waiting for you, ever so patiently. Waiting to hold you and look at your little face. I can't wait for you to meet your brothers and grandparents that are making such a long trip to come visit you, some now and the rest hopefully in near months. I never thought I would feel so blessed to be expecting a third son but now I can't imagine it any other way.

With all my love,
Mommy

dr.'s appointment

Here's just a quick update after my 36 week appointment today. Bullet form to make sure I don't miss any information.

-When I first arrived my blood pressure was a little high--still in the normal range but elevated from last week. This was a small concern for Dr. P simply for the fact that I had high blood pressure in my pregnancy with Kirby.
-I gain 3.1 kilos in one week. That is equal to 6.8 pounds. OMG! She said she could tell an obvious increase in swelling in my feet and legs. Plus a big change in diet since being here--increased eating out is a definite increase in sodium intake. This could be the reason for elevated blood pressure. She wants me to cut out as much sodium as possible.
-The contractions I have been having have not started and dilation (finally some good news). She did decide to keep me on the medication for one more week at least to increase my chances of getting to 37 weeks. She felt that being off the medication would most likely lead to stronger contractions, which would lead to full on labor, which would be dangerous for me after two previous c-sections.
-She decided to go ahead and do the ultrasound to check out Judah and see if he was looking ready for delivery. The boy is already being estimated at 8 lbs. 7 oz...at 36 weeks. Everything else checked out well also so she was pretty sure if we had to move the c-section up a week he would be fine.

So all that to say that depending on my blood pressure next week and whether or not I have started to dilate at all there is a possibility she will move the c-section up a week to the 14th. I'm to rest this week, take as much sodium out of my diet as I can and just see what happens. In some ways it would be really nice to no be pregnant anymore and have Judah here sooner but it would also be really nice to wait until the 21st when my mom and Larry are here. I know either way I just have to trust that all will be well. Just pray for us!

36

No picture today. I'm not in a picture place at all. I look at myself and wonder how much bigger can I really get? I may very well explode! I am oh so happy to be here in Thailand but I haven't felt good enough to do much of anything enjoyable. I promised my wonderful husband dinner at Outback to celebrate Father's Day and we haven't done it. I wanted to visit the Mall and shop around a little and we haven't done it. I want to take the boys to the Aquarium and we haven't done it. I need a haircut and I haven't called to make an appointment. I want to get a pedicure and I haven't gone. If Judah makes it to his July 21st c-section date we still have three weeks before baby to do all those things. If not, poor Stan may be waiting to do those things (well not get me a haircut or pedicure) once the grandparents arrive. Here are the latest pregnancy things:

-Tuesday I had contractions most of the day. My contractions feel more like intense menstrual cramps that come and go but they are definitely contractions. We'll find out on Friday at my appointment if this is causing me to start to dilate. For now if I don't have bloody show or my water doesn't break I will assume things are ok (TMI, I know).
-Pelvic pain, more groin pain and hip pain make sleeping very difficult. I may have to start taking short naps around the clock to get any rest. I tried a pillow between my knees last night and it barely made a difference.
-My stomach has been a little iffy since we arrived. I don't know if it's the change in food, anxiety or pregnancy related or the combination of all three. Today is better so let's hope that's over.
-I'm grumpy...can you tell?
-I was really excited about the pool. I had even decided that water walking would be the perfect exercise to get me a little active and build up some strength before the surgery. The pool has a section that is 6 feet deep and one that is 2 feet deep. So much for that idea. I must say though it still felt great to not feel the weight of my big belly.
-Tuesday night after having contractions I decided it was time to wash Judah's clothes. I have packed his bag now too. Hopefully being prepared will ward off early delivery.
-I'm looking forward to 3 weeks after delivery when c-section healing is going pretty well and I'm so in love with my little boy that I don't remember how miserable I am at this moment. I think that's the only reason women ever want to get pregnant more than once...we are allowed to forget how hard the end is.
-PTL a true end is in sight.

*ETA: After I pre-wrote this on Wednesday, in the morning when I could no longer sleep, I took a little mid-morning snooze and woke up feeling a)hungry and desperate for lunch and b) antsy and ready to get of our place and do something. We decided after the boys nap to head to the mall to shop a little and eat an early dinner at Outback. This made Stan very happy. :)

one year

Today marks one year since we arrived to our new home. July 1, 2008 will forever be a day where our lives changed more than we could have ever expected. I don't think all of the preparation in the world would have fully prepared us for this life. We were pretty much ready to be turned upside down but didn't truly know what was in store (well Stan had a little more idea than I did since he had done it before). I am so thankful for every minute of this past year.

When I said goodbye to my Granny she told me I have always been like a rock and that's how she knew I would be ok. That has stuck with me for the past year. Maybe because I know both she and I wonder if that was our last face to face conversation or maybe because through her telling me that I realized that I am that way because of her. It is a trait passed down from her, through my mom and to me. I also remember very clearly her telling me once while she was in the hospital 'I might as well laugh because there is no point in crying!' I have seen her cry, but never for herself.

Although I have shed a few tears over the past year I can count the times on one hand. I always remembered what she said. I knew she meant that it's not a bad thing to cry, just make sure if you do make it a good one! Tears of frustration came once so forcefully that in the end I did laugh at myself. Not because I didn't have every right be frustrated but because I had allowed 6 months of frustration to build up before releasing it--let me tell you, that was a good one. Only someone who has lived in a cross culture situation can completely understand those feelings. The frustrations that come from not being able to communicate something as simple as how much broccoli you need or from telling a taxi driver your address 5 times, being oh so careful with pronunciation and then finally just saying 'I will direct you'. There are many areas of China where most people speak at least some English and I don't live in one of them.

After saying all that I have to say that I wouldn't trade any of those moments, not one. They are a part of my story. Part of the lessons God needed to teach me. I said in a previous post that I love where I am in life and that is 100% true. A year ago I couldn't possibly know the joy I would feel being exactly where God wants me. I know at any moment HE could change that and we could be somewhere different entirely, but for now when I look ahead 10 years I see myself doing the same thing...just maybe not pregnant. :)

I'm excited about the doors that are opening for us with work. Did I think it would take a year for things to really start happening, not really. Do I think we needed to learn some things before they did, definitely. As weird as it sounds I am so glad to call a country that is foreign to me my home. I see people who have lived there for 10 or more years and they still have what we affectionately call 'China days'. I hope I never forget to learn from those frustratingly wonderful days.