Xian's Birth Day

Christian Paul Johnson was born at St. Paul's hospital on November 22, 2012 at 1:36 pm. 

I am super happy that the stars are shining at St. Paul's  - I still have a thing for stars. 

We walked to St. Paul's and arrived at 11am. Our c-section appointment had been bumped from the afternoon appointment to on-call. Which means I could go anytime during the afternoon or night, most likely somewhere around 3am. We complained about what a drag the wait was going to be. 

Jonny looks super enthusiastic.

Easy to say - hard to do: Sign inside St. Paul's notoriously slow and old elevator .  

The maternity ward lounge. 

Maternity ward hallway. 

Room 19 - our room. 

Testing out the bed. 

View from the window. 

We can see the park we walk through when we walk down to The Grove for breakfast. 

Playing games - me in the window. 

Closer

Even closer

Here I am! 

Jonny went outside to take pictures. 

Our room # 

Jonny was trying to order cable in the room - the only channel we had was the breast feeding channel. 

What? GO NOW?!! But, I just got here. 

Time to quit playing around taking pictures out the window. Jonny - get back in here they are going to take me right now! Jonny made it back up just in time. I was taken past the nurses station. My nurse didn't even know I was going. She made me drink a terrible drink that was supposed to keep my stomach from feeling nauseas and then I was wheeled out of there. I didn't have an IV in yet, so that was my next destination.

I told the male nurse about my last experience with an IV - when I got my ankle done. I hadn't told them that day that they had it in and it was hurting. I just put up with it. When they took it out it was a huge bruise. This time, I planned to have it put in better by speaking up. I must have scared the old guy cause he used a local anaesthetic so he could jab around at my hand veins without me feeling it. Granted my veins are skinny and my hands were a bit swollen making it a difficult task for him. He finally got it going on the third attempt when his buddy came over and tripped over the IV line almost pulling it out of my hand. Geez guys!

Jonny is all suited up and feeling nervous. 

Jonny was taken away from me to go get changed into scrubs.

But still confident and cute! 

When they escorted Jonathon into the OR he came and sat super close to my face and he didn't stop talking. He was such a good distraction from what was happening down below. He couldn't have done a better job. He is the perfect husband and daddy.

The hardest part was when the Dr. Spehar was pushing down on my belly to the point where it was making it hard to breathe. This lasted a few minutes and from what I understand was how they got Christian out. At 1:36 I heard Christian's first cries.

1:36 - Christian Paul Johnson is born.

Christian's first photo. Notice the nurse in the background?  There is  more of story about her below. 

Bracelet for Christian

They gave Christian to me right away. I was able to stare at him and forget that on the other side of the blue cloth I was being sewed up. When I first heard him cry I cried and laughed. What, I am crying now just thinking of that moment. I could never imagined the amount of feelings you have at that very moment had I never been in the moment. I knew I would have feelings - they were just so much more than I had ever experienced before. This is the best thing that Jonny and I have ever done. 

Christian covered in slime, towels, and a little purple toque. 

Jonny captured some of my feelings in this shot. Look at Christian - he is having some major feelings too. 

Christian and I looking at each other. 

Soon after I was pushed into room 2 - the recovery room. (Room 2 comes up again in our stories) I was not feeling good in this room. Everything was a bit foggy, tired, and pukey. I know I had Christian in my arms a lot of the time. The nurse was trying to make him breast feed by grabbing my nipple and jabbing it in his mouth. Two times I had to have Jonny take Christian and grab me something to puke in. What an awful feeling it was having all of those chemicals in my body. They were trying to escape any way they could.

A healthy boy at 4008 grams which is 8.83 pounds. 

Jonny goes outside to meet my parents. 

Here are some pictures of Christian: 

Now some shots with family and friends: 

Our happy little family

Grandma Arlene. Look at Christian's ear popping out of his toque like an elf. 

Grandma ilo

Grandpa

Daddy

Auntie Pam

Auntie Pam and Uncle Pat

Uncle Sam 

Cousins Belle and Laya

Nurse's notes 

Chill time with Daddy - sleepy Daddy. 

Auntie Mel

Auntie Em

Auntie Carrie

I finally got Christian to BF.

I had been trying and trying with little success to get Christian to breast feed. I had no idea what I was doing. I should have read more about it before I went in. I should have watched that stupid breast feeding channel on the TV. I needed more help from the nurses but I didn't know to ask. Finally, I got him latched on and he fed for 45 minutes. Jonny had gone to get food. When he came back Christian was so hungry he was still feeding and I was so exhausted I was sleeping. Jonathon didn't know what to do - take the baby off so I could sleep or wake me up so I could finish nursing safely.

First bath - we are being taught by our favourite UBC Nurse. 

Nurses come and go as the shifts change at St. Paul's. So, we had different nurses all the time. There was one nurse that had been with us through it all and she was from UBC and doing her practicum. She was there when I came in the day before to give blood and do fetal monitoring. We got to know each other then. When we returned the next day she was the first one we saw and we said we would see her in there. Ours was the first healthy c section that she got to watch. Whereas the other nurses and doctors have seen it all before it was a first for her and a first for us. It is an experience none of us will forget. Because of this she developed a special relationship with Christian and came back to visit and say good-bye to us on her last day. Thanks for helping us with Christian and teaching us how to bathe him. 

UBC Nurse doing her practicum (Jessica?) 

Christian saying hi to his favourite nurse. 

Leaving St. Paul's 

Car seat time! Let's get out of here!! 

Drive home - five blocks. Thanks mom and dad. 

Dad peeping through the rear view. 

Karate Kick! 

Auntie Heidi

We finally got dad to hold the baby! Grandpa!! 

I still haven't had a beer since March. It looks good my boys.

Home with mommy.. but Christian is unusually sleepy... 

On Sunday we got a call from the community nurse. She talked to both Jonny and I and tried to help us over the phone with our breast feeding issue. She called again Monday and arranged for a visit. She should have come Sunday - we should have stayed in the hospital one more day. 

We got home on Saturday, tired and exhausted, and not knowing the routine we know now. Four hours later my breasts became huge and sore. I of course cried in confusion and pain. What is going on? How come no one told me about this? What do we do? We hit the internet and pulled out the breast pump. I didn't think I would need this thing until I started bottle feeding. We got some milk out and since we weren't supposed to be using bottles yet, we dumped that milk down the sink! Even though our instincts were telling us to feed it to our child. The breast feeding natzis discouraged bottle feeding until healthy breast feeding has been established. Same goes for soothers. 

When the community nurse arrived on Monday and saw my breasts and Christian she sent us straight to Children's hospital. Christian wasn't able to get any milk out of my rock hard jugs and was turning yellow. 

When we got to Children's they gave him a bottle of formula right away. I started pumping golden breast milk and alternately using hot compresses (face cloths soaked in hot water) to massage the rock hardness out of my breasts. I pumped for about two hours and was still rock hard. We gave Christian a bottle of breast milk. He got pricked on his heal multiple times. His blood sugar was low so they gave him a soother with sugar on it. YES, that is right- within the first hour of being at the hospital Christian used a bottle, a soother, and FORMULA. Jonathon and I were both angry that we hadn't listened to our own instincts and embarrassed that we had been led astray by the breast feeding Natzis thinking that other people knew better about baby things. In reality, it is our baby and there are many ways you can do things and you have to do what is right for you and your family. What is right for us is making sure Christian is getting food!! 

We were sent from Children's hospital back to St. Paul's room 2 - my recovery room. This is where we spent the night. (We should have just stayed Saturday night!! Because this time - neither Jonny or I got fed!) Jonny left to get us some nourishment and the nurse that had been with me during fetal monitoring on November 6th was the nurse helping us. She tried to get me breast feeding again. I learned the cobra bite, and like a sandwich tricks. I continued to pump here. The nurse, Christine, made a plan for us to practice feeding every three hours. The second feeding we tried breast feeding and then Jonathon used the bottle. That was the last time we breast fed. We decided we wanted to use the bottle exclusively. We want to know how many millilitres Christian is consuming. There is no way to tell if he is getting enough with a boob. Christian would eat just a little and then fall back to sleep. We had to use a cold cloth to wake him up so he would keep eating. 

Christian had a lot more heal pricking and tests and by the 10:30 am he had gained enough weight and had the all clear to go home. This time we went home with a plan and more confidence. We were angry that we were neglected the first time we were at St. Paul's and that we were allowed to go home so early. They should have checked that Christian was breast feeding properly. I should have known more about breast feeding. I guess I only thought up until the delivery. I thought I would be taught how to breast feed in the hospital. Anywho, we have our plan and it is working well for us. We know that Christian is getting enough food and Jonathon gets a chance to feed and bond with him as well. Pumping every three hours is a drag - but as long as it is working and our boy is healthy and happy. 

The recovery room - then the fix the jaundice room. 

These are the doors I came through when Christian was first born,

One more night at St. Paul's. Jonny - there is your charger in the wall - don't forget it!! 

Our new feeding and medicine plan - and baby weight coming in and leaving. 

Christian sleeping - He had the best bed. 

This time we walked home. On the way to St. Paul's we walked under this construction area and we were almost hit by a lamp post being knocked by a truck. The lamp post is no longer there. We decided to take the other side of the road this time. 

Christmas tree is all set up at home. 

Christian's new cradle - home sweet home! 

Jonny's feet... and Christian. 

St. Paul's Pre-Op Appointment

Christian's room :-) 

We just woke up from a nap. What an exhausting morning. We arrived at St. Paul's just after 8am. I found out as soon as I got there that my appointment had been bumped. Someone had to have an emergency c-section so I got bumped in the schedule. That means I don't know what time my appointment is tomorrow. I still can't eat or drink past 7am but I go to St. Paul's at 11am and they put in an IV and I wait until there is time for me. It could be in the afternoon or it could be in the night! I just have to wait around until there is time for me. So, for those of you who are planning on coming tomorrow, Jonny will give you a call when I go in. It will take about an hour to get me ready - so that gives you plenty of time to come from the hotel or home.

After we found out about that change I answered a bunch of questions, peed in a cup, and was hooked up to the fetal monitor. It was the same bed I was in last time I was there. They took my blood and I answered more questions. I got to press a button every time I felt him move. The nurse that was taking care of me was really good. I forget her name. It starts with an R... nope... can't remember. She has been working there for sixteen years - so she's seen it all. There was also a nursing student from UBC there - I can't remember her name either but she was very nice and took my blood pressure and temperature, which were both normal.

Pre- hair cut. 

They wanted to have a look at the baby so they got me in for an ultra sound at 12:45. By now it was 9:45 so we decided to continue on our mission to get my hair trimmed and grab a sandwich at The Grove. We walked down Robson to Denman and it wasn't raining. It was a perfect day for a nice walk.  We went to our little hair place and they said they could do my hair in twenty minutes. Perfect. We went to The Grove and had a sandwich. I got my hair trimmed and then we got in a cab and got a ride back up the hill to St. Paul's.

Tiger book in the ultra sound waiting area. 

We got the ultra sound done and Christian looks really cute! We got the paperwork and brought it back to the maternity ward where we were told that he is a perfect, healthy boy. Go home and come back if there are any labour signs - which they went through - and if there aren't any - we will see you tomorrow at 11am. We left there happily around 2:30. We got home and climbed into bed and had a nap.

Fat fingies! 

Oh - one thing I forget to write about are my fingers. For the last couple of weeks I have had sore knuckles at night and in the morning. Last night they were so sore I decided it was time to take off my ring. I am glad that I did because they were sore and fat all day today. I don't think I would have gotten that ring off - I wouldn't want to have it cut off. Anywho - no biggie. I have had a good run at this pregnancy so I am not too worried about my sausage fingers.

OH - and I was trying to avoid getting a nursing bra but the nurse said it is the best thing as I am going to get so big the bra top will be too restrictive and uncomfortable. Then she laughed evilly. She is funny.

Tenth Appointment with Dr. Spehar: 38 Weeks, Day 2

The stars were lit at St. Paul's

Yesterday I had my tenth and last appointment before the c-section. The next time I see Dr. Spehar will be at St. Paul's. Wow. I can't believe it is almost finally time. Seven more days.

Jonny and I were starving before we left for the appointment. We haven't been grocery shopping because we were waiting for our new fridge. So, we hit the Tim Hortin's on our way. I had a bagel and hot choco and Jonny had coffee and a mini-sangy that he said was pretty good.

While we were waiting in Dr. Spehar's office Jonny made me do the trumpet part of this song:

Dr. Spehar came in and it was a normal appointment. She joked around when she took the heart beat saying it was twins - not a funny joke! She did say it is going to be a healthy sized baby though - all baby and not a lot of fluid. My belly has grown from 39cm. to 43cm in one week. She said, "I bet you are really glad you are getting the c-sction now!" She was in a playful mood. I liked it. She also commented on not having any stretch marks - lucky me! Thanks to mom and dad for the good genetics. No stretch marks but heck - I think I have grown a new gum tooth and ten million new moles. So - hey - you win some you lose some.

We headed back home where mom and dad had been cleaning and fixing things up. They also were there for the stroller delivery. I am still convinced I am going to be a baby back packer.

Our home is feeling more like a home now. I loved having Ian stay with me for four and a half years but I do appreciate having a home back. It is nice to be in the living room and use appliances whenever we want. Although the baby room is pretty daunting with all the baby stuff in it. It is like walking into... a baby room!

 So, let's get out of the house and go EAT! We found a nice table at The Keg. Jonny had his delicious Chicago baseball steak and was happy. Meat erased the reality of the baby room for a brief moment.

Sam sent me a picture last night: 

And I sent him one of Christian and I back: 

Last Sunday I was able to get some of my girls together and my mom and we went for a pedicure and lunch. Thanks for the special day. The massage chair was put to good use on my wings. It was great to catch up with everyone before ... Christian arrives!!! 

 And since Jonny wasn't home after toes - I got to make my own dinner! YUM! This is a decadent treat that my friend Wilson and I used to make after ... um... skateboarding! 

Eggo ice-cream sangy

My Students threw me a PARTY!

THANK-YOU!!! 

Ninth Appointment with Dr. Spehar and a visit to St. Paul's Maternity Ward

Well, today's blog won't be boring! Today was an interesting day. First off, Belle got her braces off. YAY! That is super exciting and slimy feeling if I remember correctly. Secondly, I got to have lunch with my cousins and celebrate Pitman's clean bill of cancer freeness. What awesome news!  Now we just need mom and Arlene to join the cancer free crew. 

Belle with no braces! 

 I had a doctor's appointment at 2:45. I was thinking that it would be a quick one because I had a long one last time and I was just here. I thought the blog would be boring. I thought I would write about how I really enjoyed the new Sony EReader App that I was reading my books on on my phone. That was going to be the highlight of my blog. But not so! 

When Dr. Spehar was listening to Christian's heart beat she heard a dip at first and then it levelled out. To be on the safe side, and not to worry, she sent me over to St. Paul's so they could take a longer look at the heart beat. She said it is probably nothing but better to be safe. 

So, me, trying not to worry, walked across the street to St. Paul's. I had a lot of helpful people point me in the right direction to the maternity ward. It is a little tricky to find and you have to get buzzed in by the nurses. I registered and peed and was sent to the lounge. It was scary because it made it all real. I saw a pregnant lady on a gurney being pushed somewhere as she held her belly. UGH!! I wish Jonny was here. SCARY! 

A nice lady, (Christine?), came and got me and asked me if I had to pee. I said I had already gone. She said to make myself comfortable and she would come back and hook me up. I started to do just that when I thought I better pee again. Just in case. I am glad I did. I ran and peed and was back and comfortable before she was back. She strapped a couple of monitors to my belly, adjusted my pillow, and I got to lay there and listen to Christian's heart beat. She said she would be back in ten minutes and gave me the nurse buzzer if I needed anything. (Too real!) 

Heart monitors on my belly. 

My busy belly to my toes. 

I tried to get a different angle. Funny! 

The print out that says the baby is HEALTHY! 

 She came back with a clipboard and asked questions and checked the print out. She said the baby looks just fine. She pointed out contractions on the print out and asked if I felt them. I said nope. I thought that was just the baby moving. She said he was and there is some tightening of the abdomen. I am glad I don't feel that. I am going to keep on not feeling that! She took my temperature and my blood pressure. She said my blood pressure was high. Of course it is!! I am in the hospital! She said she would take it again later after I had relaxed. (Like that is going to happen!!) She was really nice though. I liked her.

She left and another nice lady came in and she asked questions and felt the baby and made him move. She also said everything looked normal and asked about the contractions that I could not feel. She told me that they were just waiting for the doctor to come and check on me. She was just busy in the OR right now. She asked if I needed anything and left me alone to lay and listen to Christian's heart beat.

It was cool to feel and see my belly moving and hear how his heart beat would change as he moved. I wish I could hear his heart beat all the time. It was relaxing - just not enough to calm my blood pressure I guess. I laid and listened and texted Jonny, my parents, and Carrie. Dad sent a picture of the cradle. He is almost done.

Dad's cradle work

 I was hoping Jonny would make it to the hospital after work.... he made it. He made it just in time to hear the heart beat and get the good news from the doctor that our baby is just fine. She said that it is a good heart beat reading and sometimes there can be a dip in the doctor's office because you are laying down flat or because the baby is moving. Our baby is nice and healthy and there is nothing to worry about. She then proceeded to ask about the contractions that I don't feel. Geez!  No worries... I don't feel them. She joked she didn't want to see me back here in a half hour. hahaha... super funny!

Jonny take a picture on his way in and caught a lazor! 

 I was unhooked and ready to PEE and eat!! I was starving and although I was offered a hospital meal I was happy to go to The Banana Leaf with Jonny. We won't be back there. I hate paying Canadian prices for Bali type food. (Malaysian) It just seems wrong - but it tasted great. And that was my exciting adventure to the doctor. I have a feeling it is only going to get more and more exciting from here on in. I can't wait to meet my little guy. Feelings!! 

Lettuce wraps... you wrap! 

Spicy face

Happy, healthy baby.. full! Mohawk head. 

Eighth Appointment with Dr. Spehar: 36 Weeks, Day 3

I arrived for my 2pm appointment at 1:59. I walked slow because I had to pee. I reached in the basket for the bathroom key and found... Jonny's keys! The receptionist said that she had just noticed them that day and was going to ask the office next door if they were theirs. Lucky they were still there today.

I waited in the waiting area till around 2:30. I wasn't really paying attention to the time. I got called into be weighed and the receptionist told me that St. Paul's had called today and changed my c-section to November 22nd in the afternoon. Ok, that sounds good to me. I am excited to meet this little guy and one day sooner is good for me!

Dr. Spehar asked if there were any problems and I told her about the discharge that was pink sometimes and she decided to have a look down there. She took some swabs and poked around. She said there was a polyp that she would watch but that is nothing to worry about. (I have had one of those before when I was living in England.) She said that my cervix is getting shorter and that is normal. Anywho, she did the rest of the normal stuff and everything is all good. I will see her again on Tuesday.