The Birth of Wu, Baby Boy A (Lucas Chow)

Character Wu, Baby Boy A...(Real identity/name to be declared later.)
Weight: 3185 g, Height: 19.5 in. Head: 13.5 in.

1/27 3:15 am~ pinkish water rupture continuously
        4:30 am~ contraction on and off every 5-10 mins
        Talked to Dr. On call
        Waited till 8 am, Called and visited Dr. Koala at Seattle OB/GYN
        Had a big Jalapeno cheese bagel and two mugs of warm soy milk before leaving home
        9:20 am Dr Koala verified the water was broken (blue test strip showed) and about 3 cm-open cervix, 80% thin out, baby's head is super low.
        Sent to Triage directly--> Monitored baby's heartbeat and contraction (Carol)
        Sent to Birthing Suite (the beginning of long wait)
        Labor nurse (Rebekah) , MD (Diana Koala / Carrie Martin), Nurse (Rachel)
        Kept wireless monitors on
        Had lunch (Turkey chef salad, open-faced turkey sandwich, seasonal fruits, iced tea)
        The contraction was not frequent enough (every 4-10 mins), Dr Koala started me on oxytocin with IV.
        5:45 am Dr. Koala checked in with me, the dilation was 5 cm, 100% thin out.
        6-7 pm Finally decided to start Epidural performed by Jennifer (She is great with lots of experience. only took 10-15 mins.) when the contraction occurred every 3-4 mins, and so far all the pain was quite bearable (duration 30-60 sec).
        8:45 pm Rebekah did the exam again. 10-cm dilation and see baby's head
        9:00 pm Started pushing during contraction (Take a deep breath, hold the breath and push real hard...repeat three times during one contraction.)
        10:05 pm Yeah. Baby Boy A, Wu was crying right out of mommy's body. Welcome to the real world.
        10:10 pm~1:10 am Finished skin contact with mommy, tried breast-fed, checked-up and took a nap in daddy's arm. Cord blood donation done.  

1/28 1:15 am- 2:30 am Transferred to postpartum room with daddy and mommy and got breast-fed again before some sleep. (Finally!!)
        5:00 am Breast-feeding.
        8:50 am Laura took grandpa and grandma to visit and stay till 6:30 pm.
        Busy day for Baby Boy A, Wu. Got hearing test (Passed), pediatrician check-up, blood drawn for Jaundice and PKU tests. First bath in the afternoon, first pee/diaper change, first poop and diaper change at 7pm (super sticky). Breast-fed every 3-4 hrs, duration 20-30 min, always fall asleep in between. Nurse Ana-Lisa is really nice and help me to get whatever we need for a comfortable night.
It is today that Geoffrey got the name of Lucas for Baby Boy A Wu. He thinks our boy doesn't look like an Ian or Ethan (he proposed earlier).
     
1/29 The pediatrician stopped by again and informed that we can  be discharged today. Nurse Habi helped a lot to help us getting things ready. Around 1ish in the afternoon, Geoffrey took us home and a new journey began.

1/30 I was being fed. Baby Lucas was being fed and slept well. Everything looks good so far until..........

1/31 Ran for first check-up with Lucas's pediatrician at Sandpoint clinic in the morning. Glad that Geoffrey decided to get in late and take us to the appointment first. The assistant first asked to undress Lucas and get his weight by scale. He was so mad!!! So he pooped right there. Got him changed. Being undressed and lay in the cool scale. Lucas weighed 6 lb 7 oz now. You can't blame a baby for being unhappy with that. Finally the doctor arrived to run routine check-up and told us her concern. She suggested she can't see the baby's eyes clearly and worry about the speck. So Lucas would be sent to see an eye doctor for further examination. She also mentioned maybe it's more of her problem that she can't see his eyes because Lucas did not want to keep his eyes wide open. Secondly, she worried about the yellowing of his skin. Could be Jaundice problem. That's one of my concern before he was born. I heard about the issue and complication before. Therefore, Lucas needed another poke (blood drawn for test) at Children's hospital. In the meantime, I am not doing a good job at protecting my nipple during breastfeeding and it got hurt. A lactation consultant came to help and show me the tips to successful breastfeeding and I was prescribed some compounded ointment for cure.
Things went awfully awry after the clinic visit. The only good thing was that he seemed ok and willing to stay in his car seat when traveling by car.
First, we went to the eye doctor at Wallingford. You bet Baby Lucas was totally pissed when the second attempt to keep his eyes open with external force and metal instruments. Turned out everything about his eyes looked normal to the eye doctor.
Right after that, we rushed to the Children's hospital at Sandpoint way, a place much crowded with lots of patients. Finally checked in and registered (first-timer). Got Lucas's blood drawn by a tall black man who was also friendly to greet us. Then, we were back to the pharmacy next to the Sandpoint pediatric and pick up the nipple ointment. Another wait before we can head back home. Poor dad Geoffrey had a tough day and the night did not go easy on him as well.
Back home, I was contacted by the Infant home phototherapy to set up schedule and their nurse Karen who later came by and set up a little UV-irradiated bed for Lucas. Started to have him stay on the bed except when he was fed or nursed. Karen also gave me a box of 6 bottles of newborn formula. Little Lucas is being very brave and trying to be as cooperative as possible. But  since he was mistreated from head to toe (including delicate eyes) today. He needed more comfort from adults. The only language he learned to use now is crying and frowning like an old man.
Later this evening, my mom who can't speak English flied to Seattle alone in the hope of meeting her lovely grandson and also brought me a lot of stuff (Yay~ snacks) and comfort from home. Thanks to my exhausting husband (due to the day event) and mom-in-law who went to pick up my mom from the airport since I was advised not to leave home unless urgently needed.
This was one night that I had to get up and give him pampering more frequently, thus disturbing the dad a lot more. A real sleepless night in Seattle. But next morning, poor dad still needs to get in to work (no paternity leave) for a long day.
My in-laws have always been real generous helpers since day one after they arrived in Seattle on Jan 24. They were worried about me the day they learned that I was pregnant and planning to help us getting ready to welcome Lucas into our life. Ever since my in-laws were here, I did not have to cook and do housework. All I need to do is to make sure I was being well-fed before delivery. They kept me accompany while waiting in the birthing suite and rushed to hospital the morning Lucas was sleeping next to me. Today, they went all the way with us through all clinical visits and was deeply worried about baby's condition.

In the evening, I made first attempt to express milk with Avent manual breast pump. Seems quite fun and I got at least 1 oz of breast milk in the storage bottle.

2/1 Nurse Sue came by in the morning and checked Lucas's weight (6 lb 12oz). Another poke is inevitable to check his billirubin level. Newborns with Jaundice problem need to be fed more and make sure they pee and poop often. It helps babies to gain weight. Sue is also a lactation consultant. She also helps me with breastfeeding. A couple of hours later, Sue called to notify the billirubin level was decreased from 18.2 to 17 so far.

2/2 Nurse Karen came by in the morning and checked Lucas's weight (6 lb 14.5oz). Again, gave Lucas another poke to check his billirubin level. A couple of hours later, Karen called to notify the billirubin level was reduced to 15.6 today.

2/3 Nurse Diane came by in the morning and checked Lucas's weight (7 lb 2 oz). Again, gave Lucas another poke to check his billirubin level. A couple of hours later, Diane called to notify the billirubin level was reduced to 13.1 today. Later, the Doc decided to have Lucas off the photobed and Diane took the bed at 8pm. Thanks to hard-working nurses who carefully deal with our questions and doubts.

2/4 Nurse Sue came in again in the morning to give Lucas one last poke. This was to make sure that Lucas was doing just fine without the photobed. Then, we can call it an end to the phototherapy. No more photobed.

We are grateful that our baby Lucas can overcome Jaundice.


ps. 在住院休息時開始寫這一篇, 一直到黃疸的問題解決後, 每天過著跟寶寶屎尿奮戰還有小胸擠奶的渾渾噩噩生活, 終於在某人午睡的片刻完成這篇紀錄.

每日亂亂吃 1/23-1/29

1/23 B: 石榴優格+berries, 芝麻餐包*2 / L: 核桃生菜沙拉, Jalapeno cheese bagel / S: 小橘子*3 / D: 高麗菜飯兩碗公, 小黃瓜炒磨菇

1/24 B: 百香果優格, 黑糖發粿 / L: 高麗菜飯, 小橘子 / D: @Hae-nam, 白飯, 白菜牛肉湯, 牛骨湯, 9樣小菜, 烤牛肉

1/25 B: 石榴優格, 肉鬆蛋土司, 柳丁汁, 香蕉 / L: 高麗菜飯, blackberry, raspberry, 紅葡萄, 紅豆年糕 / S: Turkey provolone sandwich, 焦糖奶酥餅乾 / D: 白飯, XO醬豆腐, 炒油菜, 京醬肉絲, 水梨, 小橘子*2

1/26 B: 櫻桃優格, blackberry, raspberry / L:  Turkey provolone sandwich, 黑糖發粿, 黑棗汁 / D: 蒜爆蝦,  小黃瓜炒磨菇牛肉, 番茄炒花椰菜

有位孕婦很誇張

話說某日某位吳姓孕婦想說要試試看很久沒戴耳環的耳洞乾不乾淨
就去找舊耳針要穿洞 想說順便看ㄧ下很久沒帶的婚戒
耳洞好像真的合起來穿不過去了 (覺得很神奇   因為是第一次發生)
結果一早就大驚 不是因為耳洞合起來 而是找不到婚戒
剛結婚頭幾年 這位太太就連去實驗室工作或是洗澡都戴著戒指 (因為很懶得拿起來 而且這樣戒指ㄧ定不會搞失蹤)
後來他先生說這樣表面磨得很花   所以乾脆就收起來放在抽屜
有想到或是有需要才拿起來戴ㄧ下~~
結果爬來爬去的找   怎麼找家裡就只見對戒中的ㄧ只   結果某孕婦很擔心實話實說會被先生念ㄧ頓 (好歹金價這幾年也漲了不少~~就算要再買ㄧ只一模一樣的大概要花至少1.5倍以上的價錢耶)
可是還是頂著風險    硬著頭皮問先生有沒有印象 他說那種東西沒有人會拿 (這也對阿 同ㄧ個抽屜中放其他的戒指項鍊們也明明都還在)
最後還一早打電話吵醒在台灣的婆婆問說家裡有沒有多ㄧ只戒指
因為隱約記得上次回家有把兩只戒指都戴回去
ㄧ問之下 台灣家裡也有ㄧ只戒指咧
好奇怪~~某位孕婦真的很誇張  距離上次人在台灣已經快三個月才發現戒指不知在哪裡
而且還ㄧ直以為就在自己家的抽屜裡面
果然孕婦的記憶力退化的很厲害~~~ (這一切都是藉口!! 應該是本來記憶力就很差!!)

結論是: 婚戒還是每天戴著好, 絕對不會自己搞失蹤吧!!

每日亂亂吃 1/16-1/22

1/16 B: 甜甜圈, 奶油吐司, 紅茶 / L: 烤牛肉三明治, 綜合果汁 / S: Sun Chips, 小橘子*2 / D: 牛肉咖哩飯, 玉米烘蛋, 水梨 / S: 黑糖芝麻沙其瑪, 杏仁漿

1/17 B: 櫻桃優格, 草莓餐包*2 / L: 蛋炒飯, 越式蝦包, 綜合果汁, 小橘子*2 / D: @Hae-Nam, 白飯, 9樣小菜, 韓式魷魚五花肉, 蔬菜牛肉醬湯 / S: 水梨, 熱可可

1/18 B: 葡萄乾燕麥粥, 蘋果 / L: Jalapeno cheese bagel, Doritos, 小橘子*3 / D: 白飯, 越式蝦包, 牛肉壽喜燒, 綜合果汁, 水梨

1/19 B: 葡萄乾燕麥粥 / L: 什錦烏龍麵 / S: Morning glory muffin / D: 咖哩牛肉飯, 米奇雞塊, 小橘子*3

1/20 B: 肉鬆餐包*2, 綜合杏仁漿 / L: 海鮮濃湯, 酸麵包, oyster cracker, 蜂蜜奶茶 / D: 蒜香雞翅*2, 鴨腿麵 / S: 熱可可

1/21 B: 肉鬆餐包*2, 鳳梨優格, 蘋果 / S: 葡萄ㄧ碗, 小橘子*3, sun chips&Doritos兩碗, 奶油餅乾*4 / D: @Spinasse, Two kinds of handmade pasta, Rabbit meatball, Three kinds of dessert, lots of tasty bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar

1/22 B: 百香果優格, 烤紅豆年糕(from Jean), 紅葡萄兩碗, 小橘子 / S: cheeseburger, 豆奶 / D: 里肌三明治, 番茄炒花椰菜, blackberry&raspberry, 紅葡萄 / S: 熱可可, 黑糖芝麻沙其瑪

第十次產檢 [36 wk]

1/13看到電視廣告才知道 又剛好昰黑色星期五
總之我還是搭便車去市區產檢
因為剛好到了36週 除了一般的體重血壓肚圍檢測跟聽阿熊心跳
醫生安排作ㄧ下GBS檢查 (B型(乙型)鏈球菌篩檢) <---這個很快 醫生用醫療用棉花棒採樣ㄧ下子就好了
ㄧ星期後會知道結果
然後順便作內診 看ㄧ下子宮頸開口的寬度 <--不知道是我當天比較敏感還是怎樣 (明明平常就神經還蠻大條的~~)
覺得當醫生手指頭放進去要伸到子宮頸處檢查時覺得還蠻痛的 (記得第一次產檢時也有內診, 就一點不舒服的感覺也沒有; 不過當時是另外ㄧ位醫護人員作的內診, 所以也許是因人而異或是我的身體反應改變了)
不過醫生說 ㄧ切都正常 而且肚子也按正常標準長大 我就安心了
穿好褲子後準備離開 走起路來還是覺得被內診的地方有點不舒服
就想說還是買午餐回家吃  今天就不去逛街了  幸好前兩天出大太陽我有出門散步!!
還好吃過午餐的烤牛肉三明治  下午就感覺好多了
從下次開始就每星期要去醫生那裡報到 作產檢 (太好了我已經想好午餐的選項~~)

ps. 我真的很愛吃三明治阿!! (<----完全與主題無關)

每日亂亂吃 1/9-1/15

1/9 B: 芝麻燕麥粥 / L: 牛肉炒飯, 燙青菜, 清雞湯 / S: 藍莓馬芬 / D: 白飯, 煎甜不辣, 炒豆芽, 香蔥胡蘿蔔煎蛋, 蘿蔔貢丸湯, 小橘子*2, 綠葡萄 / S: 芝麻黑糖沙琪瑪

1/10 B: 櫻桃優格, 餐包*2, blackberryㄧ碗 / L: 雞汁拌麵, 蘿蔔湯, 小橘子*2 / S: Sun Chips (Garden salsa)兩碗, 蜂蜜檸檬汁 / D: 豆皮壽司, 家常豆腐, 蠔油芥藍, 照燒丸子, 玉米濃湯, 水梨

1/11 B: 杏仁燕麥粥 / L: 千島沙拉, 米奇雞塊*6, raspberry scone, 小橘子*2 , Sun Chips (Garden salsa)兩碗 / D: 豆皮壽司, 滷豆腐, 香菇白菜, 燴豬肉丸, 水梨, 綠葡萄, 黑棗汁

1/12 B: 石榴優格, 餐包*2, blackberryㄧ碗 / L: 親子義大利麵, 小橘子*3 / S: 杏仁漿, 芝麻黑糖沙琪瑪 / D: @Bluefin, Sushi+crab buffet

1/13 B: 鳳梨優格, blackberryㄧ碗 / L: 烤牛肉三明治, Sun Chips (Garden salsa)兩碗, 鳳梨汁, 小橘子*2 / S: cranberry scone / D: 黑胡椒烤雞腿, 生菜沙拉, 餐包, 柳丁鳳梨汁

1/14 B: 杏仁葡萄燕麥粥, 法式土司 / L: 越南三明治 / S: 綠葡萄 / D: 雞汁飯, 越式蝦包&生菜, 小橘子*2, 柳丁鳳梨汁 / S: Sun Chips, 黑棗汁

1/15 B: 檸檬優格, 吐司夾蛋, 西洋梨 / L: Roast beef&Salami sandwich, 多穀杏仁漿 / D: 雞汁飯, 酸辣湯, 三色炒牛肉, 家常豆腐, 米奇雞塊, 小橘子*3

每日亂亂吃 1/2-1/8

香蕉杯子蛋糕

1/2 B: 葡萄燕麥粥, 香蕉 / D: HT外带排骨飯, 乾炒牛河, 鹽酥雞, 蒜泥白肉, 小番茄, 柳丁汁/ S:黑棗汁

1/3 B: 葡萄燕麥粥 / L: 凱薩沙拉, 雞肉青醬義大利麵 / D: 白飯, 西芹牛肉, 蔥燒豆腐, 白菜丸子湯, 小橘子*2

1/4 B: 奶油餐包*2, 杯子蛋糕*1, 堅果豆奶, 蘋果 / L: 千島核桃沙拉, 香菇雞炊飯 / S: Oreo (PB)*4 / D: 白飯, 爆大蝦, 玉米洋蔥炒肉末, 炒青菜

1/5 B: 芝麻餐包*2, 堅果豆奶, 蘋果 / L: 核桃雞肉沙拉, Jalapeno cheese bagel, 蜂蜜紅茶 / D: 紅醬肉丸子螺旋麵, 生菜沙拉

1/6 B: 檸檬優格, 吐司, 藍莓馬芬, 柳橙汁 / L: 烤雞腿, Jalapeno cheese bagel, 豆漿 / S: 蔥蘇打, 鱈魚香絲, 蘋果葡萄汽水 / D: @Five Guys, cheese burger, 花生米ㄧ碗, 檸檬紅茶

1/7 B&L: DimSum, 燒賣*2, 蝦餃*2, 牛筋, 鮮竹捲*1.5, 叉燒酥*1.5, 焗奶黃包*0.5, 擂沙湯丸*2 / S: 小橘子*3 / D: 起士酪梨生菜沙拉, 餐包*2, 綠葡萄, 蘋果汁, 焗奶黃包

1/8 B: 芝麻葡萄燕麥粥, 香蕉蛋糕, blackberry ㄧ碗 / L: 肉燥飯, 小橘子*2 / S: 黑糖芝麻沙其馬, 蔥蘇打 / D: 牛肉炒飯, 雞塊, 炒油菜, 綠葡萄, 蘋果汁