PAIN! My horrible ordeal.

Boy, it's been a rough week. It started out last weekend when Ava and I headed down to Powell to spend some time with my parents while Chris was on call. We came a night early so we could go to a high school basketball game. The next day, Saturday, my mom was at work, my dad was taking a nap so Ava and I decided to run down the road to visit my Grandma Ruth.

As I was walking out the door, I was holding the diaper bag and the car seat (with Ava in it) in the crook of my right arm. I pushed the screen door open with my left arm. I almost walked to the car but then realized I needed to shut the main door. So I leaned over, twisted to grab the door with my left and BAM! I dropped the car seat and went to my knees. I'm still not sure how much damage was done but I'm pretty sure I blew a disk.

The pain since then has been excruciating. I could walk right after it happened but once I sat in my dad's lazy boy chair, I was stuck. Thank God my dad was home. It was -1 degrees that day and we were outside. He heard me yell and came and picked both of us up. Throughout the day, I tried to get up several times but the pain was so bad and had such a nasty bite that I couldn't get out of the chair.

My dad has had back problems and had some percocet on hand. I took two pills (after consulting with my doctor of course) and it didn't even touch the pain. I ended up trying to sleep in the chair but the pain and lack of sleep became unbearable. The final straw was the fact I hadn't peed in about 12 hours and I was about to pee in his chair. My muscles were spasming, I had to go to the bathroom badly and I was afraid I wouldn't be able to hold Ava or nurse.

After calling Chris nonstop (he was in Billings on call at St. Vincents), we decided to call an ambulance. I was hysterical and crazy with pain. I went to the ER, got some morphine to get the pain under control and then somehow managed to go back to my parents' house later that morning. Chris was with me by then. He took off early to drive to Powell to be with me.

I laid flat on my back that day. I couldn't nurse which killed me. I could barely make it to the bathroom with a walker. Thankfully, I had some good drugs and the swelling has slowly gone down. Chris had to go back later that day but my parents and grandmas have been taking care of me and Ava.

All this went down on Saturday and it's now Wednesday night. I don't need a walker but I still can't bend over, carry Ava or dress myself. 98% of the day is spent lying on the bed with a TENS unit. BUT, I can go to the bathroom by myself...even wipe. No small feat, I assure you. I had to create a handy little homemade contraption. Rather clever, I might add.

We'll head back to Billings on Saturday where my mom will stay until Sunday. Chris has the day off and Patti, Chris' mom, is coming to help for a week. Hopefully that will be enough time. In the meantime, I've started nursing again but I barely have any milk now. I'm actually kind of depressed about it. I did call the awesome ladies at the lactation place at Billings Clinic. They told me that once I get back to Billings, start using my pump nonstop, take some herbal supplement and nurse a lot and it will come back. In the meantime, I am to drink beer every day because the yeast boosts milk production. Who knew...Kind of funny drinking beer through a straw though.

The silver lining to this whole thing is huge. First, it happened in Powell. I could have been in a random gas station somewhere, or worse, by myself! My family has been amazing. Especially my dad. I have never felt so loved and nurtured by him. He has gone through this exact pain so it's helped him to be very sympathetic. My mom and dad have been my rock this week. Bringing me food, helping me walk, feeding Ava, playing with Ava, changing diapers, getting me drinks, arranging my pillows, etc. Incredible. Second, Ava has had MAJOR stranger anxiety lately and hasn't done well with anyone except Chris or me. Well, she's had no choice but to get used to others holding, feeding, changing, playing with her. Now, she gets all floppy and excited when my mom, dad or grandma's walk in the room. It's been so great to see her so happy with them. Finally, it's another chance to see Grandma Patti again. The circumstances suck but I am so thankful that she is willing to come out and help. Man, I am in a debt I'm not sure I can repay. I guess I can only express my gratitude.

From here, I am guessing that I will see an orthopedic doctor, go on physical therapy and slowly rehab. It'll be a long road. I just hope that I can be a good mom to Ava. I'm very concerned about that. So, those of you who pray, please send one...or two...or three up for me. Thanks!!

Excitement

There have been so many great, varied things happening lately that I had to use just a general title for this blog. The first is that we have had SPECTACULAR weather here. The past few days have been 56-60 degrees. Because Chris has been working nights, we've actually had the opportunity to go on long walks every day. Chris' brother George gave us a hiking carrier for Ava and she loves it. She kicks her feet, swats her hands and babbles nonstop with a grin on her face when we go out. Obviously, I'm not the only one who's had cabin fever. I can tell that we'll be able to spend a lot of time in the mountains this summer.

Before our walk. Clearly, someone is excited.

The second reason for excitement is that Chris is finally done with nights after Thursday. None of the rotations are necessarily easy but this one has been the most difficult so far. It'll be nice to have him home and to sleep with him at night. (C'mon you guys - you know who you are - I didn't mean it THAT way!) :) Chris did have the weekend off and it was wonderful to spend time together, relax and have fun.

Finally, it has been incredibly moving to watch Obama take office today. I've been disillusioned with politicians/the government for a long time. In fact, I've never voted before (a fact that I am slightly embarrassed to admit) because I've always felt each candidate has offered up a different platter of bullshit - each served differently but still a collection of empty promises. I HAD to vote this year. To feel hope and true patriotism swell within has been incredible. As a kid I remember feeling so proud and patriotic when they played the National Anthem or when they shot fireworks on the Fourth of July. Recently, it's been just another day we get off work. Now, it seems that we have something to believe in again. Finally, a politican who seems sincere, intelligent, capable and unwavering in committment to putting this country on a course of repair. To see national unity and international support is so encouraging. He's got a huge task but even if he acheives a fraction of what he hopes to attain, it will be incredible. (okay...I'm done...I just had to get that off my chest.)

USA! USA! USA!

Fun Stuff

Aside from Chris working CRAZY hours on a night rotation, there is not too much to report. Here are some cute pictures and videos.




Ahhh...maybe next year Ava. Hurry back Tom!

Ava's favorite new toy.

Ava hamming it up.

Playing with Daddy. (Sorry about my singing!!)

Leaps and Bounds

We have been amazed at how much Ava has changed in three weeks. It's as though we've been chugging along - developmentally - at 35 mph for four months and now we're in overdrive. She could barely swat at a toy at Thanksgiving and now she's doing all sorts of cool things.

Although it's not new, she loves to grab someone's fingers and stand all by herself.

While in NY she discovered that she can suck on her toes as well as her fingers. I guess it might be kind of gross but I think it's cute.

Ava is also big enough to play in the exersaucer toys. So far, she loves them. I'm pretty pysched about this one especially because I think I just gained 2 more hours a day of free time. I mentioned that she's just started eating rice cereal. Well, she got high chair for Christmas and she's actually big enough for it!

Ava is also rolling over from her stomach to her belly with regularity. Going the other way is still a little tricky but I've seen her do it. Finally, the biggest news is that she cut two bottom teeth on New Years Day. I knew they were coming because she was chomping on her fingers constantly and she would drool through three outfits a day (with bib).

When did my newborn become a big baby? In just three weeks, all of these changes happened. Of course, I'm excited but I'm also sad she's growing up so fast. I want to savor each phase just a little bit more.

Holidays

After many not-so-gentle reminders to update the blog, I figured it was time. A lot has happened so let me give you a quick run down. First we spent a week in NY with Grandma Patti, Pop Pop and lots of cousins, aunts and uncles. Miraculously, we made it there on the same day we left Billings. No small feat considering we went through three different storm systems. It was fun walking through LaGuardia and seeing all the old familiars. I think I skipped up and down when I saw Dunkin' Donuts. :) The week was full of great shopping, lots of time with family, sledding and of course eating. Chris and I also scratched the itch for Indian food. Oh my...was it good! I didn't eat breakfast because I wanted every spare inch of my belly to be full of Chicken Tikki Masala and Naan. If I had had a cigarette when I was finished, I definitely would have smoked it. It was that good.

Anyway...

Ava and her seven cousins enjoyed meeting each other. They all wanted turns holding her. Violet, four, was very anxious to play and teach Ava all sorts of new skills. Daniel, six (I think), REALLY wanted Ava to watch him play Wii. It was cute. The week was quickly over and we had to head back to Montana. We took the late flight out of NY and it was exhausting. Ava fussed the entire way. She would only be "calm" in my arms and I was completely wiped out by the time we landed. I guess nursing for six straight hours on two overheated planes at 10pm will do that.

The next few days were spent eating chocolate, lounging in pajamas and visiting. I think we all needed to chill out a bit. It was fun and uneventful. We couldn't even rally to go out for New Year's despite having my mom here to babysit. With everything finished, we are glad to get back into a daily routine again. Happy New Year everyone!

Sledding: Chris, Grandma Patti, Violet, Uncle George, George Z.

Ava with her great grandpa Coachie. He calls her cookie.

Ava with Cousin Moira (but she's really more like our Aunt). Both were just waking up.

Ava with Cousins Nina and Maia.

Chris attacking the nieces, nephews and cousins with snowballs. Looks like I should start dressing Chris AND Ava in the morning.

Aunt Deb, Ava and Violet

Nancy and Ava on New Years.