First follow up AND I got out of house, YIPPEE!!!!

Sadly I have not been out of my house since I got home last Saturday. Clearly, I haven't missed much but a lot of grey skies and rain, ugh! I was anxious to get to my follow up with plastic surgeon because I had a lot of questions.

I really like the plastic surgeon, he is great but he wasn't too helpful in the post-op area. He just said I would be in a lot of pain and take my med. I like for things to be more specific than that. For example, the shower confusion. The nurse at hospital said I could not take a shower for at least a couple of weeks (ICK!) but on my discharge papers, the doc said I could shower. It seemed to be routine to get an antibiotic after surgery to prevent any infections but I didn't get that either.
My only instructions at discharge were 1) I can shower 2) empty grenades 3-4 times a day 3) open binder a few times a day for 10 minutes or so 4) rest, alot. um....ok.

So that is that I have been doing. Except for the shower part...I tried that once, it hurt. I won't be doing that again for a few days. Not to mention it was too much work with the drainage tubes going every which a way, not being able to bend to wash some places, etc. Overall, just a pita. So I will just continue with my sink bath and get Marcin to help me wash my hair. I tried the No Rinse Shampoo....very interesting stuff. Worked pretty well....my hair looked clean for about 2 days. not bad.

At my follow up today, the nurse Dana was SUPER helpful! I asked her where she was a week ago and why she is not doing rounds at the hospital to help out the patients! She said she is currently putting together a post-op packet. I told her I would be happy to help because I feel I have learned a lot the past week that could be helpful to others. She gave me her email....I hope she is prepared for my email LOL

So Dana took stitches out of my new belly button. That was weird...being that my entire stomach is numb and tingly ( IF you have had a c/s, remember the numbness around c/s scar? think of that but all over your midsection, weird.) I don't like to touch it because it freaks me out to know I am touching it but can't feel it.

I digress....she then proceeded to hold one end of the tube close to my stomach and then squeeze all the way down the tube to the grenade.UM WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! lol it did not hurt me but seeing her do it made it hurt. She explained I should have been doing this all week. I told her no one told me to do that. She also said I could let the grenades just hang down....currently they are safety pinned to my binder. They are not something I feel should just be 'hanging' down....what if one comes out? what if I get wrapped up in them while I sleep? the tubes are as long as my legs! I told her that was not a good idea for me but good to know :-P

I inquired about showering..she said that yes absolutely I could shower. THANK YOU!

Back pain....comes with the territory. She had some ideas for sitting and propping legs up, blah blah blah. I have already tried those things...did/does not work. I will deal with it and thank god for percocets!

She gave me a fancy new binder...it is super sexy too!!! Blogger isn't letting me insert a pic but picture this.....nude color biker shorts that go from bottom of chest to top of knees. S.E.X.Y. This is soooooo much more comfy than the other binder the hospital gave me. I am loving Dana at this point! lol

She said to keep on my pain meds as I need them...I told her that is about 2 every 4 hours. She suggested I alternate with 800mg tylenol with the percocets. hmmmm....maybe next week ;-)

I go back to see her next week to have my drainage tubes/grenades taken out. HOORAY!!! YIPPEE!!!! WOO HOO!!!! I hate these darn things....always in my way and stress me out! She said to keep them in as long as I tolerate them, up to 10-14 days. I asked her what the point of the drains were, she explained that the area of my surgery is so large and will produce too much fluid for my body to absorb, the drains help with that. Some surgeons do not do the drains but the fluids will then build up in your body and you have to go to doc to get them drained. YUCK!  *sigh* so one more week with the darn drains. One week down....I can do this!

I was thinking this morning, I feel the best in the mornings, that overall this experience has not been awful. It is a temporary inconvenience and fortunately we have fantastic family and friends helping us out. I wouldn't want to do it again by any means but I know some people who are considering this surgery and on a scale of 1-10, I would put it around a 5. It is tolerable.

Maybe....just maybe I will post my before and after pics. If you want to see, I will happily email them to you but I am not ready for them to be in blogger world just yet :-P
 

b.o.r.i.n.g.

6 days post-op...I am over it! LOL The first two days were fun and nice, now I am ready to be recovered and move on.
Unfortunately that is not the way it works *sigh*

I over did it yesterday. I have been taking 2 percocets every 4 hours...they knock me out and I hate that drug induced foggy head. So yesterday I thought I would try taking 1 perc every 4 hours. Big mistake. I felt ok until the afternoon and then it felt like doc had inserted a full sheet of metal in place of my stomach. The numbness was painful and my back was killing me, so back to 2 percocets I went. 2 hours later and I felt fantastic, except for the back pain. That doesn't really stop...in retrospect, I should have rented a walker with tennis balls for a few days.

I had a slight anxiety attack last night when I realized I didn't have enough meds to get me to my follow up appt tomorrow =0 I called doc office this morning completely prepared to beg for them because when I had my c/s, they would not give me anymore. Told me to take 3 motrin. hmph...I need more than 3 motrin. The nurse listened to my winded explanation and said, "Of course we can give you more but you need to come pick up the script. We cannot call in a narcotics script." I told her my husband would be there to pick it up. She is an angel I tell ya lol

So 6 days post-op....overall physically I feel pretty good except my back. Mentally I am sad because I can't play or snuggle with my boys. Nor can I really snuggle with hubby. This dreary grey weather outside doesn't exactly cheer a girl up either. oh well. I'd rather be stuck inside on a day like this instead of a nice, sunny warm June day.

I am still being a recluse upstairs in our sitting room. On the plus side, this darn room is actually getting some use! who knew?! hehe We have an extra love seat up here and it has been perfect for me to sit with my computer, cell, drinks, magazines, meds, water, etc. I have been downstairs a few times but I realize it is better if I stay upstairs for a few reasons:
1) I rest more upstairs
2) I feel like I should be helping when I am downstairs. I can't really help so then that becomes guilt that I can't help
3) I hate telling the boys I can't pick them up or play with them
4) it's quiet up here. I am thinking these pain meds amplify noises or something lol

I can still hear them all downstairs...the boys laughing, Jakob yelling no because he didnt' get his way or wants to do something himself. They don't really miss me that much which I am fine with....sort of. If they missed alot then they would be crying for me all the time and that would drive anyone crazy. Plus I am so glad that as tired as they probably are (And won't admit to me), my dad and Gay get to spend some time with the kids and bond with them. The boys are having a great time with them. They leave on Friday....I am not sure who will be the saddest? them? the kids? me? marcin? lol

I have completed a photobook and 2 calendars! I have 2 more photobooks to finish up...I think I can do that by end of week, HOORAY!!! it is easy to pick out pictures while in my percocet haze...hard to type or see letters very clearly. They all run together hehe

I received a fantastic surprise when I got home from hospital and another one yesterday. My friend Keeley picked the perfect time to send my birthday gift...a box of goodies and these awesome headbands that I've wanted since I visited her in April! As a matter of fact I need to order some for a couple of belated birthday gifts :/ They do not slip at all!
http://www.sweatybands.com/

My other friend Meg sent me some super cute and comfy pj pants with a People Magazine. Now some may be thinking...a magazine? I was so excited for this magazine! I gave up long ago on reading magazines....they end up at the bottom of the mail pile unread. I actually got to read ALL of this one! As soon as they drainage tubes are taken out, I will be wearing my comfy pj pants! HOORAY!!!!

ok time for some online shopping before I forget what I need to look for! EK!!! thanks for reading my random thoughts ;-D
 

4 days post surgery !

I did it...I actually went through with it. There were a few moments when I was scared to death and wanted to back out. For those of you who aren't aware, I had a procedure last Friday....an abdominoplasty with liposuction to be exact. Also known as a tummy tuck.

Over the past 2 years I have gone back and forth on this surgery. It terrified me, the mom guilt was ridiculous, the amount of money was ridiculous, the recovery & all the help we would need (i.e. inconveniencing others) and it was something all for me. After my 2nd consult with surgeon, I scheduled surgery. This was during summer. Boy that time flew by and before I knew it it was January....then January 10, then the big day, ACK! The plastic surgeon told me numerous times the recovery would be much worse than a c-section and it was by far the worst recovery out of all the surgeries he does. Lovely. I have had 2 c/s and some days felt I would rather not know what I was getting myself into but then after the surgery, I was thankful for my c/s experience...those surgeries have definitely made it easier to cope with this recovery.

So doc cut me hip to hip below bikini line, ouch! I have a drainage tube attached to a grenade looking container on each hip for excess fluid, yuck! I have to wear a binder around my abdomen (just like I did after c/s) and empty out the hand grenades :/ Overall, 4 days post-op I feel pretty good. I am still taking 2 percocets every 4 hours, going to try and cut back to one tomorrow. I have a check up with doc on Thursday and again next week to hopefully get the tubes taken out. They are annoying.


I havent seen the boys and gotten any cuddles in FOUR days....man I miss those little guys :-( Saturday I came home with Marcin and my dad and Gay took boys in basement while I snuck upstairs to my room. I have been hiding out since. They don't seem to miss me too much, at least I get to hear those sweet laughs and Gavin talking nonstop. I am really worried about them accidentally pulling on the drainage tubes. I believe Gavin would be ok but the lil guys worry me. I decided today to be a recluse for one more day :-P Hopefully I can catch up on my hugs and kisses tomorrow!

I thought I would have been much more productive while sitting on my butt for a few days. I have finished one out of 3 photo books I need to do. I need to complete one photo calendar and clean out my inbox. I want to watch a good movie but I have yet to find one that holds my interest :-( I tried '10 Years'.....nope. I then tried "Young Adults" with Charlize Theoron...nope. I was really hopeful Breaking Dawn part 2 would be on DVD by now *sigh* IF you have any suggestions, send them my way! Or some good tv series you have been watching :-)

Thanks!

Christmas = SUCCESS! 13 days......

Even though I felt like I would never get everything done for 'Santa' we did it and the boys were so excited!!

J&K were happy just ripping open the wrapping paper :-P And even more happy when they saw the fun toy inside lol Their favorite gifts were some Hess trucks and Mr. Potato Head :-)

Gavin first opened his electric guitar stand but couldn't find his guitar. Santa had hid it behind tree, hehe He finally discovered it and was over the moon! He also got his speaker, wire and guitar. He has played it every day since Christmas....strumming along singing a song. So stinkin' cute!!! He has also inquired if he can take guitar lessons at drum school :-) Fortunately for him, his drum teacher also plays guitar so it looks like we will be learning guitar for a bit. Although I like the drums better....they require more energy.

Marcin and I got a few things for each other but we decided we needed to concentrate on the kiddos. I was pretty proud of myself because from Santa each kid got 4-5 items (Well except Gavin since his guitar required some accessories). I have been Christmas shopping since summer :-) All of their gifts were excellent condition second hand gifts and I saved a lot of money! Yep even the guitar, amp and huge 20 inch Ride cymbal gavin received.

It was a good holiday! Now to get ready for New Years....you know us, we go all out with a huge party to attend, formal wear, hotel, etc. HA HA! kidding....we will be home with the kids :-) I plan to cook some steaks, lobster tail, hoppin' johns, cornbread and something sweet for dessert. I really hope I make it to midnight but that is always hard to tell. Then its my birthday, WOO HOO!!!! I am having a difficult time processing the fact that I am turning 35...its just strange. I don't feel 35 but then again I am not certain what 35 should feel like. Of course I am always tired but I blame that on my children because their endless energy is exhausting!

13 days until my Christmas and birthday gift for next 10 years or so....the tummy tuck! Best.Gift.Ever. :-D I had my pre-op appt a couple of days ago. I didn't expect much from this appt because I had two consults so I could ask my 1,001 questions/stresses/concerns. The plastic surgeon is great....very nice, straight forward and laid back. I like this in a doctor. I get to pre-op, they have me undress down to bra/underwear and give me this paper half shirt to put on...really? whats the point? LOL not to mention it was FREEZING!! I ask for a blanket but thankfully Doc was coming right in, whew! Seriously, I had goosebumps! This was how appt went:

Doc: How are you?
Me: good!
Doc: I need to take two pictures of midsection. I will cut from hip to hip, take out this pocket of skin/fat, pull skin down, reposition belly button, lipo flanks and home you go. Here is painkiller script. Any questions?
Me: (Deer in headlights look on my face) Um........I was nervous for this appt today, can you give me anything for nerves day of or before?
Doc: Do you like wine?
Me: Yes
Doc: That's all I can give you, he says while laughing. ( I am not sure what is so funny since its ME going under knife!)

I continue to bombard him with more questions that I already know answer too but I need the reassurance that the answers are all the same LOL They are. I'll be down for the count for at least a week, 2 drainage tubes for 10-14 days, not able to stand up straight or lay flat for at least a week, may take longer to lay flat. He said out of all he cosmetic surgeries he does, this is the most painful recovery. Lovely. Although I told him I would rather expect the worst and be pleasantly surprised if its better than I anticipate. It makes sense that the recovery would be rough....midsection is a huge part of the body that the body relies on for many things. I am as ready as I am going to be.

One of my top concerns are the boys....I am going to miss them. I know I will be here and see them but I won't be able to cuddle, pick them up for kisses or play alot. Mom guilt 150% *Sigh* Such as life :-) Wish me luck, pray for me....whatever you do, please keep us in your thoughts!!


 

finally...ready for Christmas!!

I honestly did not think we would get here! All I need is a pack of C batteries and a bottle of wine, good to go!

I got the rest of my baking finished up yesterday....sugar cookies, peanut butter blossom (YUM!!!), red velvet bundt cake and mini oreo cheesecake (Thank you pinterest....seriously if you are an Oreo lover, you will love, love, love these things!) Run to the store, get the ingredients and make them before the ever popular News Years resolution to eat healthy, LOL http://www.threesquarechef.com/2011/06/mini-oreo-cheesecakes.html

We got all the gifts wrapped last night...clean up house over next couple of days, work on bathroom and wait for the Big Guy to come visit :-)

When Gavin was born we decided we would stay in Delaware for Christmas instead of traveling. It is hectic enough to travel, let alone over the Christmas holidays so we felt this was a great idea. Especially after J&K were born...home it is! Pre-kids we would alternate Thanksgiving and Christmas with our families. It makes me sad not to have my family with me during the holiday but my prince charming was in Delaware....whats a girl to do?! :-)

Growing up our Christmas celebration was we were able to open one gift on Christmas Eve. Leave out the cookies and beer for Santa. Santa came while we slept and all of our gifts were laid out around the tree, couch, somewhere was designated for our things. I had two younger brothers so we each had our 'section' hehe Then we would spend the day going from house to house eating, playing pollyanna, etc. I did not like the going from house to house part. I wanted to stay home and play with my new stuff, hmph It was always so rushed on an already busy day.

As an adult, this didn't change much until I got married and adopted some new Christmas traditions. Obviously, Marcin's family does things a little differently than mine does. I guess you could say Santa comes while you are eating Christmas Eve dinner :-) We all go to my In-laws house, eat dinner and then open all the presents. They don't open anymore presents on Christmas day, all are opened on Christmas Eve. He also told me they didn't do stockings :-( My Christmas stocking was always my favorite thing to go through...this is where the good stuff always was!!!

Now as a parent, Marcin and I had to come to a compromise on this because as you can see Santa visits each family at different times :-) So we developed our own Christmas traditions, as most married couples probably do. We go to church and chase our children around, then Marcin's parents house for Christmas Eve dinner, take lots of pictures and open all gifts that Santa bring there. We tell the kids we have to hurry to get home because Santa will be coming to our house next! We come home, put out the cookies and vodka/beer/milk and leave Santa a short note thanking him for all his hard work and gifts, get kids in bed and get to work! Some wrapped gifts under the tree, a few things not wrapped but by the tree such as an electric guitar and cymbal, fill the stockings up with goodies and sleep, aahhhhh.

Kids wake up, open up presents, play, play, play, play, play, play and play some more. Take lots of pictures. Last year we had the family over to our house for brunch. We loved this because we didn't have to pack up the kids and rush anywhere. They are able to play with their new toys and family can come see the rest of their Santa gifts.

Now that I have gotten everything done, I am excited to see these sweet faces light up over their gifts and the idea of Santa. I need to enjoy this while I can until they figure out whats going on, like I did and used to sneak downstairs in middle of night to find someone else placing gifts under the tree. (Sorry dad...you probably didn't know I was doing this lol)

Glad the Mayans were wrong!

I love my life...I was not ready for the world to end! What now? Any other apocalyptic predictions?

A quick countdown recap....

Christmas - 3 days away. I have not wrapped a thing. Nothing. I did manage to get a little bit of baking done. Wrapping will get done at some point in next 2 days. The Christmas spirit just isn't with me this year...well it was back at beginning of November, ya know when the Halloween, Thanksgiving AND Christmas decor was out in the stores? It is so commercialized.

35th Birthday - 10 days away. ACK! Rumor has it Marcin has some birthday plans for me, HOORAY!!!!!

Surgery - 20 days away. EEEEEEEKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!! OMG! Pre-op appt is next Thursday. Which reminds me, I need to get some bloodwork done at some point.

I started going to a chiropractor this past week. My first time ever. Ever since J&K were born, my arms fall asleep. It started out at night, then a little during day and now my finger joints ache. My arms will be so numb that it feels like knives stabbing me if I try to push a button my iphone just to see what time it is. ouch.  My doctor had me get a neck xray and suggested probably a pinched nerve most likely from carrying two big babies until 37 weeks :-P Chiro agreed so we shall see if it helps, I hope so because it is not very pleasant feeling.

My boys....well they have all been sick past 2-3 weeks. I just LOVE this time of the year ;-)

Gavin is doing great! Seems to be taking a break from his drums..he still drums on everything but hasn't been playing them as often. He is on an electric guitar kick :-) He is enjoying school and his friends there. We made the final school decision and we are keeping him at the school he currently attends. You know when a decision just feels right....that is this decision for me. I think Marcin is on the same page....if it weren't for the expenses of private school then he would fully be on same page. It can be done....we will revise budget and make it all work, somehow. Super happy about this decision!!! He will be excited to see all his friends again next year!

Kaleb doesn't stop talking.....EVER! I love hearing his sweet voice, so cute and you can't stay mad at him! He has become quite the stubborn, non-listener though. hmph, not fun! He loves to stack things...cars, blocks, trains, boxes from pantry, etc. If it can be stacked, sorted or lined up...Kaleb will do it :-) He also likes 'BIG JUMPS!" He jumps off of everything...
He is growing so fast....I had to put him in some 3t pants already! Size 9 shoes, whew! He has taken to climbing out of his crib :-P He also climbs back in lol

Jakob has become a great listener. We joke that J&K have switched for a while :-) Jakob is still very independent but you ask him once and he listens! His speech is getting better, HOORAY!!! It is still difficult to understand him sometimes but he gets his point across. Jakob loves cars....he drives them on all the ledges in the house along with the various race tracks we have :-)

I still look at these 3 little beings in amazement that I am their mom.....ME!!! And Marcin is their dad. We are PARENTS! The tragedy at Sandy Hook school was with me for days. When the event happened at Columbine, while I was sad...that was in 1999. I was 21 and no children, I didn't have the perspective I have now. When I saw Sandy Hook on the news...my heart just hurt for those families. I couldn't stop thinking of getting my kids up in the morning how those families wouldn't be starting their day like that. The unopened Christmas gifts. It doesn't make sense to me....

I hope you all have a Merry Christmas! Enjoy the time with your families and give them all extra hugs this year, be thankful for them :-)

quick december update and house stuff

I haven't blogged in over 3 weeks...how is that possible? how is it possible that Christmas is in THREE DAYS?! I am not ready....at all. I should be wrapping presents but I can't gather the motivation to do so. Obviously they will get done sometime this weekend..at least that is the plan.

December started out by meeting a wonderful friend in Conshohocken ( no clue if I spelled that correctly!). We met up at Ikea and browsed for a bit and then went for lunch. It was a fun day just to catch up with her. We live a couple hours apart and we have tried numerous times to gtg with kids during week and someone was always sick or something came up, so we decided to do adult time, best idea ever!  The following week we had a super fun and gorgeous wedding of two good friends of ours. Marcin was in the wedding so rehearsal dinner Friday and the weddin in philadelphia saturday. We even got to stay over Saturday night =0 Needless to say, it took me a few days to catch up on my sleep because by Sunday, I was exhausted! I can only imagine how tired the newlyweds must have been! Then we went out AGAIN the following weekend to see a band that we saw over summer at beach wedding, we met a couple of friends there, much fun!
This brings us to this weekend....how did that go by so fast?!

In the midst of all of this, we have also taken care of the kids hehe I have also had some house projects going on which turned out pretty well:-)

I started in the master bath...Marcin and I repainted all the molding and doors. I also painted the builder oak cabinets a dark espresso and gave the walls a fresh coat of paint. I still need to do horizontal stripes on the walls. Marcin will hopefully finish up the hardware for cabinets/drawers and frame out the mirrors.

OH and I had a fabulous idea that did NOT come from Pinterest, HA!!! I will be sure to share if it works out....light covers. I hate the builder lights in there and I had an idea one day while painting. We shall see if it works out :-)

 

This is Marcin's side. My side, across the bathroom is pretty much the same. We are thinking of doing a small strip of tile btw the mirror and cabinet.

This is our idea for the mirror frame....

I added a couple of things to the foyer, not sure what I think about it but it is staying for now or until I (we) find something I (we) like better :-)

The sheer panels on the side windows here really bugged me!! It didn't help that I had to attach them with 3M command strips and the boys ALWAYS pulled them down because they would run to the window to pull curtain side and down it would come, RRRRR!!! So to pinterest I went....I saw an idea I liked but modified it a bit. So this is before.....

 

And after........

I think it turned out cute! The boys STILL pull them aside to look at window but it is easier to adjust and put back :-) I feel like the door needs to be a different color though......

My other idea was to make a little sitting area for guests to have somewhere to sit to take off/put on shoes, hangs up coats, shoes, etc. We have the 'formal' living room (aka waste of space) to the left of the front door, so I figured I could use some space in there. I also had my toy bench from when I was a kid. My grandmother kept it for me until about 5 years...we brought it back with us when we went to pick up my piano from Mississippi :-)
Here is my toy bench before....

I had some leftover paint from the cabinets, so I used that and made a cushion on top. Here is our new sitting area....

I LOVE the fabric I found for the cushion :-) It works!

Um so yep....along with the fun, craziness of our lives we have somehow managed to get all of this done. It looks really productive when I look at it now. YAY US!!!! We hope to finish up our bathroom in the next couple of weeks.