Ty's Birth Story

12/28/16 It makes me sad to think that I never fully documented Ty's birth story.  I sort of did an outline that I was probably planning to come back to to fill in the details but of course, never did.  I love going back to read Luke's and Paige's stories so I'm going to do my best to remember everything I can....

Work was getting super stressful.  We had a special audit going on and I was the point person for it.  So as I'm trying to make sure everything is ready for my leave, I was also trying to make sure this audit was going well.  Around noon-ish I was feeling some contractions and decided I needed to leave.  To be honest, it was more so that I was just completely over work and was on the verge of tears dealing with the auditor so I just needed to go before I lost it at work.  I fully expected to be back the next day.  (When the auditor came back the next day, but I didn't, my co-workers joked with her that she put me into labor.  The funny thing is, I think that is actually mostly true - ha!)

I didn't pick the kids up from daycare on my way home so I decided to just take a peaceful walk with Nala and maybe start to get something going.

I continued to feel "something" so I decided to go for another walk around 8:45 PM.  I still wasn't convinced this was it though.  I'm not sure why I was in Paige's bed at about 10 PM (maybe she woke up and I laid back down with her), but while laying there, I felt a small trickle.  I wasn't certain but I thought maybe my water broke.  I got up and went to tell Wally what happened.  It continued to slowly trickle down my leg.  There was no big gush.

It was time to call our parents so we had someone with Luke & Paige before we headed to the hospital.  Oddly enough, Wally's parents were in Joliet at the casino and were just getting ready to leave to head home.  His mom had this weird intuition and just felt like they needed to be close that night (crazy!)  So they made their way to Monee rather than back to Peru.  I still wasn't feeling much as far as contractions went.  I do remember Wally sitting down at the kitchen table and eating.  He said he knew he might not get to eat again for awhile so he wanted to fill his stomach.  I mean seriously - cracks me up!  With Paige he needed to shower before we left and now he needs to eat.  Who is the one that will be doing all the work???  Ha!

We headed to the hospital around midnight.  At 12:30 I was only at 2 cm and still very thick.  I was super discouraged because I knew there was a long night ahead of us.  I was beginning to wonder why we came to the hospital so early in labor.

We started walking the halls - up and down, back and around - over and over!  Around 2:25 walking became more difficult as the contractions picked up.  I was still hoping for no epidural but needed something.  They gave me some Stadol (pain medicine) around 3 AM to take the edge off.  I was still only at 3 cm but was finally thinning out.  I fell asleep for about a half hour and woke up feeling the need to push.  When they checked me at about 3:45, I was at 9 cm.  Hallelujah!  It turned out that the Stadol relaxed me enough to let my body work. 

The doctor was on her way - I pushed for about 5 minutes and Tyler Jeffrey was born at 4:17 AM!

It truly was a great labor & delivery.  I was blessed with 3 great deliveries and 3 beautiful, healthy babies. 

 

The Next 48+ Hours

Once the nurse had taken Ty for his newborn screening, I actually got the best hour or so of sleep.  Both Wally and I were so sound asleep we didn't even hear the nurse knock at the door.  I was awoken to, "Mrs. Zukowski...here is your baby.  We need you to feed him and then give us a call because we need to bring him back to the nursery.  He had a cyanotic episode where his lips were blue.  We need to monitor him until the doctor comes to check on him."  I was so confused and so completely out of it and didn't even know what questions to ask.  Wally was just starting to wake up and didn't really hear any of it.  All I knew was that they were taking Ty back to the nursery for who knows how long.

We got ourselves up, I nursed Ty and then we called the nurse to take him back to the nursery as they requested.  She asked if we had noticed any duskiness around his lips at any time - which we hadn't.  She explained a bit about his rapid breathing and that they just needed to wait until the doctor came to evaluate him.  The doctor had been by on Friday  afternoon and all appeared to be good at that time.  We were planning on going home Saturday.

Wally decided to head back to the house to visit with the kids (my parents were with them) for a bit.  My OB came in and gave me the green light to be discharged that day, but I told her what I knew about Ty and she said I was able to stay until Sunday if we needed to.  After she left, I was alone in the hospital room.  I was really upset - I couldn't have my baby in my arms and I couldn't be home with my other babies.  Obviously, I was very hormonal, but I just couldn't stop crying.  I called my mom and Wally and asked him to come back to the hospital. 

When Wally got back, we headed down to the nursery to see if we could see Ty and I figured he was due to eat as well.  The doctor was in there and came to explain to us what was going on.  They did a chest x-ray and saw fluid in Ty's lungs.  This was causing him to have a rapid respiratory rate so they had him hooked up to a monitor to watch this.  They had done a blood culture and the results wouldn't be back for 48 hours.  The blood culture would tell us if there was an infection.  48 hours meant that Ty wouldn't be going home until at least Monday.  He also had a hematoma on his head - which is basically a lump.  It is a pool of blood that usually clears up on its own in a few weeks. 

I fed Ty and we were able to hold him for as long as we wanted.  The nursery nurses were some of the kindest people you will ever meet and were so helpful in explaining everything to us.  They would be starting him on an antibiotic right away to help clear the fluid in his lungs regardless of whether or not there was an infection. 

Wally and I tried to get some rest before the next feeding time.  The next time we went down to the nursery, Ty was in an isolate (no billi lights needed for him though), but this time he had an IV in his tiny little hand in addition to the other wires that were monitoring his pulse, heart and respiratory rate.  We both had tears streaming down our face.  No one wants to see their tiny 1 day old little baby hooked up to anything. 

After that feeding, my parents came by with the kids.  I needed to see them, they needed to see me, but it was also hard because Ty wasn't there with us.  Luckily, they were easily distracted playing in the room. 







We met with a lactation consultant so she could get us set up with a pump that afternoon so that I would have bottles for Ty if needed since I was going to be discharged on Sunday.  Wally and I also had our "celebration dinner" brought to us from the cafeteria.  We tried our best to celebrate, but we were missing the one little guy that caused this celebration.



We went down to the nursery every few hours throughout the rest of the night and morning to feed Ty and just spend some time snuggling.  Again, the nurses were so awesome.  We definitely felt in their way in the middle of the nursery, but they didn't mind one bit. 

Sunday morning we got the news that after 24 hours his blood culture was negative so that was good, but we still had 24 hours to go.  His respiratory rate was still spiking pretty high every so often but the antibiotics were going to hopefully help with that.  I made sure to bring my phone into the nursery on Sunday too.  I didn't want to go another day without any pictures of Tyler.



And a little video we took to send to the kids.



Wally went home to take Luke to his t-ball team's end of year swim party and my mom and Carly came to visit with me and help pass the time.  I made sure my discharge wasn't going to happen until as late in the day as possible on Sunday.  Both Carly and my mom were able to take turns coming into the nursery with me to see Ty.





At this feeding, we were told that his potassium level was a little high so they were going to test that again because that can be a sign of an issue with the kidneys.  Thankfully the second test came back in the normal range.

Wally came back for the last afternoon feeding and then we headed home together around 5:30.  I wasn't able to stay long because I wanted to be back at the hospital for the 7 o'clock feeding, but at least the kids got to see me at home for a bit.  So back I went to the hospital.  This time though they were able to set Ty and I up in a private room off the nursery so that we could just be together for as long as I wanted.  He was still hooked up to the monitor and had his IV, but I was able to feed him, pump, and snuggle for over 3 hours, which was awesome.  His respiratory rate was much more consistent and the nurse was very hopeful that he would be heading home the next day. I fed him one last time around 10 and headed home around 11.

Then it was Wally's turn, he headed to the hospital for the 1 and 4 o'clock feedings.  We just couldn't imagine Tyler not having one of us there to feed him.  Wally had the same set up in the private room as me, but this time they had disconnected all of his wires and removed his IV.  Apparently, he was pretty upset for awhile after I left.  He took the bottle from Wally pretty well, but just still wasn't calming down much.  Wally had a long few hours with him.

Wally got back around 6 and then it was my turn to go again for the 7 o'clock feeding.  When I got there, the nurse said he had a rough night (meaning very little sleep) and he was finally sleeping.  She thought it was best to just let him sleep for a bit.  I was able to hang out in the private room and watch tv/sleep until he woke up.  The nurse woke him around 9 and brought him to me.  It was so nice to hold him without any wires.  Around 10:30, the nurse brought him back to the nursery so the doctor could evaluate him.  The doctor came in and told me his blood culture was negative (yay!) and that his breathing was much better BUT now his sodium level seemed low, which again can be a sign of a kidney issue, so they were drawing blood one last time.  Ugh!  We were so close to going home.  They said the results would be back in an hour so I headed out to get a sandwich and pray that this little guy would be going home today!

As soon as I walked back into the nursery, the nurse was there and told me he was going home!  (His sodium level came back fine!)  I started crying - I was SO HAPPY!!!  Finally!  I know there were a lot of other babies in the nursery that have been there for weeks and I can't even imagine.  Those 3 days in the hospital were the longest days of my life!  I immediately called Wally and said bring the kids, we are bringing Tyler home!

Looking so handsome for his trip home!





Aunt Carly came along to drive a car home and to take a picture for us :)



The kids were so happy to be bringing their brother home! And we would all be together!



Checking out their baby brother on the way home!



He made it home!  And he was discharged at his birth weight 8lbs 7 oz - Ty and I did good!!!



A picture with Aunt Car Car before she headed back to Madison!



Home sweet home where he will never leave my arms :)

Thank you to both of our families for helping out those few days!  We don't know what we would do without you!  Love you all!

Welcome Tyler Jeffrey!

Tyler made his appearance on Friday, July 18th at 4:17 am.  He weighed 8 lbs 7 oz and was 19.5 inches long. (Congrats to my mom for choosing the right date in the baby pool and oddly enough, I chose the exact time - kind of creepy right?!?!)



He came out screaming and didn't stop for nearly 3 hours - LOL! That is not an exaggeration either. The nurses were laughing because he definitely had a good set of lungs on him - you could hear him all the way down the hall!



They put him on my chest right away and the only time he would stop crying for a brief moment was when he would latch on.

 

Daddy couldn't have been happier!





We changed rooms and they brought Ty in once he was all cleaned up.

Isn't he just precious?!?!







Wally and I tried to get some rest and then our visitors arrived! First up was Grammy and Papa!







And then the kids arrived!!!



Paige was soooo excited to meet her baby brother. Luke was too but he didn't quite show it as much at first. The hospital setting seems to make him very nervous.

Paige couldn't stop kissing Ty!





My 3 kids :)



Our first family of 5 pic!



LOVE!







Then it was Grandma & Grandpa's turn to come up! Unfortunately we can only have 3 visitors (not including Wally & the kids) at a time.







After our visitors left, Wally and I just enjoyed our new little bundle.

 





He had a pretty good night in the room with us. The nurse came in around 4 a.m. to take Ty for his 24-hour newborn screening and that is when our pure baby bliss turned into some baby worry.

Still Pregnant!

I mean, really, what else should a 9 month pregnant woman do but float?!?! :)



So here I am at 38 weeks 2 days pregnant!



Do I sound a little annoyed???  I guess you could say I am ready to have this baby!  And not really because I am THAT uncomfortable, I guess I just am anxious to meet this little guy.  I also blame my doctor for giving me false hope that that baby was going to be here already.

The week prior to my 37 week checkup, I had been feeling some cramping and pressure and so she checked me and indicated that the baby's head was engaged (and not going anywhere!) and that my cervix was open.  She said, and I quote, "I think you will go one more week, but not much longer than that."  That kind of kicked us into high gear to make sure we were ready for baby.  Then my 38 week appointment came around and after feeling like I was feeling the start of labor multiple times that week before, my doctor indicated there was no change and that I would probably go at least another week.  Ugh!

In my heart I know it is best for baby to stay put as long as possible, but my body is ready to be done!

The kids slept at my parents last night and it was a full moon so I was certain the baby was coming - ha!  I was (truly) feeling cramping early on in the day and then Wally and I headed to church and dinner and the remainder of date night would be spent walking the mall for over an hour!  We were going to "make" this baby come that night when we wouldn't have to worry about who was going to watch the kids, etc.  But....here we are...Sunday morning - still pregnant!

At this point, I think I just need to relax, trust that everything will work out with the kids when I go into labor and that baby will come when he is ready and all will be just as it should be!

And I need to enjoy these two little sweethearts who are about to have a big change in their life and give them all the momma snuggles I can!

Bump Update - The Countdown is On!

33 weeks!



34 weeks!



No 35 week picture - 36 weeks!



I really can not believe that Baby Z will be here in just 4 short weeks.  What makes me in even more denial is the fact that I will most likely go early.  Knowing I was a week early with Paige and the fact that even my doctor says I will go early makes it all seem that much closer!  This is the part of the pregnancy where I get very anxious not knowing when exactly this baby will decide to make his appearance!  The "not knowing" drives me crazy!  I am trying to enjoy every last minute of this pregnancy though because it has gone by so quickly and I know I will miss having this little guy move around inside of me!

I've been feeling pretty good though but am definitely slowing down.  I use the restroom a lot and my feet and hands are swollen. I have been wearing flip flops only for the last month and my rings are off my fingers.  I tried putting my wedding band on this weekend and about freaked out when I couldn't get it off on Sunday. 

I had a doctor's appointment yesterday and my blood pressure is still very good and my strep test was negative so that's all good news.  My weight gain is at 27 lbs. and the baby is head down!  I have been having some contractions on and off lately but they always stop once I drink some water and lay on my side.  The doctor did mention that this baby will most likely come pretty quickly.  This freaked Wally out a bit since Paige came pretty quickly herself and Doctor said they just get faster the more you have!

My plan is to get through Paige's birthday party this weekend and next week will be all about finishing up getting ready for baby.  We will be pulling the baby gear out of the basement and getting it ready, such as installing the carseat, setting up the bassinet in our room and making sure the swing & bouncer are ready to go.  I will probably get my bag packed as much as I can or at least have a mental list of what I need to grab.  And then we can just enjoy the last few weeks or days as a family of 4! 

Party of 5 coming soon :)

31 Weeks 4 Days

2 more months :) :) :)

30 Weeks

We are officially 3/4ths of the way through this pregnancy.  I have been so blessed to have pretty easy pregnancies!  Just 10 more weeks to go!

I had my doctor's appointment yesterday and everything is still going great.  Just as my doctor was going to listen to the heartbeat, the baby started moving like crazy and my stomach was going crazy.  She's like, well, I don't think I even need to listen for a heartbeat, I see him!  (She of course did though!)  Blood pressure is good, weight gain is good (22 lbs) and we are just moving right along.

I thought I would start appointments every 2 weeks now, but not quite yet.  I go back in 4 weeks and then we'll start the more frequent appointments. 

I'm sleeping pretty well at night - I usually only wake once to use the bathroom and am still rolling out of bed easily in the morning.  Trips to the bathroom are very frequent during the day though - sometimes I feel like I should just move my computer into the bathroom at work!  I've definitely been feeling some Braxton Hicks contractions lately.  My back is feeling pretty good though which was most definitely not the case when I was pregnant with Paige. 

I have really been in a "buying for baby" mood lately.  I have gone through all of Luke's tub of clothes and while I think eventually the baby will be able to wear some of his clothes, initially, I need new stuff.  With Luke being a winter baby, a lot of his first 3 months of clothes were fleece material!  So I have a list of things to pick up here and there when I'm out and about.






Luke came with me to my appointment yesterday.  He came with last time and insisted on coming again!  This is how he passes the time:



Maybe I should try spinning on the stool next time I'm waiting!

29 Weeks

It's hard to believe that I am already in the 3rd trimester and there are only 11 weeks (or less!) to go! The weeks are flying by which is both awesome and a bit terrifying.

Bits and pieces of the baby's room are complete. I painted a dresser so that will be making it's way from the garage to the baby's room this weekend and then I will feel like the big items are done and can focus on just the decorating and other baby necessities. I love the colors we I chose and am really happy with how it is all coming together. I will share more in a few weeks hopefully!

I'm still feeling pretty good and this little boy is moving like crazy lately. Lots of rolling going on these days in there!

I think we are pretty settled on a name. Well, I guess we are 100% settled considering if you ask Wally or the kids the name, they will tell you. I would have liked to keep our options open a bit longer, but if the kids are saying it, it's hard to go back. In fact, Luke was writing all of our names the other day and I told him he should add "baby" and he said you mean "(insert baby's name here)" and I said no "baby" and he said "no, (baby's name)". So basically if you haven't heard already and want to know, just ask one of them :)

I am much calmer at this point in my pregnancy than I was last time.  I felt a lot of anxiety last time about who would take care of Luke when I went into labor.  I had several people lined up just in case the grandparents couldn't get here in time.  It all worked out in the end and I know everything will work out again.  I have my backups and the grandparents are ready (I think!).  Luke seems to be the one with the anxiety this time.  He has been asking a lot of questions about who will be with them when I go to the hospital and how the baby is going to come out.  Hopefully I am answering all of his questions so he doesn't worry too much!

My next doctor's appointment is next week and then as I mentioned before I believe we start the "every 2 weeks" schedule.

Here is the bump progression over the past few weeks!

27 weeks


28 weeks


29 weeks