Brodie D.

Last Day in Nashville

2008-04-06T21:16:00.000-07:00

After Annie and Ella left, Brodie had to get ready for pictures with his cousins. His cousins wore thier football and soccer uniforms for one picture and Easter outfits for another. Brodie wore an outfit with a football on it for the sport picture and a cute sweater outfit for the other one. I will scan the pictures to post later. They turned out really cute, especially the one that Mimi and Tig were in.
After pictures everyone went back to my parents house for dinner. I had to pack b/c our flight was leaving the next morning at 6:30. I had to get up at 4:30am. I ended up staying up with my mom until 1:30 so I didn't get much sleep.
I was so sad to be leaving. I miss my family very much.
Brodie did great on the flight back. He drank a bottle on take off and landing. Thank you God for no ear pain! Dad was waiting for us in Tampa and Brodie and I slept the hour back to Ocala.
What a wonderful trip we had. I can't wait to go back!

Annie and Ella

2008-04-06T21:08:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, my best friend and roomate from college, Annie, drove to my parents house from Bowling Green, KY with her 2 1/2 year old, Ella. The last time I had seen Annie she was pregnant with Ella. I never got to meet Ella because right after she was born we moved to Florida. She is the cutest little girl. She sang songs to Brodie and held him. She is full of energy and had a good time running around my parents house. I was so glad to see Annie. She has always been a great friend to me and I have missed her. It was so nice of her to drive to Nashville to see us.

3 Months Old

2008-04-06T21:03:00.000-07:00

On Friday, March 28th, Brodie turned 3 months old. I can't believe how fast it is going! He is laughing and smiling all the time. He wakes up with a smile on his face. He recognizes me and his daddy, he eats cereal from a spoon (a few tablespoons), he chews on his hands, toys, and bibs, and is holding is head up for longer periods while on his tummy. I'm also amazed at how strong his legs are. He is such a sweet little boy.

Happy Easter

2008-04-06T20:54:00.000-07:00

Brodie had a great first Easter. He wore his cute bunny outfit I got him at Target and looked so cute. He got an Easter basket bigger than him filled with all kinds of good stuff. He got books, a Baby Eienstien video, a puppy mirror for the car, a duck, a rattle, and candy that mom will eat.

He stared at his basket and played with the egg decorations around the handle. The Easter bunny ws very good to him!

Casi, Shopping, and Out to Eat

2008-04-06T20:21:00.000-07:00

The next 2 days we spent our time shopping at Rivergate, Opry Mills and Providence and went out to eat. Brodie is such a good shopper. He loves looking around at everything.

Before we went to Opry Mills we had lunch with my good friend Casi. I know Casi from college and hadn't seen her in years. Brodie loved her.

Our visit with Casi

After lunch with Casi, me, Brodie, and my mom went to Opry Mills. We bought some good stuff and stopped a few times to let Brodie have a bottle. Tig even showed up to visit a bit with us.

We had a great time!

Opry Mills

We were worn out from shopping but went again the next night. We went to Providence Mall then out to eat at Olive Garden. Brodie was very good again.

Eating at Olive Garden

McPherson's

2008-04-03T07:35:00.000-07:00

We met our good family friends Margaret, Jerry, and Leigh McPherson at the country club at 6:30 on Saturday. I hadn't seen them in so long. I wish I could've seen thier son Reid but at least I got to meet Leigh's husband and her little boy Jackson. I used to babysit Leigh and can not believe she is now a nurse and had a baby before me (Jackson is 9 months old).

Margaret told us about her new shop. She monograms and makes beautiful things. We went to visit her store and got some really cool stuff the following Monday. I got a ring with a "B" on it, a luggage tag, and outfit for Brodie with his name on it, and a bracelet for my friend Annie's little girl with her name engraved on it. My mom got some neat shoes amoung other things. Check out her shop at: http://www.enchantedthreadsembroidery.com/

It is the neatest store!

After catching up with everyone we headed back to my parents house. It had been a looong day. Up at 4 am, visit to Honey and Daddy Mack's, visit with cousins, visit with Macpherson's.

Whew...time for bed!

Margaret, Leigh, and Jackson

Leigh, Jackson, me, and Brodie

Meet the Cousins

2008-04-03T07:07:00.000-07:00

Brodie, Uncle Alex, and cousin Colby

After visiting Honey and Daddy Mack, Brodie and I headed back to my parents to get ready to meet his Uncles, Aunts, and cousins.

He was awake a little bit for them but was still very tired. He loved visiting with my brother Alex, his wife Kelly, and cousins Colby, Briscoe, and Jayce. He also met Uncle Larry, his girlfriend Pebs, and cousins Britney and Angie.

We ate all kinds of good food and Brodie got an Easter basket from Cloby, Briscoe, Jayce, Kelly, and Alex. It had Brodie's very first Bible in it with his name engraved on it. He also got an outfit, toys, a night light, candy. It was so nice of them.

We had such a great time with everyone. At about 5:30 everyone left because me, Brodie, and my mom and dad had to get ready to go to the country club to meet up with Margaret, Jerry, Leigh, and Leigh's husband and little boy, Jackson. I grew up next door to them and hadn't seen them in years.

My brothers Alex and Larry and cousin Colby with Brodie

Pebs, Britney, Angie, and Brodie

Kelly, Colby, Briscoe, Jayce, and Brodie

Visit to Honey and Daddy Mack's House

2008-04-03T07:01:00.001-07:00

We visited so many people in Nashville. Our first visit was to Daddy Mack and Honey's house. Brodie was so exhausted from the trip he slept the entire day. I told Eric's parents I would bring him back over the next morning since he had slept the whole time.

We went back over early the next morning because they were flying out to Arizona. I'm glad he was awake and they got to visit with him this time.

Airport

2008-04-02T10:24:00.000-07:00

Brodie asleep in the most comfortable hotel bed ever!

Wow, was making it to the airport an ordeal. Since Ocala doesn't have an airport we had to drive an hour and a half to Tampa to fly out. We decided to get a hotel room Friday night so we wouldn;t have to drive there at 3am Saturday morning. Our flight left at 6:30 Saturday. We planned on getting to Tampa early evening but of course that didn't happen. Eric was supposed to get off work at noon but the other guy coming in so that he could leave had a wreck and Eric had to work all day. He didn't get home until 7:00. (The guy in the wreck is fine by the way). After he got home we had to take Tallulah to her Doggie Daycare, pack the car, then drive to Tampa. We didn't get there until midnight and we were exhausted. Brodie slept in the car and loved the plush hotel bed. We got up at 4:30 am and headed to the airport. I was so nervous. We got through security. I bought a bottled water to mix formula with on the plane and it was time to board. Brodie did great on the plane! He took his paci on lift off and a bottle on landing. We were so excited to be in Nashville. I only have one picture of Brodie at the airport and will post it when my parents send it.

Packing for Nashville

2008-03-21T14:38:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow morning Brodie and I are going to Nashville. We will be flying. Eric is staying here to work. He is sad that he'll miss Brodie's first Easter but we'll take lots of pics for him. I am a nervous wreck . I am not a fan of flying and I am worried about flying with a baby. I don't want him to get sick, I don't want his ears to hurt, I don't want to be, "the girl on the plane with a crying baby". But I really want to go see my family. We are going to Tampa tonight to stay in a hotel because our flight leaves at 6:20 and we don't want to get Brodie up at 3am to get to the airport. I know we'll be fine.
Packing has been an all day event. I have 2 big suitcases and have no idea what is in them. I'll post pictures from our trip once we are there.
I'm saying a little prayer that Brodie sucks on his paci or drinks his bottle on take off and landing so his ears don't hurt!

First Portrait

2008-03-21T14:34:00.000-07:00

On March 19 we took Brodie to Sears for his first photo shoot. He did great but boy is it an ordeal to get a baby ready for pictures and to get them to the picture studio happy and then to get them to smile once you are there. He looked so cute in his new Gap outfit. We got set up in our first pose after 15 minutes and wouldn't you know the camera wasn't working so we had to go in the next room. Brodie smiled and laughed and did great. I will post some pictures when I get them. He was worn out by the time we hit the car.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2008-03-21T14:18:00.000-07:00

Despite us all wearing green here we didn't have much luck this St. Patrick's Day. It all started with the dog. Brodie, Tallulah, and I went on our daily walk about 12:00 and came home. I had Brodie on the floor doing tummy time and smelled something awful. Sure enough, Tallulah had thrown up 2 times on the floor. I cleaned it up and sat back down, thinking she must have eaten some mulch or rocks on our walk, which is not uncommon for her. After sitting down I still smelled the awful smell. I walked into the hall and she had used the bathrtoom everywhere. I know...Gross. I cleaned that up. I was so mad at her for eating stuff besides her dog food. Next, I am giving Brodie a bottle on the couch and Tallulah comes and sits beside us and I notice she is shivering really bad. I call her name and she looks at me and her eyes are swollen up like a balloon. I call the vet and say to bring her in. My neighbor, Jen comes to sit with Brodie while I rush Tallulah to the vet. By the time I get her there her lips are ballooning up. Poor baby! And I had been mad at her and she couldn't help it. After the doctor looked at her he said she had been bit by something and was having an allergic reaction. A few shots, some benedryl, and a hundred dollars later Tallulah is feeling like new. We love our dog and I freaked out when she looked at me all swollen.

When we get home I decide to dress Brodie in his "Lucky Charm" St. Patrick's Day shirt and take some pictures. He did not like this idea. He cried and was mad. Finally, though, I got a few pictures to capture his first St. Pattie's Day.

Eric got home around 7:00 and we decided after my long day at home and his long day at work we would go eat at the Irish pub down the street.

Whew..it was a tiring day but we made it. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Eating cereal

2008-03-21T14:13:00.000-07:00

Brodie's reflux still seems to bad even after propping his mattress up and giving him Mylanta. After speaking with the doctor we started putting 1 and a half tablespoons of rice cereal in his bottle. It seems to be workign somewhat. He usually starts the restless sleep and jerking/whimpering again around 3:30 am every night. He doesn't spit up hardly at all anymore though. Oh, I hope the rice cereal does the trick, I don't want him to hurt.

2 Months Picture

2008-03-21T14:10:00.000-07:00

I forgot to post Brodie's 2 months old picture. He is getting so big! He is laughing a lot and smiles all the time!

Crib Time

2008-03-21T14:02:00.000-07:00

On March 11, Brodie slept in is crib all night for the first time. Of course I slept on a blanket on the floor next to the crib. I was so proud of him. Now if I could just sleep good in my room away from him! He loves his crib. He seems much more comfy in it his crib than the pack and play. He especially loves the mobile but seems scared when he wakes up and there it is hanging in his face, so we make sure and put him down away from it. Way to go, Brodie!

Prune Juice

2008-03-19T18:41:00.000-07:00

If you ever have a constipated baby let me tell you that prune juice works!
On March 6 Brodie had his first drink of something other than milk. The doctor told us to give him prune juice the next time he was having trouble pooping. Well, this day he did and was hurting so I gave him an ounce of prune juice and an ounce of water. A half hour later...success! Also a ruined onesie and poop all over my shirt and legs! I had to give him a bath! I will take that though over a fussy baby with a hurting tummy. Prune juice is a God send!

Honey and Daddy Mack Visit

2008-03-19T18:27:00.000-07:00

Eric's parents came to visit Brodie on Feb. 29 and stayed until March 3. Brodie calls them Honey and Daddy Mack.

On Friday I went to the County Teacher of the Year Awards and saw my good friend Jen win Teacher of the Year for our whole county...she won a Volvo, as well as lots of other prizes. Go Jen! While I was at the awards Brodie hung out with his grandparents and dad.

Saturday we went to the mall and got Brodie got a bathing suit, shorts, shirt, and the cutest loafer shoes at Baby Gap. We went home and made dinner at the house.

Sunday we went to "The Villages", a living community that has live music on the square every night with lots of shops and restaurants. Brodie slept through the live music but woke up in time to experience being at his very first restaurant. We went to "Bourbons" and were the only people there. A few others came in while we ate. Bourbons is a New Orleans eatery adn Brodie loved looking at the decorations there. He was so good. He had his bottle and looked around while we ate.

Monday, Eric an dI took Brodie for his shots, then came home to get Honey and Daddy Mack for lunch. We ate at Beef O' Bradys and Brodie slept the whole time. When we got home we said our goodbyes adn Honey and Daddy Mack headed to the airport. We had a great time with them.

2 Month Check-Up

2008-03-19T18:19:00.000-07:00

Brodie had his 2 month well check On March 3, 2008. I had been dreading it because I did nto want to see him cry when they gave hom his shots. Eric took off work so he would be there with us.
First they weighed and measured Brodie. He weighed 12.9 pounds! In the 75% percentile. He was 24 inches long. He was laughed and smiling at the 2 nurses doing his measurments the whole time. They said, "your not going to like us soon". Oh, poor baby!
Next, Dr. Hawk came in and discussed feeding issues with us. We told her about Brodie's restless sleep (drawing up legs constantly, whimpering, spitting up). She said he must have reflux and to prop up his mattress and give him mylanta at night. She also switched his formula to Similac Sensitive for fussiness and gas. She said to give him prune juice for his tummy troubles. Eric and I were relieved to have some answers about that issue. Dr. Hawk also said Brodie would keep his blue eyes and that she could tell he would be very social.
Last were the shots. Each nurse gave Brodie 3 shots. He SCREAMED and cried. It broke my heart. He was inconsolable for about 5 minutes then calmed down. He went to sleep in the car.
Overall, I think he handled his shots like a champ. No fever, just sore legs. Glad that is over (until 4 month shots).

First Outing

2008-03-19T18:08:00.000-07:00

No, I don't mean to the doctor, of course it was to shop because I had something to do with it. Brodie's first outing was to Dillards department store on February 22. It was a brand new building and was having a grand opening. We went early when not many people were there. Eric and I packed up his diaper bag and stroller and headed out for a fun day of shopping. After Dillards we went to Stienmart. Everyone kept saying how cute Brodie was and that he was a big baby. He was so good and loved looking at the bright lights and seeing all the people walking around. When we finally got home we realized he hadn't eaten in over 4 hours. He was having so much fun he forgot to get hungry. I attempted to take some pictures at Dillards.

No More Insert!

2008-03-17T21:07:00.001-07:00

On February 11 I went to put Brodie in his swing and what did I need to do but take out the insert we had been using ao that he fit in it. We had also been using it in his car seat. Wow, he is growing so fast.

One Month Old

2008-03-17T21:00:00.000-07:00

Brodie turned 1 month old on January 28, 2008. Here are some pictures I took on that day.

WooHoo-He is sleeping at night!

2008-03-17T20:51:00.000-07:00

Finally...Brodie started sleeping 4-5 hours a night the week of January 20. Anyone with an infant knows this is a most triumphant time due due the exhausting ngihts that came before this.

Instead of getting up to eat every hour and a half to two hours, he slept 4-5 hours. I of course didn't sleep too well b/c I was too busy watching him to make sure he was breathing. Good Job, Brodie!

Matt and Jamie Visit

2008-03-17T20:41:00.000-07:00

On January 19, our good friends from Nashville, Matt and Jamie came to visit Brodie. We were so glad they came and appreciate them hanging inside with us while Brodie was on "house arrest" due to flu threats. Jamie took the cutest picture of Brodie that looks like he is praying

We miss Matt and Jamie and had a great visit!

Jamie took this picture of Brodie. He looks like he is praying, so sweet.

"The Count"

2008-03-17T20:35:00.000-07:00

When Mimi and Tig came to visit they gave Brodie his very first nickname, "The Count". This came from how Brodie holds his hands when he sleeps. He crossed them at his chest and sleeps like a vampire. It's pretty funny. I sure do love "The Count"! He still sleeps like this sometimes, but not as much anymore.

Mimi and Tig Visit

2008-03-05T21:02:00.000-08:00

When Brodie was just 2 weeks old Eric had to go out of town to Dallas for a week. I was terrified to be home alone with a newborn so imagine my relief when my mom and dad said they would fly down and stay with me the whole time. I was so glad to have them with me. We were told by the doctor to keep Brodie at home for 2 months because it was flu season. My parents were great. They sat in my house for a whole week. We went nowhere and I know they were stir crazy by the end of the week, but they helped me out so much and I know they enjoyed spending time with thier new grandson.

Brodie had his days and nights mixed up at this time so my parents would watch him during the day if I had been up all night so that I could nap. They helped me bathe him and rock him and change him. Mom stayed up at night with me, too. They also fed me well that week. Outback, italian, Starbucks coffee and mint brownies. I enjoyed thier visit and so did little Brodie!

MiMi and Brodie

MiMi and Tig holding Brodie

Tig comforting little Brodie

Now that we are home

2008-03-05T20:49:00.000-08:00

So now that we had our baby boy home what do we do? We fed him, changed him, watched him sleep, put on his 1 million new outfits and took pictures of him. We also put him in his boppy chair, boppy pillow, and swing. He loves them . At first he was too small for them and needed an insert. We didn't think to put the insert in the swing at first so he didn't really use it for about 5 weeks. Look how little he looks in it below. Here he is that first week in his chair, swing, and on his pillow:

Tallulah meets Brodie

2008-02-25T21:26:00.000-08:00

Our dog Tallulah had been our "child" for the last year and a half. We were anxious to see how she would react to Brodie but had a feeling she would be fine. Our worries were totally unwarrented because Tallulah has been outstanding! She is so protective of her "little brother". She sits beside him and follows us wherever we take him. She used to never bark and now goes crazy when someone comes over. I took Brodie strolling and she barked when a boy in our nieghborhood got close to his stroller. She brings her toys to him and wants to play with him.

The sweetest thing ever, though, was the night Brodie's tummy was hurting so bad from his formula. He was constipated also and just screaming. We had laid him on a blanket on the floor to change him and he fell asleep. Tallulah laid down by him and put her head on his side and fell asleep on him. She was so worried about him. Here are a few pictures from that night:

What a good dog she is. She loves Brodie so much!

So Sweet

2008-02-25T21:23:00.000-08:00

Here is my favorite picture of Eric and Brodie at the hospital. It just melts my heart. So sweet!

Flowers

2008-02-24T21:24:00.001-08:00

A big thanks you to my best friend NixB and her family, Eric's work, and to Brodie's grandparents, Honey and Daddy Mack for the beautiful flowers celebrating Brodie's arrival. How pretty! And isn't the fire truck so neat that Sherwin Williams sent. It's a toy to use later. Love it!

A Good Day

2008-02-24T20:57:00.000-08:00

On January 4, 2008 we got to bring Brodie home. We woke up to the phone ringing at 7am that morning. It was the pediatrician calling to tell us Brodie was set to go home. We were so excited! Originally we were told his meds via iv would not be done until 11:00 that night so we would have to wait until then. Bringing him home earlier was perfect. No more back and forth to the hospital, no more losing sleep because I missed the little guy and felt sad he wasn't in our cozy home. It was time to load him in his new car seat and bring him back to 24th Street!

We arrived at about 9:00 am and dressed Brodie in his "Life is Good" ensemble so that he could get his birth pictures taken before we left. The outfit was big on him but he looked so cute. Here he is in his outfit:

The picture man came about 10:15 and took Brodie's picture. Eric told him he had the hardest job in the world. It's not easy getting a newborn to pose and look at a camera! The pictures turned out really cute. When I look at them now I see how bloated Brodie is from all the antibitotics he had pumped in him through his iv.

After pictures the nurse sent for a wheelchair so that I could be wheeled out to the car ( I was fine to walk but this was a hospital policy). The wheelchair came and we thanked Dr. Avi and the nurses and said goodbye. Doctor Avi said, "Oh, this is a good day!". And it was. Here is Brodie in his carseat for the first time.

Funny Feet

2008-02-24T20:47:00.000-08:00

When we would feed Brodie in the hospital nursery we noticed the cutest, funniest thing. He straightens his legs and feet out and flexes his toes while he drinks. He still does this and I just love it! It makes me laugh everytime he eats. Check it out:

How Cute is that!

Feeding Brodie

2008-02-24T20:21:00.000-08:00

As I said before, during Brodie's stay in the hospital, we went to feed him every 2-3 hours. We would go knock on the nursery door and wash our hands and put a hospital gown on.The nurse would roll Brodie in is little plastic tub cart to a "family room" in the back.There he is in his tub:

The family room had 2 chairs and a tv and was very small. He would nurse for maybe 10 minutes then drink a little tiny bottle, about 1-2 ounces.

Some pics of Me, Eric, and Brodie while in the "family room":

Eric feeding Brodie his tiny bottle

Me and Brodie

Mad and wanting his milk already!

NICU

2008-02-22T18:23:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Nursery/NICU at Munroe

From December 28, 2007-January 4, 2008 Brodie stayed in the NICU. I was discharged December 30 but Doctor Hall was nice and gave me an extra night and the hospital gave me a "sleepover" night so I actually went home on January 1. It was an awful feeling going home without our baby but I knew Brodie was in good hands.

While in the NICU we got to know several nurses. The two in particular that stand out to me are nurse Stacy and nure "Hatchett". Nurse Stacy was really sweet and always talked to us a lot. Her son has cerebral palsey and she knew I taught special ed. so we talked about that every time I went in to feed Brodie and she was working. She helped me with nuring a lot also.

We also loved Nurse "Hatchett". Of course she took some warming up to at first but when you got to talking to her she was very nice...smart about babies too. I think it was my dad that named her nurse "Hatchett" because of how rough she was with the babies. She really wasn't rough, she just knew what she was doing. When she fed Brodie she would lean him back and worth real quick and beat on his back to burp him. Those of us who are scared around newborns are taken aback by how nurses can just "sling" babies around. I don't know nurse Hatchett's real name..I forgot it-oops!

Brodie ate every 2-3 hours so it seemed as soon as we got home we were back in the car to go feed him again. I was glad because I missed him everytime we left. When we arrived at the nursery door the nurses all new who we were b/c we were there so often. I felt very at ease with Brodie staying overnight ther with the nurses b/c they were so good and so loving to the babies. I am so thankful for them. Here are so pictures from the NICU/nursery.

Dad holding Brodie in the nursery.

Here is Nurse "Hatchett" teaching me how to bottle feed Brodie

Dr. Roig and Dr. Avi

2008-02-20T16:15:00.000-08:00

Doctor Roig and Doctor Avi were the neonatologists who looked after Brodie while he fought his infection and to get his repiratory system strong . I didn't take any pictures of them but wish I did. They were awesome!

Doctor Roig was a neonatologist from Shands. He explained to the tee to me what had happened with Brodie and what needed to be done before he could go home. He said Brodie was a strong little boy and that a lot of times babies who go through what he did end up on a ventilator. I am so thankful he was at Munroe Hospital. They had recently staffed the nursery with neonatologists. If Dr. Roig hadn't been there, Brodie would have been air lifted to Shands in Gainsville

Doctor Avi was also great. She looked very young and had a really neat accent, not sure where she was from. She always said Brodie was "gorgeous".

We are forever grateful to Doctor Roig and Doctor Avi for saving our baby boys life.

Mimi and Tig

2008-02-19T11:45:00.000-08:00

MIMI and TIG in front of the Munroe Regional Sign

After an exhausting labor and scary situation to deal with, I was glad to have Eric with me. He was great at making me feel like everything would be ok. But even though I am 32 years old, I still wanted my mom and dad because I was so upset. I was so relieved when "Mimi and Tig" arrived at the hospital to see thier new grandson. They went with me right away to see Brodie in the NICU. I am so grateful they hopped on a plane and were here with us. Here are some pictures from when they came to the hospital.

Me and Dad/Tig with Brodie in NICU

Me and mom/Mimi on our way to the nursery

Bittersweet Picture

2008-02-19T11:38:00.001-08:00

Why is this picture bittersweet?
Bitter because I know Brodie was hurting to breathe. He was sick, gray, and scared.
Sweet because there is my new baby boy, finally here after such a long wait. He is beautiful.

The Birth Story-Part 3

2008-02-19T10:58:00.000-08:00

So what was it Brodie had to fight? An infection and holes he blew into his little lungs from trying to breathe so hard due to swallowing meconium during birth. He has also caught my fever. His was 102.

I remember being super tired but so excited lying in the delivery room after they took Brodie. Eric had walked down to the nursery to see him. The 2 nurses who had helped me push were in the room with me. A nursery nurse came into the room and asked, "Are you Mrs. Denison?". "Yes", I replied. Then she said, "I want you to know you have a very sick little boy. He has swallowed meconium and is trying hard to breathe and we are doing all we can. He is on oxygen. You can go visit him but just know he is really sick". "I'll go find your husband and explain to him".

WOW-What a shocker. I was devasted, scared, crying, and I wanted Eric or my parents to be in the room with me because I felt the tears begin to flow. My 2 nurses told me that they always have to treat a baby with the worst case scenario and that babies are very resiliant. The eased my mind a little but not much. Eric came back and they all got me ready to go see Brodie.

So what is this meconium? Meconium is when a baby passes a stool before birth. About 10-20% of babies do this before they are born. These babies respond with fetal distress and the stress relaxes the sphincter muscles and pushes the stool out. BUT...in only 2-5% of babies born in meconium stained amniotic fluid inhale this thick, tarry yuck stuff and plug thier small airways. This causes respiratory distress. So Brodie fell into this 2-5%. I felt horrible for him and somewhat guilty. Did this happen because of my fever, because I didn't know my water broke?

When we went to see Brodie I was even more scared. His breathing was fast and erratic. He ws pale gray. He had IV's of antibiotics in his little hand taped all the way up his arm, his face was enclosed in an oxygen helmet. His bright blue eyes were big and scared and I couldn't hug and hold him to give him any lovin'. So I held his little hands, talked to him, and said lots of prayers. I wouldn't get to hold my precious little baby for 2 days.

Here are a few pictures of Brodie in the oxygen helmet in the NICU shortly after his birth.

So Brodie's birth was scary but he was a strong fighter and was going to be ok.

Insert: Tallulah

2008-02-18T20:23:00.000-08:00

So I feel I need to insert a story about our wonderful, good ole dog Tallulah before proceeding to part 3 of the birth story.

Tallulah, or "T-Bear", or "Sweet T", or "T-Bear-T-Bossa", as we like to call her is our peekapoo. She just loves Eric. She follows him around and waits in the window for him to get home from work. She loves me, too, but doesn't give me half the attention as she does Eric.

Well, remember how I said I felt "weird" for those 2 days before going into labor. I truly believe Tallulah knew my water was broken or that Brodie was coming because she was stuck to me like glue for those few days. If I laid on the couch, she laid on my stomach, right on top of me. Wherever I went, she went. Once I woke up from a nap in the recliner and she was watching me. I think she knew what was coming and she was watching over me. What a good ole dog my T-Bear is. I love our little puppy and will be forever thankful for her taking care of me. Here are some pictures of Tallulah.

Me and T-BearT-Bear lounging

Birth Story: Part 2

2008-02-18T11:04:00.000-08:00

So I get home from the non-stress test and rest, calling my friends and family to tell them how upset I am that I have to wait until January 2 to have my baby. All this time I tell Eric I just don't feel right.
Eric's parents arrive from Nashville around 5:00. We visit and then go get some dinner. I order a some chicken-spicy, because I have heard spicy food sends you in to labor. I still just don't feel right. Mainly, I felt lots of pressure when I walked.
We get home and visit some more. I decide I feel so "blah" I am going to take a shower and go to bed. I go to sleep around 12:30 and wake up at 2:00 am with a terrible pain in my back that goes to my sides. Ohh, it hurt! I think it's just a mild contraction and decide to just lie in bed and see if they go away. 4 minutes go by and another one. Another 4 minutes and I feel the same pain. I decide this has got to be something but I am just so confused. I get out the ever trusting, "What to Expect When Your Expecting" book and read about labor. I decide this may be it. I get out of bed and tell Eric I think I should go to the hospital but I want him to time my pains. He times them at 3-4 minutes apart and we decide to head to Munroe Hospital.We get ready and get in the car. The whole way there I am saying, "I hope I'm not going in and they laugh and send me home". But the pain comes again and I am sure I definitely need to be going to the hospital. At 3:30 we check into Labor and Delivery and I am put in a bed. The nurse times my contractions and checks me. I am still 1 cm (of course). She tells the doctor I am in pain and he says to keep me and give me some pain meds. She said the on-call doctor is Doctor Hall and that if it would have been my doctor, Doctor Marquette, he probably would have sent me home. Doctor Hall is who ordered the shot for pain. I decide I love Doctor Hall.
The nurse who gives me my pain shot shift ends and a new nurse, Stephanie, comes in. She is very nice and takes good care of me. I am given patocin to speed up my labor. Doctor Hall comes in to break my water but he says it must already be broken. We decide maybe this is why I have felt so weird. Maybe my water has been broken for a whole day and I did not know.
The day goes on and on and Eric and I sit int he room, napping occassionally, listening to music. Eric calls our parents and tells them that Brodie would be born today. My parents jump on a plane and head to Ocala from Nashville.
At some point during my labor I develop a high fever of almost 104. Stephanie tells me that sometimes a c-section is necessary with a fever and they start me on antibotics so my fever goes down and the baby is ok. I am sweating horribly but sleeping on and off so don't realize it.
When my epidural kicks in full force I am totally paralyzed from the waist down. It is the weirdest feeling. I had to switch from my left to right side while lying in bed and Eric and Stephanie had to move me each time because I couldn't feel my legs to do it. Very strange...and embarressing.
At about 3:00 pm Doctor Hall checks me and says it's almost time to push. Stephanie gets called away to an emergency c-section and 2 new nurses come in and have me start pushing. I can not remember thier names but they are very nice, also. I did wish Stephanie would have been there, though b/c we had spent the whole day with her.
The nurse had me start pushing and calls Doctor Hall when Brodie is close. Doctor Hall enters the room, dancing, saying "Lets have a baby!". He says, "I've got my catchers mitt ready" as he sits down. He is very funny! He sees Brodie's head and tells us our son has a conehead.
At 4:06 Brodie makes his way into the world. I pushed for 40 minutes and it hurt like heck but the pain was well worth it. Eric cut the cord, the nurse put him on my chest for a second and they took him away to do the apgar. I remember asking, "Why is he not crying". Dr. Hall tells me to give him a second. I see Eric taking his picture and think all is ok. The nurses take him to the nursery.
But Brodie was not ok, he had to put up quite a fight.
Part 3 to come!!

The Birth Story: Part 1

2008-02-18T07:23:00.000-08:00

So I figured I should write everything that happened the day I delivered Brodie, so here it goes. I will have to write the whole story in parts because it's so long, and a newborn won't wait for mom to sit and type for hours! So while he is napping, here is part 1:

On Thursday, December 27, 2007 I had my 41 weeks pregnant doctor appointment. I was miserable and hoping to be sent right away to the hospital for induction. Doctor Marquette checked me and said the phrase I was not hoping to hear, "You are 1 cm and you cervix is very thick". For the past 3 weeks I had been 1 cm. He sent me to the hospital for a non-stress test and said they would call him about induction.

Eric and I arrived at the hospital for my second non-stress test. Baby looked great, I was having conmtractions but couldn't feel them. The nurse went to call the doctor so they could set up an induction date. Thank Goodness, I thought. Eric and I were so relieved. Surely, we thought, it would be set for tomorrow, or in a few days. We sat discussing the possible dates. The nurse came back and said, "We have a date of January 2 set". January 2! But that was a whole week away! A whole new year! I could feel the tears coming. That was too long to wait. I felt huge, I was tired but couldn't sleep, I was nervous, and I wanted to meet my new baby boy. I went into the bathroom and cried. When I had calmed down I came out and the nurse told me, "Anything could happen, you could be back in here tonight, you never know". And yes...little did I know.

We got into the car and drove home. Eric's parents were coming into town and I needed a nap. Here a picture of me from that week. It is the last picture I have of me pregnant with Brodie.

Growing Fast

2008-02-17T15:34:00.000-08:00

It seems like just yesterday our sweet baby boy, Brodie Mack Denison was born. December 28, 2007 at 4:06 pm will forever be my most exciting day ever. Eric and I are in love with our little man and our lives are completely changed.
I had been wanting a baby for the past few years. After a very upsetting miscarriage, Brodie was an answer to my prayers. Today Brodie is 7 weeks and 2 days old. Eric and I have finally gotten the hang of what his cries mean and somewhat of a feeding schedule down. He is sleeping about 5 hours a night, which is a big relief for any tired, new mom. So since the chaos is dying down, this is the perfect time to start documenting events and happenings of Brodie's life that I do not want to forget.
Before all the stories to catch up on, here is a picture of my precious baby, Brodie Mack Denison. He is growing fast, and I don't want to forget a THING!