First Day Back at Work

Well, the big day has arrived...the day I had to go back to work! For eleven weeks I was anxious to get back to my routine, my career, and the amazing friends I have made at Pathway. At the same time, I felt a lot of guilt about leaving Marek. After many prayers and confiding in Gregg, my family, and my friends, I decided that I would return to work for about 6 weeks (until Gregg graduates and we head to Savannah). I researched various childcare options, including daycare and an in-home option. Luckily, Gregg's brother, Justin, his wife, Theresa, and their children PCSed here. Not only are we excited to spend a  few months with family, Theresa sweetly offered to keep Marek for that little while!

I have always believed that God steps in when we need Him...and He helped me through a tough time once again when we were able to leave Marek with Justin and Theresa. Knowing that Marek is with family who love him has helped me feel more confident leaving him with someone else.

The first day was the hardest. Gregg was up at 4 am to get ready for work. I was up at 5am to get a shower in before Marek woke up. Gregg was out by 5:30 am and I sat down with a cup of coffee to enjoy my little time to myself for the day. When 6 am came around, Marek was up to get changed and to eat a small bottle. By 6:45 am I was out the door to bring Marek to Theresa...then off to work. I pulled in at 7:45am and knew it would be a long week!

Marek off to Theresa's for that first day...

Everyone was so supportive at work. I was able to spend most of the day getting situated and catching up with my co-workers. Anytime I seemed to have some down-time, my supervisor sweetly kept me occupied so I couldn't get too anxious about being away from home.

As the days have gone by (and I just completed my first full week of work), I am starting to hit my stride. I love being a mom and Marek is my world, but I am also proud to be a therapist who helps adolescents, a professional woman in our society, and an equal "bread winner" in the home. I have begun to really understand that I should not feel guilty because I love my family AND working. I remember admiring my mom because she went to work everyday and ensured we had food on our table. I always knew I wanted to have a career that I could be proud of. I have that career....I love counseling. Now, my life is even more complete because I am also a wife and a mother. I never imagined I could feel so blessed...but here I am...living the most amazing life. God truly is good!

Marek's First Christmas

Marek was originally due December 13th. Well, our Christmas baby made an early entrance so we excitedly celebrated Christmas with our two month old! He had a cute little outfit from Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa Swanson and a ton of presents...but little Mr. Marek was a sleepy baby! He came in and out of naps all day and shared some sweet smiles. No complaints here...holidays are meant for relaxing with family!

This was the first Christmas I have not traveled home. It was sad to miss my mom during the holiday, but Gregg and I were excited to start some of our own traditions. Growing up is so bittersweet! 


My favorite Christmas elf!

Two months old - 12/24/11

Happy Due Date, Marek!

We have finally reached the big day....my due date! I was originally due 12/13/11. Yesterday was a big day for us...not only has Marek reached his 0 days adjusted age, but we are blessed to have a healthy little boy who has thrived for the past seven weeks.

Marek weighed 9 lbs (on our scale) and measured between 21.5 and 22 inches long (he is a squirmy boy!).

We were also able to visit Marek's "due date buddy". My friend Jodi and I were both due this week. She gave birth to a beautiful and healthy baby boy on Monday. We went to the hospital and I had the privelege of holding baby Brayden. He was such a doll and seemed so BIG! It's amazing to see what a full term baby looks like!

Marek is still learning each day as well. We work on "tummy time" and he is strong enough to scoot himself forward. He is also growing stronger each day as he pulls his head back and looks around. Marek is having longer periods of wakefulness and is making more eye contact. He is also reaching out to touch his toys (mostly in the hopes he can get them in his mouth). 

I am eager to have Marek's two month follow-up on the 27th. I look forward to the doctors seeing how much he has grown. :)

Meeting "Grandma-licious"

Since the day Marek was born, my mom has anxiously awaited her first visit with her first grandchild. Originally she asked if I wanted her to come while we were still in the hospital, but I asked her to wait until we were home so we could all enjoy Marek together. Once we discharged from the hospital, she immediately booked a flight and began talking about her first weekend with her grandbaby. For anyone who does not know my mom, she is the feistiest lady. When I was pregnant she began looking at what Marek will call her. She felt that "grandma" sounded too old, so she played with many other options including her favorite, "grandmalicious." Yes...grandmalicious. Those of you that know Denise are probably laughing and nodding. I mean, come on, with those nails and stilettos "grandmalicious" is the only true option!

My mom and Chris finally arrived in Florida late December 3rd. Early on the 4th they drove up to Alabama and came straight to the house. Gregg and I had to attend church and RCIA for our Rite of Acceptance, but she didn't seem to mind "babysitting" Marek for a few hours. Honestly, I think she was just excited to have Marek all to herself! That night we went out to eat and Marek had his first outing to a restaurant. We went to the local Hibachi restaurant and I was amazed with how well Marek did with all the hustle and bustle. We ate, visited, and caught up with each other. My mom asked Gregg all about flight school and we were able to hear about McHenry life and her new job. Once we returned home we all enjoyed a glass of wine, Michael Buble's Christmas CD, and "Christmas". Marek snoozed away as we all opened presents, laughed, and enjoyed some holiday spirit.

First trip out!

Early Christmas celebrations

Monday morning we woke up and got the house cleaned a bit before my mom and Chris came over again. As it was our last full day together, we wanted to make the most of our time! We packed up and headed to the Aviation Museum. Gregg took over as tour guide and showed my mom and Chris the helicopters and explained some of the history behind Army Aviation. We even tried out our hand in a cockpit! Marek was so excited he fell asleep..but did stay still for a few photos!

After the museum we headed to lunch and then back home so Gregg could get ready for night flightline. Mom, Chris and I spent some time together at home before a dinner out at the Mexican restaurant. Gregg came home early and was able to spend some time relaxing before bed.

Tuesday morning mom and Chris came to say their goodbyes. Marek immediately cuddled up to her and fell asleep. He was obviously completely in love with his grandmalicious!

It felt so good to have my mom in town and I felt blessed to have my mom and Chris here for a visit. This was one of the moments I truly hate being away from family. I know we will not have the opportunity to pack up and drive down the road to see grandma, so we have to make the  most of the time we spend together, no matter how little it may be.

Our First Family Thanksgiving

With all the excitement of Marek coming home, we almost forgot how quickly the holidays were approaching! It's amazing what sleep deprivation will do to a family!

With Marek's prematurity, and susceptibility to the cold and flu, we decided that Thanksgiving and Christmas will have to be at home. Luckily, we have found so much support here at Fort Rucker. Gregg had two friends that were unable to spend the holiday with family. Gregg and I took the lead and made a full Thanksgiving meal (minus some amazing sweet potatoes brought by his friend Josh). With full bellies we relaxed, talked, and spent a day together...away from our blood family but with some of the people who have made us feel so at home.

Marek cat-napped through most of the festivities but woke up near the end. He seems to love the idea of being up all night and snoozing all day!

One month old and celebrating his first Thanksgiving with the family!

Kidneys...let's get it together!

Marek came home with just 11 days in the hospital. He never required the NICU and was very healthy...especially for a preemie who arrived seven weeks early. In so many ways I feel that I do not have the right to complain about any "small" health issues as his health could be much worse. In reality, we should still be in the NICU, waiting for him to breath on his own...hoping that he will gain the weight necessary to go home.

Marek is home with us...where he belongs. He shows how he is getting stronger each day. He eats well, wakes up for feedings, and asks for more when he is hungry. He is becoming more active and becoming stronger as he tries to sit up. He has increased his ability to maintain eye contact and recognizes both Gregg and my voice.

It looks like our last real hurdle will be his kidneys.

During my pregnancy I was sent to a Maternal/Fetal specialist. At first, I was referred because he had a 2 vessel umbilical cord (instead of three) and elevated AFP results (that could mean spina bifida). At the ultrasound, they told us his heart and spine looked great, but that his kidneys were slightly dilated. They told us that this is common in boys and that the problem usually resolves itself.

October 10th I had a follow-up at the Maternal/Fetal Specialist. His left kidney looked a bit better, but his right was still swollen. Again, they reminded me that the kidneys usually correct themselves and just asked for an ultrasound once Marek was born.

Two days after Marek was born, he had an ultrasound. His left kidney was "mildly" dilated while his right kidney was "moderately" dilated. This stayed true when he received a second ultrasound before we left the hospital. This meant we needed a follow-up at the Children's Hospital and Marek was put on an antibiotic to keep away any kidney infections. The specialist had warned us that a kidney infection in an infant could mean that he would lose the kidney.

Marek had his first real outing as we traveled to the Children's Hospital in Birmingham on 11/22/11. We packed up and left around 8:30. The drive seemed to take forever, but Marek did so well! Once we arrived we first went to the urology department. They sent us for an immediate ultrasound. When we met, finally, with the urologist he told us what we did not want to hear. Although his left kidney looked great, his right kidney was more swollen. I held back tears as I feared for the doctor to tell us that Marek needed surgery.

The urologist explained that when the kidney is swollen, it can mean that there is a "blockage" leading to the bladder. To rule out a bladder problem, we were sent to have a VCUG test. This required a catheter to be inserted, dye to be pumped into his bladder, and x-rays to be taken as he urinated. I tried to keep it together as we went immediately for the test. Marek seemed unsure as to why we were getting him undressed again but as the nurses attempted to give him a catheter, we fed him so he would stay calm. Well, it took 4 people to insert the catheter!! By the end, Marek was over the experience and pretty fussy. Once the catheter was in he calmed down and we were able to have the test.

Again we went to the urology department. The urologist told us that Marek's bladder functioning looked great, so the problem is definitely in the kidney. He felt confident to hold off and not send him immediately to surgery.

We have a follow-up on January 24th. At that time, Marek will be given a test to see his kidney functioning. Normally, the kidneys each perform 50% of the work. In Marek's case, they will allow 60/40 work distribution. If his right kidney does not function at least 40%, we will need a surgery.

The urologist made the surgery sound simple. They will make an incision below his right ribs, cut out any blockage, sew everything back together, and he may be able to come home the next day. I sat there in the chair biting the inside of my mouth so I would not cry. I looked at my tiny baby and tried to imagine him having surgery...someone cutting him...and the pain he would feel without the understanding needed to realize WHY he had to be in pain.

Gregg and I were silent for the first part of the drive home. We finally approached to the topic to get some of the awkwardness out of the experience. We admitted that it was not the WORST news (we did not get sent directly to surgery), however, it was not the best news. I think both of us naively believed everything would be perfect when we came in and were saddened that Marek did not get a clean bill of health.

So, January 24, 2011 we will be back to at the Children's Hospital. We hope, and pray, that Marek's kidney corrects itself.

Our little trooper waiting for the urologist...

That's Our Chubby Baby!

Marek was discharged from the hospital on 11/4/11 at 4 lbs 15 oz. The minute we brought him home he began to eat with less trouble. Within days, he was crying for additional formula and showed signs of a growth spurt.

We had a follow up at the pediatrician on 11/7/11. He weighed a whooping 5 lbs 1 oz. I felt an overwhelming sense of pride that we were able to give him what he needed to gain weight and thrive. Everything looked good, but the pediatrician asked that we come in again the following Friday to check his weight before we went to the Children's Hospital to see the urologist the following Tuesday.

On 11/18/11 he weighed a HUGE 5 lbs 13 oz. I was almost brought to tears. I knew he had gained some weight...but THAT much weight! I was so proud of my little man! We could not be more pleased by his weight gain and the way he is thriving at home!

At 1 month, we weighed him at home and he weighed about 7 lbs...up two pounds since he left the hospital! Since we see him everyday, it is hard to gauge the weight gain. However, pictures tell the story! Marek has been so strong and healthy. We are truly blessed for the gifts God has given us!

Approximately one week old. 

Just after Marek came home.

One month old (Thanksgiving)