Our 1st Week as Parents

Our 1st full week of being parents has definitely proven that is it TOUGH!!! I have had so many ups and downs this week. Taelyn Mylanah DiMillo was born on March 20, 2010 at 7:43 am. She was 7 pounds 8 ounces. She had a head full of hair and was absolutely perfect.

Taelyn was everything I thought she would be. She was actually bigger than I thought she would be. She was 3 weeks early, but surprisingly very big. Because she was so healthy, the doctors decided that she was well enough to go home after just one day. On Sunday, right before we were completely discharged I was visited by some old and dear friends. Serena, Pam, Raylea and Jessica. That was such a nice visit. I wish I could have caught up with them more, but that little bit of time was great.

When we got home we were welcomed by a sign made by Shae and Scott on our garage. That was so sweet to see the moment we pulled into the driveway. I was so happy to be home and I just wanted to get Taelyn in the house so she can get used to her surroundings and see Tyson and Tony. We weren't home very long before Apo, Grandpa, Bapa Russell and Auntie Gigi and the kids came to see Taelyn.The 1st day home was wonderful, yet overwhelming because my family alone can really fill a room. When they left, it was just me, Todd and Taelyn with our boys. It was the most amazing feeling. We went to bed shortly after everyone left and boy was it a rough night. Taelyn woke up probably 6 to 7 times over the course of the night. It was hard. I had her in her bassinette, and then after about the 4th time of her waking up, I just put her in the bed with us and that seemed to do the trick. She still woke up, but it wasn't as bad.

Monday we had many more visitors and it was just a nice day at home, we didn't do anything else. I was having a HARD time because I had a ridiculous pain in my neck and nothing helped. It was so horrible I was forced to seek the help of a Chiropractor. At the time, I wasn't sure what he was doing to me. It hurt, then felt better, then hurt and then felt worse. I had x-rays done to see what happened and went home. While I was at the Chiropractor I was having some serious Taelyn withdraws. I was having some separation anxiety. I was in tears because I missed her so much. I wanted to leave the doctor to get back home to my baby. I had Todd send me pictures of her to see what she was doing (sleeping) to make me feel better. Todd said I had to stay and take care of myself so that I could be well enough to take care of Taelyn. He was right, but I was having a slight breakdown.

Tuesday we had our 1st doctor's visit. We went to get blood drawn first, so that the results would be ready when we saw our doctor. Taelyn was very good for her prick, but man, it hurt my heart to see that happening to her. The doctor did NOT have good news for us. Taelyn had Jaundice and needed to go directly into NICU... here came the water works... Todd held it together since I couldn't. We drove back to the hospital that we just left and had to admit our little girl into the NICU. They immediately took off all of her clothes, put some shades over her eyes and got her in her little incubator She didn't seem to mind, but man I was a WRECK. My little baby looked so helpless. I was sad. I stayed with her until they forced me to leave. Todd ran a few arrant but was with us as soon as he finished.

Taelyn was just so calm and pleasant, she had no idea what was in store for her.

This is my MOST favorite picture of her so far. She has her little baby blood pressure cuff and heart monitor and was just ready for anything. Her face is just priceless.

My poor baby... looking at her like this made me so sad *tears*

After a long night with Taelyn in the NICU, we were told her Jaundice was better and that we could take her home!!! We received a bilirubin blanket that we needed to keep her on for the majority of the day and night. I didn't want to have to do that, but this was better than her being in the NICU. I went back to the Chiropractor and found out I had a ruptured disc. There really was nothing we could do about it but give it time to heal. I did a few treatments in the office that seemed to help. I got home as soon as I could to my little girl.

Thursday we didn't do anything at all, we didn't leave the house. Taelyn stayed with her blanket while Todd and I just hung out with each other. It was amazing. I am loving my little family.

Friday we went back to the doctor and and was told Taelyn's jaundice was better, but she still needed to keep her bili-blanket. After we left the doctor's office, we went to lunch at Sizzlers. It was Taelyn's 1st official restaurant visit, she slept the whole time. Uncle Chaz and Tita Jess came over for a visit. It makes me so happy to have people come over and see Taelyn. We had a great visit with them. They got to play with Taelyn... Chaz actually fed Taelyn. He did such a great job. We have such a good baby.



Saturday Taelyn is exactly 1 week old. Todd had opening ceremonies for the softball team he is co-coaching. He wanted me to take the baby to the field for a little while. Taelyn and I went for about 15 minutes and was over it. Taelyn and I left and went to my mom's house. Apo was so excited to see Taelyn. We visited with Apo until Todd's game was over and then we went home. We had many visitors. Stephen and Aimee came over with Allison, Genny a coworker of mine, Tylesha, Marco, Calvin, my mom, Cherry, Chanelle and Junior all came over. It was pretty overwhelming at one point because they were all here together.

After all of that, Shaelyn and Scott had the UFC fight at their house so I made some pigs in a blanket and fruit pizza for Todd to take over. I stayed home with a few of our visitors and Todd, Marco, Calvin and Russell went over. All around great Saturday. It was most definitely a VERY busy and emotional week. I am just so happy to have my little family. I am BLESSED beyond measure. I thank the Lord everyday for everything he has given me and I and just so THANKFUL.Taelyn, my little "GLOW WORM"

Taelyn's 1st smile caught on camera... also while glowing ^_^

Labor...

I have been completely slacking on my blog... things have been kinda hectic. I guess I am gonna start from where I left off. Todd and I had an awesome night together on the 18th, then on the 19th we were scheduled for induction. We were supposed to go in at 7am, but anyone who knows our doctor knows he is late, so instead of waiting and getting frustrated, Todd and I took our time to get to the hospital. Besides, I really didn't want Taelyn to be born on the 19th, (I don't like odd numbers)

Todd and I had some yummy Thai food at Le Basil. I wanted to have something good to eat because one thing I learned from our many trips to Labor and Delivery, is that once you are there, you don't get to eat until everything is over or they send you home. I was not about to go into this long journey hungry! After we ate, we went to Brookside Park near the hospital to just kinda spend some time together and video tape what a beautiful day it was, and Todd wanted to capture my waddle. He said that is something he didn't want to forget. We were calm and collected and very happy and in love with each other and VERY excited about the new adventure we were about to embark upon.

We arrived at the hospital at about 1pm. We were admitted and given a room. It was just us for most of the day. The nurses hooked me up to my IV, then gave me Pitocine to induce the labor. It was an all day thing. I wasn't worried because I didn't want to have Taelyn until after midnight. This time around, Todd brought my laptop, so I was on Facebook and playing games for the majority of the beginning of the labor.

When the contractions started getting worse and worse, the nurse finally said I could get the epidural. That was not great, once the needle was in, my blood pressure as well as Taelyn's blood pressure dropped. It was a VERY scary moment for Todd, my mom and Gigi. I honestly don't remember what happened, but I do vaguely remember Todd cussing at the anesthesiologist. When everything was better and we were stable, I asked Gigi what happened, and she was surprised that I didn't know. I guess I was being asked questions and I was answering, but I really don't remember. Todd got upset because he didn't think the doctor was moving fast enough to fix whatever was going on. (hence the cussing)

After the epidural, things were at a standstill. Things didn't start happening until about 7am, and by 7:43am, she was here. I was coached by Todd, my mom and Gigi. It was rough. The pushing was no problem it was after the pushing where I was supposed to be resting, that HURT. I had a lot of tension in my neck that hurt like nothing I ever felt before. YES I was on Facebook the entire time. I had my phone and was updating. They tried numerous amounts of time to take my phone away, but it was like my security. It helped me focus. Labor was not as bad as I thought it would be, it helped me to think that people do it all the time. There is nothing that compares to the end result. I had Taelyn Mylanh DiMillo at 7:43am on March 20, 2010.

Last Night as DINKS....

On our last night of being "DINK'S" Double Income, No Kids, Todd and I went to dinner at Las Brasas, walked around Market Night and then went to Dairy Queen. We really took the time to enjoy each others company and we talked and laughed and just loved on one another. It was really special for me. I looked into his eyes more last night than I have in months and just really appreciated him. I took the time to really remember why I love him so much. He is such an amazing man, in just so many ways. He makes me better and I could never really find the words to use to explain how much I care about him. I mean the fact he puts up with me and my eccentric ways speaks monuments about his patients and his character. It was just really nice to walk around holding hands and just being in love.

When we returned home, we started a home art project. I bought a belly casting kit. We went to work at making a cast. It was pretty fun... Tyson and Tony were looking at us like we were crazy. It was messy, but so worth it. The ending product was super cute, now all we have to do is paint and decorate it. This was the perfect ending of one chapter in life and we are totally ready and excited for the next chapter!!!!

Nesting

I am totally ready for my little Taelyn to be here!!! My house is CLEAN, the laundry is done, and all of her things are in place and ready and waiting for her. I am calm and prepared.... as prepared as I can be. Todd has hung up all of our maternity pictures. I must say I hated all of the pictures when I 1st saw them, but now they are touched up and framed, I am soooo Glad Todd ordered them and forced me to get them. They really look great in the house!

I am just so anxious and excited I can hardly stand it! I really should be going to sleep, but I feel like a kid going to Disneyland in the morning. I am going to force myself to bed since I don't really know when the next time I will be able to sleep. I just feel like everything I have been through and all the struggles and pain have all led up to this moment. We are finally going to meet our little girl. God has truly blessed us and on our anniversary of all days.... coincidence? I think not! I purposely chose March 15th as our wedding date because it is right in between mine and Todd's birthday, now this specific date is going to be our baby's birthday. It is just amazing to me how this worked out. I am overwhelmed and over joyed. I can't wait to meet my little girl. Taelyn Mylanah DiMillo Daddy and I will be the best parents we know how to be and we promise to love and take care of you to our best ability. We love you! See you tomorrow!!!!

More pics from the hospital

Todd, Me and Dad

Russell and Me

Mom and Eddie in the waiting room

23 Hours in the Hospital

Play by play of the last few nights of labor for me and Todd:

2:00am March 9, 2010, I woke up with some mild contractions, I was not too worried because they were mild. I felt them, but they didn't hurt, they were just noticeable and annoying. I tried unsuccessfully going back to sleep. I carried on with my day. I had my ultrasound and stress test. While I was there, my contractions were noticed by the tech and by my doctor. He continued to monitor me while I was doing my stress test. He said that if my contractions are 10-7 minutes apart to go straight to labor and delivery.

Carrying on with my day, I went to get my hair done and had a nice visit with my Soror Alice. Richard was with me all day and we just hung out. At about 4pm I noticed the contractions that I had been having all day were becoming more frequent. I called the on call nurse at the hospital and she said that if the contractions get more intense, walking helps, but it also causes dilation. In my mind, I'm thinking that is not such a bad idea because I wanted her here on the 10th, so I decided to walk Tyson and Tony who were in desperate need of a walk. I made it as far as the mailbox. I was so tired, I couldn't go any further. (bed rest was not my friend if I couldn't make it past the mailbox) That was the end of my walk.

5:30pm Rich and I decided to have dinner, he wanted Thai food, so I am never one to turn down Thai food, so we ate at Garden Thai and then went home so he could watch the Laker Game. I had a prenatal massage set up at 7:00pm. This was so relaxing. By the end of my massage, my contractions were about 20 minutes apart. I was feeling good and relaxed. Todd got home from work about this time. We were talking and and I was still contracting. My contractions went from 20 minutes apart to 6 minutes apart.

I took a shower and got dressed and Todd, Richard and I headed to the hospital. It was about 9:45pm by the time I got into the room. It was looking like she was gonna come fast. I was having sharp intense contractions and I was dilated to 4cm. We made all of the calls and family and friends were floating in with excitement. I was ready, Todd was ready and most of all Taelyn was ready. The on call doctor saw me right away and was optimistic that she would arrive soon. After a while, the contractions were close and I was checked again with no change, still 4cm. So at about 1:00am, I still had no change. The doctor said that we will just wait and see what happens, hopefully I would dilate more so that Taelyn can have a safe passage. At about 3:30am, all of our visitors which included Todd's dad and Step mom, My mom and Step dad, Russell, Gigi, Richard, Kellina and Marco decided to go home.

We pushed through the night, my contractions were frequent and strong. My doctor came in at 7am and was so busy he was unable to see us right away. He had 2 c-sections and some sort of emergency so when he FINALLY came into my room at about 12:45pm, (my luck) I was in the restroom I told him to wait just 2 seconds, but he said he would come right back. So as soon as he left my room he got called in to do another c-section. So we didn't get to see him until about 2:00pm. He said that I wasn't progressing. So there was really nothing that could be done, they wanted to keep me and observe me to see if there is more progression. My contractions were coming this entire time. They were every 2-3 minutes and way more intense. They gave me a pain killer through my IV to take the edge off. At about 5:00ish he said that he was going to stop the labor because I was in so much pain and I wasn't making any progress, so they were gonna send me home if the contractions stopped.

The medicine they gave me to stop the contractions didn't work, they just kept coming. So he said unless I start to dilate or my water breaks there was nothing they could do. He didn't want to break my water for me because I was only 35 weeks and 5 days. He said that if I were 36-38 weeks he would have had no problem helping me, but because I am not considered full term he didn't feel comfortable with assisting me. So at about 8:30pm we were discharged and sent home. I was just so tired and uncomfortable and disappointed, I didn't even care, I just wanted to be out of Limbo. Either she was coming or she wasn't, and if she wasn't send me home and if she was, then get it moving. I was just too thrilled to go home and get some sort of food in my. All I was allowed to eat was a liquid meal and that sucked too. When we left, we stopped at Chipotle and went straight home. Todd and I went straight to bed. Poor Todd was so exhausted. I was too, but I didn't get much sleep because I was contracting though the night. So here I am tired, disappointed, and still in pain....

I really though she would be here by now. I willed it to happen on the 10th, but I guess it just wasn't mean to be. I am fine with it, I never thought it would really happen anyway, I just wanted it to. Then when I started with the contractions I thought "Could this really be happening? Could I really get what I wanted?" Obviously not! I am fine with it, I just want her here safely. Although I am tired of being pregnant and uncomfortable, I want a health, happy baby more, so if I have to wait longer I don't care, I just want these contractions to go away until she is really ready.

Kellina and Marco just talking

Dr. Marco

Gigi and Me

Monitoring Mama and Taelyn

Mom turning 60 and Parenting

My mom is the most amazing person in the world. He 60th birthday is coming up on April 1st. We are throwing her a huge 60th birthday bash. It is going to be a Luau. I was on a super mad dash to get the invitations out for Saturday the 3rd of April. I found the cutest Hibiscus Flower invitation and she "needed" to have her picture on the invitation so I had to find a really cute picture of her in Hawaiian attire. I needed to shrink the picture and cut out circles and put them in the middle of the flower. I thought it would be tacky but when it was done, it actually looked really cute. So this is an example of "What Mama wants Mama gets. "

I do everything that my mom tells me to do, even when I really don't want to. I am reluctant, but I have always done so. When it comes to my mom I am so obedient. I always have been. I never want to disappoint her. Even to this day, her approval is necessary. I want to make her proud, always. I think of this and I hope that I can do the same with my daughter. What did my mom do that made me this way? How did she raise me to be so close to her? What are the key things that she did to make her kids so successful? She has done an amazing job and I have some serious shoes to fill, I think that if I can do half the job that my mom has done for me with Taelyn, then she will be just fine. I am so scared and anxious about how I will parent. I ask her for her help and she doesn't even know! How is that possible? She said that she just showed us love and listened to us... is it really that simple?

Russell and I were talking about it and we, like everyone else just want to be able to raise our kids with the right values, loving, knowing, and having a relationship with the Lord. Well mannered, and grow up to be self efficient and successful adults. Is that too much to ask?