Getting ready to leave the hospital
First car ride
Talking to Daddy
He likes to suck his fingers and thumb
Friday, October 23, 2009
Porter's First Week
We watched the clock last night and celebrated with our new little family as the clock turned 8:08pm and Porter became officially one week old. For the past couple weeks leading up to Porter's arrival, Eric and I have been talking about what to expect when the baby came- poopy diapers, sleep-less nights, around the clock feedings, and more love than we could imagine. We have experienced all of those things this past week (with an abundance of poopy diapers) plus the worry that comes with being new parents.
My mom has thankfully been keeping close family and friends updated on the events of this week, but some may have not received those emails. At birth, Porter was diagnosed with a heart murmur. He was given an echocardiogram on Friday morning and was then diagnosed with a heart condition called pulmonary stenosis. There was a repeat echo done on Sunday followed by a conference call from the pediatric cardiologist, Dr. Newberger out of Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge. We were given a run down of what pulmonary stenosis is, and set up appointments for Porter to see both his pediatrician, Dr. Dantzer and Dr. Newberger. We are blessed to have such great doctors working with us, and we were pleasantly surprised to find out that Dantzer and Newberger have worked together for the last 10 years.
So what now? There are still a lot of "ifs". We will be seeing the pediatrician each week for weigh-ins to assure that he is gaining and growing as he should be. Every 2 weeks we will be traveling to Park Ridge (a 2 hour commute in good traffic) to see Dr. Newberger for repeat echocardiograms and monitoring. As for right now, we are aware that Porter will need to have a "balloon" procedure within the next year- but most likely within the next couple of months. This procedure is similar to an angioplasty where they will insert a catheter with a balloon on the end into the valve to clear out the stickiness. This may fix the problem, or make the valve leak, which would eventually lead to a valve replacement. As for right now, we are waiting and watching to see what Porter's little heart will do.
He is doing great otherwise. He is a very mellow baby and likes to snuggle and "talk" to Daddy. We are loving each and every sigh, coo, squeak, and even the poopy diapers. We will continue to keep you updated as we know more. Keep checking back and we will keep posting pictures often.
Love,
Stephanie, Eric, and Porter
My mom has thankfully been keeping close family and friends updated on the events of this week, but some may have not received those emails. At birth, Porter was diagnosed with a heart murmur. He was given an echocardiogram on Friday morning and was then diagnosed with a heart condition called pulmonary stenosis. There was a repeat echo done on Sunday followed by a conference call from the pediatric cardiologist, Dr. Newberger out of Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge. We were given a run down of what pulmonary stenosis is, and set up appointments for Porter to see both his pediatrician, Dr. Dantzer and Dr. Newberger. We are blessed to have such great doctors working with us, and we were pleasantly surprised to find out that Dantzer and Newberger have worked together for the last 10 years.
So what now? There are still a lot of "ifs". We will be seeing the pediatrician each week for weigh-ins to assure that he is gaining and growing as he should be. Every 2 weeks we will be traveling to Park Ridge (a 2 hour commute in good traffic) to see Dr. Newberger for repeat echocardiograms and monitoring. As for right now, we are aware that Porter will need to have a "balloon" procedure within the next year- but most likely within the next couple of months. This procedure is similar to an angioplasty where they will insert a catheter with a balloon on the end into the valve to clear out the stickiness. This may fix the problem, or make the valve leak, which would eventually lead to a valve replacement. As for right now, we are waiting and watching to see what Porter's little heart will do.
He is doing great otherwise. He is a very mellow baby and likes to snuggle and "talk" to Daddy. We are loving each and every sigh, coo, squeak, and even the poopy diapers. We will continue to keep you updated as we know more. Keep checking back and we will keep posting pictures often.
Love,
Stephanie, Eric, and Porter
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Porter William
Porter William Snider is here!
Born on October 15th at 8:08pm. He weighed 7lbs 2oz. and is 20.5in long. Here are some pictures, but also check out his newborn photos at:
bellababyphotography.com, password: 1015sniderporter
We will be updating soon!
Love,
Eric, Stephanie and Porter
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Change in Plans...
I found out this week that I am no longer in control. I knew this would happen after the baby came with feeding schedules, napping, and doting on the baby's every need. He or she would dictate for the first few weeks when Mom and Dad would eat and sleep too, but I wasn't ready for the turn of events that have happened recently...
Yesterday I had a midwife appointment. Mom and I had a full day of shopping at Babies R Us and Target planned for after the appointment. Unfortunately, we never did get to go shopping. My blood pressure was a little high and concerning to my midwife. I was instructed to go home and rest for the remainder of the day and night and report back to have my b.p. checked again this morning. I was really bummed and thinking about all the things that we needed to buy before Baby Snider made his/her appearance--which I am sure didn't help the elevated blood pressure!
So, I rested all yesterday and let Eric dote on me (very difficult for me) and found out this morning that my blood pressure had gone up again. So, after a non-stress test and ultrasound we determined that Baby is healthy as can be, but Momma is done working and on complete bed rest until Baby is delivered. I have daily appointments this week with labs and a lovely jug that I get to pee into (may be TMI), but it is only the beginning of a long list of the not-so-glamorous-ness that is motherhood.
Worse case scenario is that I will have a scheduled induction as soon as the end of the week. Wasn't my ideal way to give birth because of all the horror stories I have heard of inductions, but we will be more than happy to have our little one enter the world healthy. We will keep everyone updated on our little adventure that is pregnancy-induced hypertension and I must thank Gram and Papa Turner for all the shopping, cooking, and playing chauffeur back and forth to the hospital!!
Love to all.
Yesterday I had a midwife appointment. Mom and I had a full day of shopping at Babies R Us and Target planned for after the appointment. Unfortunately, we never did get to go shopping. My blood pressure was a little high and concerning to my midwife. I was instructed to go home and rest for the remainder of the day and night and report back to have my b.p. checked again this morning. I was really bummed and thinking about all the things that we needed to buy before Baby Snider made his/her appearance--which I am sure didn't help the elevated blood pressure!
So, I rested all yesterday and let Eric dote on me (very difficult for me) and found out this morning that my blood pressure had gone up again. So, after a non-stress test and ultrasound we determined that Baby is healthy as can be, but Momma is done working and on complete bed rest until Baby is delivered. I have daily appointments this week with labs and a lovely jug that I get to pee into (may be TMI), but it is only the beginning of a long list of the not-so-glamorous-ness that is motherhood.
Worse case scenario is that I will have a scheduled induction as soon as the end of the week. Wasn't my ideal way to give birth because of all the horror stories I have heard of inductions, but we will be more than happy to have our little one enter the world healthy. We will keep everyone updated on our little adventure that is pregnancy-induced hypertension and I must thank Gram and Papa Turner for all the shopping, cooking, and playing chauffeur back and forth to the hospital!!
Love to all.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
36 and 37 Weeks and Family Baby Shower
36 Weeks
37 Weeks
We are anxiously awaiting for the arrival of Baby Snider. We have made it to 37 weeks and still counting. Eric and I have a few last minute things to buy, but otherwise we are ready to become a new Mommy and Daddy! Last Sunday I had my family baby shower given by Leslie and Aunt Jeri Lynn. It was a great day and beautiful shower. We received some beautiful gifts from family and friends and our nursery is now complete. My best friend Tami was even able to travel from Arkansas for the weekend. We are so blessed to have so many people that already love our baby.
This weekend we have our express childbirth class on Saturday. I am seeing my midwives every week now and time is flying by. I am quickly preparing for my maternity leave and trying to wrap up last minute meetings and paperwork at school...even though it seems like preparations are never-ending!
We will continue to post until Baby Snider arrives and will update soon after he/she makes an appearance. Wish us luck!
The Nursery...complete!
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