February 2014

Having had two c-sections before this one, I figured I knew what to expect recovery-wise. And really, the recovery from the c-section wasn't too bad. However, I did have issues with my blood pressure. At the very end of the pregnancy, my blood pressure was borderline high. In the hospital, it was pretty high. They told me to watch it. When I got home, I could tell it wasn't quite right. I would get headaches and feel somewhat sick when I sat up too long, even just sitting up to feed Miriam. I went into the doctor, and I was prescribed a medication to help with my blood pressure. 

I have a history of having high blood pressure at higher elevations, but this was the first time at our current altitude. So it was assumed to be regular pregnancy-induced hypertension. The medication that I took while pregnant and nursing Allie seemed to work and didn't have too many side effects. The medication that I was given this time was a different story. I just felt off when taking it. And I was really sensitive to it. My dosage was too high for a little while. Unfortunately, it got worse after my parents left. My blood pressure got too low, and I felt like I was going to faint whenever I'd get up. I was afraid to walk down the hall with Miriam because I was afraid of falling with her. I'd get faint just going from my bed to the toilet. It was a very unpleasant and scary time. The dosage was adjusted so that I didn't feel faint all the time, but I still felt off. When the high blood pressure continued beyond 6 weeks, my OB referred me to my family doctor. Thankfully, my family doctor switched me to the medication that I had been on with Allie. I felt much better on it. 

But due to my crazy blood pressure issues, I did a lot of sitting. I took a lot of pictures from my seat. The girls did pretty well. They joined me in my seat at times, too, so we got a few selfies.

And Miriam is such an easy-going baby. She dealt with my limitations well, too.

Rachel loved to smother Miriam from the beginning. She just loved her so much! She loved to show that love. 

Allie also showed Miriam a lot of love. She loves holding her, singing to her, and would make drawings and cards for her. 

Allie and Rachel did a pretty good job of entertaining themselves most of the time. (They did watch more Netflix than I would like to admit, too).

Buddy is so patient with the girls.

Occasionally, they'd get a little too rough. This time Allie got Rachel with a Lego.

Sleep is a precious commodity. You gotta take it when you can. 

Miriam showed signs of being a tummy sleeper pretty early. 

Miriam was often the center of attention. Notice that even Buddy is nearby to the right.

Sweet early smiles.

Miriam was our shortest baby at birth. We put her down by one of the girl's life-size baby dolls. It's crazy to think she was that small.

Such a pretty baby.

Once I was feeling better, we met Jared for lunch one day. 

Allie and Rachel played under the sheet at times. 

 Just a pretty picture of Allie.

Sweet Miriam getting a little bigger.

Look at her strong neck. 

Allie and Rachel were introduced to Disney's Robin Hood during this time. They would play Robin Hood outside, or they'd play the damsels in distress. They sat on the play set and yelled out, "Help! Help us, Robin Hood!"

More fun on the swings. 

Sleeping on Daddy

I wasn't always looking put together. As always, showers could be hard to come by. Allie really wanted to take a picture of me and Miriam. She took this picture and thought it was great. She had me share it on Facebook. It taught me a lesson. Beauty isn't always in being put together. Sometimes beauty is perfectly captured in being ragged and tired. I try to consider how I look in my daughter's eyes more, now.