Dana Daily

Based on movements I saw and felt, I'm pretty sure this is how my sweet baby laid when he was in the womb, one leg crossing the other. This outfit is his big sisters' favorite - duckies.

Sal and I had a Friday afternoon appointment with Dr. Bhat so we stopped at Quest Diagnostics first to have Seth's blood drawn. He barely fussed as I nursed him through the minor procedure. We arrived at Dr. Bhat's office and she was disappointed to know we had gone to Quest. We should have gone to St. Margaret's in order to have the results of his draw back more quickly. She said she'd call with the results later in the day. He passed his physical and we left. My mom, who had been staying with us for the week, debated on going home this afternoon so as to avoid a weekend snowstorm, but at the last minute the girls convinced her to stay. And, thank God they did. Around 6pm Dr. Bhat called and said his bilirubin levels had jumped again. She told us that we would have to go to Children's Hospital so he could be lighted. I kept it together until I saw my tiny baby all alone under the lights. I held his little hand through the incubator and we waited. In the e...

The hospital has a contract with "Picture This Photography" and we had pictures taken on Seth's last morning in the hospital. They were posted online and I screenshot one of my favorites. Here is my sweet, sleeping baby.

Because Seth's bilirubin levels kept increasing there was quite a bit of discussion about whether or not we'd be discharged on time. As it was, they kept us later in the day than usual. Finally, with instructions to a blood test done on Friday, we were discharged. I didn't know if this was the best decision or not, but I couldn't imagine telling Sarah and Emmy that I'd be delayed another day. They were so excited I was coming home. I was a bit emotional leaving the hospital. I was looking forward to going home, but knowing this was my last time leaving a hospital with a brand new baby was hard. I kept willing for time to slow down, but alas, there's no such thing as slow motion in real life. It was good to be out of the hospital and back home where we could settle into a routine.

Since I delivered at a Catholic hospital, someone came around with ashes for Ash Wednesday. Not my best picture, but I'm recovering from major surgery. It's to be expected. I took a much needed shower almost immediately after receiving the ashes. There was also a separate meatless menu available for lunch and dinner. Oh, and we did more of this. See what I mean. Rough life. The hospital provides a lovely meal for new parents the last night of their stay. It was delicious. Even though it is Ash Wednesday, we had steak and baked potatoes. It was delicious, and a nice touch.

I never mind my hospital stays. It almost feels like a vacation. I'm not expected to actually do anything. In fact, most of my days look like this. Just me holding a sweet, squishy baby. It was hard to hold my phone still, away from us, so the picture is blurry. Look at all that hair on my brand new little boy. The food isn't bad either. However, this made me laugh. I ordered a fresh fruit cup. What I received was fresh fruit in a cup. Okay then. My sister came to visit on her way to work. She teaches not far from my hospital. We also asked her to be Seth's godmother. I think she's excited. Finally, Sarah and Emmy meet their little brother. They are in love. Because the Penguins are playing here in town, they had quite the time sitting in traffic trying to get to the hospital.

As I said, when I went to bed Sunday night I knew I would be going into labor and not into work Monday morning. Feeling the baby claw his/her way further down was the biggest indicator, but I also just felt off. I had a pounding headache and the fiercest heartburn of all three pregnancies. Sure enough, at 1:18 I woke up with contractions. However, the contractions weren't as strong as they had been with Sarah so I wasn't quite sure. I decided to time what I was feeling. There was no real rise and fall, but they were 5 to 8 minutes apart. Knowing that I would have a c-section, I wasn't sure what to do. Typically they tell women to labor at home as long as possible, but I didn't see any point in laboring since it didn't matter how dilated I was. A c-section was my destiny.  I called my OB's number. The doctor on call told me to labor at home because insurance companies will not let doctors perform an elective c-section unless there's progress, mean...

We began the day by going to Mass, and the priest asked me when I was due. I told him a c-section was scheduled for Thursday. He wished me good luck and we came home. Sal was working in the basement and I was relaxing on the couch. I felt the baby moving further down in my pelvis. It was a sensation like nothing else. I could feel him, I'm still convinced this is a him, clawing his way down and making progress. As the day progressed, I began to feel more and more "off." My sinuses weren't so bothersome, but the heartburn really kicked it up a notch. It was the worst I'd experienced in three pregnancies. Sal came upstairs and I told him what I had felt. He made some comment about Thursday and I told him that this baby is coming tonight. There won't be a Thursday c-section. I stayed up hoping something might happen. I ran around trying to get last minute things in order and making sure our bags were packed and ready to go. Finally at around 11pm, I ga...

As much as I want this baby out NOW, I'm excited that s/he is holding out too. I have been looking forward to tonight for awhile. The girls' school is having a "Funny Fundraiser." It's a night of comedy. Sal and I didn't win any cash or prizes, but we did make these awesome props and had our pictures taken in the makeshift photo booth. Too much fun. The comedians were great, and dinner was good. We sat with other second grade parents, and it was nice. We had one last hurrah. Okay, NOW the baby can come.

It's getting harder and harder to get out of bed lately, and this morning I fell back to sleep while Sal was getting ready. I felt bad that I hadn't packed him lunch yet again, so I got online and ordered him a small bouquet from Edible Arrangements to be delivered today. Imagine my surprise when at 11am, our guard came by my desk with an Edible Arrangements bouquet. My first thought was, "oh no, I selected the wrong address and sent it to myself." But no, it's a larger bouquet with a balloon attached than what I chose for Sal. You know what the say, great minds think alike.

I had my 38 week doctor appointment this morning. Everything still looks good according to him. My last appointment is next Tuesday. I wonder if I'll make it. The baby is not nearly as active today and when s/he does move, it results in sharp pain in my stomach. Historically speaking, I don't have my children early, but I just have a feeling. . . Baby Development Your baby should be in position with his or her head on your pelvic bone. The lanugo is continuing to shed as this week comes and goes. If you haven’t given birth, your baby is continuing to grow. He or she could be up to 20 inches in length (normally they are between 17–20 inches by this week) and weighing close to or just over seven pounds. All your baby’s organs have matured and are functioning on their own. A major development during this 38 th  week is that the tear ducts begin to form. Your baby is reacting to sounds, clenching his or her fists, and preparing for childbirth. It is said that girls are ...

I'll be 38 weeks tomorrow, and today I just feel off. I remember feeling like I was coming down with a cold hours before going into labor with Sarah. I have some of the same symptoms today. The problem is, this time I've been exposed to a sick person. Sal had a sore throat last week that morphed into a cold over the weekend. He's much better now, thanks to my over-dosing him with Vitamin C, but now I have to wonder. My stomach has also been getting rock hard at various times today, and I could really use a nap. I have a prenatal massage this evening. The outsides of my legs are so sore that I think I'll have the therapist concentrate on that area for an hour. Stay tuned!

I asked Emmy to smile for a picture. This is the look she gave me. Children.

We started off the day with swim class. Sarah's class is working on freestyle swimming the length of the pool. Emmy's class is working on basic skills, but a highlight is jumping off the diving block in the deep end. Both are loving their respective classes. After swim class we went to Eat N Park so I could have my caramel latte, and Omega 3s (Pittsburgh fish sandwich). A woman whom I'm guessing to be in her late seventies or even early 80s saw me at the salad bar with Sarah and Emmy. She asked me, "how many ya got in there?" I replied, "One and I was due yesterday." Oh, how I love the reactions. Emmy took this picture of the "baby." I'm 37 weeks, 3 days, and quite frankly, ready to just be done. The end is in sight. With temperatures in the mid-40s the girls wanted to play outside. I took a few pictures, and even got a couple good action shots. I also did some walking around the neighborhood, but nothing came of it.

I was 37 weeks yesterday, but since it was also the day of Grandma's funeral, I'm posting an update today. It's a big week. You’ve reached your ninth and final month, the end of your 37 th  week, when you are finally considered “full term.” You’ve been pregnant for most of the year, and you’re probably exhausted and ready for this baby to come out already! Try not to stress or dwell on this; your baby will be here soon enough. You may still have a few weeks to go, so try to keep your mind occupied. Your baby will be here when he or she is ready. While most babies will do well if born at 37 weeks, it is best for them to be born after 39 weeks.  This is why your doctor will not induce labor or perform a cesarean delivery before that, unless medical necessity dictates otherwise. After weeks of feeling unable to go on any more, I finally feel able to handle whatever time is left. I'd love to go early, but if we make it to the scheduled c-section, that's okay too. ...

I'll have to update this post later as I'm not quite ready to write about Grandma's funeral. I can say this though, not everyone knows who their baby's guardian angel is, but without a doubt Grandma will be watching over this baby. That gives me a warm fuzzy. My aunt took the first three of these pictures at the bereavement luncheon following the funeral. The last picture was taken by my cousin.

Sarah's cookie from a classmate. Cute, no? Six more weeks of winter. Le sigh.

Casimira Mary C., 96, entered into Eternal Rest on Sunday evening, February 1, 2015, at The Caring Place following a period of declining health. Mrs. C.was born on Herron (Polish) Hill in Pittsburgh on March 4, 1918, into the loving family of Feliks (Felix) and Bronislawa (Bernice) Stachowicz R. She was named for St. Casimir on whose feast day she was born, the first daughter after four sons. Another sister and brother would follow to complete the family. She graduated from Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish School and attended Schenley High School and then trade school for sewing. She worked for a time at the Armstrong Cork Company and later graduated from the Griffith Beauty School in Pittsburgh. She worked for a number of years at Claffey’s Beauty Shop in East Liberty until her marriage. Born to Polish immigrant parents, she was perfectly fluent in speaking, reading, and writing in English and Polish. Polish was spoken at home and English in the mixed ethic neighborhood. Pol...