3 weeks old

Conner is 3 weeks old today! Wow- time is going by quickly! (as I'm sure the next 3 weeks will fly by too since I will be going back to work).

I am still adjusting to being a mommy of 3- 3 LITTLE ONES! 2 in diapers and 1 sassy girl who thinks she's the queen! I must say, it is kinda hard at times, especially since I was on bedrest for almost 18 weeks and wasn't even able to take care of my 2, then I have 3! It seems that everyone needs to eat at the same time, is crying at the same time- and I swear- they all even POOP at the same time!

But, with all the adjustments and some tears (mine and the kids)- I am loving every minute of this! I am loving being a mommy of 3- and while I wouldn't have planned a 3rd baby- I thank God everyday for sending me a 3rd miracle.

I cannot think of anything better in my life than being a mommy!

Oh yeah- JD is starting to walk! He will take about 5 or 6 steps- look at you and laugh and plop himself down and crawl to where he was headed! He can do it though- he is just being stubborn!

Conner Dean Kelly

I am so sorry that I haven't updated my blog in 2 weeks! But, life in the Kelly house is CRAZY! But absolutely wonderful!

As you may remember from my last blog, I had started getting sick again. When I went back to the hospital that night, it was decided that I was likely spiraling into HELLP syndrome again (this is what caused Tatum and JD to be born early). Unfortunately, my bloodwork (mainly the blood clotting ones), wasn't any better and I was unable to be awake during the C-section. Aside from missing Conner's first cries and actually being able to have him brought to me for a visit, it was probably for the best. I was absolutely freaking out- pretty much having a panic attack! In hindsight, I'm kinda embarrasssed (especially since I work with these people), but, I couldn't control the way I was acting! I did feel guilty because Jeremy wasn't able to be in the room, but, the did let him sit outside the door. And, one of the nurses in the OR was a friend of mine and took pictures during and after the surgery.

Conner Dean Kelly was born on May 18th, 2009 @ 6:58 pm. He weighed 6 lbs 0.4 oz and was 19 5/8 inches. He had a head full of Dark Hair! He looked absolutely NOTHING like Tatum or JD!!!!

I spent (well, what is told to me) a long time in surgery. I had lots of scar tissue and and they tied my tubes(yes- this will be the last beautiful Kelly baby!) When I returned to my room, they wheeled me by the nursery to sneak a peek at my baby- I was in love (but, so drugged that I don't think I showed much emotion). After what seemed like forever to me- they brought Conner into my room- it was one of the most wonderful moments of my life- there is nothing like having your baby brought to you- no wires, tubes- NOTHING! Just a precious newborn baby! We were later told by one of the nurses that we were stingy with our baby- never letting the nurses keep him for us! I am stingy! I never had the normal "rooming in with baby" expierience- I wanted him with me ever minute- I wanted to be a normal mommy with a normal baby-

AND BY GOLLY- I HAD WORKED HARD FOR THIS!!!

We are adjusting well- Jeremy and I are having to read the What to expect the first year book because we don't know anything about babies like Conner! I have even called twice already to ask a question about him! We are nervvous first time parents even though we are on our 3rd child! Even the first night, we asked the nurses if we could put clothes on him- and we were saving the diapers for them to weigh! They laughed at us!

(and to those of you reading this who don't have preemies, you will probably think I'm crazy too- but, to all my preemie momma fans- you totally understand!)

There are probably many more details that I should add in this blog, but, due to time- this is all I can do. Having Conner is such a wonderful think- I struggled with it, but, God knew my heart and gave me this child for a reason. He has completed our family-we are beyond blessed to have him here- but, also beyond thankful for it to be OVER!

God answered our prayers and gave us a full term baby!

Hospital visit #2

Well, this is just a quicky! I went back to the hospital this morning becasue I am still feeling awful and just didn't think things were right......... Urine (which visibly looked horrible) and bloodwork were done, Conner looked great on the monitor.

Here's the deal.... They let me come home.... to get my stuff together to come back at 4. My platelets had dropped alot and are pretty sure I have a kidney infection/hydronephrosis/kidney stone/ who knows- junk in my kidneys....

Problem is: My platelets dropping is a huge red flag that something is going on. Could be the first sign that HELLP is repeating. The plan is that Conner will be born tonight or tomorrow. But, I am on blood thinners and as of now, my blood isn't clotting well enough for me to be awake during Conner's birth. I go back at 4 to have all my blood rechecked- and hopefully it will be good enough to stay awake during the surgery. I would hate to miss the cries I have missed with my other two..... So, we are gonna have a baby soon!!!!!

Hospital visit

So, as some of you may or may not know, I took a little trip to the hospital Friday night. I had gotten up from my nap around 2 ish- not feeling just great, but, thinking that it was just the pizza that I had eaten immediately before laying down. I am hurting in my upper abdomen, which always gives me cause for concern, but, I'm trying to rationalize it out and not freak myself or anyone else out. So, the afternoon goes on and I get to feeling worse and worse. The pain is becoming horrible and I am getting nauseus. Then it dawns on me- THIS IS HOW I WAS FEELING WHEN I GOT SICK WITH JD.... Ok- so now, I'm really freaking out. When Jeremy get Is home from town,I'm sitting on the couch crying. (OK- let me make a side note here- part of why I'm crying is because it is Friday night now- about 8 ish- Tatum's FIRST dance recital is Saturday @ 1 and I want to be there!) Well, we decide that I do need to go to the hospital to get checked out. I first take a shower, because I have been down this road before and I do not want to get stuck in the bed without taking a shower first. Of course they were waiting on me because I had called. They were all thinking- Oh crap! Laura's coming with abdomen pain- we are having a baby soon.... (Feel the need for another side note for those who don't know all my baby history- my first sign that my body was getting sick with Tatum and JD's pregnancy was upper abdomen pain- which is what I was having Friday- not a good sign for me or anyone who knows me). Well, I get down to OB- tell the nurse that I need to pee, to bring me a cup (you know they always want a preggo girls pee) and I'm gonna need some labs- (OF course, they already knew all of this, I was just trying to speed things up). They get all that going....

Well, they get me hooked up to the monitor and Conner's heart rate is way high- which was causing more alarm than my belly pains... They start an IV on me and start pumping me full of fluids. Conner's heart rate finally calmed down, they actually think he was Tachy because his momma was in pain.... Please son, don't share my pain! Well, my labs came back GREAT! So, for now they just wanted to watch me, keep me on the monitor and make sure my blood pressure didn't decide to shoot way up. Jeremy and I told them we wanted my labs re-drawn 6 hours after the first ones- due to history. (With JD they were normal the first time and 6 hours later I was headed to Nashville in the back of an ambulance... so I knew the difference a few hours could make.) Well, the Dr didn't really want to, said my first ones were too good for me to just rest there and go home later that am. (it's about 2 am at this point). I told him if he wasn't going to do anything else and he thought I was fine, then to just send me home and sleep in my bed.... about 15 minutes later the nurse came in to tell me that lab would be there in a little bit to repeat my labs- I WON!!!! Well, after NO sleep, I finally ask the nurse about 6:30 if my labs were back. Everything was still good except my platlets had dropped. HMMMM, that is one of the signs of HELLP syndrome. However, with me getting so much fluids and NOTHING else had changed, it was likely that they had diluted. So, I went home and got to go to Tay's recital. Got home from the recital and went straight to bed!

So, here's whats going on now...... I am still hurting (they really weren't sure what was causing my pain) I'm not hurting nearly as bad as I was Friday night, but, none the less hurting. It is my upper abdomen and it hurts the worst when I breathe. I'm gonna callt he Dr in the morning and let him know that I still feel this way. At the least he can repeat my labs to at least put my mind at ease... I only have 10 days left til my scheduled c-section, but, we may not make it that far...... I'm ready now though. I wasn't Friday night- I was terrified and couldn't stop crying.... But, I do NOT want to cause any stress on my body that would cause something to happen to Conner.

I'm full term!

My sister did these pictures of me- she would have probably done TONS more, but, after about, um, 4- her camera battery died! We will probably have another "session" soon before Conner comes. Try to get some wiith JD in them. Tatum wanted her picture made with Conner! I think these turned out pretty well- My attire is my bridesmaid dress from Dana's wedding as the skirt- turned the straps in and (obviously) didn't zip it up! My "top" is the scarf that went with the dress! I think it turned out pretty well.....

On to my weekly Maternal Fetal Group appt.... I was so excited to go this week as we were getting an estimated weight for Conner. They estimated Conner as being 5 lbs 14 oz!!!! WOW!!!! He is actually a little small for a 37 weeker, but no where near enough to be concerned about, especially considering there are some full term babies born that size. The Drs in Nashville told us a long time ago that they don't think I could produce big babies- regardless of my history or how wonderful I was doing. But, a baby that is almost 6 lbs is like a whopper baby to us!!!!!!!

So, with us already being sooooo excited over Conner's weight, the Dr came into talk to us. She told us such wonderful things! One being that the blood flows, while are still abnormal, look good. That Conner was doing great and that I was doing great. They were extremely pleased and proud of how well I have done. The Dr also lifted my bedrest restrictions. She didn't take me off- but, I can get up and do a few things as long as my blood pressures are doing good. She doesn't want me taking care of my kids by myself, especially since I've been on bedrest so long and have lost so much strength. But, she also said that at this point, they would just deliver me and things would be fine! I still don't want to risk anything........I'm still doing alot of laying around- try to do a few things and either my blood pressure starts acting up or I am exhausted from just a minute of being up! We are on the count down now...... 14 days from today!

A few little tid bits from our appt yesterday: The ultrasound tech says that Conner is LONG- we will see how long, but, he sure does seem wrapped all over my belly! He has quite a large foot (also by US), but, it seems as bigger on the ultrasound screen as Tatum and JD's do on my tattoo from when they are born! Also, they said that Conner has hair! How exciting since I have had 2 bald babies!!!! Of course, will probably all fall out, but, super excited about having a baby born with hair.

So, all in all..... good appt in Nashville this week. They want me to come back next week but, after that- I'm done!!!! Hopefully, my Dr appt here will go as well on Friday. Tatum's dance recital is Saturday and I can't wait!!! Praying for super blood pressures!

Happy Mother's Day 2009

I had an absolutely WONDERFUL Mother's DAy!!!! It started off with a headache, which made me nervous, but after 2 Tylenol at 5:45 am- and back to bed, it finally went away. So here comes a sweet little girl about 6:30 ish- happy Mothers Day Mommy! And back to bed we go!! I asked that they not go to church, since I wasn't able to go with them. I said Jesus had a mommy and if she couldn't go to church, he would stay with her too! I know, selfish of me, but, I wanted to spend all Mother's Day with the babies that I LOVE! Jeremy made me homemade waffles- and served them to me in bed! JD had already been in and loved on me and by now was taking a nap, so all 3 of us ate breakfast in bed!!! Tatum and I honestly (other than bathroom breaks) never got out of bed! We stayed there until 11- then Tay and her daddy went to get lunch. (McD's- nothing exciting). We ate lunch- and then went back to bed- we all took naps!!! (Well, some more than others- I think I slept the longest, but, we all got to rest a little bit). Jeremy got a little gift for Momma's day too- he hasn't been able to catch Conner moving and feel him- it never fails that he will be moving like crazy and as soon as Jeremy puts his hands on me, his gets still. Well, Conner had the hiccups and not only could Jeremy feel them, his hand was jumping with each little hiccup! We have a stethoscope that Tatum likes to pretend listening to Conner with and had brought it into the loving room. We thought we would try to see if we could hear Conner- you could hear a little "thump" everytime he hiccuped- Jeremy was beyond amazed!!!

We later rode a few houses down to my sisters to have mother's day supper for my momma. Grilled hamburgers and hotdogs, since that's what she wanted. It was nice to spend time with them. It was an emotional day for all 3 of us- we have all been through so much as mother's- we have all been faced with the possibility of losing a child. Being a mother is truly the most wonderful thing in the world. I am so thankful to have been blessed by this honor. You never truly realize how precious it is until you are faced with losing your child..... not an easy thing at any age.


I had such a wonderful Mother's day! I love being a Mommy! There is nothing better!

Several attempt at a family photo- we are cute regardless of how the pic turns out!

My momma, me and my sis


It was so bright outside- but-not too bad!

Me and my babies- and a big ole tummy!

35 weeks 5 days

WOW!!!!!! I will be 36 weeks pregnant on Thursday!!!! Honestly, did you really ever expect me to make it this far?? I didn't! But, I am thanking GOD every single day that he gave me this chance; this expierience; this precious baby boy growing in my tummy.....

All of us piled up on the couch- I'm pretty sure Conner was getting smooshed and was adding his elbow to the mix of Tay and JD's!
Before one of my Dr appts- My hair looked good and my kids were cute (as always)

Tatum Loves Conner! She always talks to him and never leaves without kissing him and telling him bye!

Well- this is thrown in there- Just because they are so stinkin' cute! And I love them to death!

I am about 33 weeks pregnant here- Tatum wanted to take a picture of me and Conner- she made me put my hands on my belly! A future photographer like her mommy!

So, today was my weekly appt at Maternal Fetal Group in Nashville. Honestly, it takes me longer to get there than it does to get in and out of the office. I had a really good check up this time. My Rt and Lt uternine artery pressures are still abnormal (have been since 23 weeks) but, for the first time (that I can remember) Conner's cord blood flow was NORMAL!!!!! The ultrasound tech commented several times that how great it was that it was normal since it has been abnormal in the past. Provided something fluky doesn't happen, I should be able to deliver at Hillside now! I am beyond excited to deliver at my hometown hospital; it is where Jeremy and I were both born and my employer. They have been so great to me during this pregnancy. I can honestly say I am honored to work with the people that I do- they have been some of my biggest supporters!

As far as my pregnancy, I am feeling pretty good. I'm getting to that uncomfy stage as my belly is hard as a rock- It's not smooshy and fat like it used to be! All filled in with baby Conner! I am having a flare up of carpal tunnel in my wrists- absolutely killing me! Whats worse, is that the pain is the worst at night and is keeping me from sleeping. I'm prety sure that Jeremy is soon gonna be on the couch so I can spread out in the bed!

Keep on praying! I'm sure if Conner were born now, he would be fine. Especially since they can't catch him not breathing for the entire length of the scan! Which is wonderful! I still want to keep him cooking a little longer though! Pray for all my other preggo preemie mommas- I want them to cook their babies as long as I have been able to!