Our Little Glow Baby

JAUNDICE: A common condition in newborns, jaundice refers to the yellow color of the skin and whites of the eyes caused by excess bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is produced by the normal breakdown of red blood cells.

High levels of bilirubin — usually above 25 mg — can cause deafness, cerebral palsy, or other forms of brain damage in some babies.

Not what a new mom wants to hear her baby has. Even though everybody will tell you it is common and will go away - it really doesn't make you feel much better.

The day after we came home from the hospital with Leo... back for blood tests. Poor guy was poked in each heel and the nurse seemed to just squeeze and squeeze. And when that didn't work... resort to draining his little vein like you would an adult. Mom was a crying wreck. But, dad, who hates needles with a passion came through to hold the little guy and calm him down. High levels of Jaundice it was and over came the Billilights to our house that Leo would have to wear non-stop (except for a diaper change) for the next 48 hours. Quite an exhausting and trying time for new mommy and daddy. But, after treatment was done - our little guy was no longer yellow and all better!

The pictures our of little Leo with the Billlight paddles on.. much like a Glow Worm (remember those?) hence... Glow Baby!

The Birth Story

Okay - so I haven't quite been on top of updating this blog and posting stories of our wonderful little boy. Guess you could say I've had my hands full, but with some 6 and 8 hour sleep-filled nights I'm going to try and start from the beginning of his wonderful little life!

The Birth Story

It was Friday, January 23, my grandma's birthday. I was already four days late and ready to pop with inducement scheduled for Monday. AJ had gone to his mom's/grandma's for the weekend, so I went to Blockbuster and rented six movies for Aaron and I to watch, relax and help the weekend pass until our baby boy would be born.

When Aaron came home from work that day, he actually asked if I felt like going out to dinner that night. And it sounded like a wonderful idea to have one last "date night" and get out of the house for a bit. So, we went to this wonderful little Italian restaurant, Basillico's, which serve not such a little amount of food. And so, I stuffed my face with Steak Milanese and Fettucine Alfredo - thank goodness we passed on dessert. At this point, I was feeling some contractions, but mild Braxton Hicks had been going on for awhile now, so I didn't really think much of it.

So, we went home and popped in the first movie, Underworld #1. Aaron had the wonderful plan to sleep in on Saturday (for the last time) and go catch a matinee of the new Underworld movie. Things would not end up going as planned. After the movie was over, I got up to get us some brownies that I had made before popping in Underwold #2. As I was cutting the brownies... gush... hmmmm... I wasn't sure what that was. However, it was definitely different than anything that had been going on during my pregnancy, although if it was my water breaking it wasn't quite like you see in the movies. Confused... I turned to Aaron... we turned to the internet. We determined it definitely could have been my water breaking, but many sites suggest to lay down for about 30 minutes than get back up and see if there's more leakage. (Sorry to anyone I'm grossing out with details). So, Aaron, determined to rewatch all of the Underworlds, popped the next one in.

In a half an hour I stood up, and sure enough... I think my water was leaking. We called the doctor and he said to make our way over to Hoag - they'd be expecting us. We took a bit of time, still thinking that they'd probably send us home for a false alarm. But, we packed up, made our way down PCH and arrived at Labor and Delivery where they WERE expecting us... and it had been awhile. So, before checking us in they were going to run a test to see if it wa

s amniotic fluid. Before they got the test results... we were all sure and they checked us in and we called the folks!

Twenty hours later Leonardo John Campbell was born!

I can honestly say that I would easily do it again. That my labor

experience was not all that bad. It was harder taking care of a newborn the first couple of weeks than giving birth (with an epidural). And in that lies about the only horror story of my labor experience.

After a bit of drug-induced rest and pitocin-induced contraction, it was time to get an epidural. I was only 3 or so centimeters dialated and honestly prepared to wait longer and endure more pain before getting the epidural. But, the nurse said "Why wait", Aaron agreed and they called in the Anesthesiologist. Well, he was a young guy. Never get a young Anesthesiologist... that's the lesson I learned. I was sitting up, hunched over, Aaron trying to help me stay still, calm and endure the pain. This guy fumbled around my precious spine for about 20 minutes - in one space and out - in another that he thought worked. When he injected the drugs, I told him I felt it going down my right side, but he said all would be fine. Sure...

Jump to an hour later, my right leg completely numb, my left leg moving freely and my left side in pain. To top it all off, little Baby Leo was sunny-side-up at this point and they had me laying ON my left side to try to turn him. They tried to give me a "bolis" (not sure what it was called) through the epidural to ease the pain and there ensues the vomiting. And, for those who know my husband, he has a very weak stomach! He couldn't even help me in fear he would puke himself.

Hours later, enduring what was the worst pain of my labor, an older woman came in. Not old, but experienced I should say. What an amazing Anesthesiologist - fixed the problem in no time without feeling a thing. So, always get the oldie when it comes to epidurals!

Finally, I was fully dilated - ready to deliver - but wait... the doctor was tied up in a C-section. So, the nurse had me all excited ready to push and we had to wait another hour for the doctor to arrive. The cord was wrapped around baby Leo's body, so his heart rate was dropping when I pushed - we needed the doc there. When he finally arrived, I pushed for about an hour and out he came! Not crying... scaring mama a bit... but all was fine. Daddy cut the umbilical cord... twice, he didn't cut all the way through the first time I guess. And into my arms he came - the most beautiful creature I had ever seen... the new love of my life!

After clean up was finished we called in the family and AJ announced the name to all.

Leonardo John Campbell

7 lb, 14 oz

21 inches

January 24, 2009

7:13pm

Still waiting for baby...

Well, my due date has come and gone, as many of you know. We've received phone calls upon phone calls asking if the little guy was here yet. But, he's not... I guess he's just not ready to come out yet. Although, I am more than ready and so is Aaron. We've been walking... I ate lots of pineapple and thinking about going to buy some raspberry leaf tea... even went to the Aquarium on Saturday for hours... tried other various methods to induce.. and nothing yet. So, the plan so far is that they will induce next Monday, the 26th if he doesn't come before then. So... at the most 6 more days... stay tuned!

Getting ready for Baby Boy Campbell

Here are a few photos of the baby's nursery... less than 3 weeks to go... we're almost ready! Well, I'm ready and waiting to pop, still have a few things to buy and things to do around the house, though. Aaron is sick of putting things together and picking up everything my clumsy hands drop. AJ has been a big help and I'm sure will be an even bigger help when our little guy gets here. Stay posted for baby news... I hope to get it up here! Happy Holidays!

(note our updated Blog Name: hbcampbells.blogspot.com)

Back after 2 years.

Okay - I can't believe almost 2 years have passed since I last wrote on this blog. I was so "gung-ho" about it and just ran out of time... I guess. But, my friend Shannon just started a blog, so I've decided to try this again. A lot has happened in 2 years. We got married and are expecting a baby boy in just 5 more weeks. So, I think I will have a lot to post in the near future to keep you all up to date. Stay tuned...

Our Loveable Lizard Rocky

For our little man AJ's sixth birthday this past November we got him a pet. Now, it's not your ordinary pet — since we our renting our house, the landlord said we couldn't have a dog (which would have been our first choice) or a cat— so we ended up with a Monitor Lizard, For those of you who don't know what a Monitor is, it's not your typical little garden lizard, this thing will grow up to practically be a miniature alligator.

Now, how did we end up with this creature you ask? Aaron will tell you it was all my idea — but I beg to differ. I suggested that since we couldn't get AJ a dog, let's get him something small like a turtle or lizard (meaning something you could find in your backyard). I DID suggest a reptile as I wasn't too thrilled with the idea of getting any kind of rodent. However, Aaron thought my particular suggestions would be too boring. So, we thought - how about a Chameleon?

Well, it turns out that Chameleons don't live long and can't really be handled, they are too fragile. But we were already at Prehistoric Pets ready to buy a pet and then I don't really know what happened next... I think we asked for a suggestion and then somebody started showing us the Savannah Monitors. Next thing I knew we were picking one out — they even struggled picking it up out of the cage for us to look at and it proceeded to deficate all over the pet store clerk. But, the next thing I knew we were buying the $100 lizard along with a 40 gallon tank, substrate, lights, heating pad, water bowl, etc....

Needless to say when we surprised AJ at his birthday party, him and his friends didn't even know what to say. I do have to admit that we felt like pretty cool parents for getting what could possibly one of the best boy gifts ever!

So now, just over 2 months later, taking care of it is a whole different story. But, we're getting the hang of it... I think. First should I say that we thought we could keep it in the garage, but for those of you who know how cold it's been that only lasted a couple of days before we realized that wasn't going to work and moved him in to our living room. Now, it's not the stinkiest animal until.... it poops! Can I say eeeewwww - gross! And, I guess it's common for reptiles to enjoy going in their water... even grosser! So, that is really the main problem and Aaron and I seem to argue who's turn it is to dump out the poo water or clean the cage - not fun! I however seem to be the only one who isn't afraid of holding the thing. Actually that's not true - AJ has been GREAT with it and LOVES him so much! Aaron is the chicken... go figure!

And as for NO RODENTS... what do you think this thing eats... YES mice.... and who gets the mice to feed him... yep.... ME! But, I do have to say Aaron and AJ handle the crickets because that just creeps me out. I feel bad for the mice, but I can pick them up without feeling like bugs are crawling all over me for the rest of the night. We're learning what to feed it and are now attempting to possibly potty train Rocky.

Yes, you heard me, Potty Train a Lizard! We'll see...

So, for now we love our little lizard - he really is cool I have to admit and he is growing SO quickly! We seem to be taming him pretty well, which just requires petting and handling every day. Since he likes to go "you know what" in the water, we've taken the large water bowl out of his cage. Then, we take him out and put him in a tub of water, where usually he will go #2 pretty quickly. But, he loves to hang out in the water - and the funny thing is he likes to hang out under the water coming out of the faucet. And he apparently loves to be held in a towel after he's done with his "bath". HAHA!

Well, if you've read this whole thing I hope you enjoyed. Stay tuned for more Adventures with Rocky the Lizard.

song - mama says om

I haven't posted something for Mama Says Om in awhile... I guess you could say the holidays got the better of me. But, I saw this week's theme "SONG" and I had just the thing in mind. I wish I had the perfect photo to go with the story, but I didn't have a camera with me and felt like staging one now wouldn't be quite right. So, i am reposting a story from July... I hope you enjoy!


first rock concert at age 5

Three hours before Pearl Jam was to take stage at the LA Forum last night - the friend I was to go with was MIA - my boyfriend had injured his leg at work and couldn't bear the thought of standing for hours on end - and it seemed that every friend I called just couldn't make it. Now mind you, Pearl Jam has been my favorite band since they began about 15 years ago - I had been to the same concert the night before - and was about to just go by myself...

Well, needless to say I have exposed AJ to much of their music. And this kid just loves rock and roll! He has an electric guitar that santa brought him for Christmas and has been in piano lessons for about 3 months now and is flourishing! Every chance AJ gets to pick up the end of the hose nozel and put on a concert, he does.

So, after some careful consideration weighing the pros and cons with his father, I interupted his cartoons and asked: "So, how would you like to go do something so cool, that most kids your age never get the chance to?" He seemed to know what I was going to say next... and once I did... without hesitation... he was jumping up and down and flipping in circles, then he stopped in his tracks, looked at me and said, "I'll go get my shoes!".

He was in complete awe. It was amazing to watch and I knew we had made a good decision... for this child. AJ noticed everything: the lights, the people, the different color seats – and YES – everybody noticed him. I have to say, that we were very fortunate with the people sitting around us. Two young guys to the left were getting the little man hiped up about what he was about to see - "rock legends". And the woman to right, who reminded me so much of his Grandma Mary helped hail down the drink guy for some water. Aaron later commented... a guardian angel.

He only lasted about 45 minutes and I added another 30 by picking him up on and off (nearly 50 pounds now). And though we left about halfway through and I missed seeing Eddie perform another 90 minutes of amazing vocals - I wouldn't change it for anything. Seeing AJ pick up his guitar today (that he hasn't touched in a month or so) and start spouting out "I am a rock star!" was priceless!

We hope that it will be something that inspires him and motivates him with his ambitions in music and in anything he wants to do. It WILL be the first of many concerts to come! I never imagined we'd take him so young (maybe at 8 or 10, I thought), but with supervision and guidance I'd say it's an eye-opening and awe-inspiring experience.