5 Weeks Old!

Christmas attire

Leading up to Week 5, Zach experienced his first Christmas! Thanks to Agatha and family for outfitting him with his festive clothing. 

He's a champ at
holding his head up!

He goes out on almost daily walks, conducts when Daddy dances, dislikes his baths, and grows, grows, grows! (He's known as the Ravenous Beast.)

Cycle time

I'm still chained to the breast pump, and my wound vac likes to beep low battery, so I have to be cognizant of being plugged in! Good times.

A new pose

But all in all, time is passing incredibly quickly. We're trying to savor every moment with Zach because he'll never be this age again!

4 weeks and the many faces of ZFD

3 weeks + 1 day

ZFD - Morning motoring

Introducing Zach and the first 2 weeks...

I went into labor on my due date - 11/23/15. Started contractions around 4am, was not sure they weren't Braxton Hicks. They didn't seem to go away from being in bed to my morning exercises, but they did seem to disappear when I tried a warm bath.... I called the doctor, and I guess I was unsure enough that they asked me to come in. At around 2pm, I went into the office, and they measured me at 4cm dilated. So, to the hospital we went. Frank had gone into work thinking my contractions were Braxton Hicks or "warm up." He got to the house around 3pm, and off we went. 

Birth day, very pudgy

I checked in with another woman from the Healthcare for Women practice. It was also her due date. Frank and I got into the room and got settled. My contractions got stronger, and I eventually had an epidural. Dr. Casadaban told me the baby's head was still really far up, and there might be complications with a natural birth - getting his head and his shoulders through. I was worried too. The night was very uncomfortable. Appendages kept falling asleep. At one point, I started to shake, and they let me know that was normal. Never heard of that one before. 

My water broke in the middle of the night...maybe around 3am? I pushed for one hour and vomited, which was another side effect I'd never heard of. Dr. Casadaban advised a c-section because he was not descending into the birth canal. So, they prepped me for surgery. There was some weird tension in the OR with the resident and the nurses. I continued to shake. 

Headed home from the hospital - 11/28/15

Zach (Zachary F D) was born at 5:35am or 5:58am depending on what documents you look. I think his birth certificate will say 5:58am. We enjoyed some time skin-to-skin. Mom, Dad, and Emily came by around 8am, when we were just getting settled into our room. 

Tummy time

My recovery went well on Tuesday. My body had a tough time waking up from my epidural. I nearly fainted, The catheter was removed, but my body wouldn't wake up, so they put it back in. Traumatic. That was my Tuesday/Wednesday night drama. On Wednesday, I really felt much better. Jeff stopped in and I was eating well. I was starting to feel some pain, but did not understand it was the normal cramping that occurs post-birth. I unwisely decided to take a percoset. The doctor suggested that I might only need 1/4 or 1/2 of a pill, but the nurse advised an entire pill. Whether that was my grave mistake or a stomach bug, we don't know. After that I felt nauseated and vomited three more times overnight. My c-section wound opened up, and there was no going back. From that point on, I had a pretty arduous recovery. 

Swing time

My body was so swollen, and I wore compression socks, which were cutting off my circulation. We had some great nurses and lactation consultants. They all advised me to walk around as much as possible. I tried breast feeding, and that worked somewhat, sometimes. I walked the halls as much as I could. I apparently have a high pain tolerance, which is one saving grace for me. One break. Frank's heart started racing. He was sure it was probably nothing, but went to the ER overnight. (Luckily, he was fine.)

First walk

We had a tough time naming Zach too. We clung to keeping the initials JFD, but no name materialized when he was born. All of our "J" names were too popular -- Jake, Jackson, James. We went back to Zach, which was my first choice if not for the "J." Though we'll call him Zach, Zachary F D seemed to have the right ring, so we named him on discharge day - 11/28/15.

Mr. Handsy, holding the bottle

Starting on Monday, 11/30, I had daily wound care appointments as well as Zach's visits, lactations, etc. On Wednesday at the doctor's office, we ran into the woman and her husband who had been admitted at the same time as us on 11/23/15. She and her husband have had it so much worse (their daughter has a cleft pallet making feeding difficult), but interestingly, she went into labor on her due date, also with the same doctors. She delivered on 11/24/15, but after 10 hours of labor! She had a temperature of 104. Her wound also opened up. 

Snoozer, thinking and sleeping...

On Friday I went to the wound care center at VA Hospital Center for assessment. My second break came days later when my wound vacuum pump was delivered on a Saturday after insurance denied it twice on a Friday. Thank you to Cara for her help with that. I now have home health coming every other day and a wound that may take 6 weeks or more to heal. 

Hanging with Mommy in her Nuroo

It feels like I'm chained to the breast pump, but trying to stay positive. The milk supply is going up, and our lactation folks are super-helpful. All good. Frank and Zach camped out downstairs in the first nights to try and help me get more sleep. Quite a fun boys' night.

Zach just went in for his 2-week check up, and everyone says he looks great. Very healthy. He's still not back to birth weight of 9 pounds, 2 ounces. (His birth length was 22 inches.) As of 12/8/15, he is 8 pounds 7 ounces and quite a cutie. 

We are thankful for so much help from family and friends. We couldn't have done it without you!

Baby Fordam - Due 11/23/15

Baby Fordam via 3D ultrasound, August 2015

Frank and I are still amazed to find baby Fordam on the way. Almost one year ago we visited Shady Grove Fertility. I was unprepared for how difficult the experience would be and at our meeting to assess that first cycle of treatment that ended in early December, Frank and I both heard the doctor say that without their help and without pursuing more intensive and invasive treatment, we would not be able to get pregnant. We decided to mull that over and take the winter off, but I quickly decided I never wanted to go back. 

So, I began researching adoption. One of my former ESC colleagues adopted and was very involved in the adoption community long before that. She proved an invaluable resource, and we were about to attend a webinar and make the final go/no-go decision on the process when I noticed some strange things happening with my body. 

A home pregnancy test left us with what we considered inconclusive results, so I scheduled a trip to the doctor. Upon hearing my story and examining me, she was convinced (though, I wasn't) that I was pregnant. That very same morning, they sent me out for an ultrasound to determine how far along I was, and sure enough, I was eight weeks pregnant! 

Michigan + Ontario + Niagara Falls

Because of baby on the way, our late summer vacation this year was a little different. 

We headed back to Michigan and looped up into Ontario at Saulte St. Marie, around by Manitoulin Island, onward to Killarney, Ontario, and finally around the Georgian Bay through the Toronto area to Niagara Falls, NY. 

On our way up, we stopped for a walk in Ann Arbor and visited the famous Zingerman's, where we picked up provisions that lasted the entire trip!

Once in Charlevoix and throughout our stay, there were high, thin clouds and a haze because of the extreme humidity. At night, it did not cool down impressively, and everything felt damp. Despite this, we took walks along the water and on the North Country Trail. We spent time on the beach, in Lake Charlevoix, and canoed in the evenings. Sara Gay, Nancy, and Edguardo made us many fine dinners. One night we went out to a new restaurant, That French Place, that had unbelievably delicious savory crepes and incredible ice cream. We tried so many flavors, and I think baby was on quite a sugar high later that night kicking away. 

On Friday morning, we embarked on our circular trip home. It was great to be back in Canada. I'd forgotten how much I love the subtle differences: the accent, the international feel, the tea! We found a good, local radio station, Manitoulin Island's The Moose, and made it to Killarney Mountain Lodge in time for a sunset dinner on the dock in Killarney Channel. The next morning, we kayaked out toward the Georgian Bay and back into the Channel. We spent the rest of the morning sitting out by the water. 

Killarney Mountain Lodge
dock, Killarney, ON

The drive from Killarney to Niagara Falls was surprising. We left the Northwoods feel behind and drove through a scrubby landscape of vegetation, rocks, and boggy areas. There was little civilization between Killarney and Parry Sound. We did see some beautiful rivers and water vistas. Around Barrie, traffic picked up, and we made our way through the Toronto area without incident. 

Frank & Susan kayaking in Killarney
Channel, by the Georgian Bay, ON

In Niagara Falls, I was surprised to find it teeming with people, though Frank had predicted this! We joined the throngs and explored. Remarkably, at least half of the people were not North American: lots of Indian and Asian tourists and lots of Latino and African-American families. Impressively diverse. 

Niagara Falls, NY, at night

Our final day and drive home took us through the mountains of western NY and PA. With fog and a little fall color, a nice way to end the trip!

Lots of Lake Michigan

Lurie Gardens, Chicago, IL

In June, I visited Chicago and had a great trip! On Monday, my supposed departure day, I walked in the rain all over town. When my flight was canceled because of the terrible weather, I had a lovely, cool Tuesday evening to do even more walking and visiting favorite old haunts! Thanks, Pam, Bob, and ESC-ers for making it a really fun trip; it was great to see Ginny and Shery too; and a very special thanks to Yvette for another memorable meal at avec. Great company and a great meal...what could be better!

Stormy Lake Michigan, Charlevoix, MI

Summer vacation took Frank and me to Charlevoix for a great week with Sara Gay, Nancy, Edguardo, Agatha, Eva, Lola, Paul, and Jeff. We enjoyed some great weather and a fair amount of rain and an impressive storm. See above. 

I went on all my favorite walks, visited Traverse City and the East Arm's Chateau Chantal and Lighthouse Park, and sat in on some great SCORE mentoring, not to mention sampling Press On Juice, which is a proud SCORE client!

It was a week of celebrations with my birthday, Jeff's birthday, and Frank's and my 10-year anniversary! 

May Fun

May brought our annual pilgrimage to Lewes, DE, where one of the farmer's market vendors sold almost everything I could ever want - asparagus, rhubarb, strawberries, and apple cider donuts! Another vendor sold farm fresh chocolate milk. Delightful!

In late May, I met Paige in Nashville for NKOTB's Main Event tour. Those guys delivered even if it could be very embarrassing to watch. Thanks, Paige, for snagging our best seats ever, making us famous on the jumbo-tron, and alerting me to our fame on Instagram! (Thanks, Danny.)

NKOTB

Paige & Sue agree NKOTB is #1

April & May: Family Gatherings

In early April, we had a family gathering in Tennessee just a few days ahead of Marney's 92nd birthday. A very nice Easter weekend!

The Fodamkotras 
Seated in front: Faye & Marney
In back: Jim, Terri, Jeff, Emily, Bob, Susan, Frank

In early May, Heidi and Sam made their way east for a tree planting ceremony in Terry's memory at the U.S. National Arboretum. Thanks to Penni, Joan, and the wonderful volunteers who served with Terry, we planted a 'Spring Fleecing' fringetree and remembered Terry as a child thanks to Heidi and as a wife through Jeff's memories. 

Fringetree planted in Terry's honor at the
U.S. National Arboretum on May 5, 2015

Terry's fringetree and the family
(Sam, Susan, Jeff, Charlotte, Ralph, Heidi, & Frank)

March in San Antonio, TX

I'm glad that a work trip to see volunteers in action at a regional meeting allowed for a visit with a great friend and former colleague. Thanks, Sofia, for taking me around your hometown. I was also glad to see some of San Antonio's famous sites and have some pretty delicious Mexican food! 

San Antonio View with the Alamo

An excellent Mexican meal with 
my fantastic colleague, Emily