It Takes the Village of Hoyleton...and Some Others (The Gallbladder Story)

Hoyleton Water Tower Photo Credit to Deb Holle

As most of you already know I developed gallbladder problems during my pregnancy with Zach. In January, I thought I was having a spell of heartburn and ended up in the ER. Gallstones. Those little things hurt. So they advised me to have my gallbladder out once my baby was born. I would have to wait 4-6 weeks after. So that would be at most 16 weeks until I could get this thing out. 16 weeks of bland, no fat food. You know what food has fat in it? Every food that you've ever loved. It was a life without cheese, and let's be real, no one should have to live without cheese. I know many people do and I hurt for them. It was a life without fried food. I don't think I have ever gone this long without a french fry. I am going on five months and as Mrs. Kim in Gilmore Girls calls them, I long for "The Devil's Starchy Fingers".

So April 19th I had Zach and we were go glad to meet our precious baby boy. He's so wonderful and cute. Also, this meant we could schedule surgery. We scheduled my surgery for May 16th. Well, my body had other plans. On the 12th I started having belly pain and my surgeon's office told me to head to the ER. In the ER they ran tests and said that I didn't have gallstones (I assured them I did.). They kept me overnight for observation. Then, in the morning they ran a nuclear test on my to check the function of my gallbladder. When I returned to my room Nate informed me that the doctor stopped by and recommended surgery because my gallbladder was only functioning at 4%. When my cell phone battery falls below 10% I begin to panic a little, 4% is terrifying. Now, think about one of your internal organs working at 4%. Not something you want to hear. Within an hour and a half I was in the operating room. When I was in recovery I don't remember anything but being in so much pain that I never opened my eyes and I think I was saying, "help!". Yes, ridiculous. However, I feel like you have a little license for crazy when you are on Morphine and coming out of anesthesia. I was pretty nauseous for about five hours that followed but was better by morning and well enough to go home. I can't say enough about the operating room and pre-op staff at Mercy Hospital St. Louis. I received fantastic care.

A couple days after I got home from the hospital things started to go downhill. I wasn't sleeping through the night because I was trying to feed Zach and pump. I also had a bad reaction to the anesthesia and ended up with BAD anxiety that manifested itself in hypochondria. So, we made several trips to the emergency room because of anxiety induced symptoms. One of the ER trips was the result of a UTI and a possible colon infection. I was put on some very heavy antibiotics which upset my stomach. At one point, I told the doctors that my entire torso hurt. Now, I'm left with some pretty bad acid reflux and occasional pain which I'm going to see a gastroenterologist about this week.

Throughout all of this, my mother-in-law, my mom and The Village of Hoyleton kept us afloat. Nate's mom took care of the children. Women in the congregation made meals for us every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for the entire month of May taking the stress of planning dinner off of us. My mom came over here and took a couple of days off work to take me to doctor's appointments. The entire congregation was very understanding when Nate needed to move things around in his schedule to help with me or the kids. People were constantly texting me to see how I was doing and to let me know they were thinking about me. I received the sweetest "Get Well" cards in the mail. There were prayers coming from the people in Hoyleton, our friends in McAllen and many others. For the first two weeks after my surgery things were rough and we needed these people.

We have always been blessed to have a "village of help" wherever we lived. The Village of Hoyleton has proved that they are no exception and set the bar high when it comes to taking care of their people. We could not have done it without our village and I am so glad that we had "The Village of Hoyleton", friends and family to help us get through this tough time.

The only thing left to do now is figure out what is still making me not feel great when I eat certain foods. I need to be able to eat good food again. This girl NEEDS cheese in her life. I am feeling much better now, even though I am not 100%. People say it takes a village and I'm glad that I have "The Village of Hoyleton" as mine.

Just because they're cute...

That's all for now. God is good.

Zach is Two Months Old!

Zach is officially two months old! He received his two month shots today to prove it (he was not a fan). Zach is growing great! He is 12lbs 8oz and above average in height and head circumference (that means he'll be extra smart right?). Zach is a sweet baby. He is usually very happy as long as he has his mom. Zoe was a Mama's girl too until about 9 months when she switched to a Daddy's girl so we'll see what happens with Zach.

On June 4th, Zach was baptized. We were blessed to have a great service and to spend time with family and friends.

Zach with his Godparents, Will and Wesly.

Family of Four!

Zach likes:

• Mommy
• Daddy
• Mimi
• Papa
• Grandma
• Formula
• Rock N Play
• Ceiling Fans
• Making cooing noises at Mommy
• Laying on Mommy and Daddy's bed
• Sitting outside
• Walking in the morning with the church ladies
• Late night feedings
• Bathtime

Zach doesn't like:

• Shots
• Going to the doctor
• Mommy leaving the room
• Tummy time

Zach is unsure of:

• Zoe (she's still a little big aggressive for his taste)
• Diaper changes
• Loud noises

My cutie!

Both of my cuties!

Sprinkler action

He's a ham.

Handsome

These two.

That's all for now! God is good!

Zach is One Month!

Zach's first month of life has been a whirlwind. He is a very chill baby. He eats a lot and he sleeps a lot. He had to deal with his mommy having surgery (more on that later) and being away for a few days but he took it like a champ and was a good boy for Mimi. We love his blue eyes and his little personality.

Zach likes:

• Mommy
• Daddy
• Mimi
• Grandma
• Formula
• The Rock N Play
• The Baby Playgym
• Snuggles
• Rides in the car

Zach doesn't like:

• Tummy Time
• Being hungry
• Being wet

Zach is unsure about:

• Zoe snuggles (they're a bit aggressive)
• Bath time

\

Sister had to get in there.

My cutie!

Big sister helping out with tummy time.

She's dancing next to him.

A little bit of that aggressive toddler love.

Mr. Handsome

We love our babies!

That's all for now! God is good.

Zachary Nathan Wollenberg

Introducing Zachary Nathan Wollenberg, our handsome little guy.

As most of you know, I was very anxious to have young Zach out of my body. I wanted to meet him and I have been anxiously awaiting getting my gallbladder out as well. I was convinced that this baby would come early. I had been progressing and I was carrying him very low. Well, 40 weeks came and went. The doctor was going to induce a day before 41 weeks if the baby didn't come before. We had Easter services and still no baby. I was irritated, uncomfortable and I have been hungry for real food for months. At least we got a cute picture in on Easter.

Four days after my due date, we ate dinner and I sat down on the couch to relax and watch the Cardinals game. As usual, I started having contractions. Two weeks before I had false labor that had put me in the hospital. Since that night, I had false labor almost every night, so when my contractions started the night of the 18th I didn't think much of it. After a little while, I started timing the contractions. They were close. I showered and tried laying down to see if they would stop, they didn't. So, I called the hospital and they told me to come on in. 

Nate was pretty nervous driving there. We had heard two stories of women having babies on the side of the road since we moved here and he didn't want to have to deliver this baby. He was relieved when we arrived at the hospital. It was about 10 pm when they hooked me up and checked me. They thought it was false labor again and were going to send me home. The doctor agreed to keep me and induce in the morning if nothing happened. Zach had other plans. About an hour later, my contractions were strong and painful. I got an epidural and it was wonderful. We turned off the lights and tried to get some sleep. I slept for a little over an hour and then my water broke at about 2:15 am. Things started to progress quickly after that. The nurses got everything ready and after about 8 hours of labor and 20 minutes of pushing Zach was born at 3:42 am. This labor was half as long as Zoe's an easier. He just came into the world on his own. There was no need for induction or Pitocin aka the devil's juice.

Meeting my little guy.

So snuggly

Getting his hair washed for the first time.

Getting ready to go home.

Ready for the ride!

We stayed in the hospital for a couple of days due to me being Group B Strep positive and his jaundice. We had a good deal of visitors in the hospital. Big sister and Grandma came first, we had Uncle Steve, Aunt Wesly and Uncle Will, friends from church and even more since we have been home. When Zoe walked into the hospital room, the first thing she said was, "I love you mom!" If that won't get a woman who just had a baby to cry, I don't know what will.

Meeting Baby Brother

I missed her.

Giving Zach his first Teddy Bear that she built him at Build A Bear

First Family Pic as a Family of Four

Zoe opening her gifts from Zach.

Grandma meeting Zach.

Big sister kisses.

Meeting Uncle Steve

Meeting Aunt Wesly and Uncle Will

Uncle Kurt and Aunt Victoria came to visit. They brought Nerf guns along. Uncle Kurt is teaching Zoe how to be an excellent marksman by shooting Aunt Vivi.

We made a special visit to see our friend Mrs. Cash.

Despite my gallbladder issues and some mild discomfort the recovery from Zach has been much easier than Zoe. Zoe broke my tailbone so I was in a lot of pain for a LONG time. I felt way more out of it with Zoe and more sleep deprived. She was just as good of a sleeper as Zach, I'm not sure why I feel better with this one. I'll take it though. The best news is that Zach is out and healthy and now I can get this gallbladder out. Gallbladder eviction day is scheduled for May 16th, a week for tomorrow. While I'm a bit nervous about having surgery for the first time in my life, I am so excited to feel better and eat something other than cereal, rice, mashed potatoes and Greek yogurt.

Zoe is adjusting pretty well. She is having some normal big sister struggles, like getting upset if we can't play because we're taking care of Zach. Despite those struggles she loves him so much. She gives him lots of hugs and kisses.

Here are some more adorable pictures from our first few weeks.

Daddy with his little sluggers.

Checking everything out

Zoe likes to be close to Mommy and Zach

Our first trip to Target!

Snuggles

He's just too much.

One Week Picture

We are so blessed to be a family of four now. We are happy and our hearts are full.

That's all for now. God is good.

My First Little Love

People say you never forget your first love. I think you have many first loves in your life. You love your parents. You have a first romantic love. I personally have had many first loves when it comes to food. I will return to those loves when this gall bladder comes out, they've been so neglected. Oh how I miss cheese. Getting back to what I was saying, there are many first loves you can have in your life. I'd like to take this opportunity to talk about my first little love. My Zoe.