Military Life: The Busuego's

12 hours after being home...

2010-11-04T18:03:00.000-07:00

I spent about 3 days in the hospital after having Greyson because of my c section and it was finally time to go home! We were so excited to finally take Greyson home, spend time as a family, relax in the comfort of our own home, and have no interuptions from nurses.

The next picture is Greyson getting ready for bed on his first night home and looking at the picture I can now see that he had started looking sick. His cheeks are bright red. We all went to bed that night and in the middle of the night Greyson woke up, like any normal baby, so we changed him and I fed him. He just kept screaming and crying. John and I were really confused. What was wrong we thought? I tried feeding him again...nothing. John said to me, "Kristin...rest for a little bit while I rock him to sleep." I was exhausted so I laid down and closed me eyes. I had just fallin asleep and John tapped me on the shoulder. I can remember this moment as clear as day. "Kristin. Greyson is burning up." I answered, "Okay. Let's take his tempurature." We put a thermometer under his armpit. It read 101.8. "Wow. That's high. Let's try taking his tempurature in the rectum to be sure." It read 102. "Okay. We have to get him to the ER immediately!"

We go wake up my mom, who was already awake because of all of the crying and say, "he's got a fever. We need to take him to the Emergency Room." My mom got ready quickly and they 4 of us were off. (This is really hard for me....Wow....I HATE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!)

We get to the emergency room and Greyson is admitted right away. The next few hours happened so quickly and yet I look back wishing we would have taken a step back and waited for our options. The ER doctor took a urine and blood sample and then let me know he needed to do a spinal tap and I needed to sign a waiver. I was a very worried young mother so I signed away and it all began. I mean a spinal tap on a 3 day old?!?! Also, he needed a dose of antibotics so they poked and poked and poked him trying to put in an IV. They were not able to get a spinal sample OR an IV in because he was so dehydrated. They called in a child specialist and the pediatrician (which should have been done immediately) and the specialist was able to get Greyson an IV on his first try. He said that Greyson's veins were so tiny that it was like trying to put a needle through a piece of hair. Crazy.

I also have to take a second to talk about my wonderful husband. I was not able to watch 99% of this process because I was terrified. Nothing nothing nothing can prepare a person for something like this. John sat by Greyson's side the entire time. My husband is my hero. He is so brave and strong. I love him so much.

I also have to take a second to talk about my wonderful mom who wiped my tears that night and rubbed my back. She was my rock while this was happening. She was so strong and I was so weak. I was SO thankful she was with us that night.

Once Greyson recieved fluids and the samples were taken we were sent up to the PEDS ward because we were told Greyson was going to need more antibiotics. I was not expecting what we were about to go through...

We spend the next two days at the PEDS Ward at Fort Leonard Wood, but we were told that Greyson's IV would only last 72 hours at the most....We would be lucky if it would last 48 hours. We were also told that Greyson needed 14 days of antibiotics and that we needed to go to the University of Missouri Children's hospital for them. The reason why they sent us to that hospital is because they gave Greyson a PICC line. They have a special PICC line team at the university. The PICC line ran from Greyson's arm and was threaded straight to his heart. It was very fragile, so they wanted us to stay for the antibiotics. Once we got to the Children's Hospital, we felt SO blessed. These people were all use to working with children and knew exactly what Greyson needed.

The next 14 nights were spent in a tiny hospital room, but we did get our own room. My parents and my best friend Julie were fortunate enough to get to stay at The Ronald McDonald House. John and I stayed in the room with Greyson. We shared a chair that pulled out into a bed. We literally slept on our sides so we could both squeeze on it. We did not want to leave him. We tried to stay busy. We watched tv. We took turns exploring Columbia, MO. We took turns going over to the RMH for a bite to eat and a shower. It was so hard! My mom extended her trip to stay with us. She was with us all day long and would walk back to the RMH at night. She was our angel.

I also need to mention the WONDERFUL nurses we had at the hospital. They did anything we asked. They even took Greyson at night for a few hours so John and I could sleep.

These last two pictures were taken when we FINALLY got to go home. We are so thankful for Greyson's health now. He was given the best treatment we could have asked for at the University of Missouri's Children's Hospital. This was the hardest/scariest thing we ever had to go through, but we feel as if Greyson is superman now. He is doing great and for that we are so very thankful.

The Birth of Greyson John Busuego

2010-11-04T17:36:00.000-07:00

I guess I need to start from the beginning....

My due date came, it went. I was a week overdue and the doctors had me come in for an ultrasound to check the baby and to check my fluid levels. Greyson looked very healthy in the ultrasound, but I only had 5cm of fluid which was just enough to not induce me that day. Anyhow, the ultrasound technician told me to go home and buy red leaf raspberry tea and that it would help bring on contractions. I right away went to the local health food store and bought the tea. Within 3 hours or so the contactions began. That night I began having contactions and they were in 3-5 minute intervals. So, like any other first time parents we headed to the hospital...They sent us home. I went home and prayed SOMETHING, ANYTHING would happen that night...Nothing! The next day I continued to drink the tea and the contractions kept coming. I had contractions all day, but nothing that made me hunch over in pain. Later that night I was not feeling baby move, which was uncommon to me, so we went in to the hospital. Still nothing, so they sent me home once again. The following day, the contractions were getting more and more intense. I wasn't wanting to eat that day so by dinner time we went back to the hospital for the 3rd time. They said that I was still not in active labor, to take a sleeping aid, and to go get a good nights rest. I was LIVID! I was so upset that the night before I wasn't feeling Greyson, and tonight she wanted me to take a sleep aid and not be able to feel him all night long. Crazy nurse! I was so upset my water ended up breaking. The nurse said, "well, I was going to send you home again, but we are going to admit you and start your induction because your water just broke". Yes. Finally. We were getting somewhere! They put me into my labor room, started the pitocin, and Greyson's heartrate began to drop. It hadn't even been 5 minutes on the pitocin when the doctor came in and said, "we don't have much time, we think the cord is around the baby's neck, and we need to do an emergency c section. The baby will be born within the next 30 minutes." I was TERRIFIED! Wow. I thought I was going to have a natural birth and all of the sudden this was an emergency. They wheeled me into the surgery room and 30 minutes later (on Easter Sunday) Greyson was born.

When they pulled Greyson out, the cord was not around his neck, however, the cord was in a knot. A true knot. The only happens in about 1% of births. I was told (because I was in recovery from the surgery) that the nurses brought him in and were calling him the "miracle baby". Greyson was just perfect. He was 7lbs 4.9oz and 19 3/4 inches long.

Crawling?!

2010-11-04T14:43:00.000-07:00

Not quite yet, but how stressful is the process!? VERY. As I sit here blogging, I'm trying to keep my mind off of the very frustrated child on the carpet. He pushes himself off the ground. HE'S UP. He starts to rock back and forth. NO DICE! WIPEOUT! Whatever you want to call it. As I turn to peak at him beyond the computer, he catches eye contact with me, waves, and says hi all at once. Yes, he does that. Not when I ask him to, only when he feels like it. Sound familiar? Oh ya, stubborn just like his father.

As if the whines from the baby were not enough...Coco (our dog) hears his frustration and begins to cry herself. I guess the sound of both of them makes me want to let out alittle whine too, but I will hold off and keep typing.

My last post was before I was even a mother. Where have the last 7+ months gone? I think back to the sound of our house in Hawaii. There was not a sound from a baby, nor a dog. Pure SILENCE. (Frustration from Greyson scooting closer and closer toward the front door, backwards) People would tell me, "enjoy those last moments of rest, of silence. I can barely remember how that sounded. As I sit here typing I almost don't want to look back because I'm enjoying the process. I love hearing my son; happy, sad, frustrated....It brings joy to my heart. Okay....He's at the front door. This blog is done! Yes....Motherhood....The job continues and I love every minute!

30 weeks...HOLY COW

2010-01-17T11:24:00.000-08:00

30 weeks is here!!!!!

Winter Wonderland-Fort Leonard Wood, MO

2010-01-13T18:31:00.000-08:00

So much has happened in the Busuego "household" (or lack thereof) in the past two weeks. We arrived at Fort Leonard Wood, MO last Tuesday after travelling from California to Arizona to New Mexico to Oklahoma City and all the way through. Most people dread long roadtrips, especially when they are 7 1/2 months pregnant, have a car full of stuff, and a chocolate lab puppy, but we had an awesome time. The drive went really well. There was snow in every state (except CA), but not enough snow to slow down our drive.

When we arrived in Missouri, we got there just in time for the first really cold storm of the season..... In fact, we experienced tempuratures as low as -11 degrees. HOLY COW! The three of us came from Hawaii and California and have never experienced tempuratures below 40 degrees!!!! It truly has been an adjustment for all of us, but we are making the best of the situation.

Here are some photos from our winter wonderland. Good times for sure! We are continuing to wait for onpost housing, but trying to stay optimistic. Hope everyone is well out there!

Happy Holidays-Remembering those serving us overseas this holiday season!

2009-12-06T12:46:00.000-08:00

The holidays are so stressful! So many people out there are in a rush to put up decorations, buy presents, make others happy, ect....and completely forget why this time of year is so important and magical. It's the people around us that truly matter!!! For the last two Christmases John has been deployed to Iraq. That means the entire time we have been married we have never spent the Christmas holiday together. This year I feel so blessed to have him home. I just keep pinching myself because of how lucky we are to have each other this year and more importantly, how lucky we are to be spending Christmas in California with our families.

As a military spouse it is so easy to become discouraged with this time of year. I ask that all of you remember all of those families that are spending Christmas without their mother or father or spouse because they are overseas in Iraq or Afganistan and to really take a moment to pray for each and every one of them. Spending the holidays without someone so important was the hardest thing I have ever had to experience, so remember to include those families in your thoughts and prayers. May everyone feel connected to someone this year and may everyone's holiday season be filled with blessings.

24 Weeks and 1 Day!

2009-12-06T12:06:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of me @ 6 months and 1 day....SO CRAZY! I can't believe how fast it has gone by and how big my stomach has gotten.....I know there is a long way to go still!

Greyson John

2009-12-01T19:37:00.000-08:00

We're naming our little guy Greyson!!!!!! Well, Greyson John Busuego. Just thought you ALL should know! =)

IT'S A BOY!!!!!!

2009-11-18T17:21:00.000-08:00

After 21 weeks of waiting, we found out that we're having a BOY! yay!!!!!!!!! Honestly, we both did not care what we were having, but finding out our baby is a boy made this process much more real. Also, I can finally go shopping!!!!! We feel so blessed and can not wait until March 26!!!!

Pumpkin Carving

2009-10-27T18:53:00.000-07:00

John leaves for the Big Island for training early in the morning, so we decided to carve a pumpkin before he leaves!! Here are some photos of our cute pumpkin!!!! Oh ya, and you can see my 18 and a half week belly as well!

BABY BUMP-14 WEEKS

2009-09-26T14:58:00.001-07:00

Hey all....Sorry, I'm so not a regular writer on here, but I'm trying. Here is a picture of my 14 week baby bump. My bump is so high that I'm starting to think it's a girl. What do you guys think?

First Trimester...check!

2009-09-18T11:18:00.000-07:00

My first trimester is over TODAY. I am so happy to be saying goodbye to the first 12 weeks of my pregnancy. WOW, it truly took a lot out of me. I am still getting sick and still have less energy than normal, but I'm hoping to start feeling better soon. Common body....

Pregnancy is interesting. Before I was pregnant, I was not conscience of what I put into my body (food wise), now I think about everything that enters and how it might effect this tiny thing growing inside of me. It's just strange to think that we don't love our bodies enough to take care of ourselves, but when it comes to a new life we are so very cautious!

That's all for now.

2009-09-10T19:15:00.001-07:00

Here is a picture of Baby Busuego @ 12 weeks =)....You can see his/her little feet sicking up in the air!

USC Football

2009-09-05T12:27:00.001-07:00

We're so excited for college football season. John was in Iraq last year during football season, but he's home this year! YEH!!!!!! GO TROJANS!

Tracy Blake Photography

2009-09-04T13:22:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to post some pictures of John and me...Our good friend and WONDERFUL photographer Tracy Blake took our pictures when John got home from Iraq. I will cherish these pictures for years to come! Thank you so much!

Hawaii...UGH

2009-09-01T12:47:00.000-07:00

Okay, so most people think of Hawaii and they think of PARADISE....Not when you live here! I am angry at the state of Hawaii today because I got to see our first water/sewer bill yesterday. We pay the water/sewer bill every 2 months and you want to know the total?! $199.....CRAZY! I was so shocked to open that amount. I think when I lived in Southern California I was paying $30/month for my water bill and maybe $15/ month for sewer.

The first thing I did was call the number listed on the bill to ask some questions. I asked the lady on the phone, "Why is there a fixed rate of $119 listed under the sewer portion?" She responded, "Anyone that lives in a house or a duplex on the island must pay the fixed sewer rate, no matter the number of occupants in the house." Is it just me or is Hawaii making a KILLING on sewer charges?!

Not only are water/sewer bills so high here, but the electric bills are astronomical. This past month we only had to pay $99, I believe and we have air conditioning units in our house, but I was talking to some of my friends out here who have central a/c and they said their monthly electric bill is $500. Seriously?! I can not believe that people would pay $500 a month just in electricity costs.

Please tell me I'm not crazy!!!! I'm ready to move off of this island!!!!!

Then 2, became 3...

2009-08-28T10:08:00.001-07:00

It's finally time to announce that I am PREGNANT!!!!!! I have been waiting weeks to update you guys, but you're really not suppose to talk about it until things are pretty far along and it's all I've been thinking about. Therefore, I've been waiting for weeks to blog so I didn't "spill the beans" too early. Anyway, I am 10 weeks along today and our little guy/girl is due March 26.

The awesome part is that March 2010 is going to be amazing in itself. My parents' 40th wedding anniversary is March 20, my sister's 30th birthday is March 21, My mother-in-law's 50th birthday is March 21, my father-in-law's birthday is March 26, AND our baby's birthday is also March 26. Please tell me that is not a blessed line-up!!!!! What this means is that our little "cupcake" will be joining the big 10 line up and I'm so excited about it. Yes, there was some planning involved with trying to get pregnant in 2010, but you can never plan the exact month OR date for that matter. Pretty exciting stuff!

Also, I'd like to report that I have had crazy morning sickness for the past month and have wanted to blog about that as well. "Morning" sickness is not just in the morning....I have had it ALL day long!!!!!!! The last two days have seemed to be getting better, but morning sickness is not fun!

That's it for now. I hope everyone out there in blogger land is doing well!

....And then 2, became 3....

2009-06-20T20:15:00.000-07:00

I lost someone SO close to me today. Mrs. Erin Terreri, known to many as Ms. Crowe, passed away of Breast Cancer on June 19, 2009. Mama Crowe was one of the most important people in my life and was such a blessing to me. I will forever remember her beauty, her laughter, and her courage. Please pray for her husband John and her daughters Morgan and Emma. My God watch over them for many years. I love you Terreri family.

Bring on the guests!

2009-06-16T22:39:00.000-07:00

I got an email last night from a friend of a friend who had just landed in Hawaii and wanted to get together. I called her right after I opened the email and we were able to get together today. She came here to be with her husband on business and was staying down in Waikiki. I drove downtown this morning and picked her up from their hotel. I brought her back to where we live, took her to Ko Olina and walked around the lagoons, and then I cooked dinner for her and her husband. We had such an awesome time! John and I are looking forward to having more guests come this weekend. One of my close friends from the credential program and her boyfriend are coming to stay with us. I will post some photos of the activities that we will be doing...Until then...Take care and God bless!

Work Weeks

2009-06-15T14:00:00.000-07:00

John's work had been extremely busy lately. He gets up @ 4:45am every morning and usually gets off at 6-6:30pm. The reason for this craziness is that over 900 soldiers and their families left the island June 10. The military filtered out many soldiers on this island because they had been deployed 2 or 3 times already. I guess a study went out that found over 50% of the soldiers in the US Army had not been deployed yet. Many of them just go from school to school and hide out from deployments. When I heard the statistic, I was amazed. How was it possible that my husband could have been deployed 6 months after arriving to his first duty station and there were others that had been hiding out for 8 years?! CRAZY! So back to my point, John has been really busy because there are so few officers left on the island that they are taking over several responsibilities. He's exhausted! I usually go to the base and meet up with him around 6 and we head to the gym to either take a class or lift weights. We usually get home around 7:30, eat, and then by 8 he is asleep on the couch! Poor guy!

We are eagerly awaiting a response from the aviation corps. For those of you who are not aware, John is trying to change his MOS (his job) to aviation (a pilot). He is currently a chemical officer, which means he does nothing chemical and every other job that needs to be done. It's insane. He wants to do and learn something that will be useful to him in the future. He is also an amazing officer and needs to be doing something worth while. I guess you could argue that what he is doing right now is worth while, but he wants a change. He should be getting promoted to Captain in January and we are headed to the Captains Career Course right after that (hopefully).

This past Saturday we went to the Army's Birthday Ball (picture up top). We had a great time, but did not know anyone. The man who sat next to me was a chief warrant officer 4. He was deploying Monday (so today). His wife is also a chief warrant officer and has been deployed since October. Man, I just got the chills thinking about their situation. They have 2 boys. One is 3 and the other is 8. He just got back to the island after taking his boys to Louisiana to stay with his mom until his wife comes home this coming October. He said that he gets to go and see his wife when he gets to Iraq, which is amazing. I honestly do not know how families endure. I am having a hard time with my dog being in California. Anyway, the people you meet along life's journey....AMAZING. There are always people out there who have a greater hardship than you. Continue to pray for military families...Miss and love you all!