Here is our ccelebration:
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Happy New Year
I never posted our New Year pictures. As you would guess, we had a pretty low key holiday. We lit our fire pit and did a few fireworks as soon as it was dark, and then welcomed in the new year with the East Coast. I spent part of my evening at the NICU, and went to bed early. I normally really like celebrating the new year. I love the idea of new beginnings and fresh starts. I made no resolutions this year, but unofficially hope that by the end of the year I have survived the chaos that is now my life and gotten my home more organized.
Here is our ccelebration:
Here is our ccelebration:
Monday, January 16, 2012
It's bedtime
It is currently 9:25 at night. The twins have been in their bedroom since 8. They are still talking and playing. We are definitely in that phase of naps being a blessing and a curse. I think I will just picture this in my mind instead:
(Yes, that's both of them asleep in Carter's bed during naptime. It's the only time it has ever happened.)
(Yes, that's both of them asleep in Carter's bed during naptime. It's the only time it has ever happened.)
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Welcome Home Jackson
We finally got to bring Jackson home!
After playing the waiting game, just waiting for him to finish all his meds, Jackson came home on Saturday.
Here we are in the NICU getting him ready to come home.
It has been awesome to have him home. His brothers all love him. Tyler of course was so excited to finally meet him and held him the first chance he got.
He has been a big help--willing to fetch things for me, entertain the twins, and even feed a bottle or two.
The twins? Well, they do love him, but aren't so great at expressing that love. Before Jackson was born, I figured Carter would have the hardest time--he is such a momma's boy. But when I came home from the hospital, it was Brady who had a hard time, and Carter seemed fine with Dad or a grandparent. When we brought Jackson home, that same pattern continued--Brady has been obsessed with mom and the baby. Carter has just been obsessed with the ipad. (No, seriously. He got an electronic addiction over the Christmas break.) Brady wants to constantly touch, kiss, tap, or pull the baby. I have become a referee. He asked to hold "Baby Ja-on" after a few days.
Carter just kind of ignored him for a few days, but gradually started calling him by name and then did want to hold him. He is actually really tender and sweet with the baby.
As far as having a newborn at home? Jackson seems to be sweet and mild-mannered. He eats every 3-4 hours, and his longest stretches are at night! He usually just sleeps between feedings. He seems to have one fussy time each day, but as long as someone picks him up and loves on him, he will be fine. In fact, if he were my only child, I would be getting some major stuff accomplished. But he's not. And I spend a lot of time making sure the twins are happy and Jackson is safe from their curiosity.
We are just so excited to have him home and in our family. We love you buddy!
After playing the waiting game, just waiting for him to finish all his meds, Jackson came home on Saturday.
Here we are in the NICU getting him ready to come home.
It has been awesome to have him home. His brothers all love him. Tyler of course was so excited to finally meet him and held him the first chance he got.
The twins? Well, they do love him, but aren't so great at expressing that love. Before Jackson was born, I figured Carter would have the hardest time--he is such a momma's boy. But when I came home from the hospital, it was Brady who had a hard time, and Carter seemed fine with Dad or a grandparent. When we brought Jackson home, that same pattern continued--Brady has been obsessed with mom and the baby. Carter has just been obsessed with the ipad. (No, seriously. He got an electronic addiction over the Christmas break.) Brady wants to constantly touch, kiss, tap, or pull the baby. I have become a referee. He asked to hold "Baby Ja-on" after a few days.
Carter just kind of ignored him for a few days, but gradually started calling him by name and then did want to hold him. He is actually really tender and sweet with the baby.
As far as having a newborn at home? Jackson seems to be sweet and mild-mannered. He eats every 3-4 hours, and his longest stretches are at night! He usually just sleeps between feedings. He seems to have one fussy time each day, but as long as someone picks him up and loves on him, he will be fine. In fact, if he were my only child, I would be getting some major stuff accomplished. But he's not. And I spend a lot of time making sure the twins are happy and Jackson is safe from their curiosity.
We are just so excited to have him home and in our family. We love you buddy!
Monday, January 2, 2012
NICU update
If you asked me last January what our family would have been doing January 1, 2012, I would have been completely wrong. The past year has been so unexpected. We started off 2011 as a family of 5, living in Houston, Texas, with no thought that would change. One year later and we have moved (twice), found out we were getting a miracle, and welcomed Jackson to the world.
Jackson is still in the NICU (day 11 now) but doing much better. The above picture is several days old. He no longer has oxygen or the art line (which is what that arm board is for). They did have to put a picc line in his head, simply because he is still getting iv meds. The have completely discontinued the glucose. He finished 2 of his antibiotics. He is still on one last antibiotic, as well as nistatin for a yeast infection. He is also on hydrocortisone, but they have started weaning him off that. In the end, we still do not have proof that he had an infection, but in the words of the doctor: he acted like he had an infection, many of his labs read like infection, and he did respond to treatment for infection.
The good? His sugars have been consistent now for several days. He is now eating like a pig, much more than I can keep up with. I've been pumping round the clock and get 30-45 mils (1-1 1/2 ounces). He eats at least 50 mils per feeding. He acts alert when we come in. He loves his binky. He seems to be pretty mild-mannered, which would be a huge blessing in this house full of crazy boys.
I've been going over the hospital to feed him twice a day. It is the highlight of my day when I get to just snuggle him for that feeding. I can't wait to bring him home.
Jackson is still in the NICU (day 11 now) but doing much better. The above picture is several days old. He no longer has oxygen or the art line (which is what that arm board is for). They did have to put a picc line in his head, simply because he is still getting iv meds. The have completely discontinued the glucose. He finished 2 of his antibiotics. He is still on one last antibiotic, as well as nistatin for a yeast infection. He is also on hydrocortisone, but they have started weaning him off that. In the end, we still do not have proof that he had an infection, but in the words of the doctor: he acted like he had an infection, many of his labs read like infection, and he did respond to treatment for infection.
The good? His sugars have been consistent now for several days. He is now eating like a pig, much more than I can keep up with. I've been pumping round the clock and get 30-45 mils (1-1 1/2 ounces). He eats at least 50 mils per feeding. He acts alert when we come in. He loves his binky. He seems to be pretty mild-mannered, which would be a huge blessing in this house full of crazy boys.
I've been going over the hospital to feed him twice a day. It is the highlight of my day when I get to just snuggle him for that feeding. I can't wait to bring him home.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Tyler's birthday
I have always felt bad that Tyler has his birthday so close to Christmas, but I honestly think he kind of likes it when it is. We usually try so hard to make it special, but this year was so odd. I was still in the hospital, and I meant to hold back one gift for his birthday, but I never told Dan and he wrapped them all for Christmas. We had been planning all along to let him choose his own bike for his birthday, but we didn't have anything for him to open when he woke up. Luckily, my mom came and got him and took him out for a special birthday lunch, he did get his bike, Dad made his favorite dinner, and he had cousins over for cake and ice cream.
We also did a friend party earlier in the month. I have discovered that we have to do it early in December, or wait until January or everyone is just too busy. This year, he invited 5 friends from school and 3 cousins to attend an evening at Hogwarts. We sent out letters telling each invitee that they had been invited to Hogwarts, and would be dining in the great hall, as well as attend several classes. We had pizza, then made wands in Transfiguration, played charades in Charms, played a game of Quidditch, and attacked the dragon (pinata) in Defense Against the Dark Arts. We then did cake and ice cream, presents, and watched the first movie. It was a fun birthday party.
Happy 8th Birthday Buddy!
We also did a friend party earlier in the month. I have discovered that we have to do it early in December, or wait until January or everyone is just too busy. This year, he invited 5 friends from school and 3 cousins to attend an evening at Hogwarts. We sent out letters telling each invitee that they had been invited to Hogwarts, and would be dining in the great hall, as well as attend several classes. We had pizza, then made wands in Transfiguration, played charades in Charms, played a game of Quidditch, and attacked the dragon (pinata) in Defense Against the Dark Arts. We then did cake and ice cream, presents, and watched the first movie. It was a fun birthday party.
Christmas
First up, here is how I got to spend Christmas this year. Imagine a hospital room, trips down to the NICU, and my family stopping by with my gifts.
However, the most important thing to me was to make sure my kids had a normal feeling Christmas, and Tyler claimed it to be one of the best ever, so I guess we did okay. I am so grateful for Dan and my in-laws who took over the Christmas prep after our unexpected early arrival. Here are some pictures Dan took.
We are obviously a house of boys. Tyler got Legos (Harry Potter this year--Hogwart's castle and the Knight Bus), Harry Potter DS game, Harry Potter book (see a theme?), an origami book, and his stocking. The twins got a play tent, Duplo blocks, and these stuffed Buzz Lightyears were a huge hit. Dan bought himself a breadmaker (he claims it was for me, but I sure didn't ask for it) and I bought myself a new point and shoot camera. Which I opened up and took to the hospital.
It was most definitely a crazy Christmas, but still a wonderful time.
However, the most important thing to me was to make sure my kids had a normal feeling Christmas, and Tyler claimed it to be one of the best ever, so I guess we did okay. I am so grateful for Dan and my in-laws who took over the Christmas prep after our unexpected early arrival. Here are some pictures Dan took.
It was most definitely a crazy Christmas, but still a wonderful time.
December traditions
Since it's the last day of the year, I'd like to get caught up on some of our December happenings.
One nice thing about moving back near my family is that we get to participate in my family's traditions. My mom has two things she does every year--her trim-the-tree party and gingerbread houses. Tyler has done only done these things once or twice, so it was fun to get to do them this year.
First, trim-the-tree is always the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The grandkids help grandma decorate her house for Christmas. She also gives them each a new Christmas ornament, and has a pinata for them to break. Tyler thought it was great that he broke it this year.
And then my camera battery died before I could take pictures of the kids' new ornaments. Tyler got a light up nutcracker and the twins got football shaped bells. In my little gift my mom had tucked in a baby ornament, so Jackson did get his first ornament as well--a blue baby bottle.
Gingerbread houses
My mom has been making these for at least 20 years. She cooks all the gingerbread from scratch and uses the same pattern to cut out each house. We loved doing it as kids and the grandkids now look forward to it each year.
Tyler went to town and did great. The twins had one to do together. Brady stuck a few pieces of candy on, but was more interested in eating the candy. Carter helped me with the whole process, but of course also wanted to eat all the candy around him and from his house. I think everyone's turned out great.
One nice thing about moving back near my family is that we get to participate in my family's traditions. My mom has two things she does every year--her trim-the-tree party and gingerbread houses. Tyler has done only done these things once or twice, so it was fun to get to do them this year.
First, trim-the-tree is always the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The grandkids help grandma decorate her house for Christmas. She also gives them each a new Christmas ornament, and has a pinata for them to break. Tyler thought it was great that he broke it this year.
Gingerbread houses
My mom has been making these for at least 20 years. She cooks all the gingerbread from scratch and uses the same pattern to cut out each house. We loved doing it as kids and the grandkids now look forward to it each year.
Tyler went to town and did great. The twins had one to do together. Brady stuck a few pieces of candy on, but was more interested in eating the candy. Carter helped me with the whole process, but of course also wanted to eat all the candy around him and from his house. I think everyone's turned out great.
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