Welcome to the family Levi!

(stop music @ bottom of page before enjoying the movie!)

Abby

It's been a busy couple of months, but some how, with the help of our wonderful GiGai (my mom) we have been able to keep up with Abby's many therapies and appointments.

Last Thursday we spent the entire morning at Children's Rehab and were able to see several of her specialists.  The dietician weighed and measured Abby then plotted her progress on the growth chart she's kept for the past 4 years.  To our dismay we found her to be falling off the curve.  

The past 3 years Abby has been growing slowly on her own personal curve, below the 3rd %ile.  As long as she steadily progressed no one worried about her small size.  Now she is quite a bit below even her own curve, and our dietician is concerned.  We talked about using a higher calorie formula, keeping her on the pump for more hours during each 24 hr period, and a few other ideas.

After also discussing Abby's symptoms of discomfort during feeds in addition to her continued stubborn fever we decided on a short-term course of action.  For 2 weeks we will try giving her smaller amounts of Miralax to help ease her tummy troubles.  We have also started her on a daily regimen of probiotics.  So far she seems to be somewhat better... but it's very difficult to know for sure what causes her hours of moaning/crying and finger biting.

The fevers continue to hit Abby just as we become hopeful that they have subsided.  Along with the fevers also come the dreaded seizures.  We have been giving Abby the clonazepam on the hard days when we fear the status (prolonged) seizures could strike.  So far so good.  It seems to help!

The whole fever dance has made us very weary.  Not knowing the cause but having to watch the effects it has on our girl can truly drive one to tears.

... and also to our knees

1 month old

Almost five weeks have passed since our little guy arrived.  He's starting to fill out some and is so very kissable!   He eats about every 2-3 hrs, and is making eye contact which we all love!  Little smiles sneak out when he is falling asleep.

We are slowly getting back into some what of a functional routine.  It's more like a messy juggling act!  I am finally starting to feel better, not having to take the pain meds as much.  Definitely enjoying not feeling sick anymore.

Funny Josiah story:

The other night Patrick told J to clean up his room and line up his shoes.  J ran out and proudly announced that he was done.  This is what we saw...

2 Weeks Old

I can't believe our new little one is already 2 weeks old!  So much has happened this month with our move and Levi's arrival I haven't had much time to reflect and collect my thoughts.  While I recover from my c-section and try to slowly unpack our many boxes I hope to also put together Levi's first slide show/movie.  

My wonderful husband not only stayed standing during Levi's delivery, but managed to video AND capture some priceless pictures of our son!  I am so impressed with his many Skills!!

For now we just wanted to share a few photos of his first 2 weeks.

Introducing: Levi Patrick

6 lbs 12 oz, 19 inches, born at 8:08PM on 6/17/2009

It has been quite a busy week.  We closed on our new house and moved in last weekend.   We then frantically unpacked and prepared to go to Connie and Matt's wedding on June 20th.  But to our surprise at 37 weeks and few days, Levi decided to make his entrance.  This followed Patty laboring all night Tuesday and Wednesday until we went in at about 6:00PM.  They are both healthy, Praise the Lord!!   I don't think we would have made it this far without help from Patty's mom!

Josiah wearing Daddy's helmet!

ER again

Abby woke up sick this morning with a fever (101.5).  After giving Motrin and her other meds she still went into a prolonged seizure.  We caught it as soon as it started and gave the Diastat, but the seizure was stubborn and wouldn't stop.  So, off to the ER we went.

It was 8 am so morning traffic was slowing us down a bit.  Thankfully Patrick had come home and was driving us, so we got there as quickly as humanly possible.  The staff were waiting for us and quickly escorted her to our usual suite.  Within about 8 minutes they had IV access and the meds were on board.  

All in all the seizure lasted about 35 minutes.  She needed two doses of the IV seizure meds and some valium, but after about 1 hour she was resting quietly.  As usual, all of the tests (chest x-ray, blood work, urine etc) came back normal.  She's sick with a virus again.

Fortunately we only had to hang out there for about 4 hours before returning home again.  The meds have made her extra aggitated, figity and grumpy.  Her fever remains above 101 despite Motrin and Tylenol.

We are praying for a more peaceful night for Abby.  The doc has ordered yet another seizure med to be added to her arsenal for the next 3 nights.  We may end up using this medicine in the future when we anticipate an illness coming on, to prevent these long episodes.

Abby has an appointment with her neurologist early next week and an ambulatory EEG. Not sure if she will still be having that done after this weeks' event.

Another Milestone

Last night I gave my 21st and very last Hydroxyprogesterone caproate injection!  It feels so great to be passing this milestone and leaving this weekly routine behind.  Now all the muscle knots and bruises can slowly disappear, leaving little evidence that I ever had to give myself these shots.

But of course I will never forget.  Studies have shown that this medication helps reduce the risk of preterm delivery in high risk pregnancies.  Thankfully we have been able to take advantage of new research, twice.