Princess Emery is 7 weeks old!

My sweet Princess Emery,

Today you are 7 weeks old, I can't believe it's been that long since you arrived and find myself double-checking all the time to make sure I have counted right! This last week was a whirlwind of activity and we pretty much went nonstop. Even though we were constantly on the go, you did great!

Unfortunately we noticed you were getting a cough on Friday afternoon and that evening it started sounding very wet. What really worried me was that you would cough, gag, and then struggle to breathe. I'm already a paranoid freak about SIDS because of Katie (I'll admit it) and that was about to push me over the edge. Let's just say I don't think I've slept very much these past few days! We took you to the on-call pedi on Saturday and she felt you probably had gotten whatever virus I had (did I mention I had a virus, I can't remember) and that you are one of those babies that refluxes all the way up your sinuses and that that was causing your cough to sound wet. She said to do saline drops, run the humidifier, and stay on top of your reflux meds. From there we'd just have to wait it out.

Well Saturday night and Sunday were no better, in fact, at one point I almost panicked enough to take you to the ER and woke your Daddy up from a dead sleep with my screaming. I just couldn't handle something happening to you. I called your pedi first thing this morning and got you an appointment so we could get her opinion... I knew something wasn't right. Needless to say you have bronchiolitis caused by RSV. You are so miserable and I hate it! Even worse, you probably got it because of me and that makes me feel like total poo. I'm so sorry my sweet baby girl! Dr. Q said we caught it very early and Saturday the virus had not made it to your bronchial airways yet at the time, which is why you are worse now. She also said that we are just now hitting the peak, so we can look for another bad night... that breaks my heart for you. At least we know what to look for in terms of when we need to really panic, hopefully those things won't happen. We started you on breathing treatments and hopefully they will help with the inflammation of your airways, even if it can't get rid of the mucous for you. You took your first treatment like a champ and I, of course, got pictures as proof - see below. Too bad the nebulizer mask is bigger than your face!

I know that this too shall pass and you will once again feel like your normal, happy self. I have to go back to work next Monday (boo!) and am praying that you are all better long before then! I'm so sorry you have to spend your 7 week birthday being sick, but I promise that I will take the best possible care of you and your wish, is my command!!!

Love you, Mommy

Here are some pics from our week, including a bonus picture of Big Brother Chase because it was just so cute I couldn't resist!





****I am grateful for
1) Dr. Q - we love our pediatrician!
2) Our pedi's office, they always fit us in
3) Emery's meds that will hopefully let her breathe better
4) still have 6 days before I go back to work, that's better than none
5) support systems

50 things I am thankful for

***A commenter said that I should have put Chase first, let me just say that I saved my most favorite thankful things for last (the last three are my most thankful in no particular order!) - you know, save the best for last!**

1. computers
2. burp cloths
3. swings
4. stars
5. day
6. night
7. a safe home
8. a reliable vehicle
9. food
10. white noise
11. sleep
12. friendships
13. time
14. laughter
15. shoes
16. clothes
17. cold weather
18. wonderful parents
19. great siblings
20. grandparents, great-grandparents
21. aunt, uncles, cousins
22. phones
23. good health care
24. access to medicine
25. insurance
26. great doctors and nurses
27. Dr. G and his staff at HFI, we would not have our miracles w/o them!
28. technology
29. God blessing man with the gift of science to perform IVF
30. IVF
31. prayers
32. jobs
33. incomes
34. relationships
35. faith
36. rainbows
37. sweet tea
38. kisses
39. hugs
40. "I love yous"
41. being called Mommy
42. happy tears
43. hope
44. dreams
45. determination
46. beautiful smiles
47. help
48. Jeff, my bestfriend and soulmate
49.
50.
Happy Thanksgiving, may each and everyone of you have many things to be thankful for in your lives!




****I am grateful for
1) a wonderful Thanksgiving
2) family and friends
3) sleeping children
4) smiling faces
5) awesome meals

Little Buck's Thanksgiving Feast

Today Chase had his Thanksgiving Feast at school. Since I'm off I got to go and it was so much fun! Really, I would have gone even if I was working, I would have just taken off. The kids were really cute and they were so proud of their costumes. His class got to be Indians and the other K4 class got to be Pilgrims. Each child in his class had been given an Indian name and Chase's couldn't have been more appropriate. Today, Chase was known as, "Little Buck!" Here are a few pics from today!




I know I look horrible, I'm so tired! Just ignore that part!




***I am grateful for
1) The Thanksgiving Feast
2) Indians
3) Pilgrims
4) one-on-one time w/Chase
5) my "Little Buck"

Princess Emery is 6 weeks old!

Princess Emery,

Today you are 6 weeks old, my how time is flying! I have loved being able to spend this time with you and dread going back to work in just a couple of weeks. I love my job, but nothing compares to being a Mommy.

Last Tuesday morning you gave your Big Brother Chase a huge smile when he was telling you good-bye before he left for school. I truly believe that was your first "real" smile and he was so excited! However, this morning I was able to catch your biggest smile yet with my phone (see above). Oh how it made my heart flutter to see that! I LOVE your smiles and can't wait to see them on a more regular basis. I don't want you to grow faster, but boy what fun we are going to have!

I have also discovered that no matter what color I put you in, you look absolutely adorable! That is going to be a huge plus for you when you get older, trust me! Everyone just loves you and tells us how cute you are... like we didn't already know! ;o)

You are much more alert this week and like to stare at us. You are tolerating tummy time a little more, but it's still not a fave by any means. The swing is hit and miss, but we are working on it. Same for your bouncer. You seem to enjoy car rides and 9 times out of 10 will be snoozing in no time once we are on the road. As for the paci, I'm just not sure what we'll do about that.

Most days it still feels unreal that I am now the blessed Mommy to you and your brother, I'm not sure how I got so lucky. Someone up there must really love me... as much as I love you (which is a LOT)!

Love,
Mommy

****I am grateful for
1) 6 weeks
2) 2 more weeks maternity (please don't go fast!)
3) tomorrow I'm going to the Thanksgiving Feast as Chase's school, the first one ever!
4) sweet tea from Son.ic... yum
5) Long weekends for Jeff!

You want me to suck on what?

Chase loved his pacifier, it was pretty much his bestfriend. Emery, on the other hand, pretty much wants to gag 90% of the time we even attempt to put it in her sweet little mouth. I know that in her 5 week post she is sucking on a binky, but trust me, that lasted for all of 5 seconds before she shot it across the room. Yes, she not only pushes them out, she spits them out with force and then looks at us like we were trying to poison her. Ack! I would really, really, really like her take one! Right now she would rather suck on our finger or on me and while I'm more than happy to satisfy her craving while we are home, I go back to work in two weeks and it just ain't gonna work. Not to mention when we are out and about I can't have her attached to me the entire time. We've tried at lest 6 different kinds and the only ones that come close are the soothie (or gummy, same thing) or the nuk that have the latex nip.ple. Lordy, I'm gonna go crazy! Suggestions? Or am I just gonna have to suffer?

~Kahla

***I am grateful for
1) William is out of the hospital as of this evening! Now for recovery.
2) Jeff is better!
3) Duchess is better!
4) Nana is better!
5) The kids and I avoided the germs... so far!

Heaven help me!

Oh what a week we've had in our household and not in the best way possible. Jeff came down with strep throat, Duchess got a sinus infection/earache, Nana got bronchitis... and this was all before Tuesday!

We thought things were finally on the mend until my brother, William, went to the ER for a gallbladder attack (he's been having them for a while and waiting on insurance, which he now has) and they decided to admit him and go ahead and do surgery to remove his gallbladder and fix a very bad hernia. They took him to surgery late this afternoon and while they were removing his gallbladder his liver started bleeding for some unknown cause. They made an incision and took care of the bleed, but were unable to fix the hernia. He is in ICU tonight so they can monitor him and will be in the hospital for 3-5 days. He will have to get the hernia fixed in a couple of months. Send some prayers there are no more complications and he's better and out soon.

I'm really, really, REALLY hoping our days calm down soon because all this excitement on top of a newborn that never wants to be put down and a toddler that is showing his stubborn side, I am tired and worn out! Never a dull moment in our household, that's for sure!




***I am grateful for
1) skilled surgeons
2) ICU
3) good hospitals
4) Hump Day
5) updates

Princess Emery is 5 weeks old!

Princess Emery,

Today you are five weeks old!! I wish I could slow time down just a little because it seems to be going entirely too fast! You are doing really well and growing so much. We were at the doctor's office today and there was a four day old baby boy in there. He made you look like a giant and I'm pretty sure you could have eaten him for lunch. ;o)

We have been implementing tummy time during the day some and I can safely say that you are not a big fan. You grunt, kick, and squirm and then you just get mad. You now have distinct cries and your mad cry is pretty much a screaming cry. You make the most pathetic face and put your lungs to good use. It's actually kinda cute, heck, everything you do is cute!

We had your reflux meds switched today because the Zan.tac just wasn't cutting it. I'm hoping this brings you some relief and that it bothers you no more! You are actually doing quite well w/the whole thing so I'm not too terribly worried. Baby Girl, you rock!

*What you're doing this week:
~ you will mimic whatever we do w/our tongue and mouth - it's quite entertaining
~ you follow our voices, you can be almost sound asleep and hear one of us and you'll whip that head right around
~ you are holding your head up really well, you would love to be able to just sit straight up, of course you're not there yet
~ not a fan of tummy time, but we'll get there

Love you Little Princess!
~Mommy

P.S. Jeff has strep, send prayers that the Prince and Princess don't get it (nor do I!)

***I am grateful for
1) 5 weeks!
2) medicine (Jeff is sick, Duchess is sick, Nana is sick... see a trend w/my family)
3) doctors that fit you in when you don't have an appointment
4) pharmacies, but the slow on in town does drive me nuts
5) cuddle time