Somebody's Jealous. . .

Wordless Wednesday. . .

**Trying a new thing around here.  A lot of the blogs that I read participate in "Wordless Wednesday's".  Basically, Wordless Wednesday is all the makings of a normal blog posting without all my yakking.  LOL.  I'll post a picture that is pretty self explanatory - depending on the picture it might or might not have a short explanation.**  

I love family time!!  Here's what we did after dinner tonight. . . the kids had a blast and Mommy & Daddy got to show off some skills!  :o)  We spent hours together, no TV, no crying, no fighting but TONS of laughing!!!

Trio's Wizard's Castle

Trio's Construction Building Set
Chloe built this one by herself!!!

Trio's King's Gatehouse

 

Trio's Airport Tower

 

Trio's Police Station

We also built a Fire station but the camera batteries died before the  picture saved.  These little blocks are called Trio's and they are made by Fisher Price.  Jacob loves them, they are much easier than Lego's for him.  I say they are a must for all little boys!!  Heck!, they are fun for the whole family!

Jaxen's Dr. Appt.

Today was Jaxen's follow up doctor's appointment.  When we came home from the hospital, Jaxen needed a follow up with our pediatrician 3-5 days later - today was day 5.  Can you believe he's been home for 5 days?!  It seems longer to me, but I am absolutely cherishing every minute of it... I can rock and stare at him for hours.  It's all so unreal, what we went through in the NICU, the fact that he isn't even due yet, and the fact that I could have lost him completely.  Remembering back a week ago is hard, it was hard to just sit back and pray.  There was nothing else I could do.  And now, I can do it all... he needs me to thrive.  Everything has come full circle, from our greatest joy to our darkest moments.  In one of my darkest moments, when it was killing me to just sit around and wait, I remember a wise person telling me - That "this is not the last time in his life; I'm sure, that he will be out of your hands and all you can do is pray.  Just be sure he's in great hands when you do pray!!".  This friend will never know exactly how much those simple words helped me cope... and I'm sure they will end up being 100% true.  Look how far we've come in a week... I'm sure this little guy has a lot more up his sleeve.

The doctor told us what we already knew today. . . Jaxen is 100% perfect.  All the issue that he had a week ago are gone, with some time they worked themselves out completely.  The doctor had no concerns about him, Jaxen's next appointment is at 2 months old.  Unless I have questions or issues that come up between now and then, the next time Jaxen is seen he will start getting his shots.  :-(  This morning, Jaxen weighed in at 6 pounds 6 ounces (which is only in the 8% compared to other babies his age) and he was 19 1/2 inches long (which puts him in the 28% compared to other babies his age).  So he's gained a little weight - not much - but he's gotten taller!! 

After the doctor's appointment, we ran a few errands - the bank to make a house payment and to Walmart to get some groceries.  It was after 1pm when we got home and ate lunch.  Since then Jaxen has been sleeping and Chloe and Jacob have been watching Monster's Inc. and playing nicely with Jacob's Trios.  Hopefully, they can continue to play nicely while I finish up the towel and blankets (All that's left from yesterday's Mountain of Laundry)!

'Til next time!!  :o)

It's Christmas!!

Christmas morning was layed back and relaxed around here.  Jerry and I were up with Jaxen way before the other two decided to make an appearance.  Fresh cinnamon rolls were cooking when Chloe came down the stairs just after 8am and we woke Jacob up shortly after that.  They opened their stockings and ate their breakfast and then we opened presents.

Kid's were good this year and we had a lot of fun opening presents with them.  After everything was unwrapped, we started opening things.  Trash goes out on Sunday night, so we needed to get the trash rounded up so that it didn't sit around all week.  It was about 1pm or after when we were finally packed up and ready to go to Grandma and Grandpa's house.

The trip was good, Jaxen slept the entire way and the other two watched tv.  Jaxen got to meet Grandpa, Aunt Amanda and Jeremy for the first time.  Grandma fixed a great dinner - turkey and all the fixings!!  It was absolutely delicious. . . Just wish I got to keep the leftovers!!  We had tons of fun in Cole Camp - complete with presents, food, and a Nerf Gun fight!

I hope your Christmas was filled with fun and laughter!!

Merry Christmas!!

From My Family to Yours. . .

Merry Christmas, Everyone!!

Christmas Eve 2010

It's the most wonderful time of the year!  Honestly, it really wasn't too Christmas-y around here this year.  And frankly, last week I wasn't feeling in the spirit... especially with Jaxen arriving early and staying in the hospital.  But that's all changed!  I am feeling it now. 

This morning was spent kinda relaxing and cat napping for Mommy and Daddy.  We are still getting used to having Jaxen waking us up every 3 to 4 hours.  But after lunch, the kids and I spent all evening baking and decorating... if that doesn't get you in the spirit, nothing will! 

We made Peanut Butter Blossoms, Sugar Cookies (decorated them too!), and Fudge.  Here's some pictures of the fun we had...

After all the goodies were made, our dinner (homemade chili) was eaten, the dishes were done, the living room was cleaned up and vacuumed - Chloe and Jacob opened their PJ's (Jaxen was sleeping).  They are so excited about tomorrow!  They got a bedtime story, including Jaxen!!

Then it was snack time and bed time.  Once they were asleep, Santa Claus had a lot of assembling to do.  But now it's time for bed, I'm sure the kiddos will have us up early!!!  Until tomorrow. . . goodnight!

Dec 22nd & 23rd - 5 & 6 days old

I know I'm a little behind because of the excitement happening around the house lately, but I don't want to leave you hanging on anything that's happened the last few days, so this will be short and sweet.  I've written everything down in my little journal and I will share as much as I can!

The morning started out GREAT!  Our morning call to the NICU was not what I was expecting that morning.  I was told that they had a room for me in the hospital to spend the night and room in with Jaxen.  I was to bring my diaper bag, car seat and a bag for me.  If he did good that night, the next morning he would be released!

And of course, after hearing that news I was bouncing off the walls!  But it was Chloe's last day of school before Christmas break and it was her Christmas party day.  So I had a long wait before I could jump in the car and see my baby!  So to keep ourselves busy, Jerry re-installed the car seats differently, because Chloe wasn't able to buckle herself with the way we installed the seats the first time, he hung posters in both the kids' rooms - it's been needing done for a while, and he fixed the bathroom curtain for me!  I did the laundry, dishes, cleaned our bedroom and the entry room.  I made phone calls to the pediatrician to find out when Jaxen could be seen after his release, short term disability company to start my benefits, my doctor's office for my follow up appointment and I packed my bags to spend the night with my boy!

Once Chloe was home and we finished up the loose ends around the house, we were off to the hospital.  We had to stop by the bank for some money and Walmart to refill my phone.  Around 5pm, I checked into the hospital for the night with Jaxen.  Chloe and Jacob got to meet and hold their little brother for the first time.  It was a happy moment for us all!  Joanna and Caleb also stopped by the hospital to get their hands on Jaxen!  We hung out for a while and then everyone left around 8pm, leaving just me and Jaxen for the night.

I was up with Jaxen every 3 hours, he had to be fed at 5pm, 8pm, 11pm, 2am, 5am, 8am, and 11am.  I questioned the scheduled feedings because Chloe and Jacob were both demand feeders.  And they told me that because he is so small, we wake him up to feed every 3 hours, as he gets a few more pounds on him we move to 4 hour feedings and then I can move to demand feedings if we want.  Anyways, at 9pm the nurse came and took Jaxen and my car seat beck to the NICU for a car seat assessment.  During the assessment, Jaxen was strapped into his car seat for one hour and his breathing was monitored, since he is so little and sits in a slumped position.  He did not have to pass this test to go home, but if he failed it, he would sent home in a car bed instead of a car seat.  But we didn't have to worry about that because he passed the car seat test and his hearing test!

At the 2am feeding, the nurse came back to get Jaxen to do his discharge assessment.  During this assessment, they checked his vitals and whatnot's and made sure he gained some weight.  He had to gain something before he could be released - and he did!!  He weighed in at a tiny 5 pounds 13 ounces during his discharge.  So once they got that all done, the only things we were waiting on was the doctor to make his rounds and put the official stamp of approval on the discharge papers AND we had to wait for the pediatrician to come by and do his circumcision.  All of which were done by 1:15pm - and Daddy, Chloe and Jacob were on the way to pick us up!!

Jaxen is such a good baby. Basically all he does is sleep and you wake him up to change his diaper and feed him.  Only thing I have to watch is Jaxen's temperature, it can drop really fast.  No naked baths until he gains a few pounds.  How ever we are dressed, he needs to have one layer more because he is so skinny and has virtually no fat!

On the way home we had to stop by Walmart to grab a few things!  I needed baby hats and formula.  Walmart was so busy and I wasn't feeling all that skippy after being up all night so I didn't get to finish all my Christmas shopping like I wanted, I hope my family understands!  I have something small for everyone, but not what I was planning, but once again, Jaxen like to change my plans!


Dec 21st - 4 days old

This morning brought back some normalcy in the Daily household.  Daddy got up and got Chloe off to school. . . only thing different this time was that she had a picture of her new baby brother to share with the class!

It was a couple hours later before me and Jacob got up.  And we I came to I was in a lot of pain, last night I didn't have the luxury of a nurse coming in every four hours and giving me a pain pill!  Jerry brought me everything right off the bat to get the drugs rolling in my system again and he physically helped me out of bed.  It's amazing how the actual incision doesn't hurt much but my stomach muscles and my back absolutely kill me!  And I felt a lot better after I got up and walked around verses laying in bed.  But the pain that hasn't gone away or gotten any better (& won't for a few days) is my chest because the milk in finally coming in.  Holy Boobies Batman!  I don't remember being in this much pain with Chloe and Jacob and it makes me completely in awe to those that can breastfeed.  I don't even like my bra rubbing on them - let alone putting a baby there to nurse!  I was just not made to be one of those amazing mother's who can. . . thank goodness all 3 kids have taken to and not had any problems with their formula.  I've always said that if I had to I would breastfeed but selfishly I'd rather not.

Jerry called the NICU, this morning and talked to Jaxen's nurse.  They had not talked with the neo-natal nurse (the main one in charge of the unit) or the doctor yet, but according Jaxen's nurse he did awesome last night.  Jaxen ate 27mL of formula this morning through his bottle. (Which is way up from the 9mL we were giving him yesterday) They are leaving the feeding tube in for now, just in case, but they are so happy with the giant leaps Jaxen has taken the last couple of days!!  So as soon as I get moving around here, the boys and I are headed up to see our Lil Ninja.  I promise pictures and I'll update more tonight. 

Jerry, Jacob, and I went to see Jaxen today and of course, when we got there it was feeding time.  When I got there I got to talk to the doctor who examined Jacob this morning.  And he said that Jaxen was doing incredibly well and that he is really coming along at a nice speed.  He just has to continue to up his feedings and gain some weight.  Also according to today's doctor, Jaxen's timeline to come home is at the earliest - Friday, December 24th or at the latest - Wednesday, December 29th.  I don't think they really want to promise me a specific date, in case Jaxen has a set back.  It is completely up to Jaxen and how well he eats and gains some weight.

The nurse who was getting ready to feed Jaxen did her assessment and checked to see if he digested the 27mL of formula that he had this morning and nothing was left in his tummy!  So this afternoon, Jerry got him to eat 33mL's of formula!!  His nurse was really impressed by him and wanted to remove the feeding tube so badly, but you could tell the doctor's where trying to really hold back the excitement, just in case. And that's okay, as long as I keep getting positive updates, I'm one happy Mama!  And now I know that by next Wednesday he should be home!!  I know I was aiming for Christmas, but in my heart and head I had to think Wednesday.  Hopefully, then the let down won't be as bad if he's not here Christmas morning.

Other than visiting Jaxen while Chloe was at school, I have gotten a lot of things done around the house.  Today I cleaned the backroom where the dogs were all weekend.  It needed it terribly.  I mopped the kitchen floor, vacuumed the living room and got about half of the laundry done.  I still have a lot I want to have done before Jaxen comes home, but today was a good start.  I am taking it easy and taking my time.  Heck, I even made time for a nap this afternoon!

Well tomorrow is another day. . . I am one day closer to having my lil' ninja home.  One day at a time.  That's all I can do right now.  I'll update tomorrow!