Sometimes "happily ever after" doesn't come. Cherish your blessings.

I try and cherish every day.  I do know that every breath we take is a gift not a promise.  Our situation here in Denver has worked out great, but that isn't always the case.   Another gal and I were visiting at RMH two days ago when I mentioned we would be returning to WY this week.  A new fellow I haven't seen before asked me where and then we got to talking.  He and his wife are from Lander.  He then told me his baby had died 3 days ago.  I told him about www.umbrellaministries.org and www.griefshare.org  He said he would look it up online and we went our ways.  This seemed strange to me.  RMH is for parents of children in the hospital or taking tests.   I just keep seeing him and it's always when I have the boys and must remain vigilant.  He is spending a lot of time in the 3rd floor waiting room or he's on second floor at RMH playing pool by himself.  That floor is the NICU and labor/delivery, etc.  I have placed him and his family high on my prayer list as I was sure there was more to his story and he needed all the prayers he could get.  Today I found out there is a mother waiting birth of twins.  One will be born asleep and the other appears to be healthy.  There are rumors of others health problem for the mother as well.  I'm sure this is his wife.   If I see him hanging out and the time is right I'll ask if he needs anything.    Now my job is to let go and let God.

I finished the bulk of Whitney's SW lap afghan and have been trying to figure out the opposite "row 10".  Whitney asked me if I HAD to put it in that she really didn't like it.  I kissed the girl!  So it is as done as I can get it until I get to my sewing machine and then will crochet (if I remember) an edge.
I told Kaycee I'd make her one and she picked out the turquoise with variegated brown/sand yarns.  I HAND zigzagged it and crossed my fingers while it washed.  It came out fine.  I refuse to try and figure out another pattern so am doing the same one.  I'll take it back to Elephant Butte and have sue show me how the silly single cross row goes.  Having this handwork has eased my stress level even if I have taken it out many, many times. 

Travis will be here late tomorrow night so they can watch the videos about Shaken Baby Syndrome and Infant CPR.  The nurses have released them from watching the others since this is their 3rd child.  I am finally getting a routine with the boys.  Being at RMH has been fun and our stress levels have decreased significantly.  Whitney has been having me do the 1 pm care while she cuddles with the boys and they eventually take a nap.  It is good for them all.  And I enjoy the time with Aedan.
The pickup will have to be repaired in NM as it hasn't been in one spot long enough to hardly get an estimate.  The insurance company told me today they were just sending me a check.  We will just contact her if it isn't enough down there.
I feel a nap coming onnnnnnnnnnnn. 

Golf, golf, Aedan's and Henry's Blankets

Golf.  This word can mean two things: a card game or batting balls all over with sticks.  :)   We play Golf about 3+ times a week in NM.  We can harass one another; laugh and generally just enjoy one another.  Imagine my surprise Saturday night  when I found the ladies of our dinner providers playing Golf.  And they, too, were harassing one another and having and good time.

Golf - with a stick is another story.  However, our friend Linda woke in the middle of the night and decided she needed to learn how to play golf; promptly recruited Debbie and then emailed me.  Linda and Newell are flying back to ND to visit gkids so we'll all start after the first of February.  I last attempted golf in 1971 in college.  It is probably a good idea if I have totally FORGOTTEN whatever I learned then.

 On the 7th floor where Aedan is in Denver here is a cool bulletin board.  These are the "certified" cuddlers that come to the hospital to give these babies some personal cuddle time.  When they arrive they move their picture to the bottom left hand corner to show they are "on duty".  Many of these babies remain hospitalized months.  Moms and Dads often must return home and visit on occasion.  The cuddlers give these babies personal love time.  What an awesome job. 

 When Whitney and Aedan first got here she had nothing "personal" to give him - translate lay in his bed.  One of the nurses said to wait a minute.  She brought back this little quilt with a hand written note.  It talked about her son Henry being in this hospital a few years ago and like Whitney they came with nothing.  She saw the small personal touches the babies have.  Someone made a small quilt for Henry - it was about 2' by2' and fit on the "mattress".  She was so grateful she and her friends have made it a mission to make and send these for the families.  Henry's quilt will have a place of honor in the Llewelyn household when they get home.

We went to JoAnn's Fabric yesterday to feed my new OCD and there was a no sew blanket kit on sale.  We looked at one another and grinned.  We knew we wouldn't do it "correctly" and it surely would be a one of a kind.  Here is an example of our unorthodox ways.  Yes that would be MY child sitting bass-ackwards doing the left hand cutting.

And of course she had to do all the tying because we don't do it alike.  However, Waalaa!! A blanket for Aedan.









Finally, what post would be complete without a current picture of Aedan without all his tubes, wires, beepers, etc.  He only has his heart and respiration monitor and the IV which is now in his head.  You can't see it in this picture.  He's laying on it.  If this one blows they won't put another one in (as the nurses are rebeling, telling the doc it's HER turn to torture the boy.) but will give him his medication via injection.

Ronald McDonald House and the Pop/Beer/Food Pull Tabs

In 2008 we became part of the Escapees RV Club Elks BOF Group.  They were and had been saving the pull tals off soda/beer/food items and sending them off to a Ronald McDonald House.  In 2008 the selected RMH was in Denver.  The money goes to help feed and house families during health crisis situations when they are far from home(60 miles or more).  Ken and I began saving the tabs.  When we ended up in NM for the winters I put up a can to have other help us.  Then I found the American Legion in Elephant Butte collected them and dropped them off there.
When Aedan had to be flown to Denver I wasn't sure how we would manage hotel rooms for who knew how many days/weeks/months.  Lori told me about another house nearby that was $40 per night which wasn't too bad but would still stretch the pocketbook long term.  We had some personal connections in Denver and I knew we would make it work.  After arriving at 3:40 a.m. in Denver the nurses had put Whitney into a small private crisis room for us to stay there the remainder of the night.  They then said the Social Worker would make arrangements for us to stay at Ronald McDonald House Sunday.  It was 3 pm before we got to RMH and it blew us away.  We could not believe what we were seeing then being told. 

This is the sight that met us as we walked in the door.  A whole line of wagons.  We didn't have to make 40 trips with the "stuff" we had brought probably 50% of which we didn't want or need.  We were graciously greeted and were then given a tour. 

As we rounded the corner we saw Alvin, Simon and Theodore (minus KaCe and Ethan).  The center foyer is welcoming and calming.  We talked later about how we all began to relax and to realize with this kind of help we could conquer anything.
http://rmhc.org/what-we-do/ronald-mcdonald-house/stories-1/100-small-gestures/  here is a list of 100 small gestures that make a RMH such a special place..  If things get calmed down I knew I could have the boys brought down from Gillette and we could manage quite nicely.

Here in one of several small and large sitting and play areas.  Here is XBox 360 and a wii.  Not that I know how to run these technical nightmares. 

 This is the foyer for our floor.  Air Hockey and pool were used regularly this week by families.  There are libraries, computer rooms, tv rooms and play rooms on every floor.  And I'm thinking of asking one of the guys to help me with my pool shooting.  It needs practice.

 A piano and guitar are waiting for someone to play them.

The front layabout room.  Note the giant giraffes in the background.  There are four of them in the house.

 There is a pantry on each floor - stocked and ready for us to use.  Are you kidding me? For $15. ($20 with me) they provide a bed; pantry; food; play areas for children  and will see you get to and from the hospital.  We need to support these folks.  Our house has 30 roomd; the new one over by Denver Children's Hospital has 50 rooms.

 Then we were given the key to a storage locker we can put items we purchase for our own family.

 Then we went into the kitchen.  There are two of everything: stove, dishwashers, refrigerators.  There is one frig for us to share with others.  There is one frig that holds food anyone can eat - the leftover frig.  They try to provide two meals a day which are made by volunteer groups, families, individuals.  If not feel free to use the pantry supplies.

 This group - the oldest African American Ladies Group in the U.S. - made the most amazing chicken enchiladas. 

And then there are the playrooms.  This one is outside and there is one attached to each dining/kitchen area.  I figure if I only let them play in one room per day we'll manage just fine.

 This is Denver Stock Show Week and we're having a Cowboy Cook Out here at RMH.

Transplanted Hawaiians

Decorating cupcakes

And what a cookout it was!

So please save those pop tops.  Email, call or text me if you need help dispensing with them.  I'll either pick them up or we'll find an outlet.

The group that fed us tonight do it in gratitude for one of their numbers that lived here 30 days about 7 years ago. 

Thanks to all who donate to RMH!!  It is very appreciated.

Zoo Bound and the view from Aedan's room

The view from Aedan's room.

 Lori got here with the boys about 3:30.  Whit and I were done with Cares so we jumped in and we headed back to Ft Collins to meet Erick.  He has beautiful Hayden this weekend.  The timing was perfect.  We could make the 8 pm Cares time by the skin of our teeth. 
Grams I have to go potty - so Whit called to say we wouldn't make it.  The nurse was very understanding and did the usual remark: "Remember you have the highest paid baby-sitter in the country. Take care of your other children."

RMcD House.  More about this later.

The boys were SO excited about going to McDonald's House.  Here is the proof.   Whit just got back from Cares so we shall go to the zoo for awhile.  Zoo admission is one of the MANY perks RMH has for us.  And I will be posting and calling for pop/beer/food tabs. 
Aedan had to be put back on O2 in the night.  He just can't keep it up when he is sleeping.  However it is very minute.  Just enough to not make him work so hard to breather.  Also he is taking too long to eat.  They want them to finish a feed in 30 minutes.  Otherwise they are working too hard eating; they may have to put the ng tube back.  Not a problem.  Big Aedan, as he is known with the parents, is growing, eating and sunbathing in the light. 

A Wonderful Reward for watching the Boys in Denver............

Whitney "paid" me for watching the boys down here
 in Denver this morning.  She said I wouldn't be able to come in with her now so why didn't I feed Aedan.  Woohoo!  Yippee!  They get to hold him so infrequently it was nice of her to give one of her times up.  Anyway here is the proud Gma feeding and singing to her newest Gson.  If it didn't take 12 hours to give the antibiotic they would let him come home now.  BUT he is fine just where he is with his buddies Avery and Bromley. 

Is there a burp in there boy???  Oh, yes a huge one.

This is the Mommy's little chief outfit.  Such a cute outfit!!!

Aedan doing good and How to button a pair of pants

Important matters first:  Aedan is doing well and they hope to get him totally off the O2 today.  He is eating about good with a bottle.  The doc asked Whit if she was ok with bottle feeding.  Whit will pump and store.  This way they are sure of how much he is actually getting.  He learned to suck all the time yesterday.  He surely is on the correct floor.  He will finish the antibiotic on the 28/29th.  He MAY get out the 29th (if before 2 p.m.) spending one night then traveling to Gtown the 30/31st.  He will be on restricted "no large crowds, limited holding by others" orders until April 1.   No problemo.


Lori is on the road with the boys.  They'll be here about 4+ish.  We got the room ready this morning so all is well.  Selenee and family are on their way so we'll have all of our stuff by tonight.  We came up for Whitney to pump and there was a little girl looking at her brother through the window.  Oh!  Maybe we can do that and do it when Auntie Lori is here.  I'll put a pic here later. :)


So Monday I found my GGW (Grannie Gone Wild) pants and the button fell off in my hand.  Rats!  OK get the needle and thread you have time.  So without taking them off I sewed on the button and was ready in a jiffy.  I couldn't get them buttoned.  What's going on?  They aren't too little.  Oh well I'll figure it out later; put my belt on; cinched it up tight and off we went.  I tried and tried all day to button the darn things.  It was driving me nuts - short drive - At one point I went into the little waiting room, laid down on the couch and STILL couldn't do it.  This is tiresome.  At the end of the day when we finally made it back to the RMH; had dinner and got in my jammies.  Let's look at these rotten pants. ........Ahhha!! You already know....I had sewed the darned thing onto the outside of the pants.  Yes - folks I'm back with a weird working brain.  Ahhhh! Life is sliding along. 

Grams and The High Tech World

Aedan got dressed yesterday; Mom held him; Mom nursed him (but he doesn't know how to latch yet); and he graduated to the Graduate NICU whose sole purpose is Feeding and Growth.  It is SO quiet up there.  After the noisy NOCU this is a breath of fresh air.  The "incubator cocoons" with their wonderful indivual blanket over the top of them allow the REAL preemie to grow and grow.  We were sad to leave Nicole Marie a beautiful little girl that was born Thursday weighing in at a whopping 600 grams.  Her brother was not a roommate as he is 50% smaller than her and needs even MORE attention.    His roommates are Bromley and Avery who were his roomies downstairs.  They were born 12/13 and very tiny but stable.  Mom went into labor with them at 25 weeks when she was visiting on a move from Hawaii to Maryland. 

The Ronald McDonald House is an awesome experience and I will be even MORE of an advocate to save ANY type of pull tab to sell and give the money to ANY RMH.  I am going to write about it when I have a better brain. 

We have found that going to the cafeteria and spreading out is good for us.  Travis went home yesterday and we call for rides from Security.  Lori and Kevin will bring the boys down in our pickup Friday night.  I have searched out where/how/why for having them stay here with us.  RMH; zoo and walking are on our agenda.  Weather permitting we will walk at least one way twice a day.  I am NOT doing my daily 3 mile walk and I find I am missing that; bUT I am moving and and climbing stairs whenever I can. 

By the time I leave here I will KNOW how to run both my camera AND my cell phone.  :)  Oh Dad do I get what you used to tell me.  It is easier to have Whit do it; but she is rebeling somewhat and making me learn it.  I DID finally get sound to the movies. 

The food here in the cafeteria is incredible and especially with our 20% NICU discount we can eat it.  We had a wrap for dinner last night.  VERY big so we each had at least 1/2 to save for Whit's 1 a.m. snack when she pumps.   So I trot over to the saran wrap dispenser, watch a lady and think: Nooooo problemooo!
You all know this was my first mistake.  I plop my plates down, lift and lid eventually find the SW and begin to pull up then lay it down on the empty plate.  Now push down the SW lid and waalaa! SW the right size.  I held it down and tried to get the SW.  It just kept coming as I pull up FAST - now I have about 24" of SW.  I try again after I wrapped the empty plate 4 times - pull, snap, done.  Another 24".  SPIT!!  Then a very nice older man using the other station said for me to just let GO of the lid as that somehow finishes the task.  oh!   I eventually got the two halves wrapped and consider myself a certified SW user. sigh.

Now I will let Whit have the computer and I will start two more rows on my new OCD - Swedish Weaving.  I really love SW.  Ken will be SO proud I have found another obsession!  Ok now it's 29 rows down; over one do 1 in dark bl...........................

Check out this!!!

Please go to Whitney's blog and get updates and see all her pictures and videos of Aedan!!!

http://llewelynfamily.blogspot.com/

1/12/11 to Morning 1/16/11

This post is written by Whitney.
I will start at the very beginning for this post.

On 1/12/11, I woke (well got out of bed) at 3am.  I had been fighting back pains and sleepless nights for 2 weeks but still try to lay down and rest as much as possible.  I had a few things planned for the day but none of them seemed to actually have to been done this day!  I cat napped on the couch as Travis and dean both got up and got ready and left for work.  I managed to get both KaCe and Ethan breakfast and happily watching tunes so I could continue to rest.  I was not sure I was contracting but man....the back pain was not going away with any pain meds and I was getting more and more concerned.  I called Sellenee (a friend in the complex who with out her I am not sure how I would make it through some days) and asked what her plans where for the day.  She told me them and then said to bring Ethan by and take KaCe to school and go to the doctor.  I decided that since I had an appt any ways at 1PM I would see if I could get in early.  After dropping KaCe off and driving to doctor she was very easy going and got me in.   She could tell I was hurting but since I was only 36weeks 6 days, there was little they could do.  She reminded me to go to the hospital if contractions got with 5 minutes.  With the weather front that we were supposed to be getting (but never did as far as I know) she doubted I would make through the weekend not in labor.  I went to Sellenee's to get Ethan and rest but Sellenee was not sure how I wanted to be alone and invited me to just hang out the day.  (Tracey, another friend who is very helpful and lives near us, was bring KaCe from school today). Sel wanted to make sure I was ready for this baby to come then, so she helped me get my bag packed, a list of where the boys could go and who needed called, and helped me with many plans for the weekend.  She was also helping time contractions when they started later in the day.  I had called my mom (in new Mexico) and she was still planning to leave when baby came or the 16th (that was her current date of departure, it had changed a few times), whichever came first.   My dad is her travel spotter, weather watcher, and direction giver.  Within 27 minutes of him reading the weather he had "kicked" her out.  She arrived in Gillette at 3;30am (or that is my estimate because I was still trying to sleep).  Meanwhile, Travis is at work!  Sellenee is arranging with friends of ours or hers for KaCe and Ethan and for her boys as we see it an imminent end the day to go to the hospital.  After dropping off her boys with Jess (Sellenee and my friend who is due 1/13/11) and my boys with Jessica (my visiting teaching partner, we drive to the hospital.  We had called Travis at 4 and told him to head to town so she should be right behind us.   Wow....what a day!  In the end my contractions are not dilating me.  I was 3-4 and 50% went we got there and still that when we left.  At 10PM, I was in bed, feed, and had taken Tylenol to try and sleep.  Travis and dean have Thursday off so we will see what Thursday brings!!

1/13/11 - My mom drove 15+ hours to sleep on our recliner Thursday morning.  It was a good day of contractions, time with my mom, and trying to rest.  The boys loved the time with Grams, their dad (home on break for baby), and me.  At 7pm, my mom took the boys to Lori's with her so they could sleep, since we don't have enough room at the apartment for 6 sleeping bodies (especially when 4 are adults).

1/14/11 -  I slept till 5am before I could not lay still and I did not want to wake Travis yet.  He has been so good at taking care of me and trying to help in any way he can I knew he needed to sleep.  I sat on the couch, watched TV, and waited for everyone else to wake.  I was not contracting with what the hospital with think of as labor contractions because they use a scale that if it is a productive contraction then the top of your belly should feel like pressing on your forehead, good contraction is the tip of your nose, and braxton hicks would be your chin.....I did not know what to tell them but these contractions are REAL!!!!  I finally showered and dressed deciding I was going to see Dr Cohn today.  I need to be checked...I am sure I am further than they think.  I called the office to see when they could get me in. The earliest appointment they had was 2pm so better to go to hospital to get checked.  Travis and I chose to run a few errands first so we did...the bank, gas in the truck, and gets part for the van.  Then we went to the hospital to get checked.  They originally thought I had a UTI as I had not changed so they made me take a pill and kept monitoring me.  At 11am I sent Travis to work.  They were calling asking how long they needed to cover for him and he and I decided that since they were "going" to send me home that it would be ok for him to work, me to go home with Sellenee and Mom would come to house then and be with me.  He barely left when the nurse decided to come check me early.  Nurse Vicki (we call her Nurse faces) was surely surprised with the progress I had made.  I had gone from 3-4 to 5.5-6 with show.  She was so shocked and her face showed her surprise....she kept us entertained all day with her faces of surprise as I progressed.  I started immediately trying to call Travis.  I knew that his phone was on vibrate, dying, and he was driving so I kept pressing resend every time I got voice mail.  There was no way he could have gotten out of Gillette yet but really...answer the phone.   I finally got a hold of him and he turned around and headed back as Sellenee and I were walked to the labor room, LDR 3 (it is really an overflow room that they converted).  Travis and I were both trying to get through to my mom (really she driver 15+ hours to get to Gillette for this delivery and she does not answer her PHONE!).  As they break my water, Travis walks in the door.  He sensed that weird things will happen...he knew he should not have left.  He keeps pressing redial on his phone to get a hold of my mom and decides to try and reach Lori (my sister in law) and see if she can try to find mom.  Lori found mom at McDonald's, where she took the boys from Mom and sent her to the hospital.  I am going to make this labor short, sweet and to the point.  At 11:52am they broke my water, at 2:04pm I gave up and asked for the epidural, at 2:10pm Dr Cohn arrived in the room, and at 2:22pm Aedan Thomas Llewelyn was born!!!  He was 6lbs 15.9oz, 19.5 inches long.  He was screaming right away.  He opened his eyes once for Grams and we managed to get it on Video (which if I knew how to post I would) on her phone. They cleaned him up a little bit, put a hat on him (minus they did not wash his hair yet) and handed him to Travis.  She mentioned that he was really grunting so they would be watching that closely.  travis handed him to me and I cuddle with him for 5 or so minutes before the nurse came back in and heard his grunting again and took him to the nursery.  I ate my lunch and they moved us to our room (that would be ours till we leave).   We went in to Level 2 nursery and saw him after a while and met with Dr Soler (our pediatrician) who decided to start him on an antibiotic and ordered xrays.  I truly feel that between Dr Soler and Tracey Wassaburger (the PA and "boss" of the nursery) we had angels and wonderful care at CCMH.  Dr Soler and Tracey both decided to put Aedan on CPAP friday night, in hopes that he would get off during Saturday.  They both suggested that I start pumping (knowing I may or may not get anything quite yet).  Travis went home and got our bags (remember we thought we were going home so we did not bring our bags and clothes).  He brought his PJs as he felt he needed to stay the night with us since the boys were with mom at Lori's again.  I got up at 11pm and pumped and went to visit Aedan.  He was doing good but Tracey thought it best if they give him a little sedation to sleep (he was fighting the tubes in his nose and it was making him more agitated.

1/15/11 - I woke at 3 and visited Aedan and he was more relaxed than he had been at 11.  I was glad to see that and I am sure that knowing that helped me to sleep again.  He was so frustrated and crying at 11, it was hard to see.   When Travis woke at 6:30 we decided to go back down and visit.  It was (and still is) hard to go back and see him, not be able to hold him, and not cry when back there.  I realize it is all part of the process but still it is hard.  I continued through Saturday pumping every 3 hours.  I kept telling myself it will happen, it will happen, but in the back of my mind I was still unsure.  I did not get to nurse either KaCe or Ethan and really had my heart set on giving it every thing I could to do it this time!  In the afternoon I went and checked on Aedan and was able to chat with Dr Soler as well as Tracey.  They had just been reviewing his recent xray and he has pneumonia.  They also are finding weird things in his blood that were not there earlier.  They are going to contact Denver for advice but at this time feel they can continue his care in Gillette with no problems.  They did ask to do a spinal tap.  My mom, Sellenee, Sam (a good friend since jr high), and Leigha (a GMM friend who is so wonderful), were standing outside the window.  I lipped to my mom to call Travis because he had ran an errand and was not back yet.  He was in the building and was there beside me immediately.  I explained (through my tears) that what Dr Soler and tracey had told me.  Each of these people that were there hugged me, asked if they could post to thier FB walls for prayers, and left so Travis, Mom, and I would have alone time to process and wait for results without an audience.  The spinal went well and results could take 3-6 hours for some parts and 2-4 days for cultures.  At 5pm they brought in my dinner and I was surprised by the overwhelming need to eat it all gone.  I was confused on why my body felt it needed to eat an entire meal when I still felt full.  I slowly ate my meal and talked with Travis and Mom.  Mom then decided to leave after helping me shower. Travis, Dean, and I walked to the cafteria so they could eat (although they did not find anything they wanted) and walked back to my room.  When we walked into the maternity floor, my nurse instantly told us Tracey was wanting to see up and sent up to my room so we could wait for her.   She was doing a procedure and would be right with us.  This short time was slowly passing and Travis decided to walk to the window and see what was what.  I stayed on my bed...my heart beating fast and tried to keep breathing as Mom had been instructing me earlier in the day.  Travis came back saying that Dr Soler (I watched him leaver earlier), Tracey, and 4 nurses were huddled around Aedan and he could not see anything and felt odd and worried about that.   I began shutting down the laptop (I was trying to distract myself with a movie)....this is not going good.....breathe....breathe.  Tracey came right behind Travis and closed the door.  Uh..Oh.  She walked my the side of the bed and was looking at Travis and had her hand on my arm.  (Yep, I was nervous and very concerned.)   She slowly started saying that Aedan was being just what his name described...Fiery!  Every time she thought she was making progress he throws a kink in her plans.  She told us his lung had collapsed, i took in a deep breath, and they need to put in a chest tube and intubate.  They had contacted Dr Horst in Denver and concluded it was time for him to go to Denver.  (Yes, I was already crying.)   She said it would be 45 minutes till they knew the plane was in the air, 50-60 minutes for the flight to Gillette, 45 minutes to package him up, and 1.5 hours till we would be in Denver.  One of us could go with....Travis said it would be me.  He was going to drive (he told me later that he was sure I would not have made the drive without panic attacks and major knock out drugs.)  We signed the papers for the transport, packed, organized life in Gillette, and prayed.   We asked and received a blessing for Aedan earlier in the day, but when we learned we would be going we asked and received blessing of comfort for Travis and I.  I was sobbing and shaking before them but after them it was amazing how much I felt everything would be going great. 11:06PM - plane left Gillette  11:36PM - plane lands at Centennial Airport

1/16/11 -12:10am - arrive at Presbyterian/St Lukes, 12:30am - first meeting with Dr Horst, E-coli infection from urinary tract infection that spread to his lungs.   Caused pneumonia and collapsed lung.   Waiting for meningitis results so treating for that just in case.  NOT MY FAULT told to me 15 plus times.  Dr Horst planned 7 days of antibiotic for pneumonia and infection.   3-4 days before off vent.  Will start giving breast milk as soon as can provide it.  3-4 days to teach to eat.  Skin to skin as soon as they can, after the central line in his stomach comes out.  Only 2 visitors at bedside at time.  Grandparents must be accompanied by a parent.  No other visitors but grandparents and parents.  Social worker will set us up at Ronald McDonald house Sunday morning.  Stayed in family room for NICU.  Slept OK but noisy fridge, need to walk, bad cell service, and wanting mom and Travis, means slept lite.

Thank You for prayers and thoughts!

The Circus and a Birth Day

I knew it was gonna be that kind of day when I had to go back into the house to get a forgotten item THREE times.  hmmppf!  My mother would have been appalled I didn't sit down in a rocking chair then walk around the chair three times before I went back to the pickup.  Don't ask me.........that was my mom.

Well - First E squared made his appearance and all is well at this point.  But WHAT a day!  Take KaCe to school at 9 am; go to WW to pick up  a couple of things I forgot to bring; go to apt to organize what stays there; what goes to K/L's and what goes to hospital; go pick up KaCe and reward them with lunch at McDonald's. 

Meanwhile W/T went to get thermostat for van; doc told her to go to hospital to get checked.  This done the hospital says she's not ready but we'll check you in a few more minutes and then send you home.  Whitney sends Travis to work.

We get to M-D's at 11:37 for food.  At 12:20 some dude yells to the crows "Anybody here have a Chev Colorado?  You vehicle just got the rear end taken out of it."  Fortunately there was some acquaintances in the M-D's playroom that took care of the boys.  The two guys that saw it were watching the "little old lady" as it looked like she was leaving.  I ran out and began to knock on the side of her pickup saying, "Please stop and park!"......over and over and....  She did stop and when I said she'd run into the pkp she said "But I didn't hurt it!"  YES! You did.  I know I sounded like a cop then, "You need to park right there and give me some informtion."  She did and when she looked at the pkp she THEN said, "Are you sure it wasn't already like that?" YES. I. AM. SURE!       I get the info and before I can get back inside Lori screeches up and says "Whey isn't your phone on?  They broke Whit's water and ESquared is on his way."  (My phone had died and was in the process of charging in the pkp.)  So I lost the cards with the info; I rush back inside grill the LOL again for info; get the witnesses info; throw footwear on the boys; throw then into the other pkp and head to CCMH.

But Wait!  Where do I park?  What have they done to this place?  Keep driving north - where did THAT parking garage come from?  OK so it's been a few years since I've been here.

I get to the Whit's room at 12:55 just in time to do the litany of "In 2, 3, Out 2, 3" over and over and over.  And when I would quit Whit would spit out Breathe Mom and again it was In 2, 3; out 2, 3 and "Suck that oxygen in girl you're cheating.  blow ALL that air out not just the top 1/4."  

This was a high tech delivery unlike the first delivery that has all the X rated pictures of.  I took clocks and monitors and etc.  At 2:10 Whitney predictably says; "OK. I;m changing my mind.  Give me the epidural.  I can't do this.  I'm done."  Travis says at Sellene to hurry and get the nurse this baby is about here.  Meanwhile I say, "Too late.  Suck it up girl and breathe.  Listen up IN 2, 3 OUT 2, 3.  This boy's almost here"  Nurse came in; checked and all hell broke loose; moving this and that and gowning and capping and getting lights and I'm still across the room saying "Whitney concentrate - I N 2   3  O U T 2,  3)  And at 2:22 Aedan Thomas was born three weeks early and screaming..  19.5" ; 6.159 #

Shortly after being born he was taken to the level 2 nursery so they could monitor his lungs.  They have him on oxygen and they say this is common especially with boys.  He has wonderful nurses and a great doctor. 




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up KaCe

Eager Egad = E2 (E-Squared)

Yesterday Whitney called and said the doc thinks she'll have the baby by the weekend and so come by Sunday.  Ken gets on Weatherbug to check the weather and then says, "You need to leave."   Yeah, I'll get my stuff ready. I respond.  "No, I mean you need to leave now."  And 27 minutes later I pulled out of Cedar Cove for a 16+ hour trip to Oregon to take care of  KaCe and Ethan (5 & 3) while Egad is born and settles into the household.  It was a beautiful day going up I-25.  The sun peaked it's head out at Soccorro and it was clear all the way.  I wasn't sure how far I would go so just kept going.  I stopped and got a chicken sandwich at Isleta (gas station  2.89) and pressed on.  Although the weather was good I wanted to only run on the top 1/2 of the gas tank.  Springer (3.15); Pueblo (2.88); Cheyenne (2.62) and Douglas (2.64).  I texted Wyn at each stop.  The moon was out and the drive was very peaceful and calm.  At the 11.5 hour mark I was gassing up in Cheyenne and it was decision time.  Drive and stop............there IS a chance I might make it in time......you've still got 2.5 hours of book left.....are you getting tired..........you haven't taken you nighttime pills so you shouldn't get sleepy...............press on; press on.  So I did.  I put myself between two trucks and we headed north.  Wind warning for light trailers just below Wheatland (what's new)  - I've driven that road in worse but it wasn't too bad.  It was just me and 4 Fed Ex Semi's.  We leap frogged.  At 2:50 I met the worst roads of my entire trip - at the outskirts of Gillette there was all kinds of drifts across the road so it took me a while to get across town; throw Travis out of the recliner and settle in for a good night's sleep.   Wyn texted that the NM rooting section have renamce Egad - Eager Egad or ESquared.
This will obviously be her long labor.  We walked the perimeter of Wal-Mart 3 times today and now she is sitting on an exercise ball trying the bounce the little dude out.  Me?  I'm taking the boys to Kev and Lori's; setting up the tents we bought them for Christmas and hunkering down for a good night sleep - Yes tonight I'm taking my drugs early. 

Good Old Vitamin D - Maybe we have to be Spanish to speak Swedish Embroidery

I sure wish I could find a tally card as a gadget to put on this blog to monitor the Vitamin D factor.  December was a good sit in the sun month.  Absolutely great!  In fact this has been the best weather we've had since starting to "go south".  Today is the 10th of January.  The Vitamin D SO (sitting outside) factor is 5 days out and 4 days inside.  I'm going to work on that.

Last night Roger and Gail got here.  They managed to slide through the weather and make it here with no problem.  They came from Grassy Butte, ND.  They are sitting in North Dakota Row down here in "The 80's Village".  Glad they made it.  We are expecting another couple to arrive by the end of the week.

We decided in the spring to learn Swedish Embroidery this season.  Today was the first day.  Sue came over to teach us - I'm sure she went home exhausted.  Herding cats pretty much sums up how it was for Sue.  We didn't specify that everyone would do the same design (easy) and start small (place-mat).  No we just jumped in. There were 10 of us ladies that showed up to learn.  Billie, a Cedar Cove resident is helping teach.  She has made about 41 items that are beautiful.    Karen, Vivian, Wyn (I think) and I are making one like Sue has about finished.  It's called something like Highs and Lows; Dips and Dives you get the idea. Well for awhile I thought maybe I wasn't going to get the hang of it; but I'm going to like it.  It's just enough like cross stitch that I like it.  Although I don't speak Swedish I don't think I'll need to speak Spanish to get this.  Debbie on the other hand, maybe SHE needs Spanish since she thinks she can find SW patterns by googling Spanish Embroidery.  Love ya girl!
"Huck or Swedish Weaving is a surface embroidery where the floss/yarn is woven under the top threads of the fabric "floats".  Rarely does the floss penetrate to the wrong side of the fabric. Traditionally Huck toweling has been used because of its convenient floats. Now, Monk's Cloth has become popular for making afghans, baby blankets, pillows, and even tote bags. Aida cloth can be used as well as most pre-finished items used for cross stitch such as towels, bookmarks, and baby bibs.
When working on Monk's cloth, which is approximately 8 squares per inch or 4 floats, with yarn, you may use a size #16 or #13 tapestry needle as well as the special bodkin and weaving needles they now have out. For stitching on smaller fabric though, use a blunt tapestry needle, such as when working with cross stitch. Make sure the needle easily moves under the floats of the fabric you wish to use. I have found that on the  The tightness of the fabric weave will also determine how easily a needle will slip under the floats."   Ok - I guess I'll go float.
Guess what my next project will be???  A skirt and blouse...........
http://www.dewittco.com/storefront/xcart/product.php?productid=611021056
Oh Get a grip.  Just teasing.  :)
Here is Dianne, Claire, Billie (teacher) Barb and Gwen

 

 Karen, Vivian, Sue (Wyn in background)

Here Sue is showing Vivian what it really looks like on her afghan.  It is navy and bright yellow.  Gorgeous!

 Debbie you've got a knot in that yarn. Have you made up your mind (yet) on a pattern?  Hmmm?

 Wyn is in a big study.........remember having enough yarn is easier than taking out.  :)
Maybe Wyn wants to do a skirt and blouse.  NOT!

 Debbie finally found a pattern.  Wonder if she can count now? 

Barb has an entire row done on her table runner.


  I'm looking forward to multi-tasking.  Getting Vitamin D; listening to a book; doing SW and visiting if anyone is out and about.  Awww, what a life!!


The weather report?  -12* in Toq Alaska; -4* in Gillette Wyoming; 48* where I am and 60* in Yuma

:)  I'm off to gloat when I float my SW boat.

New multiplier for the lens

 I was surfing the other night for some must have thing when I saw a lens and a multiplier for a Canon camera at a price we could afford (which is nowhere near the $##,#### Canon wants).  We did some research and decided to give them a try.  The multiplier got here today.  I took some test pics to see what the difference was in the two lens'.  The first pic here is with the 300mm; the next is the 300 doubled. These were taken from the Hwy looking west.

 

Coming up the back way to EB the road comes to a dead end or you drive into the lake.  Over on the left in the skyline is a row of house.  No idea how far away but these are two shabby.  There is NO way I would even attempt a wildlife pic that far out.  Duh!! I wouldn't be able to see it.

 Now we'll see what the new lens (600-1300) does.  I'm thinking more than I want.  It may be here only a short time.  Yes I have the tripods (short and tall) and the remote control clicker.  We'll see.

  This is a picture of I-25 and the little green highway sign.