No, he's not naked.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Petting Crew Too
Crew wasn't the only one that adopted a pet during our visit. Baby Z thought that Crew was very soft and fluffy. We spied him positioned behind my guy on a number of occasions. Baby Z was born about 6 weeks after Crew, in December of 2008. His mama hobbled down to the NICU to visit our tiny critter while she was recovering after Z's birth. Look at our big boys now!No, he's not naked.
No, he's not naked.
Puppy Love
We spent a lovely day visiting with one of my old mission companions this week. Crew was very intrigued by their dogs, Tiera and Zero. He wasn't even a little bit scared. He even kissed the puppies a few times, right on the schnoz, but I missed those pictures-- mostly because I was busy dry heaving and sanitizing his tongue with a wet wipe.
Oh, boy, those ears are tuggable. What a patient pup.
Zero apparently has a fetish for bare feet. Wasn't Crew in luck? His very own "petting zoo".
Perhaps getting a dog would help motivate Crew toward crawling.
Oh, boy, those ears are tuggable. What a patient pup.Zero apparently has a fetish for bare feet. Wasn't Crew in luck? His very own "petting zoo".Perhaps getting a dog would help motivate Crew toward crawling.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Obedience
Crew hit another great milestone tonight.
As background information, Crew only rolls one way: to his right. He'll always pivot to position himself so that his destination is to his right. Also, I serve as his personal chauffeur around the house -- and around the world, actually.
Tonight...
While I was changing him into his pajamas, he rolled away giggling, quick as lightning. When he was several rolls away, I held out my arms and asked him to come back to me. He was on his belly at this point and he reached out his arms for me to come fetch him, as I expected he would. I told told him "no" and continued to sit on the floor with a smile on my face, telling him to come back to me.
When what to my disbelieving eyes did he do?
He pivoted himself all the way around and rolled himself back to me. No tears, no confusion, no frustration, no inability, no struggle.
Big. Boy.
Big. Sweet. Obedient. Clever. Boy.
Justin and I were kinda stunned. And totally thrilled.
As background information, Crew only rolls one way: to his right. He'll always pivot to position himself so that his destination is to his right. Also, I serve as his personal chauffeur around the house -- and around the world, actually.
Tonight...
While I was changing him into his pajamas, he rolled away giggling, quick as lightning. When he was several rolls away, I held out my arms and asked him to come back to me. He was on his belly at this point and he reached out his arms for me to come fetch him, as I expected he would. I told told him "no" and continued to sit on the floor with a smile on my face, telling him to come back to me.
When what to my disbelieving eyes did he do?
He pivoted himself all the way around and rolled himself back to me. No tears, no confusion, no frustration, no inability, no struggle.
Big. Boy.
Big. Sweet. Obedient. Clever. Boy.
Justin and I were kinda stunned. And totally thrilled.
Crew's PT "Journey"
They say that the road ain't no place to start a family.
Right down the line it's been you and me
Lovin' a music man ain't always what it's s'posed to be
Oh, boy, you stand by me!
I'm forever yours... faithfully.
PT Julie gives us all a lot of glee. (Is anybody getting this or am I only clever in my own head?)
Anyway you want it, that's the way you need it! Anyway you want it!
Nah nah nah nah nah nah!
Right down the line it's been you and meLovin' a music man ain't always what it's s'posed to beOh, boy, you stand by me!I'm forever yours... faithfully.PT Julie gives us all a lot of glee. (Is anybody getting this or am I only clever in my own head?)Anyway you want it, that's the way you need it! Anyway you want it!Nah nah nah nah nah nah!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Rodeo Kids
We introduced our children to the wonderful world of rodeo. They are half-cowkids, after all, thanks to their rancher daddy. I'll confess I found the whole farm boy thing very alluring.
Cowgirl Kinley planned out her outfit weeks ahead of time.
My favorite moment of the night was at the gates. When we got in line I said, "oh no! Justin, I don't see any credit card machines! I don't think they take credit cards!"
He smiled and said, "I brought cash."
"What? You have cash?"
"Oh, Megan," he said with a twinkle in his eye.
(wait for it...)
"This ain't my first rodeo."
Groooooooooooan.
Giddyap!! Ride em', cowbaby!
Some things are just insane.
But very cool.
We had a great time. See?
Kinley thought the tie-down roping was barbaric and kept saying "the poor baby cow!" However, she now has her heart set on a career in barrel racing and breakaway roping. All other possible vocations have been crossed off the list. Tanner's favorite rodeo moments were when the naughty bulls wouldn't go back in their corrals. He thought that was just too funny. We stayed to the bitter end, clear through the final bull ride, feasting on soft pretzels and churros. It was the first of what I know will be many many rodeo nights.
Yee-haw!!
Cowgirl Kinley planned out her outfit weeks ahead of time.
My favorite moment of the night was at the gates. When we got in line I said, "oh no! Justin, I don't see any credit card machines! I don't think they take credit cards!"He smiled and said, "I brought cash."
"What? You have cash?"
"Oh, Megan," he said with a twinkle in his eye.
(wait for it...)
"This ain't my first rodeo."
Groooooooooooan.
Giddyap!! Ride em', cowbaby!Some things are just insane.But very cool.We had a great time. See?Kinley thought the tie-down roping was barbaric and kept saying "the poor baby cow!" However, she now has her heart set on a career in barrel racing and breakaway roping. All other possible vocations have been crossed off the list. Tanner's favorite rodeo moments were when the naughty bulls wouldn't go back in their corrals. He thought that was just too funny. We stayed to the bitter end, clear through the final bull ride, feasting on soft pretzels and churros. It was the first of what I know will be many many rodeo nights.Yee-haw!!
"You May Say..."
I'm a dreamer screamer, but I'm not the only one..."
Thank you, Mr. Lennon.
This is Crew yelling at us. He is very loud lately. Cute, but loud.
Thank you, Mr. Lennon.
This is Crew yelling at us. He is very loud lately. Cute, but loud.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
The Hydration Situation
Well, Crew has discovered something other than Odwalla that he will drink with enthusiasm.
His own bathwater.
Lovely.
His own bathwater.
Lovely.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
NICU Reunion
If you can't go to the NICU reunion, sometimes you have to bring the NICU reunion to you!
The NICU is a weird place. You fall in love with the babies that you "meet" there, though you often know very little about them. Because of privacy issues, medical fragility, germ containment, grief concerns, the tenuousness of life, unexpected transfers and discharges, the insanity of the NICU roller coaster, and other potential social land mines , it can be challenging to make "friends" in the NICU.
But friends we did make! I met some lovely mommies during our NICU journey and we have all become friends through the wonderful world of blogging. Our babies were all at the same hospital, preemies born within 2 months of each other. In fact, most of the babies were at both hospitals together, if you can believe that. Darbi was the only one of the group that we had seen in person since discharge... until this week!
Meet: the miracle critters!
From left to right: Whit, his twin sister Reese, Crew, Darbi, and Paizlei.
And another photo op, because you can never have too many with this much cuteness under one roof.
This is Paizlei. She was born at 33 weeks. She's a darling little doll, the mover and shaker of the group. She didn't spend any of her NICU days at Primary's, but we don't hold it against her, ha ha! I met her mother, Heather, in the parent lounge at UVRMC between pumping sessions. I had always been curious about the little baby so memorably named "Paizlei" and was glad to finally find out about this little mystery girl!
Heather found me online after their discharge. She also found Kelli (Reese and Whit's mom) and put us back in touch with each other. She is also responsible for spearheading this awesome NICU reunion. We held it at my house because I love to cook and I make no bones about it. Mmm..... ziti. Heather's family lives a few hours south of here, so we are very grateful they made the sacrifice to come up to spend a memorable afternoon with us.
This familiar little face belongs to Darbi. Darbs has been Crew's longtime girlfriend, and first love. Crew and Darbi had neighboring isolettes at Primary's during our final stretch. We couldn't believe the bizarre coincidence that landed us right next to the little 23-week miracle that Crew had given up his Giraffe isolette for just a few weeks previously in another hospital.
We loved Clint and Audrey immediately, but we were convinced our friendship would be short-lived (at best) once they were eye-witnesses to the crazy-woman carnage and havoc I wreaked at Crew's bedside all over our surgeon. Fortunately, they found the colorful and dramatic demonstration of my fury to be very entertaining. And the rest is history.
This sweet little girlie is Reese. She and her twin brother Whit were born at 32 weeks. I met their mommy Kelli at Primary's when Reese had been transferred up there for surgery. We met in a parent luncheon and had the twin connection as well as the UVRMC connection. Mommy and Daddy were split between both hospitals and our visiting shifts rarely overlapped at either hospital. It's a miracle we were even reconnected again after discharge. Thanks again, Heather!
This little tiger is Whit. I met him when we returned to UVRMC the first time, when we were between major surgeries, around Christmas time. He was still waiting for his sister to return from Primary's. I kept sneaking little restrained peeks at him, around the corner from Crew. They put you in these group care rooms together and then expect you to constantly avert your eyes from the other little babies in the room. It's not always possible, especially when you feel a connection to the little miracle.
This is Kelli, Reese and Whit's mom. She is lovely, courageous, sincere, and brave; she stuck loyally with me through the dark "I hate intact twins and their moms" moments, reaching out to me boldly to offer her love and support at a time when other twin moms would have justifiably shied away and tried to blend into the background. She also makes an obscenely delicious angel food cake fruity dessert thing that I can't stop thinking about...
Paizlei and Crew playing together
The NICU Reunion Obligatory Group Photo.
How did you think we took that picture? Timer? Nope!!! We called in our own photographers.
This is Tate, Whit and Reese's older brother. He is actually a few months younger than Tanner, but Kinley has adopted him as her new best friend. They have a love for animals and perler beads in common. What more do you need?
It was a spectacular play date. All of these little miracles have already overcome so much in their brief little lives. It's so good to see them all looking so healthy and happy. I love these babies and I love their mommies. I truly value the support they have been to me along the way. And, while I'm at it, I'll mention that I'm really grateful for blogging and the strength it has been to me over the years and the unique relationships that have come into my life because of it.
The end.
The NICU is a weird place. You fall in love with the babies that you "meet" there, though you often know very little about them. Because of privacy issues, medical fragility, germ containment, grief concerns, the tenuousness of life, unexpected transfers and discharges, the insanity of the NICU roller coaster, and other potential social land mines , it can be challenging to make "friends" in the NICU.
But friends we did make! I met some lovely mommies during our NICU journey and we have all become friends through the wonderful world of blogging. Our babies were all at the same hospital, preemies born within 2 months of each other. In fact, most of the babies were at both hospitals together, if you can believe that. Darbi was the only one of the group that we had seen in person since discharge... until this week!
Meet: the miracle critters!
From left to right: Whit, his twin sister Reese, Crew, Darbi, and Paizlei.
And another photo op, because you can never have too many with this much cuteness under one roof.This is Paizlei. She was born at 33 weeks. She's a darling little doll, the mover and shaker of the group. She didn't spend any of her NICU days at Primary's, but we don't hold it against her, ha ha! I met her mother, Heather, in the parent lounge at UVRMC between pumping sessions. I had always been curious about the little baby so memorably named "Paizlei" and was glad to finally find out about this little mystery girl!Heather found me online after their discharge. She also found Kelli (Reese and Whit's mom) and put us back in touch with each other. She is also responsible for spearheading this awesome NICU reunion. We held it at my house because I love to cook and I make no bones about it. Mmm..... ziti. Heather's family lives a few hours south of here, so we are very grateful they made the sacrifice to come up to spend a memorable afternoon with us.
This familiar little face belongs to Darbi. Darbs has been Crew's longtime girlfriend, and first love. Crew and Darbi had neighboring isolettes at Primary's during our final stretch. We couldn't believe the bizarre coincidence that landed us right next to the little 23-week miracle that Crew had given up his Giraffe isolette for just a few weeks previously in another hospital.We loved Clint and Audrey immediately, but we were convinced our friendship would be short-lived (at best) once they were eye-witnesses to the crazy-woman carnage and havoc I wreaked at Crew's bedside all over our surgeon. Fortunately, they found the colorful and dramatic demonstration of my fury to be very entertaining. And the rest is history.
This sweet little girlie is Reese. She and her twin brother Whit were born at 32 weeks. I met their mommy Kelli at Primary's when Reese had been transferred up there for surgery. We met in a parent luncheon and had the twin connection as well as the UVRMC connection. Mommy and Daddy were split between both hospitals and our visiting shifts rarely overlapped at either hospital. It's a miracle we were even reconnected again after discharge. Thanks again, Heather!This little tiger is Whit. I met him when we returned to UVRMC the first time, when we were between major surgeries, around Christmas time. He was still waiting for his sister to return from Primary's. I kept sneaking little restrained peeks at him, around the corner from Crew. They put you in these group care rooms together and then expect you to constantly avert your eyes from the other little babies in the room. It's not always possible, especially when you feel a connection to the little miracle.This is Kelli, Reese and Whit's mom. She is lovely, courageous, sincere, and brave; she stuck loyally with me through the dark "I hate intact twins and their moms" moments, reaching out to me boldly to offer her love and support at a time when other twin moms would have justifiably shied away and tried to blend into the background. She also makes an obscenely delicious angel food cake fruity dessert thing that I can't stop thinking about...Paizlei and Crew playing togetherThe NICU Reunion Obligatory Group Photo.How did you think we took that picture? Timer? Nope!!! We called in our own photographers.This is Tate, Whit and Reese's older brother. He is actually a few months younger than Tanner, but Kinley has adopted him as her new best friend. They have a love for animals and perler beads in common. What more do you need?It was a spectacular play date. All of these little miracles have already overcome so much in their brief little lives. It's so good to see them all looking so healthy and happy. I love these babies and I love their mommies. I truly value the support they have been to me along the way. And, while I'm at it, I'll mention that I'm really grateful for blogging and the strength it has been to me over the years and the unique relationships that have come into my life because of it.
The end.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Summer Visitors
This week friends came to play!!
These two are longtime buddies. Those old pictures still crack me up! Oh, Mac!! Those cheeks are just so kissable!!
These two are longtime buddies. Those old pictures still crack me up! Oh, Mac!! Those cheeks are just so kissable!!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Best Laid Plans
I came home tonight and parked our van in the garage. I left the garage door open because I knew I was going to be leaving again in half an hour.
A few minutes later Justin came home and wanted to close the garage for privacy; he hates when I leave it open. As he was closing it, he noticed that Kinley left her scooter out. He stopped it from closing completely, bringing it down 1/4 - 1/3 of the way and hollered for Kinley to put her scooter away. He closed it just enough to make himself feel marginally better, but not enough for any real privacy and certainly not enough for a harried mom in a hurry to notice that the door had been messed with.
Anxious to get to the library exhibit, we rushed into the van 10 minutes later.
Do you see where I'm going with this?
Sigh...
Minor scratches on the roof rack and a gash on the top back end. Justin was able to bend the garage door mostly back into place. It could have been worse. A few more inches and it would have taken out our back windshield. A little more speed and the door would have been mangled beyond Justin's Hulk Powers to realign.
The best part was that I was driving a little neighbor girl to the library. Her parents were standing outside (staring in horror) when I crashed into the door. They nervously watched me drive away with their precious cargo while I waved and shouted enthusiastic assurances that she was, in fact, in capable hands, despite any perceived evidence to the contrary.
To cap off my super awesome night, my seat during the Wacky Waves Mad Scientist program was directly across from two identical twin boys that looked to be about Crew's age. I have been lucky enough to avoid the silver-bullet-to-the-heart combination: identical twin boys until tonight. And to have them be so close to Crew's age was particularly dreadful. I couldn't keep myself from gaping. Their mom looked so zen and happy.
Blech. What a night.
I'm going to bed.
A few minutes later Justin came home and wanted to close the garage for privacy; he hates when I leave it open. As he was closing it, he noticed that Kinley left her scooter out. He stopped it from closing completely, bringing it down 1/4 - 1/3 of the way and hollered for Kinley to put her scooter away. He closed it just enough to make himself feel marginally better, but not enough for any real privacy and certainly not enough for a harried mom in a hurry to notice that the door had been messed with.
Anxious to get to the library exhibit, we rushed into the van 10 minutes later.
Do you see where I'm going with this?
Sigh...
Minor scratches on the roof rack and a gash on the top back end. Justin was able to bend the garage door mostly back into place. It could have been worse. A few more inches and it would have taken out our back windshield. A little more speed and the door would have been mangled beyond Justin's Hulk Powers to realign.
The best part was that I was driving a little neighbor girl to the library. Her parents were standing outside (staring in horror) when I crashed into the door. They nervously watched me drive away with their precious cargo while I waved and shouted enthusiastic assurances that she was, in fact, in capable hands, despite any perceived evidence to the contrary.
To cap off my super awesome night, my seat during the Wacky Waves Mad Scientist program was directly across from two identical twin boys that looked to be about Crew's age. I have been lucky enough to avoid the silver-bullet-to-the-heart combination: identical twin boys until tonight. And to have them be so close to Crew's age was particularly dreadful. I couldn't keep myself from gaping. Their mom looked so zen and happy.
Blech. What a night.
I'm going to bed.
Weigh-In Update
I took our tiny terror to the pediatrician this morning and weighed him on their more sensitive pediatric scale. He has actually put on 8.5 ounces since the last time he sat on it!! Yay!! Half a pound in a month!
Sigh... I am motivated to continue the bitter butter battle.
Sigh... I am motivated to continue the bitter butter battle.
Odwalla
It has been difficult to strike a balance between maximizing calories and keeping Crew well hydrated. I should say well enough hydrated. Drinking isn't his thing lately. We've tried bottles, sippy cups, open cups, etc. He drinks a little (3-8 ounces a day -- not a lot). He was drinking 12 ounces of formula per day before we started packing his calories. That still wasn't a lot, but it was better than we're getting now.
Neosure, formula, whole milk, water, juice, he treats it all about the same, regardless of temperature. He'd prefer to eat his calories. I have to get creative about sneaking fluids into him through juicy foods and deciding that every drop of cream counts as "milk" if I slip it into his lunch. That being said, he has stopped pooping 7 times a day, which has been nice...
With that sad tale, I'm excited that he has decided that he will drink this:
Odwalla Superfood.
I bought it on a whim. It wasn't cheap. He loves it. Of course. He's a bit of a snob. The mini maniac had us all in tears of laughter while he screamed his head off and shook his whole body for more, and more, and more.
Now that I've posted this, he'll probably never drink another drop.
They do sell it cheaper at Costco. Unfortunately, Tanner tried it and he's in love as well. I never imagined he would get past the color and texture, but he did. Oh, he did.
Neosure, formula, whole milk, water, juice, he treats it all about the same, regardless of temperature. He'd prefer to eat his calories. I have to get creative about sneaking fluids into him through juicy foods and deciding that every drop of cream counts as "milk" if I slip it into his lunch. That being said, he has stopped pooping 7 times a day, which has been nice...
With that sad tale, I'm excited that he has decided that he will drink this:
Odwalla Superfood.
I bought it on a whim. It wasn't cheap. He loves it. Of course. He's a bit of a snob. The mini maniac had us all in tears of laughter while he screamed his head off and shook his whole body for more, and more, and more.
Now that I've posted this, he'll probably never drink another drop.
They do sell it cheaper at Costco. Unfortunately, Tanner tried it and he's in love as well. I never imagined he would get past the color and texture, but he did. Oh, he did.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Weight
If you believe our digital bathroom scale, and I kinda do....
Crew has gained exactly...
Nothing.
Not one measly ounce. I was weighing him twice a day there for a while, but decided that might be a little excessive and I was getting discouraged with the total lack of movement on the scale. So, I haven't weighed him in a month, excited for today's big weigh-in surprise.
Surprise.
I was hoping for 2 pounds but would have been happy with 1.
I don't even understand how this is possible.
I'll probably stop in at the doctor's office when I'm in P-town soon and throw him on their scale to see if they get something more encouraging.
Crew has gained exactly...
Nothing.
Not one measly ounce. I was weighing him twice a day there for a while, but decided that might be a little excessive and I was getting discouraged with the total lack of movement on the scale. So, I haven't weighed him in a month, excited for today's big weigh-in surprise.
Surprise.
I was hoping for 2 pounds but would have been happy with 1.
I don't even understand how this is possible.
I'll probably stop in at the doctor's office when I'm in P-town soon and throw him on their scale to see if they get something more encouraging.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Crew's Ball
Meet Crew's new best friend:
He will do anything for his ball.
PT (physical therapy) is a joy these days. Weird.
He will do anything for his ball.
PT (physical therapy) is a joy these days. Weird.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
"My Precious..."
Dear involuntary blog-kissers: You probably should wipe that lipstick off the computer screen.
Crew At The Park
Crew enjoyed a little outing to the park on Friday.
Peeking over the edge.
Look at that great bum-to-knee action! We're getting closer all the time. One of these days he is going to sprint across the park on his knees and I'll be hard pressed to catch the little critter.
He is a grass-lover, unlike my other children who were grass-loathers at this age.
Here he is digging his very own moat.
Around and around and around we go.
I love dirty kids. Seriously. The dirtier my kids are with fun-grime and play-grunge, the better I feel I have done my job.
But I don't especially love to snuggle/cuddle/squeeze/nuzzle filthy children.
Ewww... into the bath with you, Fido.
Peeking over the edge.
Look at that great bum-to-knee action! We're getting closer all the time. One of these days he is going to sprint across the park on his knees and I'll be hard pressed to catch the little critter.He is a grass-lover, unlike my other children who were grass-loathers at this age.Here he is digging his very own moat.Around and around and around we go.I love dirty kids. Seriously. The dirtier my kids are with fun-grime and play-grunge, the better I feel I have done my job.But I don't especially love to snuggle/cuddle/squeeze/nuzzle filthy children.Ewww... into the bath with you, Fido.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
