Outings

I am learning each time we go out. First time out we went to National Night Out - luckily only 1 block away. Didn't think we would be staying too long because it was hot out, so I didn't bring ANY milk. Ended up staying longer and it was time for a feeding, so I walked home and heated up a bottle. Only to get back and find her fast asleep.

Today we picked up Margaret from the airport at 9:30am. We fed Jolynn at 8:00 thinking she would be good until we got to Oakdale. I packed her diaper bag with the normal stuff (diapers, wipes, extra clothes). I even packed the Gripe Water and Mylicon. Thinking that we would not be there for more than a couple hours I only packed 2 partial bottles of milk. I brought my Udder Cover to breastfeed too. Unfortunately, I forgot the nipple shield. She was not having me the old fashioned way, so Grandma Moritz fed her a bottle. Since she didn't breastfeed from me since 6am I was feeling a bit "full". I texted Naomi because they live very close and was able to use her pump. Then Jon decided he wanted to go to Mongolian and we asked Jason if he wanted to come with us. Then we had to wait for Jason to get to Oakdale. Jolynn was fed one more time - using up all the milk I had brought. After eating at Mongolian Jason had to pick up stuff from his place in Hudson. No problem, I wanted to see his place anyway. It did not end up being a short stop. Jon got on Jason's computer and started playing a test realm in World of Warcraft. Margaret texted and said she thought Jolynn was hungry again. I told Jon we had to get going.

By the time we got back to Oakdale and left for home it was 4pm - rush hour. All highways were backed up. Jon decided to take Hwy 10 home instead of 694. Jolynn got so hungry I took 20ml that was left in a container and fed that to her. She was still upset. I didn't know what else to do so I tried to hand pump myself. Yes, HAND. It kind of worked. I was able to "pump" another 20ml. We finally got home and she was still hungry so we gave her another 1/2 oz. I think I know how a cow really feels now.

Live and Learn

Need I say more? The shirt says it all.

Jolynn is 3 weeks old today. I can't believe she has been home for two weeks already. Time really is flying by. The first few days of 4 hour feedings I knew days were going to go by quickly. Every time I hold her in my arms as she falls asleep I wish I had my camera strapped to my wrist. She makes the funniest faces as she sleeps. She has been staying awake more after feedings, but mostly in and out of slumber because her pacifier falls out. We started breastfeeding again and Jon bottle feeds when he is home. I've stock-piled a bin of milk in the freezer downstairs (over 100 oz) and almost have another bin filled upstairs.

We had our doctor visit a couple days after she was brought home and they told us we didn't need to come back until she was 2 months. I found this a little strange since she is a preemie. Babycenter and the hospital told us that she should be fine as long as she doesn't present a fever over 100.4, her outtake is normal, and she keeps gaining weight. So far all those things are good. She has had a few episodes of projectile vomit. Almost all the times we knew why it happened. Live and learn. She tends to have a few episodes of spitting up when she gets the hiccups, so we started giving her .5ml of Gripe Water when she has hiccups. They go away instantly. Now she has been bearing down a lot like she has to poop, but nothing comes out. When she eats (and sometimes at rest) she has a lot of gurgling in her stomach/intestines. When she scrunches up sometimes I hear her fart, so I figure it is gas. I started giving her .3ml of Mylicon - that worked really well. She slept for almost 4 hours and there were no gurgling noises when she ate next. Hopefully it will give her some relief.

Jolynn had her first outing this past Tuesday for National Night Out. It was fun to bring her out in the stroller. She slept the whole time, but we still got out of the house (even if it was only a block down the road). I would love to go on more walks with her, but it has been sooo hot. 90+ every day and will be for the next week. Maybe in September.

Craft Room Done!

Check another to-do off the list. The walls are painted and the floor is laid. Now we just have to move everything in. It will be nice to have all my craft supplies in one area again. (they've been in the garage, upstairs, spare room, and under the steps.) Try finding a paint brush when you need one :)

It's All Good

It was an awesome day. This morning I happened to look outside and saw a city truck parked next to our house. They were checking out the trees (Jon had called them about the downed trees). Apparently, the property behind our fence and on the trail side is school property. The city guy talked to the school about removing the downed trees and the uprooted trees. It would be nice if we could get them to remove all the overgrowth of weeds, dead trees, and buckthorn. The city guy is also going to have the boom truck check out the huge trees that line the walkway and have limbs hanging over our house. These trees are on city property so he said they could trim them. I can't believe how well this turned out.

Jolynn and I had a home nurse stop by today too. My BP was 130/90. The lower number is not great, but is better considering I'm not resting a whole lot. Jolynn's check up was even better. The nurse weighed her in at 4lb 10.5oz! That's only .5 oz from her birth weight. I was so happy. Then the hard part - she had to take a vial of blood to test her bilirubin levels. Jolynn hates this part. Not so much the heel prick, but the squeezing of her foot to get the blood. The nurse said her input and output was good, and her increase in weight was great. They called us later with the results of the test - 10.6 (not sure what numbers all mean) which meant it is still in her system, but the level is not enough to alarm them. She has her first doc appointment on Wednesday.

As far as my weight, I don't know what I have lost officially because my appointment isn't until Friday. I decided to try on some shorts that I hadn't worn for a very long time, even prior to getting pregnant. They fit. I hope it continues.

Changes

While we were in the hospital there was a terrible storm. Lots of rain and straight line winds. Mike and Margaret were at our house painting the craft room. When they arrived the day after the storm they sent us a photo via phone of our one and only tree inside the fence in the backyard. Snapped off at the top and took out 4 other trees. It also landed on a section of the fence.

I had also scheduled to have Troy (contractor) install the sliding glass door in the kitchen. Didn't expect to be going into the hospital the same day he was supposed to be coming. So with the help of Mike and Jon staying home while I was on bed rest, Troy was still able to install the door.

When I was discharged from the hospital we went home to get more supplies for staying at the hospital. This is what we found.

Craft Night

First off - this was the most fun I have had in a long time. Second - I didn't even have to do anything! Everyone brought a project (or two or three) and a dish to eat. I even got Jon to make burgers on the grill. They were thinking, (I think they have done this before) even bringing extra tables. We had 3 set up in the living room and turned the dining room table and pulled out the extensions on each end. I can't wait for our next Craft Night!

Who knew I could fit all this in my living room!


Lauren and Naomi working on Lauren's table decor for her wedding reception.


Plenty of food, of course.


Erin updating her baby "books".


Katie making a Hooter Hider - couldn't finish because we don't have an iron.


Some of Lauren and Naomi's finished work.


Jodi made a princess tent for her play room out of sheets and a hula hoop.

A little credit

I have to give Jon some credit for all that he does. Everyone thinks he doesn't do anything around here because it was like pulling teeth to get him to do things when he lived at home. This week, on his two days off, he went to his grandpa's house and mowed the lawn then went to his parent's house and helped organize/clean the garage for the 4th of July party. Granted these are things he should probably help with anyway, but he didn't complain this time. Then yesterday I came home and he cut the front and back yard (again! before it grew so long we had hay), vacuumed, did the laundry, and made dinner.

I've been a little hard on him lately because we have been playing World of Warcraft again. He tends to stay up until the wee hours of the morning playing this game. I was worried it would make him sleep all day and not take care of things around here. Guess he proved me wrong.

I love you honey. Thank you for all you have been doing around here and with the family.