The best gift of all

Alex is doing great and we are so thankful she is healthy and able to be home for the holidays. We spent Christmas Eve with family and it was such a special first Christmas with our baby. Right when we started opening gifts her eyes got really heavy and she fell fast asleep. She slept through momma and daddy opening all of her gifts!

Alex finished taking her antibiotics and had her PICC line taken out last Friday. We were excited to give her a bath in her tub since we had been giving her sponge baths she since she came home. She has a couple of follow up visits at Childrens coming up the next couple of weeks including a visit to the spina bifida clinic. We've also introduced her to cereal although she is very weary about eating from a spoon and spits most of it out :-( Guess we'll keep trying.

No other news to report, just enjoying parenthood and many firsts!

Wishing you all Blessings in the New Year

Home again...and doing great

Sorry we haven't posted sooner, but things have been a whirlwind lately. We've had Alex home for a few days now, and she seems to be her happy little self. I guess a UTI in an infant can be pretty serious, so they wanted to keep her for observation for a while. And with the Spina Bifida, there's even more risk of complications, so she's been tested for all kinds of stuff.

But she's getting pretty good at tests, and she was able to come home on IV antibiotics that they taught us how to administer via what's called a PICC line. It's not too bad really. But she's back on the Oxygen again. We're not sure why she is needing it again, but it seems to have something to do with the infection - so hopefully as it clears, she'll get better. It's really not that big a deal - it's just inconvenient, and she's always pulling it out.

But we're thankful that she's okay. During all the tests, it seemed like there were so many things that could have turned out badly, but everything came back positive - so thanks to everyone who prayed for her.

We'd especially like to thank our sweet little cousins Kyla & Mia for sending "get better" cards that they made for Alex. That's the nicest thing anyone has done for her. Sorry we didn't get to see you when we were in Tulsa for Thanksgiving - but we hope to see you soon.

Back to the Hospital

Our little angel is back in the hospital with a bacterial infection that started in her bladder and then spread to her blood.  This can become a serious condition so was admitted yesterday and is hooked up to an IV to keep her hydrated and to give her antibiotics.  It was a rough night for all of us last night but we all seem to be doing much better this evening.  Not sure when we get to go home but possibly Monday.  Please pray for healing as Alex fights this infection.  

N&J&A    

Happy Halloween

Superchunk

I have to apologize for not posting sooner. We've been super busy with our little stinkbug, but thought we owed you all some recent pics. As you can see, there's no shortage of milk - Alex is just over 13 weeks now and pushing 13 pounds.

She smiles all the time, especially when Nic plays the guitar for her - it's amazing to watch. She just laughed for the 1st time last week. We grabbed the camera and tried to capture the moment (the photo where I'm holding the red toy up in the air) but it was a pretty short-lived giggle.

She loves being outside, as you can see from the pictures we took in the park. Her health has been great, and we couldn't be more thankful. She sleeps nearly 8 hours a night, which makes for a happy baby - and happy parents :)

We'll try to post pics more often - so you don't miss out on all the fun we're having.

Peace,
-Jimmy

Trip to Dallas

We took Alex on a trip to Dallas for a wedding last weekend.  She did great on her first plane ride and didn't cry once.  She's been doing great and as you can see from the pictures, she's eating well.  She weighs 10lbs now and couldn't be cuter.   

Growing Strong

Seeing the world

After spending so much time in the hospital, Alex told us she wanted to get outside for some fresh air. So we took advantage of the nice weather and took her for her 1st camping trip (to the Poudre River). Attached are some pics we came back with.

Some pics of a happy baby

Sorry it's been so long since our last post. As promised, here are some more pics of our little angel, including her 1st art gallery.

Home Sweet Home

I can't believe it's already Tuesday. So sorry we haven't posted for a few days. I know some of you thought we may have been kidnapped and we have been by our baby girl :)
We had a great weekend together at home and Alex just continues to amaze us. As we read the Sunday newspaper, Alex read her baby animals book which she loves. She is already a month old and time is flying.

Since Alex has been home we've been working on settling back into a routine. Momma and Daddy have been a bit sleep deprived since Miss Alex likes to be up until the early morning hours lately, but we are working on that (all you parents are probably laughing). She likes her sponge baths and enjoys getting her hair washed in the sink. She's also been getting her vitamin D and is def an outdoors girl. We have dinner most nights on our back porch and like to visit outside when we have company over and of course Alex is the center of attention and right there with us.

We only have one doctors appointment this week with neurosurgery and it's just a follow up visit for her shunt. So far so good. No complications that we are aware of and she has been recovering beautifully. We plan to visit her great grandma Joyce tonight who is a very special woman to momma. We love hearing from everyone and are glad that you are still checking in.

Much Love!

Happy Days

We are all smiles here at home. Alex is doing great and she is just the cutest thing. Here are some pics. Hopefully these will hold everyone over til the weekend.

Home again

Yay! We just found out that she's recovering so well that we get to take her home today. Def a happy day for all 3 of us. :)

Recovery

Alex is doing well today. She is off the ventilator which is great news :) The nurses have stayed ahead of her pain and she has been happy (and sleepy) all day. Daddy got to feed her this morning and mommy is holding her right now as she naps. We couldn't be more happy. Here are a few photos I took today. I know some of you have been requesting more pics. Enjoy...