Family picture, Logan, Carter, Seth, Lily, and 4 Generations
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Baptism
Well, the kids are now officially "members of God's family." Well, that's the way we learned what baptism was when I was a kid at least. :) Believe it or not, NONE of the babies cried AT ALL during the baptism....I couldn't believe it.
They all wore gowns that their aunt Renee made. Lily's dress was made out of the train from my wedding dress, and the bonnets for the boys and Lily were made from my wedding dress lining. She did a wonderful job...
God bless Kevin's family for hanging in there for another Catholic event. I am glad they understand how important this is to me and Kevin.
Here are pictures from the Sacrament. The top is Philip and Renee with Seth. Next is Joe and Drake with Carter. Then Kelly and Corey with Logan. Finally is Sarah and Scott with Lily.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Growing, Growing
Carter and I have been back for two weeks, and he has been doing great! His monitor has gone off twice, but we know for sure that one was not "the real deal." The other time was just yesterday, and the pediatrician doesn't think that time was of real significance, either. It's weird, but since Carter came home this last time, he seems to have more energy than ever before. Oh, and his cry has changed....big time. It is almost a squeal now. Kinda funny...
Seth's cheeks are getting bigger and bigger. I don't know how much bigger they can get, but they are adorable! He still looks like he is worried most of the time, which cracks me up. Let's hope he has not inherited his mother's gift of unnecessary worry! He's a good eater, but likes to be held more and more.
Logan is they typical third child (like his mother and father). He wants attention! He has lost a lot of his hair on the top of his head, so he looks funny. I am his mother, so only I can say that. Renee thinks he looks like Yoda with his thin lips, little chin, and thin hair. Right, I think she is.
And then there's Lily. The way she has been eating the last few days makes me think she will be growing a ton! She might be little, but she has some strong lungs! She is starting to smile now, which is lots of fun. I am trying to get her outfits that are other colors than pink, because though she is my little girl, I don't want her to feel pressure to wear pink all the time.
Today was my second day back at work, and I think it went alright. The kids are at day care Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Wednesdays they are with Aunt Renee and Great Aunt Kim. I am only going to work Tuesday through Thursday while Renee is staying with us.
The babies are going to be baptized on Saturday after the 4:30 pm Mass. If you are in town and want to come, let me know!
I'll get some new pictures up on the blog soon!
Seth's cheeks are getting bigger and bigger. I don't know how much bigger they can get, but they are adorable! He still looks like he is worried most of the time, which cracks me up. Let's hope he has not inherited his mother's gift of unnecessary worry! He's a good eater, but likes to be held more and more.
Logan is they typical third child (like his mother and father). He wants attention! He has lost a lot of his hair on the top of his head, so he looks funny. I am his mother, so only I can say that. Renee thinks he looks like Yoda with his thin lips, little chin, and thin hair. Right, I think she is.
And then there's Lily. The way she has been eating the last few days makes me think she will be growing a ton! She might be little, but she has some strong lungs! She is starting to smile now, which is lots of fun. I am trying to get her outfits that are other colors than pink, because though she is my little girl, I don't want her to feel pressure to wear pink all the time.
Today was my second day back at work, and I think it went alright. The kids are at day care Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Wednesdays they are with Aunt Renee and Great Aunt Kim. I am only going to work Tuesday through Thursday while Renee is staying with us.
The babies are going to be baptized on Saturday after the 4:30 pm Mass. If you are in town and want to come, let me know!
I'll get some new pictures up on the blog soon!
Friday, March 20, 2009
Going Home.....Again....
It seems as though Carter is ready to go home!! While we are a bit nervous to take him home, it will be great to have the family home again. I miss my babies.
Today they did an echo cardiogram on Carter, and his heart did have some minor abnormalities. He has a small hole between the upper chambers of his heart, which is totally normal for an infant his age. He also has a tiny amount of fluid in the sac around the heart, but it is not enough to worry about. There is a little thickening of the muscle in the left atrium and left ventricle, and the left ventricle is a little enlarged. All of these things, however, are not contributing to his recent situation. However, he will have another echo in a year. The cardiologist, overall, has a low index of worry and therefore so do I.
Last night I watched the movie Role Models, and laughed a LOT. I needed it. Tonight I hope to catch up on Grey's Anatomy. I haven't seen the last few episodes, and I want to see how this Izzy drama is going.....
Today they did an echo cardiogram on Carter, and his heart did have some minor abnormalities. He has a small hole between the upper chambers of his heart, which is totally normal for an infant his age. He also has a tiny amount of fluid in the sac around the heart, but it is not enough to worry about. There is a little thickening of the muscle in the left atrium and left ventricle, and the left ventricle is a little enlarged. All of these things, however, are not contributing to his recent situation. However, he will have another echo in a year. The cardiologist, overall, has a low index of worry and therefore so do I.
Last night I watched the movie Role Models, and laughed a LOT. I needed it. Tonight I hope to catch up on Grey's Anatomy. I haven't seen the last few episodes, and I want to see how this Izzy drama is going.....
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
What the poop?
Yeah, so one thing about motherhood that I never expected: Conversations about poop. I can't tell you how many of them I have a day! Furthermore, I can't believe how many of them are funny. I am growing to love poop stories. Ahhh....motherhood!
So, I am still here in Omaha with Carter. Kevin went back to Sioux City today...someone has to work to pay the bills.
Carter continues to have episodes of slowed (or stopped) breathing. Today he went 24 seconds without breathing, and once again it scared the poop out of me. I am supposed to wait 10 seconds before stimulating him (patting him, moving him, etc to get him to breath again) to see if he self corrects. He didn't, which means it is going to be more time here in the hospital. We are no longer in the ICU, but his condition is still pretty serious. I don't sleep much, but when I do it is filled with dreams of monitors and alarms. The doctors have decided to hold off on doing more tests until after Carter is over influenza. They do think something else might be at hand, other than the reflux. I just wish we knew what was going on with my little boy.
Even though Carter's health has it's terrifying moments, you wouldn't know it between episodes! He is adorable, and loves to smile at the nurses! He isn't fussy at all, which is amazing considering all the doctors, med students, and others coming in to see him all the time.
Yesterday was my original due date for the babies. I can't believe that they should just be being born now. Thank goodness they didn't make it that long. I would have been galactic! Lily is still the smallest at 7 pounds some ounces, but Seth now takes the lead at 8 pounds 11 ounces. Holy cow!
Well, I better try to get some rest before the 2am feeding comes along...
So, I am still here in Omaha with Carter. Kevin went back to Sioux City today...someone has to work to pay the bills.
Carter continues to have episodes of slowed (or stopped) breathing. Today he went 24 seconds without breathing, and once again it scared the poop out of me. I am supposed to wait 10 seconds before stimulating him (patting him, moving him, etc to get him to breath again) to see if he self corrects. He didn't, which means it is going to be more time here in the hospital. We are no longer in the ICU, but his condition is still pretty serious. I don't sleep much, but when I do it is filled with dreams of monitors and alarms. The doctors have decided to hold off on doing more tests until after Carter is over influenza. They do think something else might be at hand, other than the reflux. I just wish we knew what was going on with my little boy.
Even though Carter's health has it's terrifying moments, you wouldn't know it between episodes! He is adorable, and loves to smile at the nurses! He isn't fussy at all, which is amazing considering all the doctors, med students, and others coming in to see him all the time.
Yesterday was my original due date for the babies. I can't believe that they should just be being born now. Thank goodness they didn't make it that long. I would have been galactic! Lily is still the smallest at 7 pounds some ounces, but Seth now takes the lead at 8 pounds 11 ounces. Holy cow!
Well, I better try to get some rest before the 2am feeding comes along...
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Carter Update
Still Auntie Sarah reporting...
The doctor in Omaha has seen Carter and says that the crazy heartrate stuff is directly related to the Influenza. His nasal passages are swollen, so he isn't getting all the oxygen that he needs, so then the heart slows down. They have him on a little bit of oxygen to help him out. So far so good! The doctor does not feel that he is critical, so though they are keeping him in the PICU for now, they plan on moving him into a regular room soon. So overall, good news!
On the homefront... over the course of the day, all the babies have run low temps. We have been giving them a bit of Tylenol and some Pedialyte. Needless to say, we are all a little freaked that they may "pull a Carter." We are keeping a close eye on them and doing our best while mom and dad are away. Grandma Deb and Great Aunt Christy are on their way to help with the overnight shift with the babies. Grandpa Rick and myself are headed back to Algona when they get here. There are 3 little girls there who think they need their mommy too.
Please continue praying for Carter and the rest of the Malm Family!
Thank you,
Sarah
The doctor in Omaha has seen Carter and says that the crazy heartrate stuff is directly related to the Influenza. His nasal passages are swollen, so he isn't getting all the oxygen that he needs, so then the heart slows down. They have him on a little bit of oxygen to help him out. So far so good! The doctor does not feel that he is critical, so though they are keeping him in the PICU for now, they plan on moving him into a regular room soon. So overall, good news!
On the homefront... over the course of the day, all the babies have run low temps. We have been giving them a bit of Tylenol and some Pedialyte. Needless to say, we are all a little freaked that they may "pull a Carter." We are keeping a close eye on them and doing our best while mom and dad are away. Grandma Deb and Great Aunt Christy are on their way to help with the overnight shift with the babies. Grandpa Rick and myself are headed back to Algona when they get here. There are 3 little girls there who think they need their mommy too.
Please continue praying for Carter and the rest of the Malm Family!
Thank you,
Sarah
Prayers Needed for Carter
Auntie Sarah reporting.
Last night Carter started having a little trouble. At his 1am feeding, he refused his bottle, then his heart monitor began to go off. Jessica and Kevin did the stuff they knew to do, which involves stimulating him and shaking him a bit. Just when the monitor got quiet, it would start up again. They were not able to keep his heart beating regularly, so they called 911. The abulance took him to St. Lukes in Sioux City. They hooked him up to more "stuff" and ran some tests. He tested positive for Influenza A. They think it may be related to the instability of his heart rate. They do know that it is not being caused by acid reflux as it had been in the past. The doctors decided that he needed to go to the Children's Hospital in Omaha. They were going to take him by helicopter, but there was fog in OMaha, so the hosipital in Omaha sent an abulance instead. The crew from Omaha arrived about 8:45am. They decided to give him a little oxygen and when they did this, his heart rate did stablize a little. Before that, if he would relax or fall asleep, his heart rate would drop and they would need to shake him to get it back on track.
Kevin and Jessica and Grandma Deb followed the ambulance to Omaha, while Grandpa Rick and I went to the house to help with the rest of the crew.
Please pray for little Carter (I say little, but he weighed in at 8lb 9oz this morning!) and Jessica and Kevin. We need safe travel for them all as well a quick recovery. Life is better when they are all at home!
Stay tuned, we will keep you all posted.
Sarah
Last night Carter started having a little trouble. At his 1am feeding, he refused his bottle, then his heart monitor began to go off. Jessica and Kevin did the stuff they knew to do, which involves stimulating him and shaking him a bit. Just when the monitor got quiet, it would start up again. They were not able to keep his heart beating regularly, so they called 911. The abulance took him to St. Lukes in Sioux City. They hooked him up to more "stuff" and ran some tests. He tested positive for Influenza A. They think it may be related to the instability of his heart rate. They do know that it is not being caused by acid reflux as it had been in the past. The doctors decided that he needed to go to the Children's Hospital in Omaha. They were going to take him by helicopter, but there was fog in OMaha, so the hosipital in Omaha sent an abulance instead. The crew from Omaha arrived about 8:45am. They decided to give him a little oxygen and when they did this, his heart rate did stablize a little. Before that, if he would relax or fall asleep, his heart rate would drop and they would need to shake him to get it back on track.
Kevin and Jessica and Grandma Deb followed the ambulance to Omaha, while Grandpa Rick and I went to the house to help with the rest of the crew.
Please pray for little Carter (I say little, but he weighed in at 8lb 9oz this morning!) and Jessica and Kevin. We need safe travel for them all as well a quick recovery. Life is better when they are all at home!
Stay tuned, we will keep you all posted.
Sarah
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