Oliver and Coraline are tag teaming us at night! Oliver is sleeping worse than ever, not because of the baby but because that is just the way it is. He will be having a sleep study in a few weeks. Also, another big eye appointment and I am praying for good news! He will have Botox injections in his legs soon to decrease some of the tone so he can stretch better. Busy month for little man. He is doing really well with Coraline, they will coo back and forth. John gets up with Oliver at night and I get up with Coraline so we usually have a midnight rendezvous several times a week! Unfortunately they are not extremely romantic as we are feeding the babes and not lookin so good! We laugh about it often and John now says good night saying, "Good night and Good luck!" Here are the pictures the hospital took of Coraline. I hope this link works for you.
So far we are all doing really well and loving our now family of five.
As John would say,
Good Night and Good Luck!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Coraline Shirley
After months of anticipation, Coraline Shirley is finally here! The day could not have gone any better! We were so worried that it was not going to work out to have the nurse at the house and John in the delivery room, but it was the perfect day! I checked in at 7am, started the meds to start my labor at 9am right after John got to the hospital. I was 3 cm at this point. At 10:30 I was 5 cm, 10:50 I jumped to 10 cm! I had to hold back pushing until the doctor got to the hospital, a few pushes later Coraline came out! Of course I had medication for pain or I am sure I would not be saying it was so easy! I have no problems sharing my weaknesses and I do not like pain! Coraline Shirley was born May 21st at 11:42am. 7lbs 13 oz, 20 inches long. She is a beautiful perfect baby just like her brother and sister are my perfect little sweeties. We are home now, time to see who is louder in the middle of the night, Coraline or Oliver?!
We picked the name because we liked it. There is a children's movie that came out last year and that is where we heard it--we still have to see it, though. Shirley came from my mom. So far we think Coraline is a good mix of Adina and Oliver. Adina is taking good care of "her new baby." Oliver so far is doing well with the change.
More pictures to come!
We picked the name because we liked it. There is a children's movie that came out last year and that is where we heard it--we still have to see it, though. Shirley came from my mom. So far we think Coraline is a good mix of Adina and Oliver. Adina is taking good care of "her new baby." Oliver so far is doing well with the change.
More pictures to come!
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Spring or Winter
Spring has come to Minnesota. March and April were warmer than average and May is feeling more like winter with temps in the 40's! I was able to go two Twins games in the new outdoor stadium and it is great to have Minnesota baseball outside. Taryn is getting close to her due date and we are all anxiously waiting to see if she can hold out until her induction date. If she does go before this date there is a good chance that she will have a good friend (who also lives a few doors down) bring her to the hospital. Unless it happens when our nurse is with Oliver I will need to stay with him. I am not comfortable leaving him since he is so sensitive to different people and with all of his medical issues. This way we can keep him as happy as can be. We figure it will all work out some way, eventually that baby is going to come out!
I have told Taryn that I want her to stay at the hospital for the full two days. With Oliver she came home after one day but I really want her to get a lot of rest. We have decided to hold off on visitors at the hospital so she can rest, not that we don't want to show off our baby, just at a later time. This is also going to be a lot for Oliver to take in. He is very sensitive to change and this may just rock his quiet world! Hopefully it does not set off rounds of seizures, but he just needs to adjust. We are going to post a lot of pictures of the new baby, but for a while we are just going to have family confinement! I know this sounds strange, but if you come and live here you will understand. Too much action and different people in the house equals seizures and an unhappy Oliver. Visitors leave, but we all lose a lot of sleep from an unhappy Oliver. We will have a second nurse coming to the house to cover the 17 hours Taryn works with Oliver, so this will be an additional adjustment.
Our hope is that nobody takes offense to this and just understands. It is what we have to do to survive!
Adina is ready for the baby to come out of mommy already, although she may change her mind when it is actually out. I will be taking two classes this summer before I start internship in August.
Story time with mommy
Adina loves to race me to the tree and back.
Swing!! Mommy and Adina like to cheer, "We want a pitcher not a belly itcher." Adina finds this very funny!
Oliver likes to sit on the porch (mom's belly).
Adina really wants that baby out.
My Oli getting snuggled by my girls!
I have told Taryn that I want her to stay at the hospital for the full two days. With Oliver she came home after one day but I really want her to get a lot of rest. We have decided to hold off on visitors at the hospital so she can rest, not that we don't want to show off our baby, just at a later time. This is also going to be a lot for Oliver to take in. He is very sensitive to change and this may just rock his quiet world! Hopefully it does not set off rounds of seizures, but he just needs to adjust. We are going to post a lot of pictures of the new baby, but for a while we are just going to have family confinement! I know this sounds strange, but if you come and live here you will understand. Too much action and different people in the house equals seizures and an unhappy Oliver. Visitors leave, but we all lose a lot of sleep from an unhappy Oliver. We will have a second nurse coming to the house to cover the 17 hours Taryn works with Oliver, so this will be an additional adjustment.
Our hope is that nobody takes offense to this and just understands. It is what we have to do to survive!
Adina is ready for the baby to come out of mommy already, although she may change her mind when it is actually out. I will be taking two classes this summer before I start internship in August.
Story time with mommy
Adina loves to race me to the tree and back.
Swing!! Mommy and Adina like to cheer, "We want a pitcher not a belly itcher." Adina finds this very funny!
Oliver likes to sit on the porch (mom's belly).
Adina really wants that baby out.
My Oli getting snuggled by my girls!
Monday, April 26, 2010
Party and Puddles
Oliver turns two on May 1st!! I can't believe my little guy is two, or maybe I can't believe we have made it through two years!! Guess it depends on the day. We had a small party for Oliver on Saturday. John and I were both anticipating the worst as Oliver does not really like a lot of stuff going on. He did end up having seizures at the end of the party and has been having them since. It just reinforces our feelings that from now on his parties will be just the four (soon five) of us. Not that we don't love celebrating with others, but it is Oliver's Birthday and a gift we do not need to give him is a seizure. He was in the ER last week for a quick visit, he has been biting his hands so bad that his hand was swollen twice the size it should have been. We got restraints so he would not be able to bite, yes, he loved them!! We also went to see another of his many docs who is following up with other docs from around the country about Oliver. Apparently some of his genetic tests have rarely or never been seen, so many are interested. They have banked some of his blood to do more tests in the future. This way we don't have to keep going in for random blood draws. There was much more from this doctor, but it would be a short novel if I wrote it all. She does feel we need to see a sleep specialist for Oliver. His sleeping situation continues to worsen. Five out of seven nights he will only sleep for about three hours and not nap the following day. Not sure how he does it really.
After Oliver's party there were some perfect mud puddles. Mine and Adina's favorite thing to do after the rain is jump in puddles of course! Nothing better than getting all muddy and messy. It is also fun to explore after the rain. Adina has been coming with to Oliver's therapy appointments at Gillette Hospital. I like having her there because she sees so many other kids in wheelchairs and their siblings. Today she went up to a little girl and said, "Hey, you have a really neat wheelchair." When we walked away she asked if she could get one like it! She also got to see one of the therapy dogs, Adina LOVES these dogs. Adina's newest career's in the, "When I grow up" game is a duck, teacher, piano player, rhino, piano (yes, the actual instrument), and a french fry maker at McDonald's. I told her whatever makes her little heart happy. That is what life is all about, happiness!!
Oliver finally crashed hard after his seizures. When he has seizures he sleeps like this everywhere. This is right after I changed is outfit, diaper, and fed him. He slept through it all!
YES!! Look at all this mud! We had to pour the water out of her boots after this.
Jump...
Jump..
Love the hair!
Snuggle time with daddy!
Birthday Cakes. Adina helped add the sprinkles. Clearly we are master decorators!
Opening the squeaky toys from Adina.
Adina loves to help her brother.
After Oliver's party there were some perfect mud puddles. Mine and Adina's favorite thing to do after the rain is jump in puddles of course! Nothing better than getting all muddy and messy. It is also fun to explore after the rain. Adina has been coming with to Oliver's therapy appointments at Gillette Hospital. I like having her there because she sees so many other kids in wheelchairs and their siblings. Today she went up to a little girl and said, "Hey, you have a really neat wheelchair." When we walked away she asked if she could get one like it! She also got to see one of the therapy dogs, Adina LOVES these dogs. Adina's newest career's in the, "When I grow up" game is a duck, teacher, piano player, rhino, piano (yes, the actual instrument), and a french fry maker at McDonald's. I told her whatever makes her little heart happy. That is what life is all about, happiness!!
Oliver finally crashed hard after his seizures. When he has seizures he sleeps like this everywhere. This is right after I changed is outfit, diaper, and fed him. He slept through it all!
YES!! Look at all this mud! We had to pour the water out of her boots after this.
Jump...
Jump..
Love the hair!
Snuggle time with daddy!
Birthday Cakes. Adina helped add the sprinkles. Clearly we are master decorators!
Opening the squeaky toys from Adina.
Adina loves to help her brother.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Spring
It has been a fantastic spring in Minnesota! We have already had many days in the 70's, which is just right. It has been so long since we have posted but I figure that only can mean good news. Oli is doing really well. Still has seizures but he always will. It is just kind of normal to have them every now and then. The big ones are scary, but we have the oxygen and other equipment and meds in the house so we are prepared. Adina knows how to silence the alarms and continues to want to help push his meds (with mommy helping) and is now pouring his food. It is not an everyday thing but when she asks I let her. I think it is very sweet the ways she takes care of Mr. Oliver and he loves her so much.
The nurse has been FANTASTIC!!! She comes twice a week and Adina is now asking when it is her turn to stay with the nurse! It has giving me a chance to do some days with just Adina and take her to do special things. Also, I have a chance to do things that I before took for granted. Like, doing laundry during the day, cleaning while Oliver is still awake, running to the grocery store during the day... things like that.
Adina is three going on 13! We are not always prepared for the attitude that comes with three. The time out corner has been getting good use lately!! It has been great to get outside where she can play with all of her friends and burn off all of that energy! She has decided that when she grows up she will either be a doctor or a turtle. I told her that whatever makes her happy, a mechanic, a teacher, an explorer, or a turtle I guess!
Oliver will start getting Botox injections in his legs at the end of June. It is to help reduce his spastic movements and help him stretch those little legs better. I am happy we are trying this before starting another medication.
The count down is on for baby number three. Adina asks the baby every morning if it is ready to come out yet! We have about 4-5 more weeks to go!!
Happy Spring!
We went roller skating with our church. Oliver took a spin around in his wheels!
Adina skating and falling. She refused any help. She wanted to do it, "all by myself!"
Oliver's new big boy carseat. Took a while for insurance to finally approve this huge thing! He loves it!
Maybe she really can be a turtle. I believe this is where the inspiration of becoming a turtle came from. The children's museum!
Adina's favorite part is the dinosaurs! Daddy apparently was excited too. John is not wearing make-up, Adina painted his face!
My favorite picture of beautiful Oliver.
Adina's first real haircut. She help my hand tight but after they gave her a sucker she wanted another haircut!
Easter! Family pictures are never easy.
Our two bunnies.
Strike a pose!
Painting Easter Eggs.
Very serious business.
The nurse has been FANTASTIC!!! She comes twice a week and Adina is now asking when it is her turn to stay with the nurse! It has giving me a chance to do some days with just Adina and take her to do special things. Also, I have a chance to do things that I before took for granted. Like, doing laundry during the day, cleaning while Oliver is still awake, running to the grocery store during the day... things like that.
Adina is three going on 13! We are not always prepared for the attitude that comes with three. The time out corner has been getting good use lately!! It has been great to get outside where she can play with all of her friends and burn off all of that energy! She has decided that when she grows up she will either be a doctor or a turtle. I told her that whatever makes her happy, a mechanic, a teacher, an explorer, or a turtle I guess!
Oliver will start getting Botox injections in his legs at the end of June. It is to help reduce his spastic movements and help him stretch those little legs better. I am happy we are trying this before starting another medication.
The count down is on for baby number three. Adina asks the baby every morning if it is ready to come out yet! We have about 4-5 more weeks to go!!
Happy Spring!
We went roller skating with our church. Oliver took a spin around in his wheels!
Adina skating and falling. She refused any help. She wanted to do it, "all by myself!"
Oliver's new big boy carseat. Took a while for insurance to finally approve this huge thing! He loves it!
Maybe she really can be a turtle. I believe this is where the inspiration of becoming a turtle came from. The children's museum!
Adina's favorite part is the dinosaurs! Daddy apparently was excited too. John is not wearing make-up, Adina painted his face!
My favorite picture of beautiful Oliver.
Adina's first real haircut. She help my hand tight but after they gave her a sucker she wanted another haircut!
Easter! Family pictures are never easy.
Our two bunnies.
Strike a pose!
Painting Easter Eggs.
Very serious business.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Busy Busy
Since our last post we have been very busy. After being denied for nursing care about six or seven times we were about to give up! Finally we were approved for 35 hours per week! We were hoping for 48 but will take anything. We started the busy process of meeting with our case manager and meeting nurses. We found the perfect nurse and she started last week! Because I am also an RN, I was able to apply for something called a Hardship Waiver. It allows parents who are nurses to care for their family member if they are unable to have a job outside of the house due to the medical needs. I technically work 17.5 hours as an RN with Oliver and get paid for it.
We also have some new equipment in the house. New bath chair, which Oliver so far hates, but will have to learn to love. Also, we now have oxygen tanks, a suction machine, and an Oximeter in the house. I didn't think we would really ever need them, but due to the fact that Oliver has trouble with excess saliva and getting it out of his mouth we need suction for emergency. Since he turned blue in his last seizures we need the oxygen and the Oximeter. While training in the nurse I showed her the equipment and said, "I really don't think you will ever need this equipment." Ten minutes later Oliver started having seizures, Oxygen sat level went from 98% to low 80's, and needed oxygen for about 20 minutes. He also needed his emergency seizure meds that day, so overall I told the nurse it was a great training day! I do have to admit that it was incredibly hard for me to hand Oliver over, even though I trust the RN. John and I do not feel comfortable leaving Oliver with anybody, really, so this was tough—but important! He is so sensitive to everything and has seizures so easily, but the nurse was fantastic! Adina and I were able to go outside and play for two hours in the snow, I was able to do house work, and laundry during the day!!! Usually we have to wait until night to do these things when we are both home. Adina already knows how to work the Oximeter and silence the alarms, she is a little nurse as well. Daddy has been gone almost all day because he’s doing his clinical work at the Good Samaritan (not the VA) and having the nurse come will be a real help.
Oliver had his sedated hearing test and has PERFECT hearing! When the audiologist said this I said, "Excuse me, perfect!? So he is just a normal man with selective hearing!!!" The nurses and sedation doctor were not able to get an IV placed because his veins are so bad. They had to use meds through his G-tube to put him out. Of course all of the excitement from this caused seizures, but he has perfect hearing!! Next time he is sedated for anything we have to tell the nurse ahead of time so they can make some special arrangements.
Adina has been ice skating a few times, but has now also decided that when she grows up, she wants to be a professional bull rider (she saw it on ESPN)! Don't worry, we will not be going out anytime soon to buy her a bull! She is also sure that she has a baby in her belly just like mommy. Now that we have a nurse we will be able to have more special Adina days. The first day that we left Oliver with the nurse, Adina was very worried that the nurse was going to leave Oliver. She is very protective!
We also have some new equipment in the house. New bath chair, which Oliver so far hates, but will have to learn to love. Also, we now have oxygen tanks, a suction machine, and an Oximeter in the house. I didn't think we would really ever need them, but due to the fact that Oliver has trouble with excess saliva and getting it out of his mouth we need suction for emergency. Since he turned blue in his last seizures we need the oxygen and the Oximeter. While training in the nurse I showed her the equipment and said, "I really don't think you will ever need this equipment." Ten minutes later Oliver started having seizures, Oxygen sat level went from 98% to low 80's, and needed oxygen for about 20 minutes. He also needed his emergency seizure meds that day, so overall I told the nurse it was a great training day! I do have to admit that it was incredibly hard for me to hand Oliver over, even though I trust the RN. John and I do not feel comfortable leaving Oliver with anybody, really, so this was tough—but important! He is so sensitive to everything and has seizures so easily, but the nurse was fantastic! Adina and I were able to go outside and play for two hours in the snow, I was able to do house work, and laundry during the day!!! Usually we have to wait until night to do these things when we are both home. Adina already knows how to work the Oximeter and silence the alarms, she is a little nurse as well. Daddy has been gone almost all day because he’s doing his clinical work at the Good Samaritan (not the VA) and having the nurse come will be a real help.
Oliver had his sedated hearing test and has PERFECT hearing! When the audiologist said this I said, "Excuse me, perfect!? So he is just a normal man with selective hearing!!!" The nurses and sedation doctor were not able to get an IV placed because his veins are so bad. They had to use meds through his G-tube to put him out. Of course all of the excitement from this caused seizures, but he has perfect hearing!! Next time he is sedated for anything we have to tell the nurse ahead of time so they can make some special arrangements.
Adina has been ice skating a few times, but has now also decided that when she grows up, she wants to be a professional bull rider (she saw it on ESPN)! Don't worry, we will not be going out anytime soon to buy her a bull! She is also sure that she has a baby in her belly just like mommy. Now that we have a nurse we will be able to have more special Adina days. The first day that we left Oliver with the nurse, Adina was very worried that the nurse was going to leave Oliver. She is very protective!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Ice and Wheels
Adina tried out the ice and quickly realized the carpet was a lot easier than the skates on ice!! Most of her time was on her butt! Either way we had lots of fun! She held onto a chair and pushed it along slowly. She fell and said, Mommy, what do you say?" I had no clue!! She said, "Mooommm, when you fall you just get up and try again and keep movin forward!! That's what you said in the car!" Glad some things stick I guess. We will try again soon, we are supposed to have some 34 degree days! HEAT WAVE!! Might need to bust out the shorts and sandals.
We went in Tuesday for Oliver's 8 hour appointment with the Assistive Technology guys and they are absolutely amazing and filled with talent! They start with the base of the chair, look at Oliver, and start cutting out the cushions, back rest, head rest, foot rest, and straps. It is made perfectly for Oliver's little body. The chair is supposed to last about 5 years depending on his growth. Basically, every time he grows out of a clothing size, we go into Gillette again and they will change the size of the chair ("Grow the chair" in assistive tech terms). Luckily we are close to Gillette. We picked up the chair today so we could bring Adina. She was really excited too! Oliver did great on his first ride and seemed to love being able to hold his head up with all of the support offered by the chair. We were so proud on his first test drive that it brought tears to my eyes! Way to go Oliver!!
Ice skating or butt skating? Both were fun!
The chair before the first sit. There were many changes made from larger or smaller cushions, wedges, and on and on. Like I said, these guys are great!
The first test! Oliver didn't scream, I was holding my breath the whole time I think. He was such a little trooper all day.
First drive! We were so excited! Even the tray was cut out and assembled while we were there. The wood and cushion will all be covered.
Adina helps the staff with the straps, a proud big sister.
Figuring out the straps and we are outta here!
Wheelchair home and all finished. I never knew it was such a process but appreciate everything Gillette did/does for us!
We went in Tuesday for Oliver's 8 hour appointment with the Assistive Technology guys and they are absolutely amazing and filled with talent! They start with the base of the chair, look at Oliver, and start cutting out the cushions, back rest, head rest, foot rest, and straps. It is made perfectly for Oliver's little body. The chair is supposed to last about 5 years depending on his growth. Basically, every time he grows out of a clothing size, we go into Gillette again and they will change the size of the chair ("Grow the chair" in assistive tech terms). Luckily we are close to Gillette. We picked up the chair today so we could bring Adina. She was really excited too! Oliver did great on his first ride and seemed to love being able to hold his head up with all of the support offered by the chair. We were so proud on his first test drive that it brought tears to my eyes! Way to go Oliver!!
Ice skating or butt skating? Both were fun!
The chair before the first sit. There were many changes made from larger or smaller cushions, wedges, and on and on. Like I said, these guys are great!
The first test! Oliver didn't scream, I was holding my breath the whole time I think. He was such a little trooper all day.
First drive! We were so excited! Even the tray was cut out and assembled while we were there. The wood and cushion will all be covered.
Adina helps the staff with the straps, a proud big sister.
Figuring out the straps and we are outta here!
Wheelchair home and all finished. I never knew it was such a process but appreciate everything Gillette did/does for us!
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