Quick update

Avery gained weight over the weekend and is off the bili-blanket. Now we'll wait-and-see how she does over the next few weeks. On Sunday we celebrated Scott's 40th birthday by serving cake at fellowship time after church. He was born the same day as the deadly tornado struck Belvidere. Here's a family picture. My goal is to someday have all of them cooperating!!


We also celebrated Heather's birthday on Sunday with supper at their house. We hadn't seen William for several weeks. He has grown and changed alot....a busy little guy! Below we are "sharing" a crouton. He's a great little eater. Enjoyed watching him inhale asparagus, carrots, and hamburger at supper!

Avery

Avery is keeping us on the edge of our seats, so to speak. Her bili went up again. Although it is coming down s-l-o-w-l-y, she is losing weight and by now she should be putting it on. She seems to be nursing just fine, but dr. today suggested that Jenn pump and feed via bottle so we can see just how much is going in this little one. She is to be fed every two hours. Grandma got an afternoon feeding and she took 2 ounces for me. Then she snuggled up and went to sleep and I put her back on the bili-blanket. We're hoping and praying that this all comes together pretty soon! Her daddy's 40th birthday is today. Happy birthday, Scott! Also is the 40th anniversary of the tornado in nearby Belvidere......an interesting day to come into the world?!

Said good-bye to a good friend this week. Margie and I both worked with our husbands in Durand. She worked with her funeral director/furniture store owner husband and mI worked with my clergy husband. We were across the street from each other. We went back and forth. Had lots of coffees in their upstairs "kitchen" area and we "couples" lunched together often. We were just part of each other's lives for several years. Margie had breast cancer, then liver cancer, and decided to live out the rest of her time without chemo. She was doing pretty good and then fell and broke her shoulder. Thomas took part in the service. It was good to be with her family, but she was not there and will definitely be missed. Bye, Margie....I have lots of special memories of times shared with you.

And today, we attended the memorial service for retired clergy and former backyard neighbor, Spike Schriver. Many clergy, retired and still active, attended. Spike enjoyed being a part of people's lives and the Wesley Willows community. He enjoyed watching our garden at Aldersgate and sharing in it's produce, especially the beets. He also had musical ability playing piano and singing with a wonderful voice. I always enjoyed it when he sang harmony in many hymns. Bye, Spike. Thanks for your witness to us all.

Perfect.....

Yesterday and the day before were perfect. Not too hot, not too cold.......just right for digging in the dirt. On Monday on the way to the hospital, I passed a farmer disking up cornstalks. The wind/dust was blowing my way so I got a good whiff of soil. It was wonderful! Guess there's a lot of farm girl still in me. That afternoon I got to get out and dig in the dirt. It was weeding, but to me a chance to crumble the soil in my hands. I did that yesterday too, getting out the weeds and uncovering the new shoots who hope they can grow now and not be frosted off.

This morning I did another wonder of nature....transplanted seedling starts into larger pots. We start many of our garden vegetables from seed. Again, even though it was in our basement, it is a wonderful affirmation of life and growth and strength. Grow little plants, grow!!!

Speaking of wonders of nature......Miss Avery's bili is back up to 16.5. The doctor suggested that Jenn put her back on the bili-blanket. She's not putting out what she is putting in, if you get my drift. Jenn and I feel that if that system would get going properly, she'd get beyond this bili issue. Doctor doesn't seem to be concerned. So to this I say, "go" little Avery, "go" !!!

She's HOME !!

Miss Avery is HOME! Mom and Avery left the hospital with Grandma this morning. Her bili rose a little to 13, but they say that's normal. She will have another lab tomorrow and will see her pediatrician. Avery was nursing good when I left. Now I am anxious to go outside and enjoy this beautiful day attacking some weeds which seem to grow no matter how cold it has been!

Down, Down.......

Avery's 6 p.m. draw was 11.3. Good enough to get her out of the "box" and "lights" and get her little raccoon mask off!! I took the girls up to see her about 4 p.m. It was feeding time so she was "out of the box". Her color was much better. Jenn is glad to have her in her arms again. Labs will be taken again at midnight and probably 6 a.m. They want to see if she can sustain this better number...........GO AVERY !!!!!

Going Down

Just a quick post as Riley, Shelby, and I are headed to the park. Just talked to Jenn. Avery's bili was 13.6 at her noon draw. It will drawn again at 6 p.m. When she is 12.?? (I forgot the point number), she will be considered "normal" and will be taken out of the lights. They will watch her then to see if her numbers go up again - ugh!! Hang in there for more details. Off to the park!!

Better news

I talked with Jenn just before 8 p.m. Avery's latest test showed her bili at 16 which is at least lower. She is totally under the lights. Jenn only gets her for 15 minutes to feed and then it's back to the lights. When she did eat the last time, she had 2 1/2 ounces which is much better than she's been doing. Here's hoping her bili keeps dropping and a normal bili number can be sustained.

EASTER SUNDAY - these are pictures I took Easter Sunday. I've wanted and tried to get a picture of my (then) 3 grandchildren. It always seems to be a struggle. But here's what I got.

BUTTERFLIES - Blogger changed their process about the time I wanted to post these. I knew there was a new way, but didn't know how to put it together. We hatched several monarch butterflies last September. It is a fascinating experiences to watch. Here are some pictures we wanted to share of the process and the release.

Avery, Avery, Avery......

is in the hospital (today, Saturday). Her bili went up higher to 21.5 and the doctor and visiting nurse became concerned about dehydration. She was admitted this afternoon. The girls are here. Jenn is at the hospital. Seems all too familiar - damn!! I'll keep you posted and explain the additional pictures (thanks, Chris, for your help) later.

Avery day 4

Sorry the picture is dark. I'll try to do better. Wanted to show you Avery does have eyes.

Well, Miss Avery is causing us a little excitement. Her darn bilirubin number is up to 18! Good news here is that her indirect number is .3. (Shelby's indirect was also high.) Yes, there is a direct and indirect number which we have learned. Hopefully, all her treatment can be done at home. Visiting Nurses brought a bili-blanket last night. This is put up against her back and has fabric that wraps around her to hold it in place. A tube extendeding from this blanket to the machine sends the ultraviolet light throughout the blanket. She "glows". This is to breakdown the yuk still in her and get things going. Now if Jenn can keep her hydrated! This excess bili makes her sleepy and not real interested in nursing/eating. Jenn pumped and I did get some milk in her via a bottle. Unfortunately, Jenn has been through this before and is being pro-active!

Avery has another blood test this morning and a visit to the pediatrician. I will keep you posted!!

Avery...day 2

Well, actually it is day 3, but I was too tired to post last night.

Avery was returned to her Mom's room about 4 a.m. on Tuesday. The pediatrician felt her breathing issues were due to "transitioning" and she was doing better. The right collarbone is broken, but they just pinned her right arm sleeve to her shirt to keep her from moving the right arm so much. She is nursing well. Her bilirubin (Shelby's number we watch) was high, BUT she needs some more time to get all systems going, so it will be tested again. She has a pediatrician's appointment this Friday.

I got to spend some time with Avery and Jennifer as Scott took Riley and Shelby to the cafeteria for lunch. We did a somewhat "unwrap", so here she is with her cap and blanket off. Note the safety pin holding her right arm to her shirt..... and the big ol' security device on her left leg! She'll be a honey to cuddle!! (Almost, so she quipped) Grandma Peggy (Heather's Mom) came up to see Avery after work, too.

Avery and Mom got to come home today (Wednesday)...in the snow. Crazy weather, but glad to have them home....WELCOME AVERY ELIZABETH !!

Avery Update

Jenn just called me from the hospital (10:45 p.m.). The midwife who delivered Avery was concerned about Avery's right arm as she hear a "crack" during delivery. An x-ray revealed that Avery's right collarbone was fractured during delivery. Also, she developed some irregular breathing early this evening so they took her to the nursery to monitor. They said her lungs are clear.....she just is having some trouble "transitioning". Scott just got to bring her back to the room for a while, but then she will return to the nursery to be watched overnight. I reminded Jenn to get some sleep as she will need it! Doubt she listens!

Avery Elizabeth arrived !!

Avery Elizabeth Martin made her entrance into the world today, April 9, 2007.

She arrived at 4:50 p.m. weighing in at 7# 10 oz., 19 3/4 inches long. Her big sisters, Riley and Shelby, were present for her birth.

Our day began with a 9:45 a.m. ultrasound and then an appointment with the midwife. Jenn came out and announced that we were headed to the hospital. The grandparents (today was also Scott's Dad's birthday) and girls waited at Scott & Jenn's house until we got the call to head for the hospital. We arrived around 2. About 4 something, the Grandmas and the girls went back to check on Mommy. We returned to the waiting area, but not for very long when Scott called and told us to get back in the room. Again, it wasn't too long before Miss Avery arrived.

Jenn was going to show me tonight how to be able to put a series of pictures on this blog. Since I obviously didn't learn soon enough, you all will have to put up with the "old" way of showing pictures.

Shelby likes it now that she too is a BIG SISTER. Here she is showering Avery with one of many kisses.

Big(gest) sister Riley is pretty happy with her new sister, too. The girls did not have school today (Easter Monday Riley called it); nor do they tomorrow (teachers' inservice), SO they will get to spend some time tomorrow at the hospital with their new sister.

Keep watch for more of the Martin sisters !!!

Here I Am

I could offer excuses for where I have been, but I won't. They (Blogger) have changed things since I last posted SO I will have to learn something new! Anyway, I will try to keep up on the activities of our Life at Darwin & Norman from now on. Jennifer's baby is due SOON, so we are all anxiously waiting.

In the meantime, Mr. William has turned one and Miss Shelby is now FIVE !!! Time marches on. Stay tuned.......