Ty's Evening

Mom and Dad drove down from Ohio today to spend some time with us and peek at Ty through the nursery window. Mom went with me to feed him this evening and was able to come in because there were no other babies in the nursery. She got to give him his supplemental formula bottle after I fed him. He opened his eyes for her and grinned when she told him Grandpa does the spoiling with extra food. It was a very cute grin.

Ty's numbers went from 18.1 this morning to 18.6 this evening. These were not the results we were anticipating and are disappointed. At four days old, this is no longer a toxic level but quite high considering all the treatment he has had. He is under 4 levels of photo therapy and a supplemental feeding with each nursing session. So this evening, the decision was made to add I.V. fluids for one more additional measure to get his numbers down. He needs to be off all the therapy and at 14 before he can come home. Our optimistic goal of having him home on Sunday is not looking all that promising now. These little guys all do this on their own so there is no real way to predict how quickly Ty will recover.

Happy Anniversary Superman!

Greg fell 25 feet 9 years ago today. We've always celebrated him on this date but this year Ty is trumping our celebration....Greg's okay to celebrate his news instead. Ty's numbers dropped from 19.6 to 18.1 in the last 24 hours. They anticipate that he will drop significantly today as he is on the right road for treatment now. If the numbers do drop by this evening's draw, they will start weaning the photo therapy from 4 units to 2 to see if he can maintain or still drop in bilirubin. They have also given me the all clear to resume breast feeding with formula supplements because they believe they have his hydration levels under control and the estrogen levels are a minor contribution to the blood issue that caused this situation. Yesterday morning his weight was down to 7lbs 8oz and today he weighed 7lbs 11oz.

We also want to wish Greg's parents a Happy 45th Wedding Anniversary today...

The Superman party photo was from our celebration 2 years ago and the other is a photo of the sign Greg fell off in 2000.

Evening update

Ty's doctor called this evening with his latest blood test results. In 12 hours his bilirubin dropped from 21 to 19 which indicates that we are on the right track with his treatment. He will continue being under the photo therapy lights and fed formula until his number is below 14. Our best case scenario is bringing home with home health care on Sunday. We pray that day arrives quickly as this was one really hard and emotional day. The blessing is that he will be okay in the long run. The tough part is that he learned last night that crying made them get his mommy and I am not able to be there for him.

I took this photo of Greg holding Ty for the second time yesterday when he took the opportunity to burp him. He studied Greg's OSU emblem on his shirt with intensity. Greg thinks he knows a good thing when he sees it already....

Please pray for Baby Ty

This was one of the toughest days. I had to leave Ty in the hospital and come home without him. His bilirubin count climbed to 21 from 14 in 24 hours. This is highly unusual. They have put him on formula for the next 24 hours to see if the estrogen in the breast milk has been a contributing factor. The initial bilirubin spike was linked to a blood disorder in my blood that was attacking Ty's blood. At this point they've doubled the number of lights for his photo therapy and changed him temporarily to formula to see if they can get the numbers to come down. A new blood draw will be done this evening to check the progress before determining if he needs to be transferred to Kosair's Children's Hospital for extensive blood cultures and specialists who can help determine what else could possibly be going on. It is so hard to believe he is sick since he is so big, content, feeding well and overall has the sweetest disposition. We are praying that this is the last of our little bumps in the road for him. Everything about this pregnancy has been a "borderline" issue. We are so tired and ready to have our family at home and getting into a healthy routine.

Not home yet

Ty is not out of the hospital yet. We found out yesterday that he has a high bilirubin count. The treatment is to have him under lights (UV I think) as much as possible. He is staying in the nursery 24/7 in an incubator under those lights. The only exception is when he feeds. Sherri is staying at the hospital with him because he is eating about every 2-3 hours. Hopefully the numbers will be good enough in the morning and we can finally bring him home.

Ty is here !!

Sherri and I had a nice morning on the patio. She had "pop tarts" and I finished my coffee. The weather was beautiful and her contractions started up again after a long night. She was feeling more uncomfortable as the morning wore on and by 11:45 or so we got checked into the hospital. Her contractions were pretty strong for a couple of hours. The doctor broke her water at 2:25 and Ty was born at 3:02. He was 8 lbs. 7 oz. (2nd biggest behind Makenna) and 22 in. long. (the longest by an inch and a half or so). So much for the little 5-6 lb baby that the doctor was talking about ! Sherri and Ty are both doing fine and hope to come home on Tuesday.

God was showing off tonight....view from our yard at sunset

15 years and counting.....

Greg and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary today. It has been a wild ride! We are so blessed and sometimes feel we've lived a lot more life than 15 years could possibly contain together.

I had my 38 week appointment today and discovered I have not progressed since last Thursday despite all the laboring I have done in the last week. Apparently this is classic for a posterior lying baby. I am going to be working with a chiropractor in hopes of moving him before my scheduled induction on Wednesday, July 15. We are praying to avoid medication and a c-section.

On a really fun note, Greg's office threw him a surprise baby shower last night. They had a beautiful cake and lots of Greg's favorite foods. Ty got some cute clothes, a homemade blanket with Tonka trucks on it, a cute little truck, a large box of diapers (YEAH!) and some bath items. Greg loved the camouflaged pants....they are so cute. It was such a fun surprise.....you don't expect people to celebrate the fifth baby! Greg says they like excuses to eat in his office....either way, we are grateful.

Tummy O' Ty

37 weeks 3 days....Ty is filling his current residence to capacity.

Life as we know it

Last night the dog chased a skunk and lost the fight.....wow, that is a powerful odor! Lauren and her friends bathed him outside in tomato juice and he had to spend the night in the garage with the door slightly vented to air it out too. What an adventure. I pray he has learned a valuable lesson and won't be chasing any more black and white "kitties"!

This morning our van broke down on the way home from Erin's last day of summer school PE class. Greg gave up his morning of sleep to work on it only to discover the issue is bigger than anticipated. We have a friend coming over tomorrow to determine if the $1200 estimate on repairs is needed. We are seriously praying it isn't.....lots of unexpected bills lately. We tend to be the "Murphys" of "Murphy's Law".

I had my 37 week appointment today and found that I am 2cm dilated and 80% effaced. Things are slowly moving along. If he doesn't arrive on his own, I will be induced on/around the 14th as a result of the amniotic fluid levels. I pray he cooperates before then. I spoke to Greg's mother tonight to wish her a happy birthday and discovered that Ty was her father's nickname and his birthday was July 8.....this year that date would be 07-08-09....I think that would be a really cool birthday! I am feeling really good these days. All the contractions I was dealing with from 19 weeks on have subsided and my energy is back. I am sleeping better (most nights) and enjoying the reprieve in temperatures/humidity. I honestly cannot complain. I have felt far worse earlier on in this pregnancy so I will happily hang in there until Ty is ready to announce his birthday. Kate asks several times a day when that will be. She is so anxious to be a big sister and cannot believe we don't know what day he's coming.

My parents and sister took her family to Gulf Shores Alabama this week for a vacation. My beautiful nephew, Mason is two years old and refused to get out on the sand all week because it was messy. They enjoyed the pool and some time on the beach but Mason was clearly not happy on the sand. Last night they told the boys they'd be going home today and Mason said he missed his toys. When they asked him what toy he missed, he said his "sandbox"! There is a reason that child is so beautiful!

36 weeks and counting.....

I woke up this morning to discover our A/C quit working in the night....not too pleasant since the heat index is over 100 today! We have a repair man coming late today, but at least he can come today. It appears we've burned up the motor. Our house is only 5 years old! Honestly, nothing is built to last anymore.

Kate was playing in our room this morning and giggling uncontrollably so Greg called out to her, "Are you jumping on my bed?". She replied, "no, I'm falling on it". She is so much like him it is scary! This afternoon she went to help her sisters take out the neighbor's puppy and came back quite animated about a "creature" she saw in the garage that she thought was a snake until she saw legs and then knew it was a lizard so she "freaked out"! Where does she come up with this stuff?

I saw Dr. Allen this morning and have an ultra sound scheduled for Thursday to check my amniotic fluid levels. It appears they've decreased more so we need to know if Ty's birthday will be moved up..... He is laying "sunny side up" and causing me quite a bit of discomfort so I pray he turns back to prevent a much longer labor than necessary. This little boy is going to start life in trouble with his mommy if this nonsense doesn't stop soon!

Happy Father's Day!

Greg, I cannot imagine life without you. You are my best friend, a wonderful father and the source of countless smiles and laughter. I love you more than I can say. I am proud of your strength. You not only work hard to provide for us but you are impassioned about helping others in all that you do. Happy Father's Day to you......we all love you.

Makenna made this cupcake with a lawn mower made from candy at Jamy's house to tell her Daddy how much she loves him. All the girls left little love notes around the house for him this morning. They adore their Daddy. We are so blessed.

Greg and Kate get to have a "sleep over" at Grandma's house!

Greg took Kate with him to see his family since I am no longer in a safe position to drive him to Ohio for appointments. They are spending the night to prevent him from having to make the 9 hour day without elevating his leg. I hope splitting up the drive will be more comfortable. Jessica sent me these photos to show me how much fun Kate had playing with her little cousin, Lizzie. So sweet.

Greg will be getting his cast off tomorrow and will hopefully get to wait several weeks before returning to Ohio for any further follow up appointments.

I am 35 weeks along and contracting all the time. I spent 24 hours dealing with non-progressive contractions every 2-5 minutes Sunday night and Monday. It has been exhausting. Ty is estimated to be around 6 lbs and has been given the "all clear". He can come whenever he is ready now. Too many more days like yesterday and I will be ready also! So far, I have gained 13 lbs and feel really great (when I am not contracting!). As of yesterday, I am just starting to dilate, am 50% effaced and the cervix is really soft. With each of the girls, I was at 4cm for weeks and had no contractions before labor started so this little boy is already changing the rules and making me wonder what he's up to!

Avry Christopher Sanderson

My best friend, Kristin delivered her second son just an hour after I had to leave Dayton today....the little stinker waited just long enough for me to miss seeing him! Avry Christopher weighed 6lbs 15oz and 20 inches long. Avry is photographed here with his proud big brother, Ethan Lee. Days like this make it hard to live away from "home". He is the first of my best friend's kids that I have not been able to see within hours of their birth.....Cherie and Jill will have to spend a little more time loving on him for me! I miss you all more than you know!

Saturday, June 6.....surgery day isn't tough on everyone!

While Greg and I were at the hospital all day awaiting his outpatient surgery, the girls had a blast! Grandpa took them out for donuts and then they all went shopping. After Build a Bear, Delia's, Aeropostale, and Justice, they went home to swim and play in the hot tub! It's a rough life but someone has to live it!

Greg's surgery went really well once he finally got into the OR. He was three hours late getting back there and had a tough time waking up but was in really good shape once we got back to my parent's house and had a really good dinner of steak and flounder....yum! He says his ankle feels better now than it has felt in three months. Praise God for that additional blessing.








As Kate contemplated jumping off the side of the pool, she kept calling Lauren closer! She wasn't quite that brave yet!

Friday Night Fun!

Chris spoiled us again! He made us a delicious seafood dish with crab, scallops, shrimp and fish....it was amazing! After dinner, the kids played Rock Band with Greg and Chris while Kristin and I walked in hopes of triggering labor for her....I really wanted Avry to be born while I was in town so I could meet him right away.

Chris was blowing air on Kate's belly while she yelled "nasty, do it again"! As we left that evening, Kate asked if we could take Chris home with us!

Lunch with Great Grandma Hughes and Aunt Laurie

We were supposed to have lunch at Greg and Jill's new house but they had to cancel when their son woke with a nasty virus that morning...as of today (Sunday) he is still quite ill....feel better soon Aaron!

As a consolation prize, we were able to meet my Grandma and Aunt Laurie for lunch at a tea shop. It was great to see both ladies. Grandma looks fantastic after spending the winter in Arizona.

Thursday, June 4 at the Baughman's

We had dinner at the Baughman's and gave Lizzie her first birthday present a week early....she is a very active little girl now! So cute too.

One Fun Day!

My friend, Jennifer picked up Kate for a fun filled play date. They went to the zoo, played at the water park, played on the playground, had snacks and then played at her house. Kate had a blast! The night before their special day, Shelby called Kate to find out what bathing suit and shoes she'd be wearing so they could match! They are 4!

Makenna got to spend the day at Incredible Dave's with her friend Sydney. Her favorite activity was bungee jumping on a trampoline.

While they were out, Greg and I had another one of our special dates.....grocery shopping together! We are a sight in the store! His cane and cage with my big belly attract more attention than we are used to, but Greg is starting to feel like a celebrity at Meijer! Clerks will stop him ask for updates on his progress. He tells them I beat him up! Such a stinker!

We finished the evening with smores and a fire in the fire pit.