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mom and baby home at last

After 85 days away from home, I must agree there's no place like home! I don't miss the regular blood pressure, temperature, and pulse checks or the daily doctor visits. Grady hasn't said much, but I don't think he misses the all the beeps and babies crying in the NICU. He likes all the cuddle time at home - doesn't even complain about all the little hands in his face or the arguments about who gets to hold him. The kids are quite taken with him ... even Rhett is sharing his blankets(even though Grady already has a collection of his own). Most of you have probably heard the details but for those who haven't: Grady Parker Stewart was born January 8th at at 10:00pm. He weighed 5 lbs. 11 oz. He was born about 5 weeks early so had a couple weeks in neonatal care. He's a healthy, happy little baby. He had a feeding tube for a while as he was too sleepy to eat and he didn't have the suck, breathe, swallow motions figured out yet. He spent a couple days under the lights for jaundice (he could have shared some of his color with mom). Grady passed his carseat test on th 25th(90 minutes in the carseat with all the monitors on making sure there is no red flag changes in heart rate and oxygen levels). Unfortunatey I held up the homecoming by one day as I had been re-admitted on the 22nd (just couldn't get enough of the hospital setting). Anyway, I got out on Friday and Carla and Tim brought us back to Cold Lake Friday night. Home Sweet Home! I'm not planning on going anywhere soon!

update

i am surviving my "bedrest experience" you could say! \t has gone by fast enough when look back - just try not to look too far ahead! i just discovered internet access in the hospital lobby ... just have to wait for someone to push me in the wheelchair and then wait in line! All is well here - 29 weeks and counting!

a sister's love

Samara would really like a baby sister, but I think she loves her brothers more than she realizes! She'll be another little mother, whatever we end up with! I'm glad she's old enough to understand that we don't get to choose! Keithan would like a boy baby and a girl baby - not the case thank goodness! Rhett has no clue what is coming!

trip to grandpa's farm

Phil managed to get off early one Saturday so we went to Grandpa and Grandma's farm for a visit. Samara and Keithan had fun going for a quad ride. Rhett couldn't get away from the quad quick enough! Grandma is probably glad we don't come too often! Her house was quickly re-arranged and she's missing a few plastic grapes that Rhett attempted to eat!

a fresh look

It's nice to make a haircut worthwhile ... so the boys are sporting a new look! I was very sad about Rhett losing his mushroom cut (and most of his hair). It felt like I was losing my baby and trading him in for a big boy! He must feel bigger now too - tonight he said "hi guys"! Was good for a laugh!

happy belated thanksgiving

I can't believe how difficult it is to find a few spare minutes to sit down at the computer and keep up this blog! Not much new here anyway ... and my camera is getting dusty from lack of use. We were glad Auntie Carla came to visit us ... and stayed for 5 nights. Rhett learned to say "Auntie" and will still call out for "Auntie". His vocabulary is slowly increasing. His wide variety of facial expressions make up for his lack of words! I think he'll be an entertainer ... following in the footsteps of Uncle Jarvis and my cousins Daryn and Derek!!!! Help!!! Samara is enjoying school - seems to be catching on to French without any difficulty. She's already spouting off simple sentences that are beyond my limited French vocabulary! Keithan doesn't seem to mind a quieter house when Samara is off at school. A big bonus for him is having the computer to himself!! Anyway, that is about it for news from our corner. Here are a few pictures from the Thanksgiving ceremony at Samara's school