It's been a long week!

It has been one week today since Ian had his surgery and what a long week it has been. Andy and I have both had head/chest colds, mine is still lingering. Granny White came and got Ian at one point in hopes of keeping him from catching the cold, but since he has gone from sleeping 8 hours a night to waking/feeding every 3-4 hours round the clock he is not as easy to watch. So she brought him home the next day. He has turned into a "don't set me down or I will scream" baby, but we are trying to coddle him until he is well healed from his ordeal. Anyway, we did have some fun this week as you can see. Olivia has found a new use for her saucer and has decided that playing with brother is not such a bad thing. Oh, and Daddy found an interesting way to keep the paci in the mouth...too funny! I think our tiny little apartment is starting to look like a day care center with all of this baby stuff.

Lots of Updates #3--Pyloric Stenosis

Saturday morning was full of fun, but Saturday night wasn't. Over the last couple of weeks, Ian's eating has gotten more and more erratic. He went from being a 6 oz eater every 4 hours to a 2-3 oz eater every 3-4 hours--with lots of spitting up. We thought it was just his way of adjusting to his new surroundings and since he wasn't losing any weight, we assumed all was well.

After changing formula on Thursday evening things seemed to improve. We switched to a formula with rice cereal in it and he kept it down with no spit-up until Saturday. He had one big spit up at Olivia's party, followed by three bouts of projectile vomiting Saturday evening. I have never seen anyone adult or otherwise vomit that much. After a call to Granny White we were off the emergency room. Once again we are very fortunate to live in a town with an excellent children's hospital. Ian was admitted that night, after an ultrasound and several hours in the E.R. He had surgery Sunday morning for a blockage at the base of his stomach called pyloric stenosis. (follow link to read more about it)

The surgery went well. But it was a long nearly 48 hours in the hospital. Mom, Aunt Lee Ann, cousins and Uncle Lance helped keep things going at home for Olivia. Andy and I took turns rocking, patting, changing, comforting, feeding, etc. the whole time we there. We slept in 2 hour shifts on fold out chair beds. But we got through it and Ian seems to be doing well. We got home Monday evening. Granny stayed with us last night and fed him every 3 hours so we could catch up on some sleep. Today he is so much better and already wants to EAT, but is limited to 2.5-3 oz every three hours.

Needless to say it was a weekend we will never forget! Pictures are coming, but won't be processed until Wed. We had to document our first hospital stay! Please keep us in your prayers as we try to return to normal over the next couple of weeks.

The hospital loaned us a bouncer.
Ian had an IV and was being constantly monitored
for pulse, respiratory rate, and heart rate.

His little incision area...

Wish I had one of these tall cribs at home!
That binkie was a life-saver!

Mom after 45 hours in hospital.

Daddy stayed and helped too!

Lots of Updates #2--Olivia's Birthday Party

We had an awesome time at Olivia's first birthday party/welcome party for Ian. Many friends came to share our joy. We ate incredible Texas BBQ (thanks to Aunt Lee Ann) and shared a beautiful Veggie Tales cake thanks to Cousin Kelsey. Olivia had fun, hung out with her cousins and even let "Auntie" Yvonne feed her (something she never does--let strangers feed her). She wouldn't eat any cake, but we weren't surprised. She is in a transition period when it comes to eating table food. Anyway, it was a super fun party. Enjoy the pictures!

Veggie Tales Cake

Granny White with Dan & Carlene (and Ian)


Ian with Yvonne


Tia

Mommy & Olivia

Jason, Becky & Jaylen Campbell

Mrs. Russell & Denise (family friends)

Mary Kate & Olivia

Olivia & the cousins watching Veggie Tales

Olivia & Daddy with the birthday hat

Series of Olivia--
not eating her cake...

Birthday Presents!!!

Carlene with Ian

Carlene, Dan & Karen Hendricks
(Bonnie used to babysit Karen's sons)

Andy with Jason & Jaylen
(Becky & Jason call Olivia Jaylen's girlfriend!)

Becky & Jaylen

The Pinata!

Lots of Updates--#1--Ian's court date

Well, as we posted in our last blog--Ian's adoption was final on Thursday, August 7, 2008. It was an exciting day. The whole Crockett clan met us at court and we had a real family celebration. Here are some photos including Ian being held by our judge the Honorable Janet Littlejohn. We followed up our court session with a celebration lunch at our favorite restaurant on the river walk, Casa Rio.

It's Official--We're a Family!

We started the day by taking new family photos at the Picture People. We did quite a few of Olivia, by herself, to celebrate her first birthday. But we also got some good group shots and great pictures of Mr. Ian--since he is now a "certified Payne" (to quote his cousin Mary Kate). Following this adventure we headed downtown to the Bexar County Courthouse where Ian's adoption was finalized. We are a family! Yay!

The Payne Family--laughing as usual

The Paynes

Ian Nolan Payne, age 2 months

We call him Mr. Smiley!

Olivia Grace Payne, age 1 year

Hope you enjoyed the photos. Thanks again for all of the prayer and support!

With much love,
The Payne