Reflux?

Please say an extra prayer for Olivia. She has just not been herself the last couple of weeks and we are concerned that she has developed (or had all along) reflux. One of her biological brothers (also mixed race, as she is) was born with severe reflux. He is three now and still suffers from it.

She is still drinking her formula and her bowel movements have normalized, but now she is spitting up and/or vomiting sometimes as much as 4-6 times a day. She makes faces and fusses when she eats, she arches her back, has the hiccups once a day, and is even spitting up in her sleep--all symptoms of reflux. We had to see the doctor this week to complete a medical form for her first monthly visit from the Methodist Mission Home, so we had an opportunity to talk to the doctor about it. The Pedi has ordered an upper GI, to be done in the morning, to rule out any blockages.

We have lifted on side of Olivia's mattress, are feeding her sitting up, keeping her sitting for 20-30 minutes after eating, putting her to sleep on her stomach (to aid in digestion), and even giving her cereal in her formula once a day (it helps keeps the milk in her stomach). She seemed a little improved yesterday and this morning. She has only spit up once in 24 hours, but she was very fussy last night.

Please say a little prayer for Olivia that we can sort out these digestive troubles and that she will get through the upper GI in the morning without any trouble or discomfort. We'll let you know what happens.

Daddy has some fast moves!

We have some new pictures to post. There are several good shots--one is almost a smile. We promise that Olivia does smile. We just can't seem to get it on camera. One picture is very special, it exhibits the special talent Olivia has developed. It is called projectile poop. Daddy was changing a diaper today and had to do a special (Matrix) move to get out of the way as the poop shot about 3.5 feet from the changing table and hit the rocker and the car seat.

It's almost a smile!

What a sweet baby!

Olivia wants to sit up sooooooo bad!

Honey is not the least bit jealous!

From the changing table to the rocker and car seat!

The joys of parenthood!

"Mummy took lots of silly pictures!"

We can't believe that Olivia will be six weeks old on Friday. Time is going by too fast. She is already laying on her tummy, holding her head up, smiling, and trying to roll over. She stays awake for several hours a day and on most nights will sleep from midnight to 6 am (if she wakes up in the middle she lays there nicely and goes back to sleep!).

You'll notice from some of her comments that she is already developing a mixed accent of Kiwi and American. There is even a little Texan thrown in for good measure!

We are all doing well. Both Andy and I are completely swamped in school, but Andy loves every minute of his studies! The youth group is going well and keeps growing. He had five new kids come on Sunday night, friends of youth members and some said they would like to join the church. That makes his Sunday night group consistent between 45 and 50. He has about 20 middle school kids who come to "Merge" on Wednesday nights and two Senior High small groups that meet on Wednesday nights. All and all things are going really well here. The church wants Andy to preach every quarter or so. And there will be youth led worship on the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

I completed my first newsletter this week, after lots of tears. I am thinking about not attempting to do it, but am really praying about it. The pastor has been so sweet and helpful (imagine that). He has made every possible concession, because he really wants to get us the extra income, encourage my creative side, and have a great product! He has offered to let me do just the two newsletters from home and the secretary will do all the printing and bulletins in the office. It is a sweet deal if I think I can handle it without going crazy. This morning I was ready to quit all together. We'll see!

Enjoy the pictures and know that we love and miss you all!

Daddy does the easy shots of her sleeping!

After hours of trying to get a picture of her holding her head up--
she finally did it! Now we just to need to get one of her smiling!

"Ya'll, someone should really tell her that she can't sing,
but I love her anyway!"

"Mum wants me to hold my head up for a picture...nah."

Olivia loves her froggy mat! "Hey, wow, there's my hand! Sweet as!"

"Did that binky fall out again?"

Olivia loves tummy time!

She's working on it--she's lifting her head up!

See-she can hold her head up for a few seconds!
Daddy thinks she is THE most advanced baby, isn't that sweet!

Olivia loves church!

Olivia is all dressed up for church!
This was her "coming home" outfit and it finally fits!

Olivia and Katherine

Last Sunday we spent the whole Sunday at church since Daddy was preaching at all three services. Olivia was so good. She did not cry once and really loves the music. The church was packed and everyone wanted to meet her, rub her head, etc. She handled it all and even made a new friend, Katherine, whose birthday is August 6 (she just turned 6). This Sunday was just as good--Olivia was awake through most of it, but very happy and good!

Daddy had his birthday on Friday and we had a little party at Granny's house. It was so nice to see our cousins again. But, sadly, school has started for both of us and it was a short trip. We are back home, back to work, and school!

Enjoy the pictures!

Congratulate Daddy!

We are working our way into a little routine. Somewhere between Olivia sleeping in Mom and Dad's room, in the bassinet next to our bed, which makes Mom really happy--and Olivia sleeping part of the night in her crib in her own room (with the monitor on, of course). Olivia starts in our room and after her 2 am feeding, she finishes the night in her own room. This works really for me (the Mommy) because then Daddy gets baby up in the morning around 7 am when he gets up and lets the dogs out.

Olivia has developed another routine and that is saving her poopy diapers for the middle of the night or first thing in the morning. The other night I had the stuff all over me, all over our bed, and all over Olivia--and Daddy laughed at me. Well, this morning he experienced his first dirty diaper and he learned that (often) the more you wipe, the more she goes! I think he finished off our baby wipes. I shall have to refill the dispensers.

So, congratulate Daddy! It was his first dirty diaper EVER!

Andy is preaching this Sunday. Our Pastor will be away for the long weekend and Andy has been asked to preach. He is very excited and nervous at the same time. I am sure you will do well. He missed his chance to preach in Florida, it was the May weekend we were supposed to be getting our first baby. After church on Sunday we are heading up to Mom's to spend a night or two and celebrate Andy's birthday. We are having a cook-out on Monday! Andy will be 34 next week!

Please continue to keep us in your prayers, especially this Sunday as Andy preaches three services!

More Pictures!

Olivia and her best friend--Honey!

Olivia and Mommy, August 28, 2007

Olivia Grace hospital newborn picture!

Everything is moving right a long here. We are eating well, loving our new formula, and starting to sleep a little more at night. Last night, for the first time, Olivia spent most of the night in her very own crib, in her very own room. She seemed to sleep better and I know we did, at least for about 4 hours.

We have spent the last week waiting on almost every conceivable repair man to come visit. We are still waiting on the dryer man to come replace a part in our dryer--thank goodness it is under warranty. The wait that never seems to end is that for the plumber who is to replace some pipes under the house (for our landlords), so that we will have hot water pressure in the bathroom. We have had none since we moved in. This has been going on now for weeks.

I guess that's all for now. I have to go feed the baby! With much love to all of you!

We passed our Two Week physical!

Announcing the news Olivia passed her two week physical. Here is the news: she now weights 7 lbs 10.5 ounces, is 20.25 inches long, and her head 13.75 inches around. We did have our change of formula for the third time in two weeks, but the doctor remains fairly certain that Olivia's digestive problems are nothing serious. She is eating well, sleeping fairly well, and has never run a fever. She does not spit up or throw up--her only problem is a slow turn around on poopy diapers. We are now drinking the new Carnation Good Start which is supposed to be the closest to breast milk and has new flora and proteins that are good for baby's tummy.

We also had a very nice conversation with our birth mother today. She was in much higher spirits and seems to be happy to share information on Olivia. We agreed (at her suggestion) to talk only every two weeks. We felt this was a really good sign.

When we got home from the doctor's office this morning we had a mailbox full of mail! Olivia's birth has been announced in three church bulletins, including: Alabama, Florida, and here! One of my good friends from Florida who is also on the altar guild there sent us a pressed rose from the altar announcing Olivia's birth and the bulletin. This past Sunday here there was a white carnation on the altar for Olivia. Someone is supposed to bring us that one as well. We also got two packages from New Zealand from Grandma Shirley and from Olivia's friend Tayla (who was born to Andy's best friend and his wife in May). Very exciting stuff! The newborn photos from the hospital have just arrived and we will be posting that online--maybe tomorrow.

Andy is really enjoying his new job. He has had more and more kids at youth on Sunday nights. Last night he had about 50 junior and senior high. These are really excited and tuned in kids. Andy was discussing all of this with our senior pastor today and he was told that the children and youth ministries have always been a priority here. It is obvious in the way that Sunday night youth with Bible study is a real focus for the kids. What an extraordinary blessing!

Please keep praying for Olivia and for God's continued leadership and work in our lives! We miss you all very much and can't wait for all of you to meet Olivia Grace.

Oh, I forgot to mention in the last blog that in September I will be employed by the church, part-time, doing desktop publishing of the weekly bulletin and the two monthly newsletters. I will also be taking a class so this will be a challenging time for me, but I am really looking forward to being involved in the life of the church again.