More about Oliver

Not sure why, but this is my favorite picture of my sweet Oliver.

 After three days of being under intense phototherapy lights, Oliver was taken off for a test period.  He was tested 15 hours later and while his bilirubin levels had gone up, it wasn't enough to be on lights.  Since then he has managed to stay under light level!

 This morning, his test came back LOWER than the day before.  Lower without lights!  That never happens to my babies.  I was relieved and so happy.  Looks like Oliver won't be needing lights ever again.  And definitely no blood transfusions either!  Such a blessing and a relief!

 Sweet tiny hand

 Oliver sleeps about 23 hours and 50 minutes every day.  He is never awake.  His feeding tube keeps him alive while he sleeps peacefully growing his brain.  I smile every time I look at this picture because he was completely asleep when I took it.  His eyes just happened to flutter open while he did a dreamy smile right as I snapped the picture.

 Most of the time, he's deep sleeping though.  And won't even stir during diaper changes or getting picked up.  The doctors always reassure me that he's acting his age.  I wouldn't even be 35 weeks pregnant yet.

 One of these days he'll start waking up.

 One of these days he'll start acting hungry.  And I'll feed him.  And I'll love it.  They said they thought he'd need to be in the NICU for 2-3 weeks.

 With the phototherapy lights gone, Oliver got promoted to a crib!  No more warmer lamp either.  Now he gets to be snuggled in jammies and a blanket.

 Oh baby!  I love you so much.

Our family has been taking turns with the stomach flu this week.  It finally hit me yesterday.  It's been a rough week.  In the last 72 hours, I've only seen Oliver for 1.  I don't get to go and see him until tomorrow.  You have to be symptom free for 24 hours.  And my children aren't allowed in the NICU at all.  Ever.  I'm excited for the day when they can meet their brother.  I'm glad he's safe.  I'm glad he's sleeping.  And I can't wait to see him tomorrow.  

In his first six days of life, I think I've only been with him about 19 hours.  It hurts.  A lot.  I think about him every moment and with every breath I take.  I miss him.  So very much.  But I'm grateful that he doesn't miss me.  Sweet dreams Oliver.  Soon we will be together.

Oliver and me

Oliver just tried a bottle.  Poor thing only could drink 3 ml (1/10 of an ounce) before falling asleep.  His bottle is only 20 ml's to start.  He cried for four minutes while they got the bottle ready and that tired him out too much.  His window where he's awake and eager to eat is so small and doesn't always fit with the exact clockwork NICU schedule.  But that was 3 ml's more than yesterday, so I'll take it!

Oliver Glenn is Here!!

Meet Oliver Glenn:

He came 6 1/2 weeks early at 1:21 AM this morning, November 4th, weighing 5 lbs. 11 oz. and 19 inches long.

My water broke yesterday at 5:45 PM.  Todd and I rushed to the hospital and left the kids with Mimi and Bapa.  

They weren't sure if I'd have him that night but my labor went fast and I went from 1-10 cm in an hour.  5 minutes of pushing was all it took and we met our third son and fourth child.

Here is a picture of me as a mother of four.  I had had one hour of sleep in 28.  And of course I'm not holding Oliver because he was passed straight through a window after his birth into the NICU.

I still don't have a picture of me with him. He can't be held really now that he's on phototherapy:

He has an IV and a feeding tube for now as well, but we are thrilled he hasn't needed to be on oxygen.  I have no idea how long our NICU road will be, but I know he's going to make it.  Somehow we all will. I love him so much already.  Happy BIRTHday to my sweet Oliver.

Our Halloween

The kids got warmed up going to the neighborhood trunk or treat this past Wednesday.

They took with them candy collection bags and the force!

Ethan and Madeline were festive all day, even before costume time.

But poor Cooper didn't feel too great

And refused to wear his doggy ("Chewbacca") costume, insisting instead on wearing his Christmas Jammie's for trick or treating.

I was a bit put out at first, but thanks to a patient and wise husband I got over it.  And now the above picture (which my mom took for me) kinda cracks me up.  Real life people!  (In general, you could say I probably want perfect looking pictures slightly more than I should...)

Then Madeline decided to feel sick too:

But luckily that didn't last very long and soon she was acting fine again and dad was nice enough to take her back out trick or treating.

And like every year, we now have entirely too much candy:

Times this by three...

Happy Halloween!

October's Ten Things

Some months are easier than others to find ten things to smile about.  But when you really stop and think, there are always way more than ten.  I've been blessed so much this month, I should probably have a hard time not smiling.

Here are my ten things to smile about in October.

1.  I'm not sure if I'm smiling that I'm still pregnant but I'm definitely smiling that I don't have a baby in the NICU right now! That makes still being pregnant so worth it.  I'm so grateful for how blessed I've been in this pregnancy.

2.  The end is in sight!  In a few weeks (or less!) I'll have a new baby.  And FOUR kids!!!!!  Saying I'm excited would be an understatement.

3.  This month, I've had over 20 women help my family.  Playing with Cooper, watching all my children, doing laundry, washing dishes, cleaning bathrooms, bringing dinner, visiting with me and every random cleaning job and errand you can think of.  That doesn't even count what my mom and sister have done.  Or how amazing Todd is at doing all my jobs and his. Um yeah, people are nice.  And some things can never be repaid.

4.  8 weeks of bed rest and I'm still alive! 8 weeks people!  And last night I finished my 17th crochet project (none of which are doilies, honey!) :)...wow, I have a lot of time in my hands.  Some are gifts and have to stay secret for now.  But here are a couple cute little sea creatures I made:

5.  This picture makes me smile.  I feel slightly bad since she was honestly put out about something, but for some reason I really love it!  Rockin the pout:

6.  Watching my kids play makes me smile, even if they're loud...

7.  Celebrating my mom's birthday

8.  General Conference has made me smile many times.  I rewatch parts every Sunday while my family goes to church.  It came at a good time for me.  

9.  Todd.  Todd makes me smile.  I love him.

10.  Seeing my family dressed up for Halloween!  Such fun costumes!  And Cooper looks so cute!  My neighbor is already planning to take pictures with my phone for me tomorrow so I can post them. 

54 Days of Bed Rest

Today, day 54 of bed rest, I miss being a mom.  I miss running over and scooping my children up when they're sad and talking to them while hugging them on my lap.  If they are sad now, I can only call for them and hope they'll come over to me.  Sometimes they do...

I'll be glad to one day be the mom I want to be again.  To feel like I'm doing all I can to teach and love them.  To forget myself and go to work.  I'm not sure I could ever take it for granted again.  I am eager to have my work back.  Because it is mine, and because it is the greatest work I will ever know.