Christmas 2006

Here's the annual kids Christmas picture. Believe it or not, they're wearing the same pj's as last year. It's getting harder and harder to take this picture. This year took about 40 takes. (Sorry, Noah doesn't have a right hand.)

Definitely not a dinosaur.

This morning, we had our first visit with the perinatologist (not to be confused with a paleontologist). This visit started with the most thorough ultrasound exam I’ve ever seen done. She measured everything you could possibly see and took some doppler readings of the blood flow in several areas including the brain and umbilical cord. The baby looks perfectly healthy, and again estimated to be just over 5 pounds.

These appointments will continue weekly until birth, as well as visits to Deb’s new doctor.

Home, sweet home.

After 3 1/2 days, Deb came home from the hospital about noon today. The ultrasound this morning showed a very healthy baby estimated to be about 5 pounds, and which the technician referred to as a "wiggle worm."

Since the baby appears to be very healthy, Deb is continuing on one of the three drugs which were used to slow down contractions while in the hospital. This one is called Procardia - a drug mainly for heart issues, but can also be used for this with few side effects, and happens to be hard to find (our local pharmacist didn't have it, and the hospital pharmacist didn't have enough for the full prescription).

Tomorrow morning will be a special doppler ultrasound screening that will look at some specific things about the baby's blood flow - one of the best ways to watch for rh disease issues.

At this point we're taking everything one day at a time. A big thanks to all our friends and family for their prayers, and Grandma for helping out with Isaac and Noah these days.

100 cuddles

To Isaac, if anything seems to be too many to count, it must be 100. So, if you ask him how many there are, there's usually 100 stars in the sky, 100 cars on the road, 100 people in a crowded room, etc.

This afternoon I took him to visit his mom in the hospital. They hadn't seen each other since Deb left for her evening Bible study 3 days earlier. After some hugs, and some "what was on the TV just before I came in, can I watch [such and such]?", they together watched a video of Isaac performing the parts of Caesar Augustus and a Shepherd in our church's Christmas program that morning. Several people told me that he stole the show. Of course, I agree.

After a little while, I told Isaac to gime mommy one more cuddle and then it was time to go. His response was "No, 100 cuddles."

Now that I've explained the title of this post, here's an update on why Deb is in the hospital.

Our baby's due date, as determined by a couple early ultrasounds, is February 5th. Deb came home from Bible study last Thursday (32 1/2 weeks) a little earlier then normal saying she was having strong and frequent contractions. We timed a few and found them to be about 5 minutes apart, and so the HealthEast midwife on call was called and we were told to come in to get things checked out.

After arranging a last minute, overnight sitter (thank you Christine), we went to Woodwinds hospital, where BTW Isaac and Noah were both delivered by midwives through unmedicated waterbirth.

After 3 different medications were successful in slowing down the contractions, but not stopping them, Deb was transferred to St. John's hospital on Friday morning where they have a more complete Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for babies born this early. Special steroids were also given to help the baby's lungs mature a little faster.

To make things a little more complicated, Deb's rh antibody levels have started going up again. So, at this point, only God knows if this baby is really better inside or outside. Tomorrow morning will be some ultrasound tests to see if the doctors can answer that question, but we take comfort in knowing it's all in His hands.

"I'm a block!"

 

Living in Minnesota

Jeff Foxworthy on Minnesota :

If you consider it a sport to gather your food by drilling through
18 inches of ice and sitting there all day hoping that the food will
Swim by, You might live in Minnesota .

If you're proud that your state makes the national news 96 nights
Each year because International Falls is the coldest spot in the nation,
You might live in Minnesota .

If you have ever refused to buy something because it's "too spendy",
You might live in Minnesota .

If your local Dairy Queen is closed from November through March, you
might live in Minnesota .

If someone in a store offers you assistance, and they don't work
there, you might live in Minnesota .

If your dad's suntan stops at a line curving around the middle of
His forehead, you might live in Minnesota .

If you have worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you might live
In Minnesota .

If your town has an equal number of bars and churches, you might
Live in Minnesota .

If you know how to say...Wayzata ...Mahtomedi, ....Cloquet ... Edina
...and Shakopee, you might live in Minnesota .

If you think that ketchup is a little too spicy, you might live in
Minnesota .

Vacation means going "up north" for the weekend, you
might live in Minnesota .

You measure distance in hours, you might live in Minnesota .

You know several people who have hit deer more than once, you might
Live in Minnesota .

You often switch from "heat" to "A/C" in the same day ...and back
again,you might live in Minnesota .

You can drive 65 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging
blizzard, without flinching, you might live in Minnesota .

You see people wearing hunting clothes at social events, you might
Live in Minnesota .

You install security lights on your house and garage and leave both
unlocked, you might live in Minnesota .

You think of the major food groups as beer, fish, and Venison, you
might
live in Minnesota .

You carry jumper cables in your car and your girlfriend knows how to
Use them, you might live in Minnesota .

There are 7 empty cars running in the parking lot at Mill's Fleet
Farm at any given time, you might live in Minnesota .

You design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit, you
might live in Minnesota .

Driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with
snow, you might live in Minnesota .

You know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter and road
construction, you might live in Minnesota .

You can identify a southern or eastern accent, you might live in
Minnesota .

Your idea of creative landscaping is a statue of a deer next to your
blue spruce, you might live in Minnesota .

Down South to you means Iowa , you live in Minnesota .

A brat is something you eat.

You find 0 degrees "a little chilly."

1st Recital

Isaac had his first violin recital today. He performed a "Pre-Twinkle Demonstration" with his box violin, and did an excellent job. 

Smiles in leaves.

First Snow

Tonight, Isaac got his first taste of snow for the year (literally). 

Isaac, the photographer

Now that we have a new digital camera, I pulled out the old one the other day for Isaac. He didn't have much difficulty figuring it out and took quite a few pictures. It gave us a glimpse at the world from his perspective... most of the pictures are of his toys. There's also a couple of us, but we won't be posting those.

Family Photo at MN Zoo

After a couple hours of running around to different Ramsey County Libraries trying to get our hands on a Minnesota Zoo "Museum Adventure Pass," we finally got one. That step alone was quite the adventure. Deb was home watching them become available and then checked-out on their website, while dad was running from library to library watching the person just ahead in line check out the last pass. It was worth the wait and hassle because, along with Grandma and Grandpa, we enjoyed an afternoon at the zoo. Next time we'll try to get a pass earlier in the week.
Once we finally got to the zoo, we made it just in time for the 3rd dolphin show. Both kids enjoyed this. We also saw sharks, monkeys, tigers, and took a trip down to the family farm. While walking a path with a wall next to it, we stopped and posed for this picture. It turned out nice enough that it could be our next Christmas card.

9/11 Tribute

We had the privilege of performing at a 9/11 memorial concert at Lake Harriet tonight. It was quite chilly but we had a good time, played some great music, and appreciated being a part of it. (Just saw ourselves on the WCCO news for a brief moment.)

Labor Day

This year we spent labor day laboring at Grampa's woodpile, helping them get ready for winter. Isaac was a big help. 

State Fair

Here's our kids at the state fair. Isaac in what he calls his "mooser-hopper hat", and Noah enjoying some strawberries and cream. You can almost see our 3rd on the way in the picture with the eggs. We started early and got all the free kids stuff out of the way. Grandma and grandpa came and picked up the kids so we could enjoy the rest of the day without ...a stroller. :) Believe it or not, we got through the entire day buying nothing but food.

Addition: Yes, this Tuesday Sept. 5th Pioneer Press bulletin board entry describes a true story about our Isaac which happened shortly before grandma ("Wise Old Woman") and grandpa picked up the kids...

WARNING! Cute kid story ahead, from Wise Old Woman of Blaine: "Four-year-old grandson Isaac and his family were at the Fair, and his mother took him into the Miracle of Birth Center. It was too crowded to watch firsthand, but they were able to watch by video as a cow was giving birth. Just as the calf began to appear, Isaac remarked, 'This is a grownup movie,' and walked away."

Suzuki Camp 2006

We're back from the Suzuki Music Camp in Steven's Point, WI. It was a long 2 weeks, but we all had some good times and Deb came back with a lot of new ideas. 

Rain Lilies

Our rain lilies finally bloomed for the first time this weekend, and did they ever.

We almost missed it with how busy we've been with our string quartet playing for weddings and joining the pit orchestra for The Sound of Music. 

Happy 4th!

Happy 4th of July! (even though it's really the 11th, and this picture was actually taken on the 1st, but it's close enough) We spent the weekend prior in Hayward. The night of, we stayed up to see the fireworks in Blaine. Isaac spent the entire time covering his ears, but I think he enjoied some of it anyway. Both kids quickly fell asleep on the car ride home.

Shhh...

It sure it tiring to shop at IKEA.
Tonight I asked Isaac if he wanted to say the bedtime prayer. Usually he declines and I say one ad lib. This time he said "sure" and tried reciting one he's heard in a few different versions.

Down you lay me, down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my child to keep,
The angels watch me the other night,
And Jesus will help me,
Amen. 

At the beach

Isaac & Noah having fun at the beach. 

Backyard Turkey

Here's that wild turkey that's been hanging around our neighborhood. That's not something you see wander through your yard everyday.

By the way, our trip to St. Louis last week was very nice, we just forgot to bring a camera. The kids had fun with their grandparents.

Noah is continuing to show a strong interest in talking, repeating back things he hears. Isaac is still taking steps toward reading, and his sentences sound more and more intelligent everyday.

Suzuki Conference 2006

We were very privliged to have the Suzuki Association of the Americas conference here in Minneapolis this weekend. While there, we completed a Suzuki Early Childhood Education training course which included a session with some young volunteers. Here is Isaac dancing with a scarf. I think he had a good time.

Let him eat cake

Happy 1st birthday Noah! 

Having a ball

Here we are taking a little break during a trip to IKEA. Noah seems to have a particular interest in balls, so he expecially enjoyed the ball pit.

Lesson #1

Here's Isaac's very first home-school lesson just after mom and dad attended their first MACHE conference this weekend. 

Rainbows

We saw several impressive rainbows this evening. This is the best shot we could get. 

Cousins!

Last week, we had a special visit from the cousins from IL (and their mom). We had a great day together. First at Como Zoo (that's the famous Como turtle they're sitting on). Later we went to MOA for pizza and a couple "chocolate volcanoes" at the Rainforest Cafe and, of course, stopped to play with some legos!

Extra, Extra

Look who made the St. Paul paper yesterday...