The grass is always greener...

...after it rains. We have had several days of nice, steady rain this week. Today was beautiful...sunny and about 75 degrees. The boys played outside most of the waking hours of the day. Eli managed to cover himself in mud so he came in early and was hosed down in the shower. He was not happy about not being able to go back outside. I should have taken a picture of him but I didn't think of it till now. Oh well, here is some proof the grass is green again (not sure what Wesley was thinking about but he looks pretty serious):

After dinner we took a long walk with all the boys. Roz drove to a church friend's house for a birthday party sleepover. So she didn't join us. We had Hayden and JD in the double stroller and Jer pulled the older 3 in the wagon. We got a few stares. One house was having a party and I swear they all stopped talking and watched us walk by.

There really is not too much going on here. We stay busy just keeping everyone changed and fed! Forgot to report that JD's weight on Tuesday was 6 pounds 8 ounces. The doctor was pretty happy with that and so was I! We did switch to new bottles. JD was collapsing the nipple on the little preemie bottles from the hospital. I've noticed since we switched to the new nipples he has been breastfeeding better too. He still can't take all his feedings that way yet but it is going better than it was.

We are trying to put Hayden up with the boys again this weekend. Jerry is sitting up there right now outside the door with the video monitor to yell every time Eli gets out of bed. Last night they were still up there causing trouble after 9pm. I went up there and found Justus on top of the dresser, Eli was making a mad dash for his bed, and Hayden was wide awake with a crib full of blankets, stuffed animals, and books. Where was Wesley you ask? Sound asleep in his bed where he belongs. At 2:30am they were at it again. Thankfully, though it only took one trip upstairs and they were quiet again. All four were awake though. So they must have slept in this morning right? WRONG! Up at 5:45 am! I think it was still dark. We are going to stick with it though. I think last time we gave up too quick and didn't let them get used to the new arrangement. If this doesn't work though we are going to probably bring Eli down here since he is the real trouble maker. He can get up with me to feed JD in the middle of the night. Maybe then he'll sleep in. If that doesn't work we are considering an ebay auction.

One last photo before I sign off. I can now type with two hands. Up until this point this post was typed with one had since I was holding the baby with the other. Boy, that really slows down my typing and please forgive any typos! Since the weather cooperated I put JD in "real clothes" instead of just a sleeper. He looked like a big boy (with really skinny legs)!!!

Sweet Sixteen

Happy Birthday Roz! Sweet Sixteen!

Good news...Roz passed her drivers test this morning! She went to the mall this afternoon and is gone again tonight. She has taken the Honda key off my key chain and is now calling it "her" car. Jeez...she's only had her license one day!

We celebrated yesterday. Had an ice cream cake from Dairy Queen. It was very good. We still ate it even though it feels like October outside. [Our hot, dry weather is over. It has been chilly and rainy the past couple days. I'm not complaining!] Below is a picture of Roz with the card I made for her. We were talking the other day about this card I remembered from when I was in high school where you use candy bars to write out the message so I googled it (how did people live without Google?) to find the saying and sure enough there it was! I had Jerry go buy all the candy bars. He took the boys along...bad decision. Eli sees Roz later in the day, "Hey Roz! We got you a bunch of candy for your birthday!" Wesley and Justus shout, "ELI, it was supposed to be a secret!" Eli cries. Ugh! Roz was still surprised though since she didn't know what I was going to do with the candy.

When Roz was opening her gifts Justus and Wesley gave her pictures they colored. You should have seen Eli's face when she asked him where his was! He said "um" several times and then ran off. I think he felt really bad. He doesn't like to color like the other boys. It was so funny. Then today he did sit down and color for a little while but only long enough to color one picture (all the same color) and say "This is for Roz!" then he was done.

JD Update

Little JD is settling in nicely here at home. He is on a pretty good schedule. Eats about every four hours. Mostly at 10, 2, and 6 both am and pm. Works out pretty good for me since it is not meal time for the other boys at that time. Jerry is off of work right now to spend some time with us. He goes back on Thursday. I don't know what I'll do when he goes back since right now I go back to sleep after the 6 am feeding while he gets the rest of the gang fed and dressed. They seem to be getting up extra early these days. For now we moved Hayden back downstairs and JD into our room in the bassinet. We aren't sure who was waking up who but Eli and Hayden were getting up around 5am...too early for us...we all need our sleep! Thankfully, JD is a quiet sleeper and it is working out well for now. Eventually though we'll just have to bite the bullet and deal with the early risings. JD can't stay in the bassinet forever.

Everyone still runs right over to touch and kiss JD whenever he is brought into the room. Wesley has been a big help lately and keeps asking for "jobs" to do to help us out. As you see above he is always willing to keep an eye on little JD...he is such a good big brother. Justus finally wanted a turn to hold JD (see picture below).



JD has another doctor appointment Tuesday so I'll update with his new weight. He has been taking more and more each feeding which is good so I think he'll have gained nicely. I wish I could say breastfeeding is going well. JD seems more like the twins in transitioning from bottle to breast. He tries hard but I don't think he is getting much. I'll keep at it though since it is worth the hard work in the end. Waiting for a bottle to warm up when you're holding a hungry baby is a pain. It is also nice to doze off while breastfeeding during the middle of the night feedings. That doesn't work when you're holding a bottle! For now I'm still pumping and feeding and filling the freezer with milk since I make about 3 times what JD drinks. I called a milk bank in Michigan today to start the process of donating. I decided against donating to the same place I did last time since I have heard some negative things about their parent company. It's more than JD will ever use and I hate for it to go to waste.

He is a real cutie...

Big Brothers

All the boys were excited to finally have little JD home. Wesley was the most excited. He had dozed off when we were gone, but popped right awake when we got home. I didn't even get JD out of the carseat before he was checking out the baby's little fingers and ears and hair ("Oh Mom! It's soooo soft!"). He wanted me to find him a chair so he could just sit there and stare at him. The other boys were taking a nap so they didn't get to see him until a little later.

Justus was the least interested. He looked but didn't want a turn holding JD. Hayden kept waving and saying "hi babies!". He can say "JD" too. When he reached in to touch the baby his hands looked so BIG all of a sudden! Eli reacted more like Wesley. He wants to constantly touch and check on the baby. He loves to rub his head and had probably kissed him about 100 times since he got home. When I fed JD in the living room I was swarmed. Hayden kept saying "baby's drink". Wesley wanted to know when he could have a turn feeding him. Eli wanted to sit right there on the chair with us.

Things were a little chaotic at bedtime when Hayden had to go sleep up with the other boys for the first time. Eli kept throwing stuffed animals into Hayden's crib and Hayden kept throwing them back out. Eventually everyone did fall asleep. Unfortunately, they were all up a little after 5 am this morning. I hadn't fallen back asleep after the 4 am feeding/pumping so that was a little rough. Hopefully it won't happen every morning. I was trying to cut out Hayden's morning nap (yes, he still naps in the morning...he is the only one who has kept it up so long) this week but he was falling asleep in his chair at lunch then only taking an hour nap in the afternoon. He was getting pretty crabby in the evenings, not his normal self at all. After the early wake up this morning I ended up giving in and putting him down for his morning nap anyway. So project "Eliminate Morning Nap" was a failure.

Off to feed the baby...

JD's Homecoming

Here are a few shots of JD's homecoming!!

At the hospital in his carseat...ready to go!

Welcome Home JD!!

Big Brother Wesley checks out his new baby brother!

Today's the Day!!

Just got a call from the doctor...his question to me: "Do you want to take JD home?" YES!! I think our previous preemie experience is working for us. The doctor basically said you know what to do so you can take him home. Jerry is going to take a half day and we'll pick little JD up around noon. I'll take pictures and post them later...just wanted to share the good news!!!!

2 Weeks Old

JD is two weeks old today! Hard to believe! He is doing a little better each day and has been taking more of his feedings...almost all actually. About 30 ml or so each day is all that is keeping him from coming home. He seems to have perked up a little in the last day or so and seems to be at least a little more interested in eating. Once he takes ALL his feedings for a couple days they will let him go...he is so very close. Yesterday's weight was 5 lb. 12.2 oz. Here is a picture:

New JD Pictures

Don't really have much to update since Tuesday, but here are a couple pictures I took last night:

JD Update

Don't have a picture to post right now...I'll try and take one later and add it tonight. JD is doing about the same. He takes half of some feedings and a few sips of others. Last night when I fed him at 9pm he was awake and looking around. I think he would have eaten better for me if he wouldn't have gotten the hiccups half way through!

The doctor said he was going to check his bilirubin levels in the morning because he is still a little yellow. Better than a few days ago if you ask me but the doctor said he just wants to be sure it is indeed on the way down. The hearing test was done and JD passed that. He has received his first immunizations too. Yesterday in the early morning they did his circumcision as well. The doctor told me yesterday to bring up the carseat so they can do the carseat study when JD is ready. So all his going home "business" is getting done. The doctor seems to think that one day (soon) JD will just start taking all his feedings and be ready to go home. Sounds good to me!

Things here at home are going pretty good. Roz had a meeting for the new DPHS code last night explaining the random drug testing, etc. Jerry went with her and after hearing how HOT it was in the auditorium and how many stupid questions were asked I was glad I didn't go! Wesley asks everyday about when JD can come home. The twins enjoy looking at pictures and we've had some pretty serious (for 3 yr. olds anyway) discussions about how belly buttons and umbilical cords work! Hayden even sees the pictures on the fridge and says "baby!" although I am sure he doesn't realize the baby will be coming here to live with him. Wesley says Hayden and JD will have a "baby sleepover" every night. Actually, I'm still not sure if we'll move Hayden up with the big boys or keep him down here with JD.

Jer and I came up with a plan last weekend to grill four meals worth of food on Saturday evening. We called it "Grill Fest". I have to say it has worked out pretty good! It is nice to come home from the hospital and not have to rush around making something. Plus it has been so HOT I really don't want to run the oven. We have also had several people from church volunteer to bring us a meal...thank you if you are reading this!

Knight in Shining Armor...and a Pirate too!

Jerry went up to the hospital this morning and I stayed home with the boys. They played dress up and puppet show. This picture of Eli cracked me up. He could barely squeeze the knight helmet on his head! It had to have hurt but he didn't want to give it up. Actually, he said he was a "giant" in an army not a knight but Wesley set him straight.Below Pirate Wesley sits with Sir Justus (minus the helmet that Eli wouldn't share).

Here Wesley does a quick puppet show at the Shown Puppet Theater.

Roz went to Packers Family Night at Lambeau last night. I'll have to check with her to see if she has any pictures to share. She had a good time and said the fireworks were LOUD. She got a big inflatable "We're #1" finger to wave. Maybe I'll take a picture of her with it to post later!

Bath for JD

When I went up to the hospital this evening I was able to give JD a bath. He really enjoyed it! Didn't make a peep the whole time. I was there when they weighed him also...he is still lingering at 5 lb. 6 oz. The doctor ordered to "fortify" his breastmilk today which means they will add a little formula to increase the calories. (Regular breastmilk is 20 calories per ounce, now he'll be getting 22 calories per ounce.) The IV has been taken out, so he is now getting all his nutrition by mouth (or feeding tube). They were going to be doing a few "going home" type things like a hearing screening and his circumcision in the next few days.

JD seems pretty sleepy most of the time. The nurses seem to think it is because of being slightly jaundiced and say he should wake up more as that goes away. He eats when he feels like it which is about half the time. Otherwise, he takes about half a bottle and then falls fast asleep.

JD getting his hair washed.

On the scale...relaxing!

All clean! (and the tail end of a sleepy smile.)

Update

JD is doing well. We did have a slight setback in the feedings yesterday (Friday). He is almost up to his goal of 45 ml (about 1.5 oz.) per feeding but is getting tired of all that hard work and seems to only want to take about 20 ml or so on his own. So yesterday they had to put down the NG feeding tube to finish his feedings. Hopefully in the next few days he will perk up a little and get back on track. The good news is the partial feedings he does take are going well. No choking or breathing problems like we had with Hayden.

The rest of the family has fallen into our usual NICU routine. I stay here in the mornings to take care of business and pumping every 3 hours. Roz is still helping out in the mornings and Grandma Linda has been here a couple mornings as well. Jerry visits JD on his lunch hour then calls me with a report. I head up after I get the boys down for nap and stay until I have to get home for dinner. Then one or both of us head up in the evening for a visit. Roz and her friend Maddy stayed with the boys on Thursday evening so Jerry and I could go up together. The boys had a blast...Roz played music (loudly I'm sure!) and they had a "dance party".

I don't have a weight yet today. Yesterday he was down to 5 lb. 5 oz. He should start gaining here real quick especially if he doesn't have to work so hard to eat. Here are a few pictures from yesterday before the feeding tube was put down. He is still a little jaundiced but not enough to require the bili lights.

JD hanging out with Mom.
He is such a mellow baby. I haven't heard him cry since he was born. I suppose that won't continue once he comes home! He does make a lot of silly faces though!

JD in his bed.
It is a "tradition" for Roz to make a little decoration for the bassinet. You can see her handiwork here. Everyone (especially the nurses) loves to check out the picture of the BIG kids.

JD on Wednesday

Who does JD look like today? He has changed a bit since Sunday and now I think he looks a little more like Roz did as a baby. Maybe it is his size since he now weighs 5 lb. 7 oz. and Roz was 5 lb. 8 oz.

JD is still doing really well with his feedings. They do things a little different now than they did with Hayden and the twins. I think it is better and more fair to the babies. They start them out trying the bottle sooner but with tiny amounts (5 ml or about 1 teaspoon) and slowly work their way up. In the past, they didn't even let them try the bottle and fed them by tube instead. Later, when they were deemed "ready" and started taking the bottle with over an ounce or even two which is a lot of hard work! This way they build up to it a little bit at a time. JD was taking about 13 ml (just under 3 teaspoons) and going up 1 ml per feeding. When I fed him he sucked it right down and would have taken more if I would have been allowed to give it to him! He also stops sucking to breathe which is where we ran into trouble with Hayden. Good work JD!

JD on Tuesday

Here are some shots from Tuesday. What a difference a day makes! JD is now in an "open crib" and wearing clothes. Hard to tell it is July and 90 degrees outside from the way they have him dressed! Also notice his feeding tube is no longer in place, he is taking all his feeding by mouth! This major milestone breaks all previous Shown preemie records! That makes Mommy VERY happy!

JD on Monday

Here is a picture of JD from Monday. I think he really looks like Hayden here.

Visitors

Here are some pictures from Sunday and Monday.

Wesley and Roz take a peek at JD on Sunday evening.

Wesley, Eli, and Justus visit on Monday morning.

Visiting Mommy on Sunday evening.

The Newest Addition

The Shown Family is happy to announce
the arrival of our sixth child and fifth boy
Jeremy Donohue Mahlon Shown
born July 29, 2007 at 12:00pm weighing 5 lb. 10 oz. and 18 3/4" long!

JD was born about 5 weeks early and is currently in the NICU at St. Vincent's Hospital. He is breathing on his own (only one day on the ventilator!), eating well, and doing great. The delivery was speedy and Shelly is recovering nicely. Roz was happy to stay the only girl and JD's big brothers can't wait for him to come home!

Here are a few pictures...