Welcome to PARENTING...

Most things in our lives come with an instruction book/guide.  The car has a manual and before we drive a car we even get a “learner’s permit”. We must study and pass a couple tests before we are allowed to legally drive. The microwave, the television, the cell phone, the stereo – they all come with instruction manuals. But what about parenting? Before our son was born, Stephen and I tried to prepare ourselves for each month of pregnancy (milestones, what to plan for at each appointment, etc.) and then eventually the birth. After Grady was born however, everything we had read and felt like we understood was put to the ultimate test. How tight is a diaper supposed to be, in order to prevent leakage, without squishing their internal organs up into their throat? What's the best way to suction a stuffy nose, without your child screaming as though you're sucking the brain right out of their skull? How do other parents deal with having to change their work attire, immediately after putting it on, after their child has projectile vomited in a manner seen only in horror films? Though I greatly suggest reading the "What to Expect..." series, I must also give credit to the numerous Bible verses that I have recited (like a personal mantra) in the times when I felt lost or the most inadequate in my role as a parent...

Psalms 127:3-5 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

James 1: 2-8 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds...let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Ecclesiastes 7:8 The end of a matter is better than its beginning...

Colossians 1:11 ...Being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience...

 

Parenting is truly an adventure, filled with teachable moments (for both ourselves and our children)... struggles and triumphs... and I wouldn't want to be on this journey with anyone else (Stephen). I thank the Lord everyday for a man who truly loves and understands me and who is the greatest father I could hope for, for my son. Already, this journey has been fast and furious but, we've enjoyed every moment and plan on enjoying many more to come!

Hooray, Hooray... Grady is 1-Month old today!

It's official, our little man is already 1-month old... Oh my, this first month has gone by fast! We've already seen and experienced so many changes in him and are eager for all of the exciting milestones that lay ahead.

(Happy 1-Month Grady!)

Home Sweet Home...

After spending his first week of life in the hospital, Grady was finally discharged from the hospital with a clean bill of health. The antibiotics did the trick - eradicating whatever infection was at work in his little body - and, he proved to be a very healthy little boy at his two week follow-up appointment with the pediatrician. Thankfully, we were able to treat the infection before it was able to take it's nasty effects on his little body. We greatly appreciated all of your thoughts and prayers while we were in the hospital ~ God blessed us with amazing friends and family and we're so thankful to have you all in our lives!

In the past few weeks, we've been able to get adjusted to living as a family and have developed a routine (which, no doubt will change frequently, and without warning, as our little man grows and develops!) We have enjoyed our time at home together before I head back to work on the 11th and Steve heads back on the 15th, at which point Grady will begin daycare with Mandy B. We were fortunate enough to find a daycare provider who lives just a few houses down from us and who has a small group of kids with which Grady will no doubt have a great time with as he gets older! Both Steve and I feel confident that Grady will be well taken care of and have no fears/anxiety associated with going back to work and leaving our son with someone else. Actually, we both sort of look forward to getting back to a more structured schedule and taking on the challenge of balancing our careers and our new/growing family!

 (Spending time relaxing with mommy and daddy)

 

 (Enjoying a nap, all warm and cozy, during the blizzard on Monday)

This past weekend, my good friend Nicole and Mckenzie teamed up to throw a baby shower brunch here in Beulah. It was held on the Saturday before the "big storm" and it could not have been a nicer day for baby shower... sun was shining, temps i the 40's, no wind... a rare day in ND indeed! It was such a CUTE event ~ the decorations were absolutely ADORABLE (Little Man/Mustache) and the food was DELICIOUS! It was a small gathering of friends/colleagues and Grady received some really wonderful gifts. Nicole and McKenzie did such a great job and everyone had a great time!

 (Grama Christi, Mom, Grama Jill)

 (Some of the ladies who came to Grady's "Brunch/Shower")

(Among other wonderful gifts, Grady received a little something for those 'black tie' sort of affairs.. Hah)

(Nicole and McKenzie - THANKS LADIES!)

Grady Leonard Elkins...

On Friday, February 8th we welcomed our precious baby boy into this world. Grady Leonard Elkins was born at 2:58 pm, after nearly 24 hours of labor, perfect in every way to his 'couldn't be happier' parents! But, the process of meeting him wasn't a simple journey; nor would going home be... Because mom had some issues with maintaining stable oxygen levels and heart rate, Grady also suffered the same issues. The medical staff was right on top of these issues and were able to alleviate/stabilize them quickly each time they occurred. Also, mom was 'ruptured' (rupturing of the amniotic sac; waters breaking) for an extended period of time and Grady needed to have a few blood tests performed before leaving the hospital with a clean bill of health. Once the amniotic sac ruptures, the baby is essentially exposed to the environment and the longer the time between this occurring and baby being born there is an increased chance of the baby developing an infection (of a variety of types). On Sunday, Grady and mom were discharged and allowed to go home on the condition that we return to meet with the pediatrician on Monday morning and have another screening done to monitor some levels that the staff found to be a little "off." Grady's blood was taken again Monday and a CBC, band count and a blood culture was performed. The CBC counts the different types of cells in the blood; an elevated white blood cell count signals an infection as these cells play a specific role in the body's immune system. The blood culture is a test used to find a bacterial infection in the blood and the band count puts a number to the amount of neutrophils within the blood. These cells, again, have a specific role within the immune system. An elevation of the band count is not necessarily specific for infection, but may be secondary to inflammatory processes, metabolic abnormalities, etc. After this round of testing, Grady had an elevated WBC count and an elevated band count. The pediatrician made the decision to admit him immediately to the children's hospital and start him on a round of antibiotics. Grady didn't show any obvious symptoms of being sick but, with newborns sometimes that can be very difficult to "see" in the patient so, most often they treat whatever the lab reports show. The only way to administer antibiotics to newborn is via IV at very low doses, so he needed to receive these treatments in the Sanford Children's Hospital. After a few days of being on fluids/antibiotics, Grady began showing improvement in his blood screenings and on Wednesday morning we received some good news from our doctor on rounds. Grady's cell levels were back in the normal range and he would only need to continue with the antibiotics for a couple more days to ensure that whatever bacteria was in his system was flushed out completely. We should, assuming that these levels stay normal and we don't develop any other issues, be discharged on Friday the 15th. That will have been a full week of being in the hospital for both Grady and mommy. Grama Jill has been staying with us in the hospital, cuddling/spoiling Grady and helping mom in more ways than she knows! We cannot fully describe how eager we are to reunite with daddy at home and finally get a chance to settle in. We must extend a thank you to each and every one of you that were thinking about us during our recovery and adding us to your daily prayers. There is no doubt that we were being looked-after by a higher power and continue to be as we recover. God is good!

Every body tells me I look 'just like my daddy' :)

Proud Grama Jill and Grampa Bob; 

Grama Christi and Grampa Gary are eager to cuddle me at the end of February!

Sanford Medical Center Announcement - We rate them 5 STARS as we had the best RNs/CNAs to take care of us during our stay - THANK YOU

Eagerly Waiting, Great Anticipation...

We had our 39.5 week check-up today; along with our third ultrasound. My doctor wanted to get an idea of how big the baby was, as I have consistently measured greater than the number of weeks. This is due mostly to the positioning of this little peanut; he or she prefers to stay close to the front of my body and stick his/her little butt out. Everything, all levels and measurements, is/are normal... baby is estimated to be about 7.5 pounds (but of course, this is hit or miss... could be off by a pound or so in either direction). My doctor is confident there will be no problems with the delivery and is thinking I will be ready to go any day now. IF this little one decides to host a 'sit-in' we're scheduled to be induced on the 19th. She doesn't think we'll have to wait that long however, and I am definitely hoping she's right! Everything is ready for this little one to make their grand entrance into this world... We've got our fingers crossed it's sooner rather than later :)

I hope those pudgy cheeks have dimples!....

 The nursery is stocked and ready to go!... 

...12 Days! (Maybe more, Maybe less?)

We had our 38 week check up yesterday afternoon and were pleased to hear that the baby is doing just fine AND things seem to be moving right along. Though the doctor won't say I am necessarily ahead of schedule, things seem to be progressing and in reality it could be any day now. (But, in the same respect, it could be another 3 weeks from now... Ahhh, the waiting game). We have another appointment next week for an ultrasound. Right now, it seems as though the baby is gaining weight rather quickly and we need to make sure just how big he/she really is. The doctor is confident I will be able to deliver just fine, but she'd like to know what to expect from this little rascal first so we can prepare for what's to come. We'll keep you posted as we know more - thoughts and prayers are appreciated in these last few days/weeks as we eagerly anticipate the arrival of our little one! :)

Coming SOON...