More complications

We found out yesterday Jonathan has a lobe in his right lung that has collapsed. Ironically enough, he seems to be doing better. He has awake times where he seems quite responsive and he is eating. He still has labored breathing and requires oxygen. And of course, to top it all off, Raegan woke up this morning with her eye swollen, "Mama, I have a pink eye."
Here is a picture of Jonathan taken yesterday during one of his awake times. That is the face he makes when he is content. :) Such a cutie!

Did I ask if things could get worse?

Well, Jonathan has developed pnuemonia. Poor little thing! He is taking two antibiotics, so hopefully that will help him get better sooner. They told me he will be in the hospital for a week to ten days from today. It looks like we are in for the long haul--and he is in for an even longer haul. Right now he is still on oxygen--1.5 liters and has an iv. He did eat almost 40 ml's of formula last night, and that is a good sign. Please keep those prayers coming!

In the ER one more time

OK so this is the fourth time we have been in the ER since December. I was in two times, Raegan once, and now it's Jonathan's turn. Poor little guy. He has RSV. He will be in the hospital for a few days. At least he is not coughing so much. And he is resting peacefully. He is on oxygen and an iv. He will get to go home when he is eating normally (which he is not doing--eating, that is) and when he can keep his oxygen levels up on his own. I have no idea how he got RSV. He wasn't held that much, we didn't take him hardly anywhere. Raegan was only allowed to touch the top of his head or his feet. We used hand sanitizer and washed our hands incessantly. HOW? Of course, I have a cold, so I am sure I was the one to give it to him.

I learned something about babies I did not know. They do not breathe through their mouths. The only breathe through their noses which is why having a cold is so dangerous for them. If their nose is plugged, they can't breathe. And that is Jonathan's problem. When we got to the ER last night, his oxygen level was at 66%. It makes me absolutely SICK to think what would have happened if we had waited even until the next morning to do something. I felt like I was in a movie--or maybe the show ER. When the triage nurse measured his oxygen, (which score I did not know at the time) she said "Follow me." The next thing I knew, my little baby was on a big white bed in the ER with about 10 people around him doing a so many things. The nurse was talking to me in such a calm voice and I wanted to scream, "WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH MY BABY?" They talked about so many possibilities and even mentioned a spinal tap to check for spinal meningitis. I felt like I was going to pass out--I think I was having a relapse from my surgery reaction. Anyway, the test results came back positive for RSV. At least we know what is wrong now and just have to wait for it to run its course. He is still having labored breathing and that is a problem. They also said this RSV could trigger asthma. I am praying he not have any side effects from this virus. I am so thankful he is in such good hands. I am not as anxious now that I know what is wrong.

So sorry if this seems like I am rambling. I haven't slept much in the past few months and it shows. Thanks to everyone who is praying for our baby. He will get better soon.

Raegan Loves Her Baby Brother

Here are a couple pictures I really like.

Recovering. . .

Well, it's me, Jennifer. Jonathan is 8 days old and is the best baby any mother could ask for. This is his schedule: he eats, is awake for 10-15 minutes, falls asleep and then sleeps until his next feeding. The only time he cries is when we need him to wake up to eat. Eating is really the only problem we are having with him. He is not gaining weight like Dr. Mike (his pediatrician) would like him to, so I am having to supplement with formula a little bit. It's disappointing--I wasn't sure before Jonathan was born if I would nurse or not, and things went well in the hospital, so I was excited and thought things would be different. Don't they say, "Every pregnancy is different.?" Well, I am having deja vu--things are going just like they did with Raegan. I just don't produce enough milk or it's just too hard to get out. He falls asleep every time I nurse him, and that is one of the "warning signs" that something is wrong, according to the instructions I got from the hospital. Pumping does no good. If I pump, then there isn't anything for him at the next feeding and he ends up eating more formula. The plan is to nurse as much as I can until the milk runs out. Wish me luck!
As far as the c-section goes, I am healing pretty well. I did get a urinary tract infection, and that was painful. I got dressed today, did my hair and actually had to put on make-up because my nice pregnancy mask/tan is gone. My incision is doing great--I am down to two ibuprofen every six hours. My dr. did a great job--how thankful I am to have had such a great dr. Having a c-section was not my favorite experience. There is nothing like looking up into the reflection of the lights and seeing a HUGE hole in your body--TRAUMATIC! That trauma combined with post-partum hormones does not make for happy time, but this too, shall pass. :)
I had such a WONDERFUL nurse--thank you, Brooke. I really don't think I would have handled the c-section as well if she weren't there. She was there in pre-op, during the operation and afterward. She did an awesome job on my iv--I never felt it. What a blessing to have such a talented professional to attend to my needs and be there for me!
My neighbors, friends, family and ward members have been so supportive. We have eaten like pigs, and it is MUCH APPRECIATED. Poor Blake, here he is trying to lose weight and we are getting these DELICIOUS meals catered every night. Speaking of losing weight, I must say I put on a normal shirt today and it felt GREAT. Next step, normal pants. That may take awhile. I've lost 22 pounds so far, only 21 more to go. . . Can't wait to get back to the gym, but that will be another seven weeks--actually six weeks and six days. :) I AM SO THANKFUL TO NOT BE PREGNANT ANYMORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not sure if I will do this again, but that will all depend on what Heavenly Father has in store. If my instincts are correct, there is another child there, but I can't even begin to think about doing this all over again. That's at least a year, probably two, down the road. Right now I am just going to enjoy this little angel sent from heaven. I had no idea that things could be this good with a new baby. And he is BEAUTIFUL.

Baby Jonathan Has Arrived

Well, Jennifer is trying to take a quick rest before feeding time, so I thought I would send out a quick update. Jonathan was born on Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 12:54pm. He was 8lbs 13oz and 21.5 inches long - it's a good thing we scheduled an early C-Section. [The nurse just wheeled the little stinker in and we're attempting to feed].

Everything has gone well so far. I watched the surgery and was surprised I didn't pass out - I'm not good with blood. Raegan is missing mommy and can't wait for her to get home with the baby. Both Jennifer's parents and mine have been helping out a lot and we are grateful for that. We'll be in here a couple more days and probably head home.

Here are a few pictures. I'll let Jennifer post more later.

Jonathan coming soon!

Well--they scheduled my c-section yesterday. Jonathan is making his entrance on Thursday, February 12th at 12:30 pm. Right now he is about 7 pounds. I would be having another 9 pound baby if I went full term, so I am really glad I am going to have this baby 9 days early. Yippee! I've never had surgery in my life, so I am a little apprehensive but not too much. Just as long as I don't feel anything at all during the surgery, I'll be okay. I'm not looking forward to recovery, but Blake will have two weeks off from work, so that will be nice. Fourteen days and counting. I can't WAIT.