John Turns One

Can you believe it has been a year since John came into this world? Times flies when you're having fun...or changing diapers and washing bottles. We tried to use John's first birthday as a way for us to show our thanks to all our friends and family for the love and support they gave us beginning with my extended hospital stay and during John's birth and hospitilization. We hope everyone that came had a good time. The birthday boy was on his best behavior. He slept through the whole thing.

In lieu of presents we requested that people bring donations for University Hospital NICU. Everyone was very generous. We took alot of blankets, sleepers, and $150 to the NICU. They appreciated the goodies at the hospital very much. We saw the neonatologist that was in the delivery room when John was born and some of the nurses that took care of him in the NICU. I tried to get a picture of John with Karla, one of the nurses that we have a picture giving John one of his first feedings. But, John did not want to let her hold him. He smiled and waved at her but would not go to Karla so I could take their picture together.

John is learning to eat solid foods, although reluctantly, and trying to stand up. He can say mama, dada, eeee--iiii (Eli), Out (Scout the dog), and nononononono (no I really don't want another bite.) Thanks to watching Eli play baseball, John is practicing his overhand throw with hotwheels.

We are so very proud of Eli for his latest report card. He had straight As and S+ for conduct. Eli has started spring baseball and is getting his exercise! Lord willing our family plans to spend Spring Break in Alabama with our families. We also look forward to a fun filled baseball season. Eli is excited about camp this summer and vacation with Grandaddy and Granny. Lots to do!

I hear John waking up from his nap so I better go upstairs before he jumps out of his bed. It is going to happen any day now.

Holidays and a New Year

We have had alot going on since we lasted posted on our blog.  Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and Eli's birthday have all come and gone.  John's birthday is next.

This year we decided to stay home (our residence in Georgia) for Thanksgiving instead of going home (Alabama).  This was a first for us.  Since we moved to Georgia almost eight years ago we have spent every major holiday with our families back in Alabama.  However, the family dynamics have changed.  We have John.  He does not like to be strapped down in the car seat, highchair, or anywhere.  John can scream at the top of his lungs for a very long time.  So, for everyone's sanity we invited our families to come to our house for Thanksgiving.

Jason's parents came and we had a good time.  Eli loves spending time with all of his grandparents.  He has told me that he is not getting married because he is moving in with Granny and Grandaddy after he goes to college.  John also  got plenty of Grandaddy and Granny time while they were here.

This Christmas was special.  It was John's first Christmas. We all had a good time watching him play with wrapping paper, bows, and boxes.  He really didn't care about what was in the boxes.  We also got a new addition to the family this past Christmas.  Eli got a dog.  Her name is Scout and she is a Jack Russell terrier.  This dog has taken over. She stayed inside at Jason's parent's house.  John and Scout fight over toys.  There is not one of John's stuffed animals or plastic toys that has all of its appendages anymore. The good part is that  she eats those pesky Nerf gun darts of Eli's that I used to find all over the place.  Scout also chews up one sock of each pair she finds.  It has been quite an adjustment having a dog in the house but the boys really enjoy having a pet.

Eli is doing well in school. He made the A honor roll and was in the school spelling bee.  In January Eli got to meet some of the Atlanta Braves players at a signing.  Baseball season is right around the corner! Eli started his own little business making duct tape wallets. He has sold quite a few of these! He and Jason  have also been working on the car for his Cub Scout Pack's Pinewood Derby. They hope to have a repeat performance of last year's first place prize.

John will turn one on February 20th. He had his first ear infection last week but overall he is a very happy, healthy baby.  John is babbling, trying to follow his big brother around, yelling at Scout, and trying to crawl.  We are very blessed.

Daddy and Eli helping John open one of his presents.

I'm happy!

Cute little puppy.

John likes the dog.

Eli and his new best friend.

The rope is John and Scout's favorite toy.

Eli got coveralls for Christmas.

Eli and Luke getting Braves' autographs.

John did not know what to think about Homer.

It's been a long time...

Wow!  It's been a long time since we've posted on our blog.  Jason and I have been busy taking the boys to and fro to doctor appointments, baseball practice, and Cub Scouts. 

It is hard to believe that Eli is in the third grade and John is seven months old!  John is growing and developing at a good rate.  He weighs about sixteen pounds now.  A man at church told John the other day that his mama must be feeding him fertilizer!  He likes to eat often and alot just his big brother!  John loves attention and he smiles most of the time.  He likes to play in the exersaucer and Johnny jumper.  He can sit up by himself for a few minutes and can roll over when he wants to.  John gets very excited when Eli comes home from school.  Eli is good about playing with John and watching out for his little brother.

Eli is playing fall baseball.  This is his first time to play in the kid pitch division.  We're in the big leagues now!  The boys can steal bases and Eli is not afraid to run!  Eli's team gave him the nickname is "Zoom Zoom" because he can run fast.  He has stolen alot of bases and scored several runs for his team.  Eli likes to play catcher, too.  He is doing a good job!

It is that time of year again! Popcorn sales for Cub Scouts has officially begun. Eli is serious about his popcorn sales! He has been on the phone to all of our friends and relatives, cornered everyone after church services, and pounded the pavement in our neighborhood. Eli works hard to earn the "cool" prizes like Swiss army knives, flashlights, and other gadgets that Scouts accumulate.

Eli is excited about his new pushmower.  It's new to him.  Our neighbor put it out at the road for the trash because he was tired of fixing it.  Eli had been saving up for a lawn mower so that he can earn money mowing yards.  Eli asked our neighbors if he could have it and they said yes.  So, after several parts and a more than a few dollars  Jason and Eli have the mower running.  He looks like such a big boy pushing that thing! We are proud of Eli wanting to work and earn his own money. 

Jason and Eli have been following the Braves this season.  They went to a game at Turner Field in July and had a good time.  Now it's football season and they are watching Alabama when the games are televised.  Eli enjoys discussing the Bama team with fellow Alabamian Jeremy Bailey.  Guess how many Alabama shirts Eli has?  At last count he was up to ten.  I am sure he will manage to acquire a few more this winter thanks to Granny (Jason's mom) and Papa Randy. 

We had a few birthdays recently.  I turned thirty five in August and my niece Kelsi turned seventeen in September.  Jason's nephew, Chase, will turn eight October 11th.  Mom and Randy had their 12th anniversary in September and on October 5th Jason and I will be married for fourteen years.  We shall celebrate by attending a youth baseball game at Patriots Park and eating a sandwich at home afterward.  Ha ha!

Below are some recent pictures and an old video of Eli.  Enjoy!

We are so proud of our boys and thankful to God.  He has blessed us abundantly! 

Cooing, Cousins, and Camp

This summer has been full of activites!  On the last day of school Eli had an awards ceremony where he earned several awards.  Eli made Granny proud by getting the Speediest Mathmetician Award and  made his mamma proud by getting the most Reading Counts points in his class.  He was also voted the Class Bookworm.  Eli  also made the A honor roll for the year.  Jason and I are very proud of Eli's hard work this year.
Eli's spring baseball season is over.  He made a couple of home runs, a few triples, and batted some runs in.  Eli enjoyed playing catcher and the outfield.  The boys on the Appling team have come a long way since last year!  The last few games had some very exciting plays.
John is doing great!  He likes to eat and be talked to. He is cooing and smiling alot. At his last checkup John weighed 12 pounds 1 ounce and was 22 inches long.

The month of June was packed with activites.  Eli went to baseball camp at Harlem.  The highlight of his week was learning to bunt.  We went to Alabama for Vacation Bible School at South Cullman.   Jason's dad had surgery that week and we are thankful it went well and he is healing at a speedy pace.  Then my nieces Haleigh and Lydia came back to Augusta with us to spend a week.  We had alot of fun playing games, getting haircuts, eating, reading, and listening to Lydia's vivid imagination run wild.  Haleigh was such a big help with John!  This week Eli, John, and I are in Russellville, Alabama.  Eli is attending Rustic Youth Camp.  We are enjoying the fellowship, wonderful singing, and making new friends.  However, I will be glad to get back home and in a routine again.  

Happy Birthday in July to Randy, Lydia, Wendy, Granny Margie (she'll turn 70), Wally, Vira, Calee, Lance, and  Aunt Doris.

Family Reunion

Since John was born we have been going out in pairs. When I took Eli to ball practice last Friday he told me that he wished that his daddy could come with us.  But that he knew daddy had to stay at home with John.  I told Eli that that we planned on all four of us going to church on Sunday together.  "Like a family reunion!", was Eli's reply.  John did go to church this past Sunday.  We were glad to worship as a family for the first time in over two months.

John is growing at a good pace.  At his last doctor visit he weighed 6 pounds and 9 1/2 ounces and was 18 1/4 inches long.  Eli is growing, too, and will be as tall as his mamma soon!
 
Below is a picture of John in his carrier this past Sunday and a couple of pictures of our Alabama boys. 

One Month

John came home again from the hospital last Saturday, March 9th.  He is maintaining his body temperature and gaining weight!  John is beginning to stay awake a little longer between feedings and look around. 
He turned one month old this past Saturday.  We are so thankful for all the prayers that were sent up for John and our whole family. 


Eli had a Cub Scout  pack meeting this past Thursday night.  He earned a gold arrow point and three silver arrow points for completing 40 electives over and above the Wolf Badge requirements. What a great job!
Eli's Appling/Harlem baseball team also had their first practice this week.  All of us parents agreed that the kids had showed alot of improvement since the fall season!

Below are pictures of Eli receiving his arrows, John's first bath at home, and John's one month old picture.

John's homecoming

Last Thursday, March 4th, John's neonatologist called and asked if we wanted to take John home.  Of course we did!  John was doing great.  He was maintaining his body temperature and eating enough.  I rushed out to get a new car seat (we were going to use the seat we used with Eli but did you know car seats have an expiration date?!?!) and some preemie diapers.  We got home before Eli got off the bus from school.  He heard John crying and you could see in Eli's face how excited he was that his little brother was home.  Jason's parents were still in town helping us out so they got to spend time with John at home. 

John did very well until this past Monday night.  He was spitting up alot and did not want to wake up or eat.  Tuesday I took John to the pediatrician.  His body temperature was low and he was admitted to MCG Hospital.  They did bloodwork and a spinal tap on our little baby.  The doctors suspect an infection but have not been able to pinpoint the cause of John's symptoms. John seems to be perking up after being treated with antibiotics but his temperature is still a little low.  Mom and Randy are here with us now. We pray that the doctors will find out what is causing John's sickness that he can go home a healthy, happy boy.

Making Progress

John is doing well.  He has gained about an ounce.  John is eating about 1 1/2 ouces every four hours.  He takes this four times a day from a bottle and two times a day with the feeding tube.  Jason and I are able to give John his 10am, 2pm, and 10pm feedings.  Granny and Grandaddy came back from Alabama this week to help us out.  Granny has been able to hold John and love on him.  Grandaddy is still feeling a little under the weather and has not been able to meet him yet.  One of John's doctors called today and said that he may get to come home in a week or so, as soon as he is able to eat 2 ounces a day.  Eli is still trying to patient while waiting to meet his little brother. We are so thankful for all the prayers that have been sent up for John! We will continue to pray that he matures enough to come home soon.

John is one week old

One of John's nurses, Karla, feeding John a bottle and John in his big boy bed.

John is a week old today.  He has done so well and we know that is the power of prayer that has helped John grow stronger every day.  Yesterday John was put in a regular crib.  He seems to rest better now that he is in a regular bed and is wrapped up with blankets. For the past two days we have been allowed to hold John for quite a long time. Today the nurses increased his feedings again and removed his IV.  He is fed through the feeding tube every three hours but twice a day John is encouraged to take his food from a bottle. Somtimes he is able to get a little more than half down with the bottle.  Today he took all of one feeding from the bottle.  John gets to wear real clothes now!  We had one preemie outfit that was Eli's.  Jason changed John into this outfit today and I held John for one of his tube feedings and changed his diaper. We are so thankful that John is progressing.  We pray that he will be able to come home soon. Eli really wants to meet his little brother!

Eli's Big Race

The day of Eli's Cub Scout Pinewood Derby Race I went into labor with John Curtis.  Eli has been looking forward to this race for a year.  Before coming to the hospital Jason and Eli had to finish the car.  After that Jason dropped Eli off with our neighbors, the Glaze family, and came to be with me.  Eli went to the race with the den leader.  Our Eli won 1st place in his den and 1st place overall with no family there to root him on. We have no pictures of the actual race or Eli receiving his trophies.  One of the moms sent me a FLIP video of the awards that I can't figure out how to save. Jason's parents and my mom came that evening and took some pictures of Eli with his awards.  We are so proud of Eli!

John Curtis is 5 days old

John Curtis is 5 days old today and is showing progress.  He has been under a light for jaundice for 3 days and they expect to to turn it off tomorrow morning.  John is not on IV fluids anymore and is trying to learn to eat from a bottle.  Right now alot of his feeding are still coming from a feeding tube. John has a temper and when it is time to eat he lets everybody know.  He has lost a few ounces this week and gained back a few.  John's weight is about 4 pounds 2 ounces. The nurses call him "Big John" because he is the biggest baby in his room right now.

We have been able to hold John. The first time he did not seem to like it very much.  Now he snuggles up and seems very content to be held by mamma and daddy.  We are so thankful to be able to hold our little boy.

Eli really wants to see his brother but children under 12 are not allowed in the hospital and only parents and grandparents are allowed in the special care nursery.  Eli drew a picture for John Curtis and is looking for a stuffed John Deere tractor to put in John Curtis' crib.  

We put a special blanket over John Curtis' bed to block out some of the light and noise of the NICU.  This blanket is 52 years old.  My great grandmother Cecil Wells made it for my dad when he was born.

We are so thankful for all the prayers for our little boy.  Please continue to pray that he will grow strong and be able to come home soon.

John Curtis is born

Friday night I went into labor.  The monitor did not pick up my contractions and it took me until 7:00am Saturday morning to convince my nurses that I was contracting, in labor, and dilated.  John Curtis was born Saturday at 10:37am.  He weighed 4 pounds 6 ounces and was 17 inches long.  He let out some cries and was a good color.  Because he was early John Curtis was taken to the NICU.  After looking at his blood gases the neonatologist decided that he needed to be on the ventilator for a while.  John Curtis was taken off the ventilator this morning and is breathing on his own.

Blessings of Friends and Family

My team of doctors have decided they will induce labor around 34 weeks if nothing happens before then.  Today the baby is 32 weeks and 5 days gestational age.  We are trying to hold off labor so that little John's lungs will  mature as much as possible.  Hopefully around the first of March we will be able to hold a healthy baby boy in our arms.

This hospital stay has been difficult for me but Jason and Eli visit me every night.  We do homework and Eli will get in the bed beside me to watch Dirty Jobs.  It's almost like being at home!

Jason is such a wonderful husband.  He calls to check on me several times a day and spends as much time as possible at the hospital. Jason is doing a great job taking care of Eli, doing laundry, and bringing me whatever I need.  I thank God for Jason every day. 

We are blessed with wonderful neighbors.  Eli goes to the Glaze home in the mornings until the bus comes.  Then he gets off the bus at the Watson's house. On early release day last week Eli went home with Kenny Coleman. We appreciate everyone's willingness help out our family.

We are thankful for all of our friends, family, and Christian family who have done so much for us.  The members at Dibble Rd went in and bought a beautiful plant that every nurse, doctor, and visitor comments on when they come to my room. 

One of the greatest blessings from our friends has been the food they have provided for Jason and Eli. Kerry Powlas had Jason and Eli over for her wonderful lunches. April Gaiffis sent casseroles home with Jason that he could freeze. Jason's work buddies have been bringing food for Jason and Eli. The McCords made chili for Jason and Eli. The Goodnights brought a lasagna last Sunday afternoon, the Floods sent a spinach lasagna this week, and the Deevis family sent tacos and brownies

I really should not get bored.  Betsy Glaze, Jessica Bailey, Kerry Powlas, the Goodnights, and Connie Reid have made sure I have plenty of books to read and puzzles to solve. Sylvia McCaskill let me borrow some movies. The Watsons brought me a neat math game.  The Reids gave me a cute ladybug cup with flowers that I can't kill (haha). Kerry & April also brought me a basket of goodies that included chocolates, cute socks, and a nail file that was sorely needed.  Amy Smith brought me a bag of great odds n ends like cards, candles, lip balm, a journal and more cool stuff.  Mary Hickman gave us a beautiful print of South Boundary Street in Aiken.  She knew I had been looking for that!

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We are thankful that many people have been praying for our baby's safety and health.  We have received many cards from people at South Cullman church of Christ in Cullman, Alabama and many cards from people at Dibble Rd.  Also several people have called, sent emails, and messages.  We appreciate the people that have come to visit.  Being with friends and family makes my day brighter.Michele Earnhart, Kerry Powlas, April Gaiffis, Connie Reid,Dan McMahan. and Betsy Glaze have all visited a few of times.  Other visitors I have not mentioned include Dwain and Brenda McMullin, Jerry and Susan Zipperer, Marlin and Stephanie Goodnight, Lori Engle, and Kathleen Trigg,

Psalm 23:5...my cup runneth over.

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Sonogram pictures of John Curtis

These are some of the sonogram pictures of John Curtis. Don't feel bad if you can't make them out...sometimes I don't know what I'm looking at either! 7 weeks, 16 weeks, 21 weeks, 26 weeks, and 30 weeks.