back to work

I returned to work today after spending 2 weeks at home with Tekla. I missed her horribly (and Greg) while I was working. The pictures above is what I found when I got home.....  

Tekla is our first baby, so we have been learning on our feet. We've been reading and listening as much as possible. One book I've been reading is "The Baby Whisperer".  Great book. I recommend it to all new parents. While some of the authors tips are great, you have to apply them to your situation. We find ourselves having to take into account that Tekla is premature and shouldn't be here yet, but she is acting much like a normal 2 month old. 

Nothing..

...to post about today, just had to share this picture. 

Thoughtful

During this busy time and life adjustment, we (Tekla) has received lots of gifts. All of them very appreciated and put to good use. Two of the gifts that arrived really stood out, not because of the gifts, but because of the cards that were attached. Both were addressed directly to Tekla: 

First on was from Greg's uncle's brother:

Tekla,

Here is a little something to remember your first holiday season with your Dads, Greg and Phillip. Always remember how much you were wanted and how much you are loved and by so many. 

-Love Howard

The next is from a dear friend in Atlanta:

Tekla,

Congratulations on your arrival. You have two wonderful, loving and caring fathers. You are a very fortunate little girl. 

-oxxxx Ken

Needless to say, these made it directly into the scrapbook. 

Oh Happy day!!

Finally...

My daughter doesn't have to grow up in the world without knowing that this world can change. So much that a man such as Barack Obama, just a few decades ago couldn't sit at the same counter with whites, now he is president. 

Hopefully this day will be a day for all us to look back upon and applaud, regardless of who we voted for. A day where real change began and the vision for equality for all quickened its  pace. 

First visit to Doc.

Tekla has now been home 5 days. Most nights have been great. There have been a couple of nights where, for whatever reason, she was very restless, which made me restless, but overall she is a great baby. Although we have done our best to prepare our selves for her care at home, it seems we are still learning on our feet. 

Some of the things we've learned, and things we've questioned:

1/ She will tell us when we are not giving her enough in her bottle

2/ You can never have 2 many extra bottles

3/ I hope the dishwasher doesn't quit working

4/ How can such a little girl have so much laundry?

5/ Why does it take 2 grown men to bath one 5 pound baby?

6/ Where are we going to put all of these clothes? She is only 2 months old and she has more clothes than I do. 

Today we went to visit the pediatrician for the first time. Everything went great. Tekla enjoyed her ride in the car and visit, except the vaccination part, but she didn't even put up much of a fuss with 3 shots. 

She is now 19" long and 5 pounds 12 ozs. She returns in 2 weeks for weight check. 

Home again Home again,

Here's the wonderful news... 

Princess Tekla was discharged yesterday and is now at home. She was putting on a show yesterday in her going home dress as you can see from the picture. 

We are so excited!!  I'm on baby duty for 2 weeks, then it is Greg's turn. 

Now I need a nap....  

Parents, please don't let your children eat this....

Ok.. fun filled weekend. Our dear friends, John and Peter, Rob and Steve had a shower in honor of Tekla. The shower was originally planned back in December, but got postponed for obvious reasons. 

The party was great, featuring a terrific cake..

Fun, silly games including who could finish a "drink" out of a baby bottle the fastest... I hate to admit this, but my jaw hurt afterwards, and I didn't win. 

Another game we played involved tasting various flavors of baby food and trying to guess what they were. Some of them were tolerable (pears) but the absolute worse, the one that Greg called 'baby calf poop" was number 6. We discovered later that this was broccoli with carrots and cheese. I beg you... please don't feed this to your young... if you do, you should be investigated for child abuse. 

We loaded up with fantastic useful gifts and finished off the evening with my car be decorated. We got a lot of stares on the way home. 

Sunday we attended yet another baby shower. This was a combined shower with another physician that Greg works with.  Again, a great time, but a baby shower with a bunch of gay

 men can't be beat... I highly recommend them! 

Tekla is now 5 pounds 7 ozs and 17 3/4 inches long. We should have some big news tomorrow!!  I can't post about it or it will get jinxed!!

Disappointed

As I posted before we have begun to get ready to bring Tekla home from the hospital tomorrow. Unfortunately this is now on hold. Tekla began having bradycardia (slow heart rate) and apnea (no breathing) episodes Tuesday night. She has had these in the past, but usually corrected in just a few seconds (5 - 10). The last 2 nights she has required "stimulation" from the nurse to correct these. Both episodes have occurred about 4 am.

I've been heart broken the since yesterday. I so much want her home with us. Guess I'm being selfish. I know the best place for her is there in the hospital where she can be monitored closely, but I know all the risk of being in the hospital.

Looks like it will be next week sometime before she comes home.

What's wrong with these pictures???

... anyone notice the feeding tube is gone??  

I apologize for not updating sooner... but the last few days have been a whirlwind of activity. We started off by Tekla pulling out her feeding tube on Saturday. She is now totally on bottle feeds and doing great! She also had her car seat challenge on Sunday which she passed with flying colors. Today she had her head ultrasound which was normal (did I mention she passed her hearing test last week?) Greg has to take his CPR course tomorrow night (my certification is good, neener neener, neener.... ) and Wednesday is her follow up eye exam. 

All this is leading to one thing..... she will be coming home this week!!!  It looks like Friday is the tentative discharge date so keep your fingers crossed. 

oh... I almost forgot... she now weighs 4 pounds 12 ozs.