How Grace is Doing

Our little peanut is two weeks old, and she's doing great!

To recap the last two weeks, the doctors were concerned at our first appointment because Grace had dropped more than 12 ounces since birth. All babies lose weight after they're born, but this was a bit more than they'd have liked. They told us to wake her every two hours to feed her, then the following day the instructions were to continue with that plus supplement with formula. Waking a sleeping, satisfied baby to try to get her to eat is ridiculously difficult, and after about two days of that we'd had enough. We needed to do what would work for us and for Grace. So we let her sleep, but filled her little tummy to the brim whenever she would eat. At the next appointment, she had gained four ounces -- enough to let us avoid a fourth doctor visit until a week later.

In the meantime, we set an appointment with a lactation consultant at the hospital so we could check to make sure Grace is eating well. While we were there, the consultant noticed some redness and swelling on Grace's chest, and was concerned enough to send us to our pediatrician that afternoon. The pediatrician was concerned enough to call back to the hospital for a consult with another doctor. That doctor (who, incidentally, had spent the day reading about the exact symptoms Grace had) was concerned enough to recommend that we come back to the hospital and have Grace admitted for two days so they could give her antibiotics via an IV. Apparently newborn babies don't have the immune system developed yet and they don't have the barriers between body systems that older children and adults have. So, for example, if they get an infection in their blood, it could spread easily and quickly to their lymph system, nervous system, brain, organs, etc. Given this explanation, we completely agreed with the doctor's recommendation. After a quick trip home for a few essentials, we went immediately to the hospital. Grace did so well, surviving the IV in her hand and several blood draws via a poke in her foot. And, after two days, the redness had completely gone and the swelling was significantly reduced. The hospital released her, and she's now on an oral antibiotic for several more days to finish off the infection.

We don't recommend five doctor visits and a two-day hospital stay within the first ten days of a baby's life, but if it should happen to you, we do recommend Providence Everett Medical Center and the Everett Clinic. The doctors and nurses there were great during Melinda's pregnancy, Grace's delivery, and the stay last week.

So what now? Well, we're home, trying to get some sleep between feedings and diaper changes. Vic is back to work and Melinda is establishing a pattern for her days with Grace. Thanks to all who sent their congrats, brought food, prayed, helped, and encouraged. We like our little girl a lot and can't wait to introduce her to you!

Announcement

Tomorrow, Tomorrow

So, Grace, tomorrow is your big day. Your papa and I will call the hospital first thing in the morning and they will (hopefully) tell us to come right in and start the induction process. They use an IV drip and something like a cricket bat, we think. Anyway, we don't know how long it will take, but we can't wait to meet you in person. In the meantime, we've got our waiting-for-baby kit, complete with distractions (movies, books, cards, computer), snacks (fruit, meat, cheese, cookies, pasta with browned butter and sauteed sweet peppers -- the usual), and comfy clothes and shoes for pacing the halls.

We know you like your current home, and you're afraid you won't get ice cream again anytime soon, but come on! It's sunny in Seattle -- trust us, that's awesome. So you have to come out before the rain comes back. Or you can talk.

Your bed is ready, fun blankets and cuddly socks await, and there's a giant stack of diapers with your name on it. And there are a lot of people counting on you. So step up, take the stage, and let the birthday party begin!

Love,
Mama & Papa

No Baby

Just an update to let everyone know -- no baby yet!

We've Got a Backstop

We were going to call it a "drop dead date" but, while that term works well for work-related due dates, it just seems inappropriate when discussing the birth of a new baby. So instead we're calling it a backstop. We'll go to that date but no further. The doctor says if Grace isn't born before next Saturday, August 2, we'll give her a little nudge (or a large shove) that day.

In order to allow their doctors to have a life outside of work, the hospital maintains a rotating schedule. There's no guarantee that the doctor you've been seeing all along will be the one to deliver your baby. But we've really enjoyed our doctor, and he'll actually be on call at the hospital August 2, so we're happy about that possibility. Of course, if Grace is born in the week between now and then, we'll be happy about that too!

In the meantime, would you be praying for some relief for Melinda's restless legs/arms syndrome? Around here, we refer to it affectionately as "crazy legs" but it's not quite so affectionately referred to when, despite being exhausted, Melinda can't sleep because her legs want to get up and go running. If you happen to be driving around Kenmore at midnight and see us out for a walk, don't be surprised. (And please don't honk hello -- you'll scare us to death and wake up the neighbors.)

Crazy legs aside, things are going well and we're enjoying the beautiful sunny weather we've been having in the Seattle area. We just look forward to bringing Grace out into it...

(Don't forget to comment on Grace's middle name in the "We're Taking a Poll" post below.)

Waiting for Grace

Just a quick update to say that our little peanut has apparently decided she isn't quite ready to face the world yet. She's not officially due till next Sunday (July 26) but the doctor says it could pretty much be anytime now. In the meantime, you can help us -- see the post below and submit a comment to help us decide on her middle name.

Melinda

We're Taking a Poll

As mentioned in our last post, we're still working on a middle name for our little peanut. We have three options in mind, and are open to new ideas too. What we're hoping for is some feedback from all of you. What thoughts or feelings do these three names evoke?

(And no fair giving the thumbs-down on a name just because it reminds you of an old girlfriend who dumped you or the lunch lady who wouldn't give you extra helpings.)

One more thing... we ask that if you're going to leave a comment on one name, you comment on all three. Otherwise, it's not really an accurate comparison. Thanks! And again, feel free to suggest a name you think should be up for consideration.

Without further ado, here are the names:
* Grace Elizabeth Lipsey
* Grace Amazing Lipsey
* Grace Victoria Lipsey