Back to work

                

All reports from doctors and specialists continue
to be positive for this healthy little Camper.

There were many mixed emotions as I left for work this morning. The one that stood out was thankfulness...
...for 12 weeks to focus on my family and helping Logan get acquainted with how we do things in this world.
...for the wonderful and generous parents we have that will come to our house three days a week to love and care for our boys. I honestly am not sure where we would be today without them. How people afford daycare and get their kids packed up and out the door in the morning is beyond me. Well done to you - I know it can't be easy.
...for a job and co workers that I looked forward to seeing. But a part time job that will allow for good balance. I know not everyone has this luxury.
...for a contractor that kept the books in order while I was gone and didn't leave 3 months worth of work for me to catch up on (at least not that I have discovered yet).
...for the parents, grandparents, siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles and friends that came to visit or we were able to go visit during my time off.
....for a very healthy little boy.
....for insurance.

Beach vacation with Lynn's extended family.

Celebrating the Camps' 40th anniversary.

First trip to the Walker Art Museum with Auntie Ray

Chatting with cousin Ella. She has a lot to say!

I only lost it last night as I had some quiet quality time with Logan and when Nana helped him give me a pound at the window this morning. Wow-I didn't know one could love little beings that trash your house, your clothes, keep you up at night and prevent you from having much of a social life so much. I am also very aware of how fast these boys are going to grow up; its hard to not be able to watch every minute. 12 weeks was much better than the 8 weeks off I had after Ethan was born. That was so rough I was ready to turn in my resignation but ended up working part time. Please advocate for more paid time off for mothers. Not all moms want it but I think it is super important for moms to be with their babies as long as possible. (See NY Times - In Paid Family Leave, U.S. Trails Most of the Globe)

Even if I was home full time, Ethan is now attending this mysterious place called preschool. Though he tells me a few things about his day and we get weekly emails from the teachers - it is still mysterious because I am used to knowing what he is doing all day, everyday. I think he is loving it. He plays inside and outside, goes for a walk by our house, does a craft ('handwork'), has circle time (from what I can tell he never says anything when it is his turn to hold the 'amazing block' because he "doesn't want his teachers to hear him"), has a good snack and is home by lunch. I have already noticed his manners are improving, his imagination is blossoming and he is a little more independent.

Nature is his playground!

First day at preschool

Did I mention this big guy turned 3! 

Three mornings a week at preschool has allowed for some time to work on napping with Logan (his napping not mine) which is hit or miss each day, some quiet walks down to the lake and fun play time. Logan is discovering his hands and looks a bit like Dr. Evil when he is checking them out. He has a lot to say to the pig in one of his books, and is a superstar on his tummy. I think he is happy when Ethan comes home though. In fact, Ethan is one of my calming tactics when Logan gets a little worked up. That and taking his clothes off. The boys love each other. Logan always turns toward Ethan when he hears his voice and Ethan can't wait until his little brother is big enough to wrestle with. For now raspberries on his tummy will have to do.

Love from a very blessed family of four.

One month old

I know everyone always says this but I can't believe a month has flown by already. That said, our days at the hospital feel like a long time ago. Our little guy is still pretty little but weighed in at 8 lbs 4 oz at his checkup on the 22nd (that over is 2 lbs more than he weighed at birth).

We are still getting to know each other but here is what we have learned so far...

-Logan prefers to nap in a wrap or sling. I have stopped trying to lay him down for naps. We are going to work on sleeping in the crib at night first. The past two nights he has slept soundly in his crib from 10:00 - 3:30 without waking up so we are having some success there. I also need to work on sleeping - Logan's noises, my busy brain and the expectation that he will wake up any moment has been keeping me up. 

-He is extremely uncomfortable when he has a wet diaper and will make sure everyone knows about it until it has been changed. He also prefers to poop in clean diapers so we have gone through our fair share. Thankfully his belly button scab finally came off yesterday so we can use cloth diapers more. 

-He likes to be outside as he often calms down instantly when you walk out the door.

-Sometimes dishes clinking together wake him up - hence the pile of dishes that always seems to be by the sink. Yet the airplanes and Ethan's yelling don't bother him. 

The Grandmas are getting to know him too so they are ready to take over when I go back to work in 2 months. 

 
Ethan has been doing pretty well with the transition though there have been a number of melt downs for ridiculous reasons (probably due to being an almost 3 year old - or 2 and 11/12 as he likes to tell people - as well as the transition). One event led to quite a show for the neighborhood to listen to. I suppose that is something every parent of a 3 year old experiences. I am learning that if we have an activity in the morning that gets us out of the house and if I choose my battles carefully, we do pretty well. Nap time is a thing of the past as of this week for Ethan but he has taken well to quiet time. Today was my lucky day - he did nap...in his pillow case...with the pillow in it...in case he fell in the water. Though quite a challenge at times, Ethan provides so many smiles and laughs. The other day while he was thinking about how to answer a question he told us it was 'downloading in his brain'.

Sharing snack with friends from school that we
meet up with at a park on Fridays. 

Logan (top) on FaceTime with cousin
Ella (bottom).

We are all doing really well. Logan is getting good reports from all of his appointments - no effects from the stroke have been identified. Brandon and I are doing well and getting decent amounts of sleep. Ethan has transitioned relatively well. Thanks again for all of your encouragement, thoughts and prayers. 

Busy Week

The hospital is already feeling like a distant memory and we have only been home a week and a half. It is interesting to try to find a balance between resting as I know I am still recovering and staying active enough for an almost 3 year old. It was a treat to have Brandon home a second week so we tried to make the most of it.

Arboretum - one of Ethan's favorite places to go with
Oma and Grandpa.

Brandon and I celebrated our 9th anniversary on July 3rd.
Had to borrow parents car because Brandon's keys were
missing...later found in the trash. Home by 9:15 - we're old.

We went to my parents' cabin for the holiday weekend, stopping in Webster for a 4th of July parade. 

Sirens were too loud for Ethan and me.
Logan didn't seem to mind but dont worry folks,
he passed his hearing test. 

Fishing with Grandpa on the 4th!

Ringing the bell at the cabin to announce our arrival.

Ethan visited the Children's Museum with Oma and Grandpa
and is currently at a concert  with Nana and G-Pop.

Logan had his first appointment with the pediatrician.
I am wearing a gown because my shirt is in the dryer -
want to guess why? This picture makes him look tiny
but Logan weighed in at 7lbs 2.5oz, thats a pound more
than he weighed at birth. 

We continue to be thankful for the meals, snacks and company from friends and family. This week we have 5 appointments between me, Logan and Ethan. Between scheduling the appointments, starting to navigate the bills that are coming in with insurance and just figuring out how to care for two boys now that Brandon is back to work, I am thankful that thinking about dinner has not taken up much brain space. Thankfully our parents are still very available so I haven't been on my own too much yet. So far I have had just two occasions when I have been holding two crying boys. Any guesses as to how long it will be until all three of us are crying at the same time?

Love from the Camp Family!

A full day at home

First night on our own at home went pretty well. Brandon spent a few hours walking in circles around the kitchen with Ethan his first night so compared to that we were rock stars - tired ones. Logan preferred sleeping with Brandon to his crib. Between that and waking up three times to eat, we were not as bright eyed as Ethan when he jumped in bed with us at 6:45am. 

Breakfast as a family, a walk to the park and lake on a beautiful day, lunch with Oma and Grandpa, and dinner with Nana and G-Pop all made for a great first day at home. Naps and showers for Brandon and me while my parents held down the fort was also a plus. Ethan has been great with Logan, very gentle and helpful (sometimes a little too helpful). He had a few melt downs today that were a bit out of the ordinary as we all adjust to the new normal but I'd say so far so good considering his world just got rocked.

First of many family walks to the purple park.

I figured out how to use my new sling. I think
Logan will be spending a lot of time in it and he
seems to be ok with that. 

Hello G-Pop! 

It is fun to be creating new memories with Logan - soon they will outnumber those of the hospital and scary first moments of his life.

Here goes another night...
Lynn

We are home!

Ethan held Logan for the first time today. I think
he had been cautious when all the wires were still attached.
Ethan sure loves his little brother. He had a lot of energy
today that we are going to need to learn how to help him
channel for sanity and safety of us all. 

Goodbye Children's Hospital. Thanks for taking care of my little boy!

Wide awake for a visit with Oma and Grandpa. Nana and G-Pop
and a few neighbors came to visit as well. It was a beautiful day
so we were outside a lot. Logan seemed to enjoy it and didn't mind
the airplanes. 

The little man slept most of the day. You know
what that means...momma is going to be tired
in the morning. 

Thank you all for loving our family so much and sharing in the joy of bringing our precious Logan David home today. What is absolutely amazing is that we were sent home with no special instructions - just to care for Logan like we would any other newborn. The time he spent in the NICU helped him recover and now we will just be praying that his brain can reroute around the damaged areas. We have appointments with a neurologist in 2 weeks and another in 3 months but that is it. Our prayers and yours have been answered. Praise the Lord.

With love from a tired and very happy momma

A new day

No posts yesterday as it was a rough one for me. Two nights staying the NICU, not sleeping much will do a number on you. Plus I was disappointed when I found out we wouldn't get to leave on Saturday. Brandon stayed last night and fed him with a bottle which worked pretty well. Since 5am this morning he has not needed any supplements though the tube. By 3pm today all the cords and tubes were off and the doctors just want to see that he is able to keep up the good work for a day and thought he could leave on Sunday!

One happy momma and one sleepy head. 

It must be exhausting to have to put energy into eating instead of having someone fill up your belly for you as Logan has been sleeping a lot today. His facial expressions when he is sleeping are priceless. The challenge today and the rest of the night will be to keep him awake long enough to have a full meal and keep his weight up for his weigh in around midnight. Diaper changes seem to be the most effective at upsetting him and waking him up. 

Scooters at the rooftop garden. I think Ethan may
want to come back to the hospital just to play up here. 

I am outnumbered by these handsome boys. 

Love, 

The Happy Camp Family hoping to post pictures from our home tomorrow. 

Baby Steps

The IV line came out of Logan's belly button today
and he gets to wear clothes and start regulating his
own body temp. Brandon couldn't decide if it is more difficult
to dress a 3 year old or a newborn.

Logan has smiled a number of times - I think this is the first one
to be captured. 

I spent the night with Logan last night and we had some good success nursing, he eats a little more each time. Our nurse Rose reminded us that after having a brain injury, a few minutes nursing can be exhausting so we shouldn't be discouraged that it is taking him a while to get the hang of this. We can be encouraged rather that he is making progress each time. Logan has been sleeping soundly all day today so I think he is resting up, preparing to keep me up all night and practice so he can show those nurses and doctors that he is ready to go home.

A couple days ago I had thought that Tuesday was a possibility for going home (funny...I generally tend to be more pessimistic). Now it is looking more like Saturday is more realistic. Ok - enough narrative...pictures are better.

I found the pictures of Oma cheating and holding Logan for the first time. 

Loves cuddling with his daddy. 

Rooftop garden at the hospital - a haven. I have really been missing
being outside. 

I love you too buddy.

Lynn