Sunday, October 29, 2006
Corn Maze Walk
On Saturday, the recently enlarged Hurt-Rahn family undertook its first family outing to the local pumpkin patch. Upon our arrival at the patch, we noticed a corn maze beckoning us from across the field. The seven of us set out to conquer the suprisingly complex maze. We initially let Griffin navigate the twists and turns of the maze, but eventually all took turns guessing which corridor would lead to victory and freedom. Blake faced the greatest hurdles during our challenge as he tried to steer through the crevices and broken corn stalks with the stroller, it was quite amusing. After roughly half an hour, we emerged from the corn maze and returned to the picturesque pumpkin patch. Griffin and Calder seemed to enjoy touching the pumpkins and posing for pictures, but Carson at only three weeks of age was unhappy with his parents decision to needlessly remove him from his dad's chest and unzip his jacket for pictures. Carson repeated his displeasure through various cries and gasps and he was quickly rebundled to his satisfaction. The sun quickly dropped down behind the west hill and we returned to our dwelling for an evening of pizza and breastfeeding....by the babies of course.
On Saturday, the recently enlarged Hurt-Rahn family undertook its first family outing to the local pumpkin patch. Upon our arrival at the patch, we noticed a corn maze beckoning us from across the field. The seven of us set out to conquer the suprisingly complex maze. We initially let Griffin navigate the twists and turns of the maze, but eventually all took turns guessing which corridor would lead to victory and freedom. Blake faced the greatest hurdles during our challenge as he tried to steer through the crevices and broken corn stalks with the stroller, it was quite amusing. After roughly half an hour, we emerged from the corn maze and returned to the picturesque pumpkin patch. Griffin and Calder seemed to enjoy touching the pumpkins and posing for pictures, but Carson at only three weeks of age was unhappy with his parents decision to needlessly remove him from his dad's chest and unzip his jacket for pictures. Carson repeated his displeasure through various cries and gasps and he was quickly rebundled to his satisfaction. The sun quickly dropped down behind the west hill and we returned to our dwelling for an evening of pizza and breastfeeding....by the babies of course.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Cousin Lori and Carson Father v Son Stare Down
Cousin Joe and Carson Self Worship Time
Fun Pics of Carson
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Carson Gets A Workout
Carson and parents finally arrived home this past Friday. As would be imagined, the completed journey brought a sense of relief to all. Carson is settling in well to life without any real routine at this point. He does fairly well at night, but likes to go back and forth between being able to sleep in his cradle alone and needing to be in someone's arms. This only becomes a challenge at 3AM when mom or dad want some sleep.
On the medical front, we continue to receive good news. We had our first well baby check up yesterday. Although it took longer than expected, Carson passed (if you can pass this sort of thing) with flying colors. He weighed in at 10 lbs 8.75 ounces, it won't be long before he hits 11 pounds. They did draw some blood for a PKU test and to check his Phenobarb levels, the medicine that was originally prescribed to treat any seizures he may have experienced during those scary few days. The phenobarb level in his system is now down to a level that is almost inconsequential. A range of 10-30 is considered therapeutic and his score came in at 11.5, down from 26 last week. The drop in his level is attributed to his increased size and growing out of the dose. The good news is that because the impact of the dose is now so minimal and we are not seeing any of the episodes that kept us at the hospital, we are closing in on a day when he can be phenobarb free. We are looking forward to that day!
The video I attached shows our evolving family room and Carson getting used to some tummy time. Have no fear, he is not suffocating at the end of the video...I assure you. You can see the monstrous oxygen tank that sits in our living room and get a glimpse of how the tube that sits below his nose impedes his movement from time to time. All in all, Carson is doing great and we are ecstatic that the events of the past two weeks are fading into our distant memories.
Carson and parents finally arrived home this past Friday. As would be imagined, the completed journey brought a sense of relief to all. Carson is settling in well to life without any real routine at this point. He does fairly well at night, but likes to go back and forth between being able to sleep in his cradle alone and needing to be in someone's arms. This only becomes a challenge at 3AM when mom or dad want some sleep.
On the medical front, we continue to receive good news. We had our first well baby check up yesterday. Although it took longer than expected, Carson passed (if you can pass this sort of thing) with flying colors. He weighed in at 10 lbs 8.75 ounces, it won't be long before he hits 11 pounds. They did draw some blood for a PKU test and to check his Phenobarb levels, the medicine that was originally prescribed to treat any seizures he may have experienced during those scary few days. The phenobarb level in his system is now down to a level that is almost inconsequential. A range of 10-30 is considered therapeutic and his score came in at 11.5, down from 26 last week. The drop in his level is attributed to his increased size and growing out of the dose. The good news is that because the impact of the dose is now so minimal and we are not seeing any of the episodes that kept us at the hospital, we are closing in on a day when he can be phenobarb free. We are looking forward to that day!
The video I attached shows our evolving family room and Carson getting used to some tummy time. Have no fear, he is not suffocating at the end of the video...I assure you. You can see the monstrous oxygen tank that sits in our living room and get a glimpse of how the tube that sits below his nose impedes his movement from time to time. All in all, Carson is doing great and we are ecstatic that the events of the past two weeks are fading into our distant memories.
Monday, October 16, 2006
Carson Takes Time out of his Busy Schedule to Visit Mom and Dad
This is actually footage associated with the first pictures I posted from Carson's first visit. I tried to post a video of Carson's first real bath, but I think that YouTube rejected my video because I had a naked baby on there....I guess the regulations are tough for a good reason. The video captures Carson's favorite moment of the day, when he is filled to the brim with breastmilk. He really is quite the feeder, I don't know how Trish does it. Women really get the raw end of the deal with child rearing, first they have to go through the pregnancy and give birth (which is much more than I can handle) and then the cruel job of nonstop newborn feeding sessions. I imaagine that Carson's caloric intake is a little higher than most newborns judging from his most current weight of 9 pounds 11 ounces. He experienced the normal post birth weight dip down to 9 lbs and 1 oz and since then has been chowing down with an all you can eat buffet attitude which has led to his current weight.
We are/were scheduled to discharge on Tuesday, but it actually may wind up being Wednesday or Thursday. The doctors we see have conflicting opinions regarding whether or not he should be monitored another day or two. We'll know more in the morning. It's hard for us, but we are taking the attitude that we will eventually be home and when we are we will have the faith that Carson is 100% healthy. Stay tuned, more posts to come.
This is actually footage associated with the first pictures I posted from Carson's first visit. I tried to post a video of Carson's first real bath, but I think that YouTube rejected my video because I had a naked baby on there....I guess the regulations are tough for a good reason. The video captures Carson's favorite moment of the day, when he is filled to the brim with breastmilk. He really is quite the feeder, I don't know how Trish does it. Women really get the raw end of the deal with child rearing, first they have to go through the pregnancy and give birth (which is much more than I can handle) and then the cruel job of nonstop newborn feeding sessions. I imaagine that Carson's caloric intake is a little higher than most newborns judging from his most current weight of 9 pounds 11 ounces. He experienced the normal post birth weight dip down to 9 lbs and 1 oz and since then has been chowing down with an all you can eat buffet attitude which has led to his current weight.
We are/were scheduled to discharge on Tuesday, but it actually may wind up being Wednesday or Thursday. The doctors we see have conflicting opinions regarding whether or not he should be monitored another day or two. We'll know more in the morning. It's hard for us, but we are taking the attitude that we will eventually be home and when we are we will have the faith that Carson is 100% healthy. Stay tuned, more posts to come.
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Carson's Night at the Spa
On Saturday night, we gave Carson his first real bath. Of course, he had a bath within a few hours of birth, but this was the first one that mom and dad took part in. As you can imagine, Carson reacted quite strongly to the first squirt of water on his head with a shriek of a cry. His little baby crying continued as we washed his face, head and body, but when we were finished, he mellowed out quite a bit. To raise his body temp, the nurse put him under a heat lamp with the towels around him that you see in the picture here, so Carson received the hospital's version of spa treatment. Upon departing the spa, Carson spent the next few hours sleeping away. On Sunday, Carson basically gorged himself on breastmilk all day. He is now weighing in at 9 lbs 11 ounces and you can tell that his body is starting to change. We are still set for a Tuesday discharge, we will keep out fingers crossed that this event takes place, but if we are not ready then we will do what is best for Carson and hang out a few more days. Thank you for all of the positive enery, good thoughts, and prayers.
On Saturday night, we gave Carson his first real bath. Of course, he had a bath within a few hours of birth, but this was the first one that mom and dad took part in. As you can imagine, Carson reacted quite strongly to the first squirt of water on his head with a shriek of a cry. His little baby crying continued as we washed his face, head and body, but when we were finished, he mellowed out quite a bit. To raise his body temp, the nurse put him under a heat lamp with the towels around him that you see in the picture here, so Carson received the hospital's version of spa treatment. Upon departing the spa, Carson spent the next few hours sleeping away. On Sunday, Carson basically gorged himself on breastmilk all day. He is now weighing in at 9 lbs 11 ounces and you can tell that his body is starting to change. We are still set for a Tuesday discharge, we will keep out fingers crossed that this event takes place, but if we are not ready then we will do what is best for Carson and hang out a few more days. Thank you for all of the positive enery, good thoughts, and prayers.
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Those of you that have not yet met our mighty fighter, might enjoy a glimpse of Carson waking up from his daily power nap. Here is the young boy in all of his glory.
Friday, October 13, 2006
Carson, Mom, and Dad hanging out in their room
Carson continues to improve each day, which is a great relief to us all. His new trick is to make a mess in his diapers right after we have changed him into a new one, I swear that he is laughing at us as he messes each fresh one. Today we were all in for quite a treat when we were allowed to have Carson visit our hospital room for 45 minutes. We didn't even have to have Carson hooked up to his monitor! Learning to live monitor free is going to be an adjustment because as maddening as the monitors can be, we have learned to live with them as our security blanket. The three of us had a grand ole time pretending like we were out of the hospital and at home settling is as a new family of three. Of course, our room at home does not have a view of the Seattle skyline and Olympic Mountains. Carson spent the majority of his time napping in preparation for what will most likely be a night of short sleeps sandwiched between lengthy breastfeeding sessions.
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