Category: Parenting

This is the area dedicated to our grand experiment of raising children. Check here for grand adventures, trials, and wonderful mistakes.

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Parenting

NICU Update

After charming all of the NICU nurses with his chubbiness, Jacob went on a fun ride through the hospital this afternoon. Mom and Dad were waiting for a room to open on NICU Bays 4 or 5, in order to have a private room with Jacob, rather than a small curtained off area in Bay 3. An opening came along and Jacob packed up all his things (okay, so the nurse packed them up). He was wheeled through the halls – sleeping all the way – and now resides in his new home, which acts as a transitionary bay between NICU and home.

The move was prompted by his good health and continued improvement. A glucose test earlier in the day came back within the range of normal infants, and allowed him to come off his IV. Hooray for one less cord! Well, not really, as the cord is still there to administer antibiotics (currently happening at press time). Jacob continues to put on the ounces (currently 7 lbs, 11 oz), and is making friends with the new nursing staff.

Mom and Dad are doing well also with Elise surviving her first full night with Jacob.

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Parenting

The Degen grandparents visit Jacob

The new Degen grandparents!

The Degen grandparents made the trip down right away and enjoyed seeing their brand new grandson. While Larry had to zip back to the Twin Cities, Mary has been helping us out around the house and occassionally coming in to visit.

The new Degen grandparents!
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Parenting

Jacob Progress Report

Mother and baby are doing well. Jacob has a small lung infection which is very treatable and normal. As a result the doctors have him on EKG, IV, and breathing tube. The breathing tube in his nose helped get a little more oxygen in his lungs as he was taking short rapid breaths. By Wednesday he was using the room air mixture through the tube and by that afternoon, it was taken out.

His breaths continue to get deeper and more relaxed. He is on a 7 day regimen for antibiotics which means he will stay in the hospital until Tuesday. After some work, Jacob got his sucking perfected and is starting to eat quite a lot. He loves to sleep and is definitely a hard sleeper: the nurses took some blood when he was asleep and he never even woke up when they pricked him!

Elise was officially discharged this afternoon (Wednesday). There are no available family rooms currently in the NICU, so we are on a waiting list. Currently, Elise will be staying at the hospital with Jacob while Dad travels back and forth to classes, work, and the NICU. Thankfully, the NICU has a family lounge, shower area, and small kitchen to make the stay a little more pleasant.

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Parenting

Jacob Arrives!!

Jacob Fredric Werth

At long last the moment hath arrived. We have a new addition to our family: Jacob Fredric Werth. Elise started having contractions on Monday morning and went in to the hospital. She was only 2-3 cm and so the staff told her to go home and not to work. She stayed at home and contracted until we decided to go in that night at 11 pm. After being monitored and contracting a fair amount, we were still at only 3-4 cm. So at 2 am (Tuesday morning) we went home to sit. After a few hours, and not so fun contractions, we headed back in at 5:30 am. After arriving, the babies heart rate was a little on the low side and Elise was severely dehydrated. As a result, Elise started looking like the bionic woman with a variety of cords coming out from her as the staff filled her with water, sugar, and some minor drugs through an IV.

After a few hours, Elise was at 8 cm and we were moved to the labor room. At 11 am (with our doc getting off at 12), Elise started to push and 50 minutes later out came Jacob. He was 20 inches in length and weighed 7 lbs and 9 ounces. He has slight difficulty breathing (which is currently getting better), so he is spending his time in the NICU. Mom did a great job and is already up and walking. Check out the attached videos and pictures:

Video Links:
Elise’s Greeting
Room with a View
Jacob in NICU

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Parenting

Is this it?

We are headed in to the hospital tonight (Monday 11:30 pm ish). The next time we come home we may have a new family member! We’ll keep you posted.

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Parenting

Waiting…

We’ve been receiving various inquiries as to the status of the baby. Needless to say…we are wondering as well. It still just seems to be hanging out and moving around. After a snow day today, it continues to be happy where it is. More updates to come 🙂

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Parenting

High Chair Pooh

Pooh doing a great job testing out the newest gear.
Pooh doing a great job testing out the newest gear.

Pooh has been getting around lately. He’s been acting as our newborn stand-in to ensure the feasibility of our new gear. Here he is testing out the new high chair/booster seat.

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Parenting

Nursery Tour

After months of slow preparation, all is in order for the baby. The car seat is installed, the crib is assembled, and the changing dresser awaits. And the UPS lady is dropping of the diaper pail liners as I type. Here’s the mini tour of the new nursery:

(click here if the video doesn’t load)

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Parenting

Diaper Sprayer

As we gear up for the cloth diaper experiment, Elise found a sprayer online that attaches to a toilets water line. The premise is that you can spray off any nasty stuff. Well, not wanting to spend $50 on a glorified kitchen sink sprayer we decided to build our own. After learning (the hard way) the difference between fitted iron plumbing (FIP) and compression we finally got all the items we needed. Granted it took us three days and four trips to Menards. However, approx. $20 later and many hours of frustration we finally have the Poop Sprayer!

(click here if the video doesn’t load)

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Parenting

Due Date

FYI: The baby’s due date is January 22nd.