Monday, December 20, 2010
A long week
First an update on Emily, as some of you know already Emily had been very ill last week. She is feeling much better now, thanks to some antibiotics. To fill everyone in on what has been going on with us, on Dec. 9th Emily woke in the middle of the night as usual but this time was very fussy and just not herself, she felt very warm and had a temp of almost 101. She started with some cold symptoms later the next day and I just figured it was all related. Well the cold symptoms cleared up after a few days and the Fever even broke for part of a day, but then returned. After a few trips to the doctor and having her blood taken twice, the doctor needed to find the source of the fevers. Emily was now on her 7th day of fever. At that point the doctor checked a urine sample. It looked like Emily had a UTI (urinary tract infection) this was confirmed a few days later after a final culture was back. Emily was started on an antibiotic to fight the infection and since has been feeling much much better, her fever broke for good in the early afternoon on Dec. 16th (almost exactly 24 hrs. after starting the antibiotic).
Due to the concern for any underlying cause of the UTI some additional tests need to be done though. Next week we will go into Mercy Hospital for these tests. They are to check to make sure kidneys and ureters are functioning normal and no urine is refluxing up the ureters from the bladder to the kidneys. This urinary reflux can cause the infections sometimes, and with someone so young it is abnormal to get an UTI and we just have to make sure nothing else is going on. If this reflux is found it means a daily antibiotic for a year to help prevent infection and then the tests are done again at that point to see if the condition still exists. Most of the time kids have grown out of it after a year.
I am glad that Emily is feeling better, and we found the source of the fevers and were able to treat it. I am concerned about her though, and just hope that everything checks out ok next week. We have had our fair share of "issues" with our little girl, and I really hope we get a break on this...I would not change anything though, everything we have gone through has made us a stronger family and has made us love our little girl that much more and it really makes you realize how special little ones are. Truly a gift.
Emily is now 12 weeks old and changing every day. Emily is talking more and more, and has started to squeal a few times I think she may start to laugh any day now. She loves to read books, and gets very excited when we read together. She still loves music and also get excited when we sing to her. She is starting to reach out and grab onto things and will hold onto a toy for awhile. A few times she has even brought objects up to her mouth to suck on, and will put her pacifier back in her mouth when it slips out. She always has to have something in her mouth to suck on, you will usually find her with a pacifier, fingers, or blanket in her mouth. She knows who her mom and dad are, she is better about letting others hold her now but keeps her eyes on us at all times. She lights up every evening when Paul comes home and give him a big smile and tells him all about her day when he comes home. Paul has these little games that he plays with her and she loves them! Emily has always enjoyed bath time, but the last few times she has had a blast in the tub, she kicks and splashes and really gets moving in the tub!
We are looking forward to our first Christmas with Emily, and celebrated Christmas with the Jorgensen family this past weekend. Emily got to meet some family for the first time and had fun with her cousins. We will celebrate on Christmas Eve with my parents and immediate family and then plan to travel to visit Paul's family after Christmas. We are looking forward to visiting with everyone and feel blessed to have the best gift of all - our Emily.
Some pictures from the last week or two. Emily is about 10 pounds now by the way.
Due to the concern for any underlying cause of the UTI some additional tests need to be done though. Next week we will go into Mercy Hospital for these tests. They are to check to make sure kidneys and ureters are functioning normal and no urine is refluxing up the ureters from the bladder to the kidneys. This urinary reflux can cause the infections sometimes, and with someone so young it is abnormal to get an UTI and we just have to make sure nothing else is going on. If this reflux is found it means a daily antibiotic for a year to help prevent infection and then the tests are done again at that point to see if the condition still exists. Most of the time kids have grown out of it after a year.
I am glad that Emily is feeling better, and we found the source of the fevers and were able to treat it. I am concerned about her though, and just hope that everything checks out ok next week. We have had our fair share of "issues" with our little girl, and I really hope we get a break on this...I would not change anything though, everything we have gone through has made us a stronger family and has made us love our little girl that much more and it really makes you realize how special little ones are. Truly a gift.
Emily is now 12 weeks old and changing every day. Emily is talking more and more, and has started to squeal a few times I think she may start to laugh any day now. She loves to read books, and gets very excited when we read together. She still loves music and also get excited when we sing to her. She is starting to reach out and grab onto things and will hold onto a toy for awhile. A few times she has even brought objects up to her mouth to suck on, and will put her pacifier back in her mouth when it slips out. She always has to have something in her mouth to suck on, you will usually find her with a pacifier, fingers, or blanket in her mouth. She knows who her mom and dad are, she is better about letting others hold her now but keeps her eyes on us at all times. She lights up every evening when Paul comes home and give him a big smile and tells him all about her day when he comes home. Paul has these little games that he plays with her and she loves them! Emily has always enjoyed bath time, but the last few times she has had a blast in the tub, she kicks and splashes and really gets moving in the tub!
We are looking forward to our first Christmas with Emily, and celebrated Christmas with the Jorgensen family this past weekend. Emily got to meet some family for the first time and had fun with her cousins. We will celebrate on Christmas Eve with my parents and immediate family and then plan to travel to visit Paul's family after Christmas. We are looking forward to visiting with everyone and feel blessed to have the best gift of all - our Emily.
Some pictures from the last week or two. Emily is about 10 pounds now by the way.
Sleeping, during the day she will nap like this but still has to be swaddled tight at night to sleep.
Bath Time!
Emily also loves getting changed and dressed, here we are getting dressed after a bath.
All ready for Christmas at Grandpa and Grandma Greats house!
Putting the paci back in.
You know you are special when Noah gives you crusty :)
Noah playing with Emily. He is so sweet with her, he was tickling her in the top picture and singing to her in the bottom picture.
Emily and Eli. Eli loves Emily a little too much sometimes, but I can't wait until they are a little older they will have so much fun together.
Holding onto our book.
Ok, and now to try to upload a video again. I have another of her talking and one of bath time. I hope it works this time.
Monday, December 13, 2010
All Snuggled Up
That pretty much describes what Emily and I have been doing all day. Today marks the day that I should have returned to work after maternity leave, so I'm enjoying the fact I am home with my snugly little girl.
Emily has been sick all weekend with cold symptoms (cough, nasal drainage/congestion) and fever, I took her to the doctor this morning and everything checked out ok. Emily did have to have a blood test done to make sure everything looked viral, since she had a fever for so long just to make sure we were not missing anything. Everything looked good and we were sent home to continue doing what we have been and watch for a few more days. This afternoon Emily has really turned a corner and is doing much better. She still has all the cold symptoms but her temperature is 99-100 without any Tylenol (we were doing Tylenol every 4 hrs. over the weekend and it would only get down to 100.2 with Tylenol). Her fever broke a few hours ago and I think that has really made her feel better, she is much more happy and acting more like herself, but still needing some extra loving and protests whenever I put her down.
I have been trying to learn Photoshop with the help of my dad. I have been working on some photos today that I took last week and hope to have them done soon. It is taking me much longer than I expected to work on them and it really gives me an appreciation for the time intensive end products that I always took for granted from my dad. I need to get a finished product so that I can finish up my website with some images that I did. Once I get more familiar with Photoshop that will help speed things up some.
The last few weeks Paul and I have been trying SO hard to get a video of Emily "talking" to us, she has such a sweet little voice and will be cooing up a storm and then we pull the camera out and she either stops or starts to fuss at us. She seems almost startled by the camera at times and other times just stares at it, very quiet and still, trying to figure out what that thing is. Today I got her talking and then pulled out the camera (that I had ready and waiting at my side) and started the video. I think I got it! You can't see her the well in the beginning since its from the side and I could not really see what I was doing, but you can hear her and then I got her face some at the end. Please excuse the crusty nose from nasal drainage :) I will post some pictures from the last week too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jxzSf9JNGQ
I was not able to upload the video to my blog for some reason. Please use the link above to view.
Emily has been sick all weekend with cold symptoms (cough, nasal drainage/congestion) and fever, I took her to the doctor this morning and everything checked out ok. Emily did have to have a blood test done to make sure everything looked viral, since she had a fever for so long just to make sure we were not missing anything. Everything looked good and we were sent home to continue doing what we have been and watch for a few more days. This afternoon Emily has really turned a corner and is doing much better. She still has all the cold symptoms but her temperature is 99-100 without any Tylenol (we were doing Tylenol every 4 hrs. over the weekend and it would only get down to 100.2 with Tylenol). Her fever broke a few hours ago and I think that has really made her feel better, she is much more happy and acting more like herself, but still needing some extra loving and protests whenever I put her down.
I have been trying to learn Photoshop with the help of my dad. I have been working on some photos today that I took last week and hope to have them done soon. It is taking me much longer than I expected to work on them and it really gives me an appreciation for the time intensive end products that I always took for granted from my dad. I need to get a finished product so that I can finish up my website with some images that I did. Once I get more familiar with Photoshop that will help speed things up some.
The last few weeks Paul and I have been trying SO hard to get a video of Emily "talking" to us, she has such a sweet little voice and will be cooing up a storm and then we pull the camera out and she either stops or starts to fuss at us. She seems almost startled by the camera at times and other times just stares at it, very quiet and still, trying to figure out what that thing is. Today I got her talking and then pulled out the camera (that I had ready and waiting at my side) and started the video. I think I got it! You can't see her the well in the beginning since its from the side and I could not really see what I was doing, but you can hear her and then I got her face some at the end. Please excuse the crusty nose from nasal drainage :) I will post some pictures from the last week too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jxzSf9JNGQ
I was not able to upload the video to my blog for some reason. Please use the link above to view.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Family News and My Perspectives Photography :)
I am excited to announce (for those who don't already know) I have quit my job as a pediatric nurse. This decision came after alot of thought, discussion, and prayers. I never thought twice about returning to work before Emily came along, I was going to have her, stay home for 12 weeks and return to work. Once Emily joined us everything changed - for the better. I now could not sleep and night knowing that I was going to have to go back to work and leave her for almost 10 hrs. every day. My sister was going to be watching her and that made it sit better with me, I knew that family was going to be with her all day and even though she had to be away from me it was my sister - her aunt - watching her who I trust completely and I knew she would be very well cared for and truly loved. As the weeks ticked by it just got harder and harder knowing the time was coming all too soon where I would have to be away from my little girl. I shed many tears over knowing I was going to have to leave her...I would have done anything to be able to stay home with her and love her all day, but we have bills to pay.
Paul and I started talking and we had decided for me to go back part time, I was going to try and have 2 days off a week - but be flexible. My job previously had let many many other nurses work part time and change schedules to be more family friendly, so I never anticipated it to be an issue. I had gone as far as telling some family and friends that I would be going back part time (3-4 days a week) before it was even official. When I tried to work it out with my employer it was not possible. Due to the current staffing demands they really needed a full time nurse, so the next week after much more discussion and debate I turned in my resignation letter.
While deciding to go back to work part time, I had decided to start a photography business to supplement the income. I sat down one day and though about what I really enjoy doing and what makes me happy (besides holding Emily all day). I immediately knew taking pictures was the answer. For as long as I can remember I have been interested in photography. Some of my favorite memories growing up are helping my dad in the darkroom in our house on 8th Ave. And helping or playing in the darkroom at his office. If I wrote them all out this blog would be too long and you would all get so bored. In high school photography was offered as an elective, I signed up for every class I could. It was so relaxing for me to go out and just take pictures. I just had so much fun (and was so happy) during the whole process.
Over the last few years I have looked at nice cameras and just wished I could get back into photography again. Well now I am, so my idea for little supplemental income is now turning into a full time business. I have decided to become a Photographer. This will allow me to set my own work hours, and stay at home more. I want to specialize in maternity through childhood portraits. Paul and I had been remodeling part of our house which I had been annoyed that we were taking so long to finish - poor Emily needs a room. It has worked out perfect though, now we will be able to have part of the job finished as I want for a photography studio. It is not a huge area, but it will work perfect for portraits and it has an outside door so clients can come and go and not have to be in our main house. I can get the area set up just how I want to! I will also plan on going to clients homes to do portraits and have come up with some fun ideas that I hope will help get my business started. I know it will be slow going at first and things will be tight around the Braem home financially but Emily is worth every sacrifice. I keep telling myself something my dad said to us when we told them I was going to work part time and start doing photography. He said (based on much experience) that you will never regret the sacrifices you make now, to improve things for your child. It is so true, and I feel blessed that I am able to make this change to spend more time with Emily. I also have been so blessed that my dad has sat down with me and spent many hours looking at camera reviews, helping me pick out a professional camera to get started and has given me many tips and pointers along with hand me down supplies. And I look forward to many lessons to come :)
I just look at Emily now and instead of tears that I have to leave her all day I have tears of joy that I am so blessed and lucky to have an amazing husband that has been so supportive and while I was going back and forth with the issue he just flat out said to me "you are not going back". And supportive parents that I still look to for advice who have listened to me, and my dad especially who has helped me VERY much with the photography end of things. And my sister, she is a mom too and has been very understanding and supportive. I really felt bad backing out on her as daycare is her job and income for the family.
I have started my website so you will have to check it out. Nothing much up yet but everything needs to start somewhere. Eventually I will post all my client photos after a job to the "galleries" area and then clients will be able to order prints right on the website. I am very excited!
http://www.myperspectivesphotography.com/
Paul and I started talking and we had decided for me to go back part time, I was going to try and have 2 days off a week - but be flexible. My job previously had let many many other nurses work part time and change schedules to be more family friendly, so I never anticipated it to be an issue. I had gone as far as telling some family and friends that I would be going back part time (3-4 days a week) before it was even official. When I tried to work it out with my employer it was not possible. Due to the current staffing demands they really needed a full time nurse, so the next week after much more discussion and debate I turned in my resignation letter.
While deciding to go back to work part time, I had decided to start a photography business to supplement the income. I sat down one day and though about what I really enjoy doing and what makes me happy (besides holding Emily all day). I immediately knew taking pictures was the answer. For as long as I can remember I have been interested in photography. Some of my favorite memories growing up are helping my dad in the darkroom in our house on 8th Ave. And helping or playing in the darkroom at his office. If I wrote them all out this blog would be too long and you would all get so bored. In high school photography was offered as an elective, I signed up for every class I could. It was so relaxing for me to go out and just take pictures. I just had so much fun (and was so happy) during the whole process.
Over the last few years I have looked at nice cameras and just wished I could get back into photography again. Well now I am, so my idea for little supplemental income is now turning into a full time business. I have decided to become a Photographer. This will allow me to set my own work hours, and stay at home more. I want to specialize in maternity through childhood portraits. Paul and I had been remodeling part of our house which I had been annoyed that we were taking so long to finish - poor Emily needs a room. It has worked out perfect though, now we will be able to have part of the job finished as I want for a photography studio. It is not a huge area, but it will work perfect for portraits and it has an outside door so clients can come and go and not have to be in our main house. I can get the area set up just how I want to! I will also plan on going to clients homes to do portraits and have come up with some fun ideas that I hope will help get my business started. I know it will be slow going at first and things will be tight around the Braem home financially but Emily is worth every sacrifice. I keep telling myself something my dad said to us when we told them I was going to work part time and start doing photography. He said (based on much experience) that you will never regret the sacrifices you make now, to improve things for your child. It is so true, and I feel blessed that I am able to make this change to spend more time with Emily. I also have been so blessed that my dad has sat down with me and spent many hours looking at camera reviews, helping me pick out a professional camera to get started and has given me many tips and pointers along with hand me down supplies. And I look forward to many lessons to come :)
I just look at Emily now and instead of tears that I have to leave her all day I have tears of joy that I am so blessed and lucky to have an amazing husband that has been so supportive and while I was going back and forth with the issue he just flat out said to me "you are not going back". And supportive parents that I still look to for advice who have listened to me, and my dad especially who has helped me VERY much with the photography end of things. And my sister, she is a mom too and has been very understanding and supportive. I really felt bad backing out on her as daycare is her job and income for the family.
I have started my website so you will have to check it out. Nothing much up yet but everything needs to start somewhere. Eventually I will post all my client photos after a job to the "galleries" area and then clients will be able to order prints right on the website. I am very excited!
http://www.myperspectivesphotography.com/
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