The baby is coming in the room with me in a few minutes with some monitors. I had to sign a waiver so that he can room with me overnight tonight. Most women in Peru don't want that. Anyway, he is doing great still. All tests, so far, look good. They are running a complete metabolic screening to test for metabolic issues or diseases. I am confident that will be fine. The dr. thinks this episode was a rare, freak thing and is likely to NOT happen again. We are scheduled to go home tomorrow a.m. unless a problem arises. Thanks for your prayers! Turning the computer off for the day. I need to get some rest and focus on Miles now that he will be here with me constantly (YEAH!!!). Love and hugs to you ALL!!! Your prayers have made all the difference.
One VERY tired Momma of 5 and daugther of The King - Jess!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
So far, so good!
I just love this baby! He is so precious and I can't help but just want to spend every second doing nothing but looking at him. UGH! He is amazing in every way.
Okay...so tests results of the heart were completely normal. The brain results were mostly normal, but showed something called "shine" (not sure about the translation of that) in his ventricals. The doctor said that could potentially be something, but we need to have a repeat ultrasound in about a month or so with a neurologist.
They are going to run some kind of metabolic test tomorrow to rule out one more thing. I didn't understand "what" they are looking for since it was Spanish medical lingo. He will be observed for one more day, but can actually stay in the room with me tomorrow and tomorrow night. They said if everything continues to go well and there are no more episodes and a good blood test result then we can go home on Thursday morning; just in time for Jenn to arrive!
Thank you for your prayers. I can't wait to have him in the room with me tomorrow.
Okay...so tests results of the heart were completely normal. The brain results were mostly normal, but showed something called "shine" (not sure about the translation of that) in his ventricals. The doctor said that could potentially be something, but we need to have a repeat ultrasound in about a month or so with a neurologist.
They are going to run some kind of metabolic test tomorrow to rule out one more thing. I didn't understand "what" they are looking for since it was Spanish medical lingo. He will be observed for one more day, but can actually stay in the room with me tomorrow and tomorrow night. They said if everything continues to go well and there are no more episodes and a good blood test result then we can go home on Thursday morning; just in time for Jenn to arrive!
Thank you for your prayers. I can't wait to have him in the room with me tomorrow.
Update
Miles is still in the NICU, but seems to be stable. He is not in an incubator or on oxygen anymore. He is on a monitor for his oxygen levels and heart rate. His oxygen does dip at times. He is a GIANT in the NICU compared to the other babies. We are still waiting on his tests to be performed. They are doing an ultrasound of the head and heart. The nurses have done a great job of calling me to nurse and hold him when he is hungry or fussy. The nurses here are very, very kind. Please keep praying. I really am just filled with hope that this will all turn out to show no abnormalities. I just posted pictures on Facebook if you want to see them. Thank you all for your concern, love, prayers and friendship!
Miles
They are taking Miles out of the incubator, but keeping him in the NICU under observation for at least 2 more days. His oxygen goes a little low at times, but he seems to be doing fine the majority of time. They are going to do a head and heart ultrasound. They think the heart enlargement is just from the x-ray and not an issue. The dr. feels confident that he is and will be okay. Nothing in his blood has come back with infection. For now...we just wait and see!
He is eating well and dirtying diapers. His color looks perfect. He has a little blueishness around the nose, but not nearly as much as yesterday prior to the episode.
He is eating well and dirtying diapers. His color looks perfect. He has a little blueishness around the nose, but not nearly as much as yesterday prior to the episode.
Pray for Baby Miles
At Mile's routine visit this afternoon he turned a very dark purple all over his body for several minutes and appeared to not be breathing correctly. He is now in the NICU getting constant care and at times his oxygen is lower than what it should be. When he is on oxygen, his levels return to normal. We are awaiting the results of many tests. A chest x-ray showed a possible enlarged heart, but sometimes x-rays aren't the clearest of pictures. He will have more advanced heart tests done tomorrow.
The episode happened as we went to weigh him and the nurse immediately called for the doctors. I praise God for the 2 wonderful doctors that did not waste anytime at all taking care off him. We should know A LOT more tomorrow. The doctor assured me that it didn't matter "where" he was born that this was going to happen either way.
I have been admitted into the hospital as well so that I can feed him every 3 hours. I am still in a lot of labor pain and am exhausted so I am thankful for a quiet place to rest.
Please pray for baby Miles and that everything will be just fine!
BTW - He weighed 8 lbs. 14 ounces and was 20 inches long. He brings me so much joy already.
The episode happened as we went to weigh him and the nurse immediately called for the doctors. I praise God for the 2 wonderful doctors that did not waste anytime at all taking care off him. We should know A LOT more tomorrow. The doctor assured me that it didn't matter "where" he was born that this was going to happen either way.
I have been admitted into the hospital as well so that I can feed him every 3 hours. I am still in a lot of labor pain and am exhausted so I am thankful for a quiet place to rest.
Please pray for baby Miles and that everything will be just fine!
BTW - He weighed 8 lbs. 14 ounces and was 20 inches long. He brings me so much joy already.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Miles Anderson Pham made his Grand Entrance (and boy was it grand) at 7:05 a.m. Peruvian time, 8:05 a.m. Florida time this morning. More details to come later.
HE IS COMING!!!!!!!!
It is 1:30 a.m. and Jessica's water broke about half an hour ago! A first for her. We are getting things ready here at home waiting for some contractions. They are slowly starting. More Later!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Serious Smile
Serious Smile, by Michael Pearl (nogreaterjoy.org)
"If you look at the quality of your trust, your smile may vanish, but if you look to the success of Him whom you trust, there will always be more than enough motivation to smile.
Life is very serious, and so it must be handled with a very serious smile. And it’s best to bring it with you, for quite often circumstances will not provide you with provocation. I am not telling you to “look within”. Sometimes the only smile you can find there is that of a court jester or a cynic. Nor am I suggesting that you somehow transcend reality with some blind spiritual ecstasy. That is an escape reserved for concentration camps and extreme suffering.
The creative mind finds it difficult to smile in the midst of drudgery. The difference between a smile and a gripe is not the circumstance, but the point of view. To the rancher it’s a useless place to raise cattle; to the oil man it’s a treasure trove. To the tired mother, repeating the same chores day after day, struggling to keep peace with the children, aware of her fading youth and her failure to have achieved the self-expression she expected, wishing for romance that died too quickly, today is just another burden to be borne; whereas to the mother with a vision for eternity, today is an opportunity to be God’s nanny, teaching His kids to honor Him. She doesn’t carry the burden of personal ambition.
Borrowed worries can leave us pulling God’s load, probably in a direction He would never take it. My Daddy used to say that he found life difficult until he resigned as chairman of the universe. The common laborer smiles while his boss pulls his hair out. If you’re not running the company, but assuming the responsibility anyway, you may never find rest. The song says, “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.” If you look at the quality of your trust, your smile may vanish, but if you look to the success of Him whom you trust, there will always be more than enough motivation to smile. "
"If you look at the quality of your trust, your smile may vanish, but if you look to the success of Him whom you trust, there will always be more than enough motivation to smile.
Life is very serious, and so it must be handled with a very serious smile. And it’s best to bring it with you, for quite often circumstances will not provide you with provocation. I am not telling you to “look within”. Sometimes the only smile you can find there is that of a court jester or a cynic. Nor am I suggesting that you somehow transcend reality with some blind spiritual ecstasy. That is an escape reserved for concentration camps and extreme suffering.
The creative mind finds it difficult to smile in the midst of drudgery. The difference between a smile and a gripe is not the circumstance, but the point of view. To the rancher it’s a useless place to raise cattle; to the oil man it’s a treasure trove. To the tired mother, repeating the same chores day after day, struggling to keep peace with the children, aware of her fading youth and her failure to have achieved the self-expression she expected, wishing for romance that died too quickly, today is just another burden to be borne; whereas to the mother with a vision for eternity, today is an opportunity to be God’s nanny, teaching His kids to honor Him. She doesn’t carry the burden of personal ambition.
Borrowed worries can leave us pulling God’s load, probably in a direction He would never take it. My Daddy used to say that he found life difficult until he resigned as chairman of the universe. The common laborer smiles while his boss pulls his hair out. If you’re not running the company, but assuming the responsibility anyway, you may never find rest. The song says, “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.” If you look at the quality of your trust, your smile may vanish, but if you look to the success of Him whom you trust, there will always be more than enough motivation to smile. "
Saturday, September 26, 2009
THE sandbox
Here is the sandbox wide open. The sand was a bit dark because it was still a little wet from the store.
Avery is in sand heaven! She will play out there for hours and hours - even alone! Every family needs a sandbox!Pictures
This is the sandbox that John made. The blue tarp has an easy drawstring that pulls up the cover and underneath is a great bed of sand. I couldn't get the other picture, with the tarp up, to actually upload. The sandbox has a bottom too, so it is not sitting directly on the concrete. He did a great job with it. It was economical and cost much less, and is much bigger, than a Lil' Tikes sandbox. The kids are very happy, but the house helper doesn't like all the sand in the clothes and the house!
I'm not vain (okay, well maybe a little)! LOL! But these pictures are for my girlfriends. There is one in particular who likes to see these pictures (you know who you are). :)
39 weeks and waiting. He HAS to be at least 9 lbs. by now.
Holding my baby!!!!Are you calling to tell me I'm in labor?
This morning, at 7:27, our phone rang. My thoughts went like this:
"It's Saturday."
"Who is calling at 7:30 a.m.?"
"I bet it's the doctor."
"He's not busy today."
"I bet he's calling to tell me I am going to have the baby today. I can't wait to answer it"
"Wow, it's Saturday. What a great day to have the baby."
"I hope it's him."
Answer the phone.....Disappointment!!
And of course those are ridiculous thoughts. Who calls to tell you that you are going to have a baby? But I thought it was quite funny that I actually associated the ringing with phone with someone telling me I was in labor. I wish it was that easy. :)
It was just the phone company here in Peru. We haven't been able to get them to call us for 4 weeks and then they decide to finally call us on a Saturday morning at 7:30 a.m. when all the kids were sleeping. Love it!
And yes, it is a great day to have a baby, but all is quiet in the womb!
"It's Saturday."
"Who is calling at 7:30 a.m.?"
"I bet it's the doctor."
"He's not busy today."
"I bet he's calling to tell me I am going to have the baby today. I can't wait to answer it"
"Wow, it's Saturday. What a great day to have the baby."
"I hope it's him."
Answer the phone.....Disappointment!!
And of course those are ridiculous thoughts. Who calls to tell you that you are going to have a baby? But I thought it was quite funny that I actually associated the ringing with phone with someone telling me I was in labor. I wish it was that easy. :)
It was just the phone company here in Peru. We haven't been able to get them to call us for 4 weeks and then they decide to finally call us on a Saturday morning at 7:30 a.m. when all the kids were sleeping. Love it!
And yes, it is a great day to have a baby, but all is quiet in the womb!
Friday, September 25, 2009
Happy Birthday Daddy
My dad doesn't even read my blog very often (well, maybe if my step-mom makes him) LOL! But I just want to say happy 55th birthday to the wonderful man who raised me, taught me to fish, swim, water-ski, bait a hook with worms and live shrimp, outrun boys, jump off bridges into rivers, do front flips, drive a stick-shift, check a pool for it's ph balance, climb trees, exercise like a crazy person and make bondfires. I definitely didn't have your typical upbringing being raised by a man, but it certainly was adventurous and full of good times.
Dad, I love you with all of my heart and am so thankful for your presence and guiding hand in my life. I am glad God gave you to us and that you have been here for 55 years despite a nasty fight with lung cancer that you fought and won. I pray for at least 35 more years with you!
Happy 55th Birthday Dean Edward Greer!!!!!
Dad, I love you with all of my heart and am so thankful for your presence and guiding hand in my life. I am glad God gave you to us and that you have been here for 55 years despite a nasty fight with lung cancer that you fought and won. I pray for at least 35 more years with you!
Happy 55th Birthday Dean Edward Greer!!!!!
Thursday, September 24, 2009
I got to thinking today and I started wondering if the Dr. was offering a homebirth for ONLY last night. So I thought I should call to clarify that. He said, "No, we can definitely try it at home as long as there are no problems." I then told him that even once his partner gets back (whom I DO adore) that I would like to stay with him no matter what because I don't want to change doctors AGAIN! Plus, we have been through a lot with him these past few weeks and he is completely on the same page as we are. That is super important. SO....IT IS ON!! The homebirth is in the works again and I just can't believe (although I should) how God is working it out for me to have an intimate AND safe birthing experience here in Peru despite the odds.
Peace
Today everything is as quiet as could possibly be in the womb. I am surprisingly not as discouraged as you might expect. Starting labor and stopping labor is definitely not fun, but I have this amazing peace about the situation. I know that IT is definitely from the Lord Himself. Typically, I am anxious and impatient, but the Word does tell us that God gives us a peace that surpasses all understanding. I definitely HAVE IT!! :)
What happened with the doctor?????
Last night I went to the hospital and they said I was 2 cm. The contractions were off their little chart thingy coming every 4 minutes. They sent me home to wait it out and make some more progress. Once I got home, the doctor called and asked me to come to his office which is less than a mile from here. Upon arriving, he checked and said I was definitely 3 (maybe a bit more) and had thinned out considerably from the day before. I was vomitting with the contractions and my BP went high again. He was like, "You are definitely starting labor." He then said he had been thinking about it and he knew how much I had wanted a homebirth and that he felt very comfortable just coming to MY HOUSE to deliver the baby since I lived so very close (you can walk there in 5 minutes) to the hospital. The baby's hand moved off of his head. He told us what we need to deliver at home and sent us to the pharmacy to get an injection for Group Beta Strep! Can you believe that he, on his own accord, has agreed to give me a homebirth? Now this is the chief OBGYN at the leading medical school in Peru. This is THE BEST doctor I have ever seen in my entire life. And I have to think that it is ONLY from the leading of God that he has decided to do this. If there is anyone's hands that I feel safe in (besides the Lord of course) it is his. And...he is BEST FRIENDS with my pediatrician. He feels very good with the Ped. we have chosen and we would see him the next day, after the birth.
So, in the midst of labor stopping, I still have this awesome news. Now that's not to say it will actually happen, but it is in the works to happen. I am really excited about it.
The doctor called this morning while I was sleeping and spoke with John. John told him the contractions had disappeared and that I was disappointed, but resting. He said he completely understands, but that this is a completely normal part of the labor process. So, I guess I will be in touch with him again when things pick up again. Could be today, tomorrow or even late as next week. I'm not going to give anymore labor updates probably until AFTER the baby comes or until I am like 6 or 7 and there is NO turning back! No need for you to be on this roller coaster with me. Unless, of course, you are enjoying it! :) LOL!!!
What happened with the doctor?????
Last night I went to the hospital and they said I was 2 cm. The contractions were off their little chart thingy coming every 4 minutes. They sent me home to wait it out and make some more progress. Once I got home, the doctor called and asked me to come to his office which is less than a mile from here. Upon arriving, he checked and said I was definitely 3 (maybe a bit more) and had thinned out considerably from the day before. I was vomitting with the contractions and my BP went high again. He was like, "You are definitely starting labor." He then said he had been thinking about it and he knew how much I had wanted a homebirth and that he felt very comfortable just coming to MY HOUSE to deliver the baby since I lived so very close (you can walk there in 5 minutes) to the hospital. The baby's hand moved off of his head. He told us what we need to deliver at home and sent us to the pharmacy to get an injection for Group Beta Strep! Can you believe that he, on his own accord, has agreed to give me a homebirth? Now this is the chief OBGYN at the leading medical school in Peru. This is THE BEST doctor I have ever seen in my entire life. And I have to think that it is ONLY from the leading of God that he has decided to do this. If there is anyone's hands that I feel safe in (besides the Lord of course) it is his. And...he is BEST FRIENDS with my pediatrician. He feels very good with the Ped. we have chosen and we would see him the next day, after the birth.
So, in the midst of labor stopping, I still have this awesome news. Now that's not to say it will actually happen, but it is in the works to happen. I am really excited about it.
The doctor called this morning while I was sleeping and spoke with John. John told him the contractions had disappeared and that I was disappointed, but resting. He said he completely understands, but that this is a completely normal part of the labor process. So, I guess I will be in touch with him again when things pick up again. Could be today, tomorrow or even late as next week. I'm not going to give anymore labor updates probably until AFTER the baby comes or until I am like 6 or 7 and there is NO turning back! No need for you to be on this roller coaster with me. Unless, of course, you are enjoying it! :) LOL!!!
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