Paul Jebe's Super Blog http://www.thejebes.com/paulblog/index.php Copyright 2010, Paul Jebe Paul Jebe en-US SPHPBLOG 0.5.1 WE'RE HOME!!! http://www.thejebes.com/paulblog/index.php?entry=entry100731-185506
Its nice to be home. I got to spend more time with Alex today than I have in the last two weeks. He's clearly been confused by the constant coming of going of all his loved ones, and I'm looking forward to getting him back into a stable routine.

We really want to thank everyone who expressed concernand offered any help we required. An extra special thanks to Cathy, Gary, and Pat for their time off work and away from their lives to help us juggle this whole ordeal.

Any way, we're back home, and Sona is doing well. Back to the normal routine... I'm finally breathing out.]]> Personal http://www.thejebes.com/paulblog/index.php?entry=entry100731-185506 Paul Jebe Sat, 31 Jul 2010 23:55:06 GMT http://www.thejebes.com/paulblog/comments.php?y=10&m=07&entry=entry100731-185506 Sona is eating http://www.thejebes.com/paulblog/index.php?entry=entry100730-062327 upper GI we did earlier in the week showed that perhaps her stretched out stomach just wasn.t strong enough to contract and push the food through the now open pyloris muscle. The new doctor in charge suggested a "wait and see" approach to give her poor stomach time to shrink down and heal.

The IV gave her all her fluids and the tube through her nose sucked out her stomach and kept it free of agitation. Finally, yesterday morning, the tubes were all removed and Sona started eating small amounts of food.

It's now been a full day on food and the many wet or dirty diapers suggest she is processing some or all of what she's eating. The amount of food has slowly increased over the last 24 hours up to 2oz bottles. We're hoping she can make it all the way to the 3oz bottles scheduled for this afternoon. If so that might mean we get to go home with a healthy baby tomorrow.

As a special treat I picked up Silver Spur BBQ for our dinner last night. The service was horrible, but the food was awesome!]]> Personal http://www.thejebes.com/paulblog/index.php?entry=entry100730-062327 Paul Jebe Fri, 30 Jul 2010 11:23:27 GMT http://www.thejebes.com/paulblog/comments.php?y=10&m=07&entry=entry100730-062327 Begin Again http://www.thejebes.com/paulblog/index.php?entry=entry100727-133224
Carrie stayed here last night and I went home to take care of Alex. Tonight I think we'll do the reverse.

Originally they wanted to repeat the surgery ASAP but we got a second opinion and now we're holding off for a few days, hoping that if we give her poor stomach time to recover we may be able to avoid surgery altogether. So for now it's wait and see.

In the meantime I'm missing even more work, but both the President and the General Manager are out all week also, so my absense may go almost unnoticed... wouldn't that be grand.]]> Personal http://www.thejebes.com/paulblog/index.php?entry=entry100727-133224 Paul Jebe Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:32:24 GMT http://www.thejebes.com/paulblog/comments.php?y=10&m=07&entry=entry100727-133224 Much Better (fingers crossed) http://www.thejebes.com/paulblog/index.php?entry=entry100725-070154
Since she was awake and happy I fed her and she happily gulped down the entire 2oz bottle, burping well the whole time. Then she made a big happy yawn and went back to sleep. I guess a good dump really cures all.

At any rate we still have a long day ahead of us, but I'm really hopeful for the first time that we'll be going home with a moderately happy baby soon. Just in time for the work week.... joy !]]> Personal http://www.thejebes.com/paulblog/index.php?entry=entry100725-070154 Paul Jebe Sun, 25 Jul 2010 12:01:54 GMT http://www.thejebes.com/paulblog/comments.php?y=10&m=07&entry=entry100725-070154 Hospital Update http://www.thejebes.com/paulblog/index.php?entry=entry100724-154842 We're still here at the hospital. Sona's feedings yesterday ended in one massive puke containing all of here prior feedings from the last 15 hours. Then in the middle of the night the vein her IV was in failed and it took several hours and a lot of stabbing to get another IV going. It was a long night and the result is that we might not be released until tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

Meanwhile, Grandma and Grandpa came up to help out even more. Grandma taged in for Carrie, so she's at home sleeping right now (lucky girl) and I'm here helping Grandma inbetween my own naps (lucky me). I also have a serious caffine headache... please bring me coffee.

We're trying the feedings all over again. If she tolerates the food better this time we'll be going home. So far she's doing ok, but we're not out of the woods yet.]]> Personal http://www.thejebes.com/paulblog/index.php?entry=entry100724-154842 Paul Jebe Sat, 24 Jul 2010 20:48:42 GMT http://www.thejebes.com/paulblog/comments.php?y=10&m=07&entry=entry100724-154842 All done now http://www.thejebes.com/paulblog/index.php?entry=entry100723-070138
I can't wait for it all to be done. Sona normally eats 5oz bottles, and she hasn't eaten in 2 days now, so these little snacks are just pissing her off. Plus I'm sure she has some lingering pain from the surgery which would explain why she hardly sleeps and mostly cries. I want my own bed again, and I want to put her in real clothes with no wires or tubes attached. Noon can't come soon enough.

Meanwhile Alex is staying at my Mom and Dad's house in Racine. They have really helped out with him during this entire ordeal. They usually help out a lot, but this is beyond the norm. Thanks guys! I miss my boy though, can we have him back soon please?

One last piece of news, I'm posting this article from my brand new Dell Mini , thanks to my pal Noah. He's a champ, and so is my new tiny laptop.]]> Personal http://www.thejebes.com/paulblog/index.php?entry=entry100723-070138 Paul Jebe Fri, 23 Jul 2010 12:01:38 GMT http://www.thejebes.com/paulblog/comments.php?y=10&m=07&entry=entry100723-070138 Uh Oh! http://www.thejebes.com/paulblog/index.php?entry=entry100722-095452 pyloric stenosis . Basically she has a muscle that's over grown and it isn't allowing her stomach to drain normally, so the body drains the stomach through the alternate exit (aka the mouth).

The surgery is fairly common and in theory should go quickly and smoothly. After that it'll be one more night in the hospital on the most uncomfortable hide-a-bed in the world, and then home! It'l be nice to have this all behind us. In the mean time though I'm very sore and very tired. I can only imagine how Sona is feeling. Being a kid sucks.

:( ]]> Personal http://www.thejebes.com/paulblog/index.php?entry=entry100722-095452 Paul Jebe Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:54:52 GMT http://www.thejebes.com/paulblog/comments.php?y=10&m=07&entry=entry100722-095452 Little baby Sona Update http://www.thejebes.com/paulblog/index.php?entry=entry100714-091918
After several off-hours calls to the doctor’s office we took her into the ER . They confirmed that she had blood in her stomach, possibly caused by acid reflux or an ulcer. They hooked her up to an IV system to pump fluids into her, and included Pepcid to help with the acid issue. They said she's well hydrated and well nourished, so we took her home with a prescription for more anti-acid reflux meds.

She's continuing to do well, and the brown color went away. She's still throwing up on occasion, but she's still generally happy. We've been having her sleep sitting up in a bouncy-chair just to be safer. She's going to see her doctor today, so hopefully that nets some additional news.
]]> Personal http://www.thejebes.com/paulblog/index.php?entry=entry100714-091918 Paul Jebe Wed, 14 Jul 2010 14:19:18 GMT http://www.thejebes.com/paulblog/comments.php?y=10&m=07&entry=entry100714-091918 They are called Jimmies, right? http://www.thejebes.com/paulblog/index.php?entry=entry100714-091422 nice article about the "jimmies vs sprinkles" debate. You should read it to be certain that you are informed on the issue. Here's a sample:


Thanks to The Capital Times, I now know the difference between sprinkles and jimmies. The difference is there is no difference. Both are the little bits of candy-coated chocolate that liven up your ice cream. The real distinction seems to be one of place. As a New Yorker I call them sprinkles. Folks in Philadelphia, Boston, Michigan and Wisconsin call them jimmies.


Awesome.]]> News http://www.thejebes.com/paulblog/index.php?entry=entry100714-091422 Paul Jebe Wed, 14 Jul 2010 14:14:22 GMT http://www.thejebes.com/paulblog/comments.php?y=10&m=07&entry=entry100714-091422 Father's Day http://www.thejebes.com/paulblog/index.php?entry=entry100620-185033 Team Fortress 2 with some buds online thanks to Carrie who handled the kids for a while to provide me the opportunity.

Why can't every day be Father's day? Thanks everyone!]]> Personal http://www.thejebes.com/paulblog/index.php?entry=entry100620-185033 Paul Jebe Sun, 20 Jun 2010 23:50:33 GMT http://www.thejebes.com/paulblog/comments.php?y=10&m=06&entry=entry100620-185033 Maa http://www.thejebes.com/paulblog/index.php?entry=entry100611-090956 sealed our driveway. Yeah, she's awesome!

In other news Sona really hasn't been sleeping at night and it's starting to wear us down. Fortunately my parents are coming tonight to let Carrie and I get a full nights rest. It'll be glorious!

Also of note, Carrie's sister Julie and her family are coming for a vists this Sunday. It promises to be a lot of fun, and I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone. However, this visit will temporarily double then number of two year olds and infants in our home... so watch for reports of a black hole opening in New Berlin.

We got the movie Avatar form Netflix, but I'm not sure when we'll get time to watch it. I don't really like watching action films with the sound turned down, but having a sleeping baby is kind of more important right now. We'll see what happens.]]> Personal http://www.thejebes.com/paulblog/index.php?entry=entry100611-090956 Paul Jebe Fri, 11 Jun 2010 14:09:56 GMT http://www.thejebes.com/paulblog/comments.php?y=10&m=06&entry=entry100611-090956 Weekend Fun http://www.thejebes.com/paulblog/index.php?entry=entry100607-093328 Water Street Brewery where we both got the sausage plater with red cabbage and spatzle. We shared their beer sampler (9 yummy beers) and agreed the Oktoberfest was the best. The key lime pie at the end was good, but far from the best we've had.

After that we went to see Ironman 2, which was not quite as good as the original, but still awesome. Then we went home and slept in... which is the greatest thing since sliced bread for those of you who haven't tried it. It is so nice to get one solid night of sleep on occassion.

Sona is doing great and has already gained more than a pound in weight. She's drining 5 oz bottles, which is a lot for a 2-3 week old. She's really filling out.

I forgot to mention that I cooked Carrie a special "you just had a baby and haven't been able to drink beer for nine months" dinner last week. It was beer brats and beer cheese soup. Notice the theme? It was yummy! Alex loved the brats which means maybe I'll be making them more often.]]> http://www.thejebes.com/paulblog/index.php?entry=entry100607-093328 Paul Jebe Mon, 07 Jun 2010 14:33:28 GMT http://www.thejebes.com/paulblog/comments.php?y=10&m=06&entry=entry100607-093328 2 week update http://www.thejebes.com/paulblog/index.php?entry=entry100604-163921
Did I mention she’s an angel? She spent most of the first week sleeping. She burps easy, she stops crying fairly easily, and she’s not very fussy at all. She’s awake a little more now than she was last week (mostly at night, sheesh), and it’s really nice to be able to see her eyes. She went from drinking 1oz of formula to 5oz of formula and has already gained a full pound in weight. Woot!

Alex seems to be genuinely fond of her and is always bringing her bottles, toys or kisses. He never seems bothered by her presence, but he does seem a bit ticked when we focus our attention on her. He’s been waking up in the middle of the night, which kind of adds some stress. As it is I’m sleeping from 9pm – 2am, and then I’m tagging in for Carrie, That generally means I get a few hours of broken sleep caring for Sona in the middle of the night before I have to wake up to get Alex. It’s not such a bad gig.

So far I just miss my 30 mins of free time at night and the ability to watch some TV before falling asleep. I need to find a better way to wind down at night though… I’m burning way too much of my sleep time trying to fall asleep.

Our parents have been a huge help. Pat, Gary and Cathy (and yellow Julie) have all spent time at our house helping out. My folks have spent the night a few times to let Carrie and I get an occasional full night of sleep to help reset. It’s been awesome.
]]> http://www.thejebes.com/paulblog/index.php?entry=entry100604-163921 Paul Jebe Fri, 04 Jun 2010 21:39:21 GMT http://www.thejebes.com/paulblog/comments.php?y=10&m=06&entry=entry100604-163921 Yay Baby Time! http://www.thejebes.com/paulblog/index.php?entry=entry100523-075309
So far she's eating really well and seems to enjoy sleeping a lot. I feel like I won the lottery. We'll be heading home some time today. We're both realy looking forward to seeing Alex. Thanks a million to those who dropped by to wish us well ad to meet Sona. Thanks even more to the Grandparents who stayed at our house with Alex to help make this experience easier for us.

A photo gallery is already up. It doesn't contain much right now, but it'll grow.]]> http://www.thejebes.com/paulblog/index.php?entry=entry100523-075309 Paul Jebe Sun, 23 May 2010 12:53:09 GMT http://www.thejebes.com/paulblog/comments.php?y=10&m=05&entry=entry100523-075309