We've had a busy week with lots of trips to the doctor’s office.
Tuesday, I took Alex in for a weight check. He left the hospital weighing 8lb. 2oz., and today he weighed 8lb. 4oz. He also got his heel pricked for a bilirubin test, since he's pretty yellow and obviously jaundice. His count came back pretty high (15.2) so the doctor told us to alternate his feedings - breast milk and formula - and they wanted to see him again Wednesday to check his levels again.
GR's been taking the 1-2am formula feeding, which just might be killing him, but I'm loving it (even though I have to get up and pump anyway)! The girls have both enjoyed the chance to taken turns feeding Alex; they think it's so neat to feed Alex!
Wednesday, Alex and I went back to the doctor and again he got his little heel pricked - 15.4 this time. So we continued the feeding routine. They also decided to go ahead and do his 1 week check up at the same time, since I was already there. He checked out perfectly! And was also back up to his birth weight - 8lb. 7oz.
Since his bilirubin levels were still high Wednesday, they wanted to see him again this morning, and since Emily and Sam both already had appointments (Emily, 5-yr check up and Sam, Hep A shot) so we all headed to the doctors office. Grandma Mutti and I had to bribe Rebecca to willingly come along with the promise of a trip to the McDonald's Playland near the hospital - thankfully that worked and morning went smoothly.
The nurse just called and Alex's results came back lower (13.3) which is good - so we can go back to a normal 100% mom feeding schedule, his heel is saved from being pricked and squeezed AND we can stay home tomorrow!
GR's friend Dime spent the weekend with us for all the 4th of July festivities. Part of his goal this weekend was to construct a Potato Gun – something he’s been planning for years. He spent a lot of time researching designs and perfecting them, purchased the materials needed Saturday and then used Bob's workroom to construct the gun. Between the two of them, they got it working and this afternoon after testing it, they let us ammeters have a turn firing the beast. It was so cool!
Once they determined just the right amount of hairspray (aka accelerant) to put in, the potatoes were easily able to clear the tree line! I have video of Sam shooting the gun, and as soon as I find a way of cutting the size down a bit, I'll post it. So you can experience the sound of the gun going off, and the distance the potatoes traveled.
If you've ever been around our house at the beginning of July, you know it isn't a big secret that GR LOVES the 4th of July. Specifically, he loves fireworks and setting them off. And for as long as I've known him, we've done our own show on the 4th.
Bob and Diane's house has a large open field (the size of 2 football fields?) behind their house that is perfect for launching and watching fireworks. And over the last three or four 4th of July's GR has been perfecting his show. This year it was one of his best shows yet. It was well attended and well organized.
Last year we had an open invitation to everyone at church to attend our fireworks display and have root beer floats, blending the two family's traditions... GR's fireworks show, and my serving root beer floats before the show. This year we did the same, opening the spectrum a little wider to include two wards.
All in all I think we had 100 if not 125 people attend this years show. We went through seven boxes of ice cream (112 servings) and a little less root beer (in a perfect world it's a perfect ratio ... 1 box of ice cream to 1 2-liter of root beer = 16 8oz. root beer floats.).
The kids loved doing sparklers before the show, and Sam made it through the first half of GR’s 30 minute show – with his hands covering his ears – before deciding he’d had enough of the show, and went in to play with a couple other little kids who’d had enough lights and loud noises.
GR has gone to the same fireworks tent in town for the last three years. And this year, as always, the owner was very good to “the four fat men.” GR was suppose to get a picture of all the fireworks before they got blown up, (I have yet to actually see the volume at which they purchase – probably best for me to simply not know) but I haven’t found it yet.
We use to joke that GR would spend more on the 4th of July than on Christmas... that was before we had kids. I'm not thinking that's completely true anymore. Although he does spend more than some, he is very, very good at making wise, smart purchases. Something I'm learning few people know how to do when it comes to fireworks.
I got more than one comment from a few of the dad’s bouncing tired babies at the back of the show, went something like this:
“So why does GR want a commercial license? What could it give him that he doesn’t already have?”
“Oh these were all purchases at ______ tent in town… with a commercial license he can buy bigger fireworks.”
“Really? These were ALL purchased at a tent?! … Wow, this is so much better than what I thought it was going to be!”
Thanks to Sandra, GR also got the email address of someone he can apprentice under to get his own commercial license. By September at the latest he should have it. So next year's show should be even bigger and better … mark your calendars, and plan your vacations to KS early!
Tuesday, 20 June 2006
I've been told I have an old spirit... Shannon meant it as a compliment... meaning I'm someone who (in this particular case) just knows what needs to be done and does it. Maybe that's why a year and half ago the stake presidency decided I should serve as the 2nd councilor in the Stake Relief Society Presidency. Most women who serve in a stake RS Presidency have children my age and grandchildren the ages of mine... try as I might, that simply was not a good enough reason to turn down the responsibility, and I've loved it ever since!
Last year as part of our effort to help bridge the gap between Young Women and Relief Society, we approached the Stake YW Presidency to see if they would like our help with some (we were hoping for small) part of girls camp. This has started a tradition of us putting on a mini fireside the Tuesday night of girl’s camp.
This year’s theme was EMT -- Eternity Means Today, and everything centered around medical terminology (Emergency Medical Team). With only a few days of preparation time, we knew we needed to do something fun and a little silly while still having a spiritual message with some meat to it. The idea was suggested we do a skit, more specifically, a surgery. What evolved was The Heavenly Autopsy Team ... a sister straight from Earth is "autopsied" to show the girls all the benefits of Relief Society. We started a the top of her head, and ended with her feet... pulling all sorts of things from her body to showing the benefits of being a faithful daughter of God and a member of the Relief Society.
Eyes ---- Water Pitcher --- She poured over her scriptures
Mouth – Mouthwash – never used profanity or said inappropriate things… spoke kind words about everyone.
Lungs – Balloon – When she meant business she could yell her children’s full names loud enough for the entire neighborhood to hear.
Legs – Running Shoes – anxiously engaged in a good cause.
The children spent a fun filled week in
