This photo is from a couple hours ago. Holding Becca is Jennifer, her day nurse today.
Becca’s weight today is a whopping 2230 grams — that’s 4 lb 14.6 oz! She’s not getting the suck-swallow-breath thing too well, but she’s still negative 5 weeks old, so we’ll give her a break.
Amy’s working on another post to follow this one shortly.
From last evening . . .
Yeah, no posts since Becca’s last birthday. Sorry. As you may know, this is Amy’s second week back teaching, so she’s crazy busy (and tired!). Last Thursday and Friday I was at a linguistics conference in Baltimore, where it was almost as cold as it was here in Texas last week. This week I’m gearing up for my semester, which starts next Tuesday.
Becca’s weight yesterday was 2120 grams, about 4 lb 10.8 oz. She’s being fed every 3 hours, which comes out to 8 times a day. As of today, they’re giving her 42 ml per feeding. Every day for three of the eight feedings, they give her a bottle. After 20-25 min of bottle feeding, they pour the rest down her tube so as not to wear her out too much.
Sometimes she does better with the bottle than other times. Yesterday afternoon she took almost the whole bottle (all but 5 ml). Last evening, she didn’t want to wake up, and she only took about 15. This afternoon, she was awake, but she choked a few times and maybe got discouraged. She took about 25. So the big developmental prayer request right now is that she coordinates her suck-swallow-breathe routine better — on a consistent basis. Once she does, they’ll move her to bottle every other feeding.
To reward you for reading all this, here’s another photo I like from last evening:
Hint: it’s one of the pretty girls in the photo. . . . Okay, here’s another photo to help you figure it out:
This evening we called the night nurse to find out her daily weight, and Becca’s reached 1800 grams! Tonight they may see how she does outside the incubator in a crib — with just clothes (!) and blankets. She may not be ready yet to hold her body heat without help, but it’s a positive step forward for her nurse to try the crib. Probably next week they’ll try her on a bottle, too. At her gestational age, she may not have the coordination to suck, breathe, and swallow all at the same time, but again, it’s great that they’re ready to try. (I have trouble myself with breathing and swallowing at the same time.)
In the photo above, you can see Becca getting a bath last night. It was the second bath Amy and I have given her (with supervision, of course).
Tonight we called the nurse instead of going in to the hospital since it was date night. After dinner out, we played 3 rounds of Memory (another gift from Aunt Cindy). Guess who won two out of three rounds?
We wrapped up the evening by reviewing last year’s goals and setting new ones for 2010. Now it’s bed time.
Earlier today, Amy mentioned that this is our first Christmas in our own home. Not to be outdone, Becca decided she wanted her own room at the NICU this afternoon — and she wants her parents to dress up special whenever they visit her.
When we went today for our 2:30 holding time (it was my day for holding), we had to wait a while to go back since the nurses were drawing blood from a baby. When we went back, we found out it was our baby. They had decided to run extra blood tests because they had just gotten back results from a weekly nasal swab culture showing that Becca’s nose is “colonized” with MRSA, the hospital-care associated staph bacteria (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus).
She hasn’t shown any signs of being infected — she’s still breathing great and gaining weight — but they’re looking at her c-reactive protein levels (high levels can indicate there’s inflammation or infection) and blood cell count (particularly “bands,” which are precursors to white blood cells, I believe). They’ll also do a blood culture, which I think takes a couple days. (While we were there, the c-reactive protein test came back, showing she has normal levels. They’ll call about the blood cell counts. [Later in the evening they called to say her blood cell counts are normal.])
Because MRSA is easily spread among patients by health care workers, and because it’s dangerous for people with weakened immune systems (preemies definitely qualify), Becca is being moved to the Isolation Pod–I-Pod–to reduce the risk of spreading the bacteria. Benefits: privacy, quiet, one-on-one nursing care. Dis-benefits: we have to wear gloves and a sterile hospital robe whenever we visit. We can still visit whenever we want. She’ll be in isolation till she’s discharged. (In the photo at top and bellow, I’m not wearing gloves because they forgot to give them to me.)
Naturally we weren’t expecting this change, but we’re thankful that Becca still appears to be very healthy. She’s in God’s hands just as much as she was last week when she didn’t have MRSA in her nose. And Christmas time reminds us that God doesn’t ask us to face anything that He was unwilling to face for Himself. It reminds me of Dorothy’s Sayers’ jarring words:
[F]or whatever reason God chose to make man as he is — limited and suffering and subject to sorrows and death — He had the honesty and the courage to take His own medicine. Whatever game He is playing with His creation, He has kept His own rules and played fair. He can exact nothing from man that He has not exacted from Himself. He has himself gone through the whole of human experience, from the trivial irritations of family life and the cramping restrictions of hard work and lack of money to the worst horrors of pain and humiliation, defeat, despair, and death. When He was a man, He played the man. He was born in poverty and died in disgrace, and thought it was worthwhile.
And here’s a photo of Amy holding Becca yesterday (we love the hat!):
And by they way, it snowed here today! Yesterday it was in the mid-70’s; today it got below freezing and we have a nice covering of the good stuff. It’ll stay cold all night, so we’re set for a white Christmas.
The Olympic Torch
A half-gallon of milk
The human brain
Rebecca Grace Jensen!
Last night, Becca weighed in at 3 lb 1 oz. We thank God for her steady weight gain. It’s fun to watch her filling out a bit! (Maybe Santa inspired her.)
Thanks to everyone who’s following her progress and praying for her.
Today Becca’s doing better than yesterday. Her x-ray this morning showed that her lungs were less hazy, and the doctor thinks the Lasix is helping clear the fluid. Aimie, Becca’s day nurse today, said it’s common for preemies to be on and off Lasix till they go home.
The night nurse hopes that Becca may be off the SiPAP and back on the nasal cannula soon, perhaps tomorrow. (I explained the difference between a SiPAP and nasal cannula in a comment yesterday.) Because the SiPAP is forcing about 15 breaths a minute through Becca’s nose, sometimes she’ll swallow some of the air, and it has to be aspirated out of her stomach through the feeding tube between feedings. So if the SiPAP isn’t necessary, it’s nicer for Becca to be on the nasal cannula. She also hates the helmet. This afternoon she was pulling at it, which was really cute — and really sad at the same time.
In other news, we got a box today from Aunt Cindy, who sent Becca, among other things, a Sock Monkey. It’s a little scary, but I like it.
Last week Sam and Ashley sent a lovely gift to Becca, The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name. So I guess it’s time to start thinking about Becca’s literary immersion once she gets home!
We’d love to hear from you about your favorite one or two children’s books — either books that were read to you when you were young, or books you love reading to your children/nieces/nephews/grandchildren/etc. In the comments section, simply give the title and why you love that book.
Personally, I love the Frog & Toad stories. Last year Amy and I bought three Frog & Toad books for our nephews in China, but I liked them so much, I never sent them. (Charity, please don’t tell the boys!) A new favorite is the luxoriously illustrated, It’s Time to Sleep, My Love.
Now it’s your turn. (This is your big chance, Grandma Hess!)
When we visited Becca last evening we found out that they’re giving her caffeine to stimulate the part of her brain that reminds her to breathe. I’m not sure when they’ll let me start bringing her coffee in the mornings, but when I get the okay, I’m ready!
Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement. Every day so far, we’ve had encouraging news on Becca’s progress, and every day Amy feels a little better. We don’t know what God has in store for the coming days, but we’re trusting that He knows best.
Probably later today Amy will post some photos for Becca’s 1-week birthday.
My 5th graders performed The Addams Family and a rhythm exercise on the drums for this month’s PTA meeting. I was a little worried that no one would show up and was delightfully surprised when 25 fifth graders participated in the program. Here’s a few videos Josh took and edited from the performance. The last video is lacking sound, since the recording was rather fuzzy.
Amy has always planned out the meal schedule in advance, but usually just a week at a time. In September she got ambitious and made a menu for the whole month. She asked me to indicate my approval with a signature and thumb print.
Speaking of food, my most recent attempt at making macaroni turned out better than last time.
If you want a free copy of a book on orphan ministry in the church, head over to the Nightlight blog and follow the pretty simple directions. By tomorrow (Friday).
I started a new website last week — for Carolina Hope for Orphans, a sort of spin-off from what used to be Carolina Hope Christian Adoption Agency.
I got the flu on Monday, and Amy’s been taking great care of me.
So here it is, a picture from our baby’s first photo session. If you have trouble getting oriented, our 7.88-inch goober is facing leftward. You can see the spine pretty clearly, and the profile. (Speaking of getting oriented, there was a fair amount of tummy slapping during the ultrasound to get the baby’s head turned.)
So — does our baby look more like me or Amy? You decide. You can also try to guess the gender based on facial characteristics. Put in your vote in the comments, and we’ll tell you if you’re right — maybe later today.
Like last year, Amy and I went to Chick-Fil-A on Labor Day for our free sandwiches, earned by wearing team shirts, which Amy once again expertly crafted. We spread out a picnic table cover on our living room floor to eat our holiday repast, and then had an exciting game of Monopoly. As usual . . . well, can you guess who had all the money?
(If you don’t recognize that thumb, take a look at this face.)
Speaking of sad faces, here’s Amy two Monday evenings ago looking at the dinner I fixed:
There was supposed to be macaroni with those beans and hot dogs, but, well, things didn’t come out pretty. (A few minutes into supper I decided to supplement things with a grilled cheese sandwich. Not macaroni, but still good.)
Some people have asked for a photo showing whether Amy is showing. Stay tuned.
School has started. I’m teaching Grammar and Morphology to 16 eager seniors and MA students every Monday and Wednesday from 7 to 8:20 pm. I’m taking 2 courses: Structure of a Non-Western Language and The Computer & Natural Language. The final projects for both classes should directly contribute to my dissertation. Additionally, I’m working on my dissertation proposal — with a goal of defending the proposal by spring. Will I graduate in spring 2012? That’s what we’re hoping.
Before school started, I finished a web project for a local business, Earhart Electronics:
I also helped set up (but didn’t design) an e-commerce site for Hartley Cruver (for those who know him, that’s Dan Cruver’s dad), who arranges sacred instrumental solos. I continue to do web and publications work for Nightlight Christian Adoptions (which acquired Carolina Hope Christian Adoption Agency).
And, speaking of things that don’t change, I’m married to the beautiful, amazing, now pregnant RuthAmy Sutter Jensen. What could be greater than that?
One year ago today I married my best friend. Happy anniversary, Amy! I love you.
(I told her in person, too.)
Last week Amy and I joined Dad and Mom Sutter (and Emily) for a week at Canaanland Camp in NC. On a hike, Dad saw this snake, which was later identified as a Timber Rattler (you can see the rattle if you look closely). Mom and Emily were taking a different path (the creek, actually), so only Amy and I were with Dad for the excitement. Fortunately, we had Mom’s camera because of the path she’d chosen.
In other news, Amy started her first block course this week (Differential Statistics). It’s pretty busy, so she probably won’t be posting here (or answering many emails) for a while.
Two reasons for the title:
On Tuesday we had my friend Presley over, along with his fiancée, Mary. Presley just completed his MA in TESOL from UT Arlington. Though Mary’s from Singapore, he met her in Vietnam, where he was teaching English at a Vietnamese university. They brought a game Amy and I had never played (Sequence) and beat us twice. (It’s a great game, in spite of my skills.)
Also this week . . . It was Field Days at Nancy Jane Cochran Elementary School from Tuesday to Friday (Monday was Memorial Day), and Amy helped with the activities all day every day (and got a black T-Shirt — black? — as part of the deal).
Well, that’s all the news. Amy finishes teaching on Wednesday and after a Thursday workday will be joining me on summer vacation.
During our premarital counseling, Tim Bixby encouraged Amy and me to make a regular practice of reading together, particularly books that would encourage us to strengthen our marriage spiritually. We read a couple books and book portions together in preparation for marriage, and since we were married, we’ve worked to keep up the practice.
In addition, we like to do some fun reading together, often just before bed. (With the marriage and devotional books, we read back-and-forth out loud. For fiction, I read to Amy.)
Yesterday we were reviewing what we’ve read together since we got married. We were surprised by how much it was. Here are the books we’ve completed (together and aloud) since marriage:
We’re currently in the process of reading these:
Starting books — and then actually finishing them — has always been a little overwhelming to me. But you may be surprised by how much you can read if you do just a little at a time. It’s certainly been a surprise to Amy and me. I don’t feel like we spend that much time reading — and reading aloud isn’t the fastest way to get through a book — but (like saving money, I guess), it adds up.
After reading the previous post, you might ask, What does popcorn have to do with music?
There are a couple answers. One, the promise of a Friday popcorn party can add a little motivation to good behavior in class throughout the week. Two, one of the songs (well, a text with rhythm — no melody) in Amy’s music curriculum is actually about making popcorn. Here’s a performance (yeah, that’s my wife way up there in the air!):
(If you’re using a blog reader, you might want to go to our blog to see the video that’s included above.)
I didn’t mention this in the previous post — but I spent yesterday at Cochran Elementary School with Amy, participating in her classes and (during a couple classes) making some photos and videos. After a day with her at school, I wonder how in the world Amy does anything at the end of the day but come home and sleep. Lots of jumping, lots of energy, lots of talking and singing. When we came home, I wanted a nap (and took one).
As you would guess, Amy’s a great teacher, and her students like her very well. So do her colleagues. (So does her husband!)
What are these kids so captivated by? (Well, one of them appears to be interested in the camera, but I mean the rest.)
A hot oil popcorn maker, operated by a music teacher:
The popping process was “boring” for the first couple minutes (before the popping began), but after the first pop, there were lots of oo’s and ah’s and a few shh’s. They liked eating the popcorn, too. (No surprise there.) Some said it was the “most delicious popcorn” they’d ever had, and a few determined to buy a popcorn maker.
It’s said that air poppers are healthier than oil poppers, but Amy uses Canola, so it’s good fat. Here’s one more photo of the wonder of the popping popcorn:
The other ingredients of Good Times are cookies (we — mostly Amy — made 300 small chocolate chip cookies on Thursday evening), singing, a team competition to put notes in their proper places on a staff (you can see the staff on the floor behind Amy in one of the photos further up), and lots of jumping up and down (little kids like jumping up and down). The cookies were a big hit (“They’re so soft!” “They’re better than … Chips Ahoy!”)
