Still waiting....

They were instructed to call in to the hospital at noon today instead of going in first thing.  Then they had to wait for a call back after they called in.  They were too full, so they have to call back tomorrow.  That is all the news from today.  I'll post another update tomorrow!

It is about 8pm and I just got home.  After work, I pulled in the driveway, switched cars and took Shaun (with Logan) to swim class.  Then we went to playgroup right after.  It has been a long day!

Seattle!

No really update on baby except that the induction is still scheduled for Monday morning.

However we have done the tourist thing in Seattle!  Last Sunday, Bill took Ethan and Coral to see some sights.  I stayed home with the boys because they had slight runny noses and Logan would need a nap, and so we scheduled the activities that were less kid friendly.  Bill went to church and then met Ethan & Coral at Northgate Transit Center. They then took the bus to Westlake and had lunch at the food court.  Then they took the Monorail to Seattle Center and went to the top of the Space Needle and then to the EMP, Experience Music Project.  We have never been to the EMP; Bill said it was pretty neat, from displays of the origin of the guitar to an Avatar interactive exhibit and much more.

After the EMP, they took the Monorail back to Westlake and then went back down to the tunnel to catch the bus a couple of stations to Pioneer Square where the underground Seattle tour is located.  Again, we have never gone on this tour before and Bill said it was interesting.  It showed and explained the history of Seattle and how after it burned down, it was rebuilt and then the street/ground was moved up a floor to accommodate being built on a marsh right by the Sound.  I would like to go on it someday too; when the boys are old enough!

They then took the bus back to Northgate and then Bill drove them back to the Ronald McDonald House.  They all were pretty pooped after this.  They originally met at Northgate at 11:30, and Bill didn't get home until 8pm!

Needless to say, Coral needed to rest up on Monday, so they did not come with us when the 4 of us went to Seattle for our Labor Day adventure.  We took the bus again, and then walked to the water front and went on the new Seattle Great Wheel.  It just opened at the end of June, so is a brand new attraction in Seattle.  It was a fun time for a Ferris wheel ride!  Then, we had lunch, and then did the "Ride the Ducks" tour.  This is a vehicle that can go both on the street and water and took us on a tour starting at Westlake, into Lake Union and then all over Seattle, lasting 90 minutes.  We had never done it before and was fun!

The boys were so good!  We were gone most of the day, so Logan did not get a nap, but was soooo well behaved the entire day; I was really amazed.  A kind gentleman that we talked to for a few minutes while waiting in line at the Great Wheel asked if Logan was always this good, I said no! But, that was at the beginning of the day, so wasn't too amazing besides the fact that we had to wait a bit in line.  He calmly sat in his stroller, which is not like him!  :)

Bill is working this weekend, but I am going with Ethan and Coral back to Seattle so they can see the Pike Place Market and the Great Wheel. This is their last chance to have a little fun!

Pictures are on Facebook or via the link at the right under 'September 2012'!

Be praying for and on Monday.  I'll post an update when I get home on Monday, which may be later if I am able to visit baby and Coral.

8/29 Niece update

Today has been a hard day. They were at the hospitals for most of the day so are just generally drained and also emotions are starting to struggle.  The news from the appointments is not all that promising.  They are concerned about the heart.  They can't tell exactly where the problem is, but it is with the valves.  If the problem is on the left side, then there will be no surgery, I'm guessing because it is too severe..... Also, the docs would not give a percentage chance because they are never accurate enough, so that was discouraging to them.  There may also be a problem with one of the arms.  The result of today:  Induction for September 10th as of now.  More appointments tomorrow and then they are done until September 5th.

On a lighter note, they are at the Ronald McDonald House now!  We plan to go out to dinner with them Friday and do some fun Seattle sights, like the new Great Wheel on either Sunday or Monday.

As for us, the boys had dentist appointments today; Logan's first and he did awesome!  He didn't even cry until the very end when he tasted the fluoride.  Shaun did great also including x-rays, and both have no cavities!

Ethan & Coral are here

Ethan and Coral arrived via train yesterday morning. The train was about an hour late; they traveled for 12.5 hours overnight! When taking Amtrak, overnight is the only option going to and from Montana.  We did it once back in 2000, not fun. The boys picked them up, Shaun loved it; trains are so exciting at 4! They then relaxed and visited at our house until I came home mid afternoon to take them to Seattle.  It was nice to see Ethan again and meet Coral. I got them to their first hotel, The Talaris, which was paid for by Children's.

They then had a couple of appointments today at UW Hospital to check the heart and lungs, etc. The doc said that there may be an issue with the heart, but won't know for sure until after birth. Tomorrow they get to go to Children's to meet the docs, nurses, etc who will be caring for baby and get a tour.

Tonight they are in a 2nd hotel that is affiliated with UW, The Collegiana.  They found out today that a room is opening up at the Ronald McDonald House tomorrow, so they get to move there tomorrow; yay!  This will be cheaper and better because it is more home like with a common kitchen where they can cook or even volunteers sometime come in and cook for them.

Niece update.....

Here is the latest:

There wasn't a surgery before birth like I thought.  They both will be on their way here Sunday night on the train.  Ethan was able to get a month off from work, thank you God! They arrive here in Everett at about 8:30 in the morning on Monday.  Bill is then going to pick them up and bring them back to our house for the morning so they can relax/recover from the 12+ hour train ride.  They have a hotel booked in Seattle, which I will take them to Monday afternoon.  They are hoping to be able to get other housing, like maybe the Ronald McDonald house at some point.  We would have them stay with us, but there are a bunch of things that don't make it a good idea: possible hour+ drive in traffic to get to all the appointments and if something urgent comes up (or longer bus ride), they would be relying on us to drive them, no extra beds here just a couch. The main reason being, we don't want to be responsible for getting her to Seattle in an emergency situation since this is not a healthy baby. The doctor has also concurred.

Then, they have several appointments with the doctor at UW this week where they will learn what the exact game plan is.  Her official due date is mid September, but they could do this pretty much any time I think. 

Be praying for the obvious and how we can be there to help.  Whether it be our presence, buying them snacks/food, taking them around Seattle to get them thinking about other things, etc.... Thanks!

Baby niece update

The latest we've heard is that Mom will be coming here to Seattle probably about August 21 for delivery and maybe before that for an in-utero surgery. Baby's chances have dropped to 30%.  She can be expected to be in the hospital for 6 months, Lord willing.  Please pray for the obvious and for Ethan (daddy to this little girl).  He is struggling in all the ways you would expect.

Logan's 18 month check up!

Logan had his 18 month check up today.  He's not 18 months until Thursday, but this was the closest day to get an appointment. :)  He is well!  He got 3 shots and did well.  He didn't start crying until the 2nd shot, but then settled down really quickly.  Here are his stats at 18 months:

Weight: 24 pounds 2oz; 27%.  He gained 2 pounds 1 oz in 6 months; down from the 33%.

Height: 2' 9.75"; 89%.  He grew 3.25 inches in 6 months; up from the 66%.

Head: 50.2cm; 97%.  It grew 1.3cm in 6 months; remaining at the 97th%.


Here is how the boys compare at 18 months:

Weight:  Shaun was 7.6 ounces heavier.

Height:  Shaun was 1.15 inches taller

Head:  Shaun's was .8cm bigger!

Even though Shaun was bigger in all 3 areas, they are pretty close to each other; must be brothers!  :)

Logan is jabbering up a storm.  He is always  saying something.  The actual words he is saying  are growing and getting clearer, but still mainly parts of words that we can tell what they are.  The latest is 'fish' and 'shoe', which sounds so cute when he says them because his lips go way out as he says it!

He is also interacting and trying to keep up with big brother a lot more.  He is trying to run and chase Shaun and egg him on with various screeching, teasing, etc.

He also is showing a lot of emotion lately, mainly frustration.  He has been throwing 'mini' tantrums lately by banging on the wall, throwing himself on the ground or just plain screaming.  Doc said the best way to deal with them is to ignore.  They will probably get worse before better, but then his only options are to go hoarse or give up!

Next checkup @2 years old!