Bryson photos

snuggly

all my boys: Braden, Kanton, Ricky, Bryson and Ashton

wide awake

sunbathing...getting the jaundice out

first bath at home

Just a few pictures of the last few days. We got blood drawn again from Bryson to get his billirubin serum. We have not heard any results today. I guess we will go in tomorrow to get more blood drawn. He has a weight check Monday. He was 7 lbs 2.5 oz when he was born, and he was down to 6 lbs 10 oz when we left. He's doing great besides the jaundice thing. He is eating like crazy, and he is such a sweet guy. We're praying that this goes away soon. Updates on the jaundice to come.

Prayers Needed--Jaundice

Bryson had his billirubin checked on Wednesday. It was a little high Thursday, but they let us go home. We went back to the hospital this morning and had it checked. It went up 4 points. We have to go back to the hospital on Saturday and Sunday to draw more blood and check his bilirubin. The doctor says that if his levels don't fall by Monday, he will be readmitted to the hospital. I am breastfeeding, and this is very frustrating to me. The only way to get rid of it is for him to pee and poop it out, plus sit in the sun. He's eating every 30 minutes and tanning in the window right now. Please pray for us. Braden's birthday is Monday, and he would seriously be so upset if Bryson and mommy go to the hospital on his birthday.

Thanks, everyone!
Jennifer and the boys

Hospital Posting

My sweet hubby is here with me at the hospital, and he brought his laptop so I could update. I am sure everyone already knows, and I will have to do pictures tomorrow.

So, I just wanted to share that our sweet baby boy came into the world on Monday, February 16, 2009 at 4:27 a.m. He weighed 7 lbs 2.5 oz, and he was 19 inches long. He was delivered by cesarean section. His name is BRYSON CLAY. He is a sweetie. He came out screaming. His 3 brothers came out looking around and being super quiet, so mommy thought "Uh oh," but this little guy is so super good, and he's letting me get as much rest as I will let myself get (not alot for now).

So, I should be home Wednesday hoping all goes well. We do need prayers, because Kanton was running a 102.5 fever and throwing up Saturday evening. Bryson came Sunday evening/actually Monday morning. Braden has had a headache for 2 days, and they called us to get him from school today. The doctor said he needs to stay home tomorrow, and they think he has the flu. I am very nervous to take this sweet baby home with crazy sickness around. Please pray God will get our boys well, and we can have this sweet guy home soon! I need everyone well!

Thanks for your prayers and well wishes. We are doing well!

25 Random Things

I don't have time to sit and post with pictures and things. For the sake of posting, I decided to do this.

25 Random Things About Me:
1. My first car was a red 65 Mustang Convertible. My dad still has it.
2. I was voted Wittiest in High School.
3. The first word I spelled when I was 2 was indian, and I spelled it "N-D-N."
4. My arm was broken for a week before I knew I broke it.
5. I had the chicken pox when I was a freshman and missed a week of driver's ed (which would be why I can't drive in construction zones).
6. I used to want to be a teacher when I grew up so I could drink cokes in class.
7. My favorite drink is Dr Pepper.
8. I have two degrees, one in English/Kinesiology and one in medical transcription.
9. I am afraid of heights.
10. When I was a cheerleader in college, a guy broke his neck in front of me. I have really bad anxiety because of this. I can not stand to watch my kids swing or jump on the trampoline.
11. I made my sister move into our closet when we were little so I could have my own room.
12. I had purple contacts when I was a freshman.
13. I used to wear a headgear.
14. I once got a ticket for driving with no headlights. (Hey, my Mustang didn't have interior lights!)
15. My first job was as a lifeguard.
16. This is my lucky number.
17. I don't like to eat leftovers.
18. I enjoy writing, and I want to publish my children's books that I have written.
19. I played basketball in high school, and the coach would put me in for 7 seconds or after everyone else fouled out.
20. I can type really fast, and I used to compete in typing for UIL... on a typewriter.
21. I want to learn how to sew.
22. I miss my husband when he's at work, and I wish we could work together.
23. I had a pet frog in high school/college named Romeo.
24. Chewing gum hurts my jaws, because I have TMJ.
25. When I was a cheerleader in college, I got smacked in the head with a tortilla that someone threw at us from the stands.

Timing

Friday evening, I got the kids ice cream. The vanilla was so mushy, it was like soft serve. I thought the kids left the freezer door open. Saturday morning, we were getting ready for Braden's Upward basketball game, and I opened the freezer to get some cold packs out. Thank goodness it was our week for snacks and drinks, or I wouldn't have even got in the freezer. Well, I noticed the boxes were getting soggy, and it was warm.

I panicked. The fridge went out. Ricky and I grabbed the steaks and 2 gallons of milk we bought that morning and put them in the stand up freezer. The good news is that we saved a lot of food. We did throw some things away and give our fridge a good ol' cleaning out. After working on it, vacuuming under the fridge, using an air compressor and cleaning off the fan/compressor, we noticed that the compressor and fan still were not coming on. We went to Walmart and got bags of ice and another cooler.

So, we are still living out of two coolers. One is for drinks, and the other is for the fridge food. If we didn't have the stand up freezer, I think it would be way worse. So, I think we may just buy a less expensive model. We have the baby coming in 4 1/2 to 6 1/2 weeks, depending on whether he arrives on his own or at the scheduled c-section. We may just make that our garage fridge in a few years when we decide to buy another fridge. I'm thinking that with 4 kids, especially 4 BOYS, you can never have enough food in the freezer/fridge. Plus, if I continue coupon shopping and cake making, I always need a place to store ingredients/stockpiled items.

I have two cakes to make this weekend. I threw out the eggs, because I don't want to take a chance. The butter is in the freezer for now. It's just bad timing. I know there's a lesson that God's trying to teach us. Ricky seems to think it's about having more money in our emergency fund. I am not sure. I am thankful that it's just the fridge. Seriously, there are so many more things that could happen, and this is minor compared to those. I know one day we will look back on this and laugh. It might not be very soon, because I am panicking a little that we have to buy a fridge when I need a bathtub for the baby, side sleeper, sling, baby clothes, etc., but hey....God will take care of us. He always does! Maybe it's in His timing. We just have to find the lesson He is wanting us to learn.

RIP GE Side by Side Refrigerator : Jan. 7, 2003 -- Jan. 9, 2009

Countdown to Quatro

Quatro is sort of a nick name that we call the baby. That, and Ocho-cinco...jokingly guessing he will be 8 lbs 5 oz. The doctor said that's a pretty good guess considering he's almost 4 pounds now, but that's average. That would make him the biggest. My guys ranged from 7 lbs 2 oz to 7 lbs 11 1/2 oz. In length, they ranged from 18 inchs to 21 inches.

So, D-Day has been set for March 2nd. It's a Monday. My sister is going to be working. Mom is supposed to be working, and the kids have school. I'm hoping that the little guy decides to show up the week before on his own. The doctor said he wouldn't do the c-section any earlier, but if I go on my own, it's okay. So, I just want to make it through Braden's birthday party, which should be February 20th weekend. His birthday is February 23rd. So, the 24th or later, I'm good. Ashton was born at 37 weeks, but the other guys were right around 39 weeks. We'll see what happens. God knows when he's coming, and we will be ready no matter what!

10 year anniversary

Happy 10 year anniversary to us!! Ricky and I were married 10 years ago today. It's amazing how fast that time flew by. Here are 10 things I love about Ricky. Happy Anniversary, Babe!

1. He does most of the cooking, and he's good at it.
2. He helps me clean.
3. He works 2 jobs and doesn't complain about it.
4. He is a good dad to our 3 boys (and one on the way).
5. He almost always lets me choose the restaurant.
6. He reads his bible and encourages me.
7. He puts up with my worrying and planning everything and tells me to just pray about it!
8. He will gladly give up watching a football game to play with his kids!
9. He puts up with me (this is a full time job).
10. He loves me no matter what!

Here's to the next 10 years and more. Thanks for hanging in there with me! I love you!!