Day 4 - "I have no strings on me"

I thought it an appropriate title from the theme music of Pinocchio...Tyler is FREE!!! No more monitors. No more IVs. No more beeps. No more "tests" to pass (at least for now). Tyler was "re-born" to us around 4:00 this afternoon. We couldn't be more excited.
Anna Beth appears to be rebounding nicely (but we're holding our breath for the evening fever spike which has happened the last two days).
Rocky is even back from his doctor. Everyone in my little family was on anti-biotics, except me (Shaun). Also, oddly enough the person with the claim of "highest medical bill" is....(drumroll)...ROCKY!!! His bill topped out more than Anna Beth's ER visit, Tyler's birth, & Narey's recovery...COMBINED! You just have to laugh.
Here are a few pictures of our prince.

Our super-sweet nurse, Dawn.

Day 3

Anna Beth went to the Dr today & has an ear infection. She woke up great & was her usual beautiful, bright self, but as the day wore on, her fever started to rise again, peaking @ 103. We have her on a Tylenol/Motrin cycle & are hoping it drops down to a manageable level. She definitely has our attention & we thank those who are praying for her (and Tyler!!!). I've heard it was announced @ East Hill & Kemper. It is so nice to hear that we are loved & thought about! More important are the prayers. Tyler is doing great! (Hopefully Anna Beth will follow suit to try to "out-do" him). He is IV free (from sugar-water, but still has one in for anti-biotics)...and rumor is he may be able to "room-in" with us tomorrow. Narey's Dr has ordered her another day here so we can go home w/ Tyler (on Tuesday...hopefully). We've spent a ton of time with Tyler today...getting to feed him & change his diapers (he loves "marking his territory" on Daddy). We still covet your prayers.

Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better

Well, we got our first real dose of "sibling rivalry" last night. Now that everything is over, & everyone is ok...we can be a little light-hearted about it...

After coming back from seeing Tyler (who is getting stellar reports & is in the "step down" NICU unit & should be coming off his IV today)...Narey & I had our first "real" meal together (yum, J. Alexander's!!!). I went to go put the dessert in the refrigerator...I hear crying from my room. I go in & ask Narey what is wrong & she says "Anna Beth just had a seizure!"...(FYI - not a call you ever want to have). She was feeling "puny" all day, but didn't ever feel feverish. Evidently her fever rose quickly, causing a "febrile seizure"...which occurs in some kids from 6mos-6 years...(but this is still no comfort when it is happening). Fortunately, she was in VERY good hands. Uncle Chris (an EMT/Fireman) and "Poppa" (retired EMT/Fireman) were there along w/ Noni & Aunt Mimi. The paramedics & firemen took excellent care of her. Anna Beth didn't want the IV & fought off 3 grown men :D. I was waiting @ Vanderbilt Children's ER when they got there & went back to rescue my princess. When I got there she was soaked (from the fever & cold rags) and out of breath from crying. I rushed in, picked her up, & almost immediately she stopped crying. They checked her out (which included catheterizing her...again something I wouldn't suggest) & answered my 1000s of questions very calmly & thoroughly. If you have ANYTHING you need to know about febrile seizures, I'm your man. Sharon, Amy & Chris went to go stay w/ Narey (who went up to hold Tyler while we were in the ER). The nurses @ Centennial were EXCELLENT in taking care of Narey & sitting w/ her for the duration.

Anna Beth is back to herself. In fact, on the way home...she was singing her ABC's, counting to 15, & asked for "chicken"...which of course, I obliged (I would have driven to Canada to make her happy at that point). She was asking "where's Tyler" & looking for "Grandma" this morning.

Hopefully today will be a much better day! Thanks to everyone for their prayers & for being there for us & our little princess. There isn't enough money, words, or signs of affection that can describe how special you all are to us. We love you all & can't wait to return to some sort of "normalcy"...whatever that may be.

Day Two

Tyler is doing better in the NICU. The nurse said if he continues he'll be able to graduate to the "step down" portion of the NICU! YEAH! Everyone has been VERY nice & willing to answer Daddy's 1000 questions :). Here are some more pictures of Tyler from today. Enjoy!

Tyler's First Pictures (of MANY!)

Welcome To Our New Blog

We decided it was time to set up a new blog since we are awaiting the arrival of Tyler. We like the idea of a family blog instead of just one for Anna Beth. Now that it is all set up and ready to go, you can check back in 3 weeks for pictures of baby Tyler. The C-Section is set for May 2nd at 12 noon. I am sure that the proud daddy will post pictures on here as soon as he has the first free moment! Until then, keep us in your prayers for a safe surgery and a healthy baby boy!