ChuckECheese!

If you hear one of my children yelling, "say CHUCKECHEESE" be sure to look for them. They are playing with a camera and they are trying to take photos of each other.

Doctors Office

Alex and Gabriel are hilarious at the dr. office. They genuinely enjoy visiting Dr. Beck. Lane had to go in because her clogged eye duct became infected. Poor little girl gets goopy green eyes whenever she wakes up. Dr. Beck made sure to check the boys ears and eyes when they didn't want to be left out of the fun.
I went to the dentist. It had been far too long. I have to use a medicated rinse because I have periodontal disease starting. The enamel on my teeth has been worn away as well. Both probably due to my rough pregnancy and hyperemesis. Who would have known? Yes, Lane, you were worth it.

Halloween 2009

We had a very busy Halloween. The day started with a Halloween party with the playgroup. We had a great time. Gabriel was a spider, Alexander was a bumble bee, Laney was a lady bug. Mom and Dad were the bug catchers, of course! The hats I made for our costumes were difficult to wear and became toys for the kids.
We went to Oktoberfest in Remsen. It was neat to expose the kids to German music. The food was a big disappointment.
The biggest decision of the day was whether to take our tired children trick-or-treating or to stay home. We decided to go to a couple houses in the neighborhood. I am glad we walked around the neighborhood because two of our neighbors had gifts for our children. They are so generous. It was heartwarming. The boys got the hang of trick-or-treating after a couple houses and did not want the fun to end, even when they were shivering from the cold.

MIAMI!

We traveled to Miami last week. Andrew had a conference so the rest of us tagged along. We arrived on Saturday. We headed to Pollo right away - oh how we've missed thee! Where else can you find cheesecake with guava at a fast food place? Gabriel devoured his food! On the way out, Alex threw his daily fit outside the door, on the ground. Two police officers were walking up and I said... well, I guess the police officer can deal with you. One of them said, "Okay, buddy, why don't you go home with Mom and Dad?" Alex RAN to us, faster than I've ever seen him move. Ahhhh - that threat lasted for a while.
Sunday - We went to the Railroad Museum. It was great to watch the boys explore the trains as if they had never seen it before. The weather was fantastic so we headed to Lincoln Rd in SOBE after having Nicaraguan food for lunch. Yum.
Lincoln Road - where else can you purchase 5 chocolate covered marshmallows on a skewer for $5 and a glass of gross orange juice for $4?! The price is worth seeing the fresh produce for sale, all the different people, and the performers. I also saw the store Dash!

First Post

It's strange to write a beginning post because it's difficult to know where to begin. Perhaps a quick update on what is going on in our world is appropriate.
Andrew had a medical procedure done on Thursday. Everything came back fine. The dr gave me good news and after the past year of difficult medical news, I stood stunned. The dr said, "that's good news Jessica." Finally! I think it's time for us to catch a break with medical issues.
I'm chugging along and finding my groove with three children. It hit me a couple weeks ago that I have three children under 5. I hope I handle it with grace. Some days are more pleasant and peaceful than other days but overall, I am happy. I am thrilled to be a stay-at-home mother. I got to help raise many other children and now I am finally raising my own family.
I am a part of an organizing team for a play group. I started the group almost two years ago but I think the group has morphed into its own being. I have made friends here who I love dearly. I am lucky to have them in my life. They are not "for a reason" or "for a season" friends, they are life long friends. Today I celebrated the arrival of a soon-to-be second baby - I hope she felt showered with love today.
Gabriel has a new interest in dinosaurs. He still likes trains and dogs as well. The weather is affecting his sensory processing and making life more difficult for him. I hope he finds his way through it soon.
Alexander is adjusting to life with a younger sister. He is our resident clown and works hard at making us laugh. He sings constantly and makes up the cutest songs.
Lane - our dear sweet 3 month old daughter. She smiles but makes us work for it. She can roll over, especially when she is annoyed. I have learned a lot from my sweet little girl already. I never knew how much I needed a daughter. I am in love.

The financial cost of having a preterm baby

This isn't an insightful look into our health care system. It is simply a tally of the costs associated with Lane's birth and visit in the NICU for 29 days. Guesses regarding the total would be entertaining.



Inpatient 6/25-6/28 for Jessica charges submitted 12778.04 benefits paid 6230.60 our cost 0
Jessica procedure 6/25 3500.00 2927.00 cost 0
Jessica surgery 6/25 250.00 133.00 0
I/P physician 6/26 160.00 49.00 0
anesthesia 6/25 800.00 545.00 0
neonatologist 6/26 258.00 204.00 0
neonatologist 6/25 548.00 449.00 0
neonatologist 6/27 258.00 204.00 0
neonatologist 6/28 258.00 204.00 0
neonatologist 6/29 258.00 204.00 0
neonatologist 6/30 258.00 204.00 0
neonatologist 7/01 258.00 186.00 0
neonatologist 7/02 258.00 186.00 0
neonatologist 7/03 258.00 186.00 0
neonatologist 7/04 258.00 186.00 0
neonatologist 7/05 258.00 186.00 0
neonatologist 7/06 258.00 186.00 0
neonatologist 7/07 258.00 186.00 0
neonatologist 7/08 258.00 186.00 0
neonatologist 7/09 258.00 186.00 0
neonatologist 7/10 258.00 186.00 0
neonatologist 7/11 258.00 186.00 0
neonatologist 7/12 258.00 186.00 0
neonatologist 7/13 258.00 186.00 0
neonatologist 7/14 258.00 186.00 0
neonatologist 7/15 258.00 186.00 0
neonatologist 7/16 258.00 186.00 0
neonatologist 7/17 258.00 186.00 0
neonatologist 7/18 258.00 186.00 0
neonatologist 7/19 258.00 186.00 0
hospital 6/25-6/30 71321.24 0 71321.24
Med Equip 9/23 425.00 323.80 0
Med Supplies 9/21 28.70 28.70 0
Med Equip 8/23 425.00 323.80 0
outpatient for Jessica 5/22 565.48 373.22 0
xray 6/26 28.00 16.00 0
xray 6/29 100.00 57.00 0
inpatient 7/15-7/24 13905.00 3900.21 0
inpatient6/25-6/30 9270.00 2600.16 0
inpatient 7/01-7/14 48146.24 6067.04 0
xray 7/13 224.00 131.00 0
neonatologist 7/20 258.00 186.00 0
neonatologist 7/21 258.00 186.00 0
neonatoloigst 7/22 258.00 186.00 0
supplies 7/23 21.00 21.00 0
supplies 7/23 21.00 21.00 0
supplies 7/23 36.40 36.40 0
med equip 7/23 425.00 323.80 0
neonatologist 7/23 258.00 186.00 0
neonatologist 7/24 168.00 136.00 0
professional 7/9 235.00 120.00 0
professional 7/9 75.00 39.00 0
professional 7/9 150.00 7.50 0
med equip 10.23 425.00 323.80 0
lab for Jessica 6/2 433.05 209. 0
outpatient for Jessica 6/2 493.91 325.98 0

Welcome Home LANE!

After 4 weeks and 1 day in the NICU, Lane Elizabeth is home. She came home after her 4 pm feeding. I'm holding her as I type this and can not believe she is here. I feel like I had her a couple days ago - the emotions are right on the surface. I'm overwhelmed, in love, frightened, excited, anxious, to name a few. We didn't tell many people that she was probably coming home because we were worried that it wouldn't happen.
Lane is home on a monitor to watch her heart rate and breathing. If she stops breathing for more than 20 seconds, the monitor will blare an obnoxious alarm to alert us. She will continue on caffeine, vitamins, and NeoSure 22. Once a month, the monitor will be downloaded to check her apnea episodes and we'll continue for there. The Dr did mention that outpatient testing might be required in the future in Omaha.
We brought her home in a pink dress, white tights, and pink ballet shoes. I can't believe I am holding my little beautiful princess.

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