1st Doctor's Visit

Yesterday Gray had his first visit with his pediatrician. While he'd previously lost a 6 ounces from his 8lb 2 oz birth, I'm happy to report he's back up to 8 lbs. When we took him back to the room at the doctor's office and placed him in his diaper on the examination table while waiting on the doctor to come in, he wet the table like I've never seen!! Travis and I just died laughing! We quickly cleaned him up, then the table, just in time for the Dr to come in.
He loved his first outing and slept most of the ride. Our next visit is on Friday, october 2nd.
Its so hard to believe he's already a week old! I wish time would just stand still. Gray is such a cuddler and sleeps best on my chest or beside me - putting him in the bed was something I said I'd never do..."Never say never" and besides, selfishly I kind of like him being so close. I sleep best, too, smelling his head and hearing him breath while, simontaneously, thanking God for such a priceless gift.
He's feeding are up to 3 ozs and he just loves to eat - just like his momma!! :) Leigh

Our First Family Picture

First Night Home

We're finally home--we came home Sunday afternoon. Our first night home was exciting! We were all so tired. Gray is just precious...he's looking all around...we thought him staying awake a bit would help him sleep longer. Ha!....and he slept so well in the hospital !....Everything is good right now, as he sleeps on my shoulder and chest ... Thank you for all your prayers, thoughts, and congratulations !! Leigh and Travis

Baby Gray is here. 8 Pounds 1 oz. and 21 inches long

Diaphragm seems to be intact

On Monday, Dr. Gonzalez (the specialist) was kind enough to put my mind at ease about Gray being born with a Diaphragmatic Hernia. He explained the diaphragm is actually a tent keeping the lungs and heart above and bowel, intestines, liver, etc. below and when a baby inhales or gasps for room air the first time, if there is a hole or incomplete diaphragm (as in Grayton's case) or tear, organs can get pulled into the lung area. There's no guarantee this won't happen. However, he certainly looked Gray over and nothing he saw gave him any indication that the diaphram is not completely intact.

Answered Prayers, for sure! Thank you all who've prayed for Gray, Travis, me as well as our families. We've certainly felt each and every one of them.

At home, I'm starting that nesting phase and a very nice added energy burst - neither of which I ever experienced with Grayton. Unless Gray and God decide something different :), two weeks from tomorrow, he'll be here! Please continue to pray for him as well as the most "normal", uneventful C-Section and birth that Brookwood Hospital ever experienced! HA!

Meanwhile, I continue to go twice a week (Monday and Thursday) for non-stress tests at my OB's office. So far, he's been very responsive but no contractions to record.

Thanks again,
Leigh

Everything is on track

Starting this past Monday (the 24th) I go for non-stress tests twice a week, as well as seeing the Ultrasound Tech once a week for updates on my amniotic fluid and sometimes his growth. As of Monday, his estimated weight is 6lbs 10oz. and everything else seems to be fine. My fluid was down from 12.43 to 8.18 but Dr. Stradtman said it wasn't anything to be worried about and it changes daily. However, they'll keep a watch on it.

While I'm anxiously awaiting Gray's arrival, I can't say it doesn't come without anxiety. Yesterday, I read about a family in Selma who has a CDH (diagnosed in utero) baby who was born, like Grayton, with little to no diaphragm. He lived only 10 days at Children's Hospital in Bham. The family was blessed to have a second son, Chambers (don't you just love the name?!), who is a perfect and healthy baby. Their 3rd child, Celie, was monitored by a specialist like Gray and because of an ultrasound at 28 weeks that clearly showed her diaphragm in place, the parents didn't have any further testing. However, Celie was born with CDH, too. While she's now a healthy and thriving 3 year old girl, it severely scares me. The nurses and physicians at Children's told the family they were only the 2nd repeat case for the hospital in 19 years. While I know its a sin to worry, I definitely struggle with it.

Please pray for Gray to be a complete and whole baby boy who will grow, without any problems, to hunt and fish with his daddy (and mom, too) and one day join The Creekbaum Group at UBS :) Sounds like I'm trying to plan his future, doesn't it? :) Hope you know I'm only kidding about his interests and career path......well, only half kidding anyway.