Autumn

First hard-freeze of the year overnight. The leaves are dropping so fast it sounds like it's raining.
It's time for a new camera. The batteries last about 10 minutes and then die. Managed a couple of shots before the shutdown.

Week 1

Jen wants to take his picture with the gorilla to see how much he grows. So, here's the first one, at 1 week old.
Zoe is really into Owen. She can't see into the bassinet but her nose comes right to the edge. Anytime Owen makes a sound, Zoe goes over to check him out, then she comes to get me to let me know he's doing something. She's snuck in a few face licks when Owen's been on my lap. She's a good big sister.

Home!

We finally got to bring Owen home last night. If felt so good to not have to go back to the hospital today (especially not having to walk through the cloud of cigarette smoke to get in the main entrance). I will miss the nurses who took great care of us, but not the chairs I had to sleep on. Thanks to the doctors, too, but we all know the nurses do the gruntwork.

Oct 21st

Sunday has been a good day for Owen. His IV was removed last night and he's been eating better. Jen was discharged yesterday but we spent the night at the hospital so we could feed him and hang out. The doctor didn't do rounds until after Jen was initially sent home, so we don't know when Owen can come home, but we should have a better idea later this afternoon/early evening after the doctor is by.

Zoe is going crazy, wondering why we haven't been home and why I keep coming and going. She got to smell a baby blanket yesterday and was pretty excited. I'm sure they will be best friends.

Owen

Saturday was a little better for Owen. He's been feeding better and a little more alert. We are staying at the hospital tonight to do feedings. I'll update tomorrow after we have a chance to talk with the pediatrician.

Friday's Owen Report

Little guy is still a sleep machine. He did wake up this morning and tried eating for 10 minutes. Then around 11:30 he was a little more active and ate for about 20 minutes, so that was encouraging. His glucose levels are now in the 80's and his breathing is better so they took off the pulse oxymeter. Still has the IV and is on the monitor, but he's improving. Jen's being discharged tomorrow, but we will still be at the hospital quite a bit until we can bring Owen home (which will probably not be for a few more days).

Thanks for the phone calls, emails and visits. Jen will try to catch up on emails in the next few days. I will try to post some more photos tonight, depending on what time I get home and how tired I am.

Baby update

Things are still about the same with Owen: sleeping constantly and still not eating. He did try a bit, but promptly fell back asleep. Hopefully he'll wake up a bit tomorrow. Mom's okay. Pretty sore from the surgery and pretty tired, but gradually getting back to normal. She says thanks to everyone who has commented or emailed.

Owen

Can you tell I'm smiling behind the surgical mask?
Owen's been sleeping most of the day. He had a rough start, so it's not surprising he's tired. I know Jen and I are. He's got an IV hooked up to his head (which looks way worse than it is) to make sure his blood sugar levels are correct.

Owen Harold Van Ert

30+ hours of labor, 2-1/2 hours of pushing with no luck, so Jen had a c-section. Found out the umbilical cord was wrapped around him several times and kept him from coming out the natural way. Everyone's a bit tired. Jen and Owen are doing well now, recovering.

8 pounds, 1 ounce
20" long

Still Waiting...

The stork appears to be in a holding pattern. Today is the due-date, and so far no signs of delivery. We have an appointment tomorrow and will schedule a day to induce if necessary. So, he's coming out one way or the other in the next few days. Stay tuned...

No Baby Yet

Still no action on the delivery front. Today the doctor said if he's not here by Tuesday it's time to induce. Monday is the due date, so we're still on schedule, but Jen wouldn't mind getting the pregnancy part over with asap.

Groß in Deutschland

Apparently I got some work published in a German book on logo design. I'm trying to get a copy of it to see what they selected (should be nice and spendy between the Euro conversion and shipping). They said they are also interested in one of my websites for an upcoming book in 2008. Prosit!

http://www.zeixs.de/logo.html

Nursery Update

After enduring another IKEA adventure (love the furniture, checkout line not-so-much) I got the replacement part for the crib and put it together. Picked up some mobiles, rugs and a couple of toys. We've got a rocking chair to put in here and an awesome ceiling lamp I need to install, then all we need is the baby. As with everything I do around the house, Zoe supervised.

Nursery Update

No more races + rain + impending due date + coffee = progress. I got the nursery painted, trim and baseboard in and the changing table put together. I'm going to replace the window trim and someday refinish the ugly floor. Crib has a gacked headboard, so I gotta make a trip to the big blue box (Ikea) to get a replacement. Gonna pick up some cool stuff for the room while there.