Morning gang! Had a great weekend at Catalina. Saw about 6 leopard sharks. We were in a shallow mangrove type area and they were definitely juveniles, 2 1/2 feet to about 4 feet. Bat rays, shovel nose guitar fish, a nice BIG 12 inch giant kelp fish...and of course, the garibaldi Weather was fantastic. One of our boat neighbors met up with us over there and we side tied at 2 harbors, had great steaks and fresh squash, eggplant from our friends garden.

Will post baby pics today. They've been sent to my work. Can't wait to see them! Katie has infant jaundice...spent and extra day in the hospital. They are bumping up feedings with formula, and have the photosensitive blanket and light on her. Send good thoughts to little Katie that her liver kicks in and it's all over in a couple weeks!

(Message edited by cyndelee on August 7, 2006)

Hi oma,

I am sending good thoughts from Holland. How is Sarah doing? Can't wait to see the first pictures!

We are about to leave for camping!!! Extra special hugs to Sarah. A friend mine (her son was born April 23 of this year!!!) had to go under the bili lights as well. Poor little ones, it's so hard to see them like that, I hope mom is able to be there though. Katie will be home before you know it! Can't wait for pics!!!

Thanks guys. Katie is home. They brought her home Saturday night. So they are doing the extra feedings, blanket and light at home. Sarah is doing great. She is handling all this very well for a 19 year old!

QGH, what A life!
Hugs go out for Sarah and Katie.

The bili lights are common in the High Country. Both of my kids born in Colorado had them and also Matthew in May '02. Kinda like a tanning bed

Linda, did your kids and Matthew have them at home? I guess it's common (half of all newborns have it) and it should resolve in 10 to 14 days.

Congrats to the new parents and grand parents.

The little 2 year old terror next door had it too, though they kept her in the hospital. She was so cute with her little baby sunglasses. Also, the nurses didn't want her to get used to a bottle so they fed her with a little cup. Now that was weird....I've never seen a newborn drink from a cup before. Anyway, didn't seem to have affected her. She's a healthy little devel....umm, I mean angel.

CindyR

Cynde,
Yes...that's a photo of Matthew AT HOME two years ago. Not really as scarey as it sounds. From Nanna (me) to Oma (you)... it'll be fine. Little Katie has loving support around her. The docs wouldn't send her home with this "tanning bed" if there was GREAT concern. Besides,with all these BT aunt and uncles....

I still can't believe Sarah is a mom. What fun you're going to have being an Oma!!!!

Thanks Linda. I'm STILL waiting for the pics! lol! I've sent her that picture and asked if that's what she has for Katie at home.

Congratualtions Nana! I must have missed the news. I will keep Katie in my thoughts and prayers and glad Sarah is doing well! My oldest daughter was a month early and also needed to go under the lights. I think it is pretty common.

OK, FINALLY got some pics...lol!



This is Christopher, Katie's big brother


Linda, just talked to Sarah and it's a special blanket with light. Not the thing they had for Matthew. She said that's what they had at the hospital.

Hi Katie, welcome to BT.

Thanks for the pics, she is adorable!

I have been dealing with vertigo since Saturday. Just wondering when it will finally go away. Got a call from my mom at midnight last night, my dad is in the hospital with heart problems. He had a heart attack over 12 years ago and has been good since, but blood pressure is sky high, his color was terrible and he had bad chest pains.They are doing a battery of tests like you wouldn't believe and they plan on doing a catheter test, but have to be careful as he has had a recent surgery for circulation and has a hemoglomin where they plan on inserting the catheter. Never ends around here lately. Hope they got to him in time to prevent another heart attack. Time will tell. How's everyone else doing today?

Katie is beautiful! Big brother Christopher is very handsome too! Jaundice is so common, both my children had to do the special lights and stuff. Rajan was so dark skinned I didn't realize he was jaundiced except the whites of his eyes were bright yellow!
Everything will be fine, you are one lucky Oma!

She's beautiful!!!!!!

Katie is beautiful. I am glad she will be all better in a week or so.

Debbie, I will keep your dad and you in my prayers. I have never had vertigo before so I am not sure how long it usually last.

Well, we are off to take care of student loans so Stephanie can start college in a couple weeks. I am still in denial about her leaving home and going away to college.

Lisa, Tiffany goes in a couple weeks to college too! House sure will be quiet after she leaves for sure. Is Stephanie going far? Tiff is going way south for Marine Biology. It doesn't seem to phase her at all, but me, it will take some getting used to. Short airplane ride, but not right around the corner either.... Wishing Stephanie good luck at college!

Katie is sooo cute! Just think in a few years she can be a little mermaid diving with all of her BT aunties and uncles.

Debbie...you know how to keep the house noisy? Start redecorating! LOL! My friend's parents did that. They started the remodel the day after she left for college - did the entire house!

I love her!!!!

Cynde - Katie is adorable!!! I know you and Michael are a very proud Oma and Oppa!!! I can definitely see Michael in her cute face!!!


Debbie my Alex is moving in on the 19th - we are both counting the days. I hope your vertigo gets better!! I will keep your Dad in my thoughts and prayers!!

Lisa - I am now officially broke - 1st semester is paid for, plus all the other things like books, new computer, dorm stuff - the check book is closed after this weekend. he got the lecture that he has to make do with what he has for sending money and figure out how to make more during his breaks!!1

Tribs, funny you should mention that! We are thinking of re-doing Tiff's room, having Brandon move in there, then move Tiff to the downstairs bedroom like we did with her older brother, who has since graduated and got married. LOL! Not so sure about the whole house though...

Girls are far worse than boys going to college! They have so many, how you say accesseries? My older son was able to throw some clothes together, and off he went, but Tiff, we need to downsize her wardrobe as she is flying and not all that stuff will fit in suitcases, let alone a small dorm! She has clothes laid out all over my living room and says that is not all, she still has her summer stuff! Oh boy, the fun begins.

Mary, she thinks Katie looks like Chris and the boys, I can see it, she's a little upset that she sees no resemblance to her...lol! I told her as Katie grows, that will follow...

Debbie, thoughts are with your Dad. It can be very scary when they get ill, and go through such things. Big hugs.

Geez, everyone's kids are going off to college...don't let the door hit them...oh wait....waaaaaa....what will you do without having to argue with a teen on a daily basis? LOL!

Mary, I bet Alex is itching to get out on his own...always interesting to see how they "manage their money" once they are on their own.

When I was in college, and working 2 jobs plus going to school, I didn't have enough money for my car insurance one month. Of course, I called my dad and asked for a "loan." He told me no...so, I went out and got a third job to pay for the insurance. Then he felt bad and sent me a check, which I tore up and sent back to him...what a brat I was...lol!

Cynde - one down and one to go!!! Don't know if Dirk will survive all the alone time with Bryant - one of them my end up dead while I am away!!!

Debbie - Alex has a bin with his dorm stuff and one with clothes and the only other thing is his bike - yes much easier than a girl!!! I had to beg him to take more than one towel!!!!

Last weekend we (my neighbors and Dirk and myself) decided that we needed to do a reality show for our teens (both of our oldest sons are leaving for college this year) to see if they can function in the real world. But first we as parents would put out disclaimers that we tried to teach them - but they still turned out helpless!!! We really have our doubts if they will remember to even wake up in the morning - much less get to class and manage their money. Example came from our recent camping trip.

We went camping in tents in the the past heat wave - yes it was 100 degrees and 105+ heat index! The teenage boys shared a tent and I noticed that at night they did not have the tent flaps open - when the complained about how hot it was the next day I asked them why they did not open the tent flaps up - their response was - they had the fan running!!!!! Neither myself nor my neighbor would even think of how to respond to that one - actually we were dumbfounded!!!! That was when the reality show idea came to life!!!

Mary..l...m...a...o....on the tent...fan...and one towel...omg...I can just see Alex..."mom, why do I need more than one towel? I can only use ONE at a time?"...still chuckling. I think the reality TV show would be a good one...

With Dylon doing the home school thing, I'm just hoping that he and Michael survive his senior year...he THINKS he wants to go back to the regular HS for his last sememster...he may be FORCED to if he wants to live...lol! Maybe we should get Dirk and Michael to put each other on "speed dial" for support!

(Message edited by cyndelee on August 7, 2006)

(Message edited by cyndelee on August 7, 2006)

Cynde - OMG!!! That is exactly what Alex said!!!!

I am cracking up here - I totally understand that last line - if only they knew how close they are to not living they may actually be afraid!!


Life with teens!!!! Don't know if I am going to live through it!!!

Speed dial sounds like a good thing!!!

Reality show is in hopes we can money off them for all the hassle they give us - however we are afraid it would back fire and the whole country would blame us for them!!!LOL!!!

You think you have it bad . Try life with teenage girls. Boys are so much easier and cheaper.

Cynde,
We were in Germany when I had Autumn and she had jaundice and had to stay under the lights for a week. It was funny it was like she knew the day she was coming out because she had a blow out diaper was all over the incubator. When we took her home they told me to sit her in front of the window with no clothes on and the building we live at the time was being worked on the outside should of seen the looks I got from the men putting my baby naked in front of the window.
Glad Katie is home now.

Awwwww, Cyn....she's adorable!
Got one of her with her mommy and daddy?

Mary, it would probably backfire. I can see the "it's not the kids fault...it's the parents"...

Jerry, that is EXACTLY what I think when I see some of the stuff kids have tattooed now days...what are they going to think when they are 80...will it be relevant? This is not knocking tattoos...I know a couple folks who have beautiful body art...there IS a difference!

Christine, I agree, boys are easier than girls. Naked baby in front of the window..."they probably 'ad yer rumored as the bleedin' crazy mum 'oo put 'er stark bloody nakid bebe in the window daily." ...lol...I'm relieved to hear so many of you have gone through this. We don't have a lot of pediatric info on our site, so I hadn't heard about it.

Kathy, I do have one. I'll email it. I think Sarah would kill me if I posted one of her just post delivery! LOL!

GH, Katie is beautiful!! Thanks for the pics.

Debbie, I will keep your Dad in my thoughts.

Cynde - she's beautiful & congrats again. It seems pretty common now with babies that they have jaundice. Not to fret she'll get better quickly.
To all BT Mom's whose kids are off to college - I wish you the best & good luck decorating or is that re-decorating!

Debbie - what's with the Vertigo? You're still on meds right? Hope you get to feeling better real soon. Our thoughts & prayers are with you & your Dad. Please keep us posted.

OK, a couple more. All the one's she sent so far of Chris and the baby are close ups (his hands and her).



This is Andrew...he is such a little munchkin

Great pics Cynde! Congratulations to all again!
Geez, Alison had jaundice too...had to spend a night under the bili lights before they let me take her home! Sounds like a common phenomenon given all the stories here!

Cyn, those are beauuuutiful pics. I'm so happy for your family.

Cinthia, just precious - what a cutie!

Debbie, I hope your dad is doing ok. Hugs

Babs, I agree, sounds like a common phenomenon! Certainly makes me feel much better! Michael will take the new bunk beds to the boys on Thursday (driving) and I'll fly to Phx Friday morning and we will spend the weekend holding her and loving her Thank goodness we have a wonderful housesitter!

They told me to put my son on the desk by the window and let the sun shine on him! In a couple of days his yellow was all gone! I guess that's how they did it 28 yrs ago.

Cynde, for sure let me know if you get a West Coast BT dinner together. Hopefully I'll be in town when you do.

great photos and Sarah is glowing for sure..
My granddaughter Shelby had a bilirubin problem as well and the doctors here told us to "Put her in the sunlight of the window nakid" for a certain amount of time,like one hour or something.." that was only 6 years ago so I guess that information is still pretty current..
Hugs to all concerned..

girls in the window , naked , .......?????

Pfwwww , good thing I read the entire thread before posting

Cynde , what a adorable pictures !!!

I just love the way Sarah is looking at the camera ( and therefore at everybody who will see that picture) , so proud and powerfull!!!!
And she has every reason for it , Katie is a beautifull baby .

Cynde , just wait till this weekend when Katie will grap your finger with her little fingers , oma WILL melt!!!

We DO expect pictures of you holding her ofcourse , ( not necesserily(sp?) with white patch on your shoulder)

Sjosss

Sara does look like the proud mom in that picture. Thanks for sharing your grand daughter with us Cynde!

College......We spent last night making list and going over financing (again). Girls have no room in the dorm but NEED to take so much stuff! We looked up the bill on line for this quarter and I wanted to cry. Stephanie finally took care of a lot of stuff that I had been getting on her about. Now she feels better about everything. I am still trying to get over the money that college is costing. We have two more kids to go so I don't think retirement will ever be in our future. LOL. Maybe they will all have amazing jobs and take care of us when we are old. Hey, a mom can always dream can't they!

Cynde, my uncle is like your dad was. He has 7 kids and 5 of them went to college. He wouldn't even give them money for books or food and told them when they left, they were on their own. His youngest told him she didn't want his help. She said when I am holding that degree in my hand, I know I did it on my own and I can take pride in that. Needless, to say he isn't close to any of his children. It's sad that he has 7 kids and doesn't seem to appreciate any of them.

Cynde - What a BEAUTIFUL picture of Sara and Katie!!!!! Thanks for charing with us!!!

Sara is glowing and I agree with Jos - proud and powerful were my exact thoughts!!!

Have fun this weekend holding and loving that little girl!!!!

thanks gang...I am pretty proud of them

Lisa, I don't know how those 4 girls will fit all their stuff in that dorm room? I don't think I would even want to look at the bill online....funny, you think that when they turn 18 that they will get CHEAPER...and they only get more expensive...lol!

My dad was a wonderful guy, and we were very close in his last years. He "mellowed" quite a bit over the years...lol...I was a stubborn cuss at times so I know I really aggrivated my parents when I was younger! I moved out the day I turned 18 and thought I knew EVERYTHING...lol...They would say black so I would go white just to be a booger...

Jos, I can't wait to have Katie's little fingers wrap around mine. You bet I'm gonna take my camera and get pics of Katie with Oma and Opa! Oh, and I'll makes sure I put a towel on my shoulder and not wear my nice shirts...thanks for the reminder...I'll keep it in mind when I'm packing

Mercy, you got it on the BT mini meet. I'll have to ping Boom and see what their schedule is like for Sept or Oct...

Sarah looks wonderful. Congrats again to all! (And Katie will be so much more fun in just a few months!)

Hey Cyn ---- it's been pretty rough here.
Seeing Sarah's pic brings tears to my eyes and I can't have that as I'm at my shop and have a customer coming in...
She is just beautiful and Jos was right on (a man of words) she looks so proud and ready to take on Motherhood.
Many, many hugs to your whole family (even the crazy ex )

ps- email & website are down so I'm out of cyber touch until further notice

Beautiful Photos of Katie!! Sarah looks great!!!!!

Infant jaundice is very common and has been for a long time. My eldest is 31 and we had to have her under a bili light for a few days and then in the sun 4 times a day for an hour, my son only had to be in the sun, his was not as bad as his sisters. The bili light and the sun does the trick for jaundice.

Katie is a cutie and so is big brother. Mom looks so proud. Will keep all in my prayers.