Guerin Update

Guerin is getting a little bit better everyday. This is the update from Jodie, "The neonatologist has decided to treat for pneumonia which is a 10day treatment plan at the minimum. He is still in the NICU in the hood, but we are still hoping that he will be moved to a nasal cannula soon so I can hold him and feed him. As of last night, his respiratory rate is still very high, and his O2 sats aren't always as stable as they would like, so that's why he continues in the hood. The hood is not mechanical - he is still breathing on his own. The other good news is that his latest round of blood gases which check for signs of cardiac problems were good so the docs are still just looking at his lungs which do have fluid in them acc to the chest x.rays."
Thank you all for your continued thoughts and prayers. This is not what any parent wants, but thankfully, Guerin seems to be beating this thing, and it won't be too long before he is home.
Here are a couple of pics of the little man. I can't get over how much he looks like Davis did!

Please Pray...

...For Guerin. He has been having trouble getting his oxygen levels up, so he had been under an O2 hood at East Cooper. This afternoon, he was moved to MUSC. They have run some tests to rule out certain things, and everything looks good except for his oxygen level. We are confident that his little lungs are getting stronger and should start giving him all the air he needs very soon, but in the meantime, he needs all of our help. So please pray for him to get well very soon. Also, we need to pray for Jodie and Van, that they can keep up their strength to see Guerin through this rough spot. And a special prayer for Jodie, who should still be a patient herself, but has been discharged from East Cooper and with Van is keeping watch on Guerin at MUSC. Guerin is very lucky to have such strong, loving parents. Finally, we need to pray for Guerin's big brother, Davis. He has been an absolute angel these past two days. He is spending the nights with us, while his grandparents take care of him during the day. He has been a dream with Reeves. They play so well together. Both boys are sleeping peacefully right now. I look forward to watching their interaction in the morning.
Hopefully, Guerin will get a clean bill of health soon. Be sure to add these special people to your lists. We love them all very much.

Welcome, Baby Dos!

I just heard from Jodie and Van. She has just delivered, by C-section, their second son.

James Guerin Willis

Guerin is 7 pounds, 7 ounces, 21 inches long. He has some hair, but not as much as Davis did when he was born. Although still more than Reeves has to this day!!

I can't wait to go meet the little man. I really thought she was having a girl!

I will post pictures later tonight.

KPB vs the GSS

OK, does this ever happen to anyone other than me? You go into the grocery store (grocerteria to Anna), and, although you plan to do a bit of wandering, you are basically going in there for just a couple of things. Point being, you don't plan to spend a lot of time in there, in and out because you're busy and have lots of things to do. Unfortunately, at every turn, on every aisle, you meet your GSS, your Grocery Store Stalker, who is only in the grocerteria to thwart any attempt you make at being an efficient shopper. They don't actually want to purchase anything for themselves; they only want to keep you from accessing the things you are trying to buy.

Here's my most recent encounter…. I go into Whole Foods today at lunch today. I'm only getting a couple of things and my lunch. But…on my way to the soy milk, soy margerine, soy yogurt, Smart Dogs, and tofu section (compliments of Reeves' allergies), I make the mistake of going down the aisle where they have the discpensers of rice, grains, nuts, and wasabi coated peas. All I want is some wasabi peas to take back to the office for a snack. We all love them, and these peas looked better than any I have ever seen. Alas, I was plagued by a couple who would eventually turn out to be my GSS. There they stood, examining the unnecessarily large selection of trail mixes just below my peas! Does it matter if this one has dates and that one doesn't? "Honey, this one's $4.53 a pound, and this one's only $3.96." OMG, unless you are planning on buying a truckload of this stuff, does 57 cents really make that much of a difference?!?! Have you seen how big a pound of this stuff is!? But, because I'm Southern, I wait, for what I think is an inordinate amount of time. Finally, I have to say, "Excuse me" and reach above them to get my peas. You would have thought I stepped on their toes and pushed them to the ground! Now the fight is on. They have officially assumed the title of GSS. Not only do I have to side step this woman in order to make it out of the aisle, but then, when I finally make my way through the store over to the prepared foods section, who is standing in front of the only bits I want to choose from? That's right, my GSS! THEY WOULD NOT MOVE!! I finally just had to choose something else to eat because I noticed roots growing from their feet. I know they kept standing there just so that I couldn't get my split pea soup, those Evil Minions!! And, as a final taunt, they rush, as fast as their geriatric legs could carry them, into the check out line towards which I am clearly heading, and , again, because of this cursed politeness which has been bred into me, I let them win.

Please tell me this happens to other people too, and it's not just some grocery store curse I have.

Till Death Do Us Part...and Maybe Longer

OK, in addition to the fact that I love Bryant more and more each day (ala, "I love you more today than yesterday, but not as much as tomorrow..."), and we have a wonderful son together who makes my world turn, and I'm so happy to wake up to my life each morning, I have just been reminded, by some of the single girls in the office, why I am so happy I am married. I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO NEED TO GO CLUBBING! OMG! We were just discussing the proper attire to go to clubs, and, may I just tell you, I don't fit the bill. First and foremost, you have to wear high heels. Ummm, I can barely make it through a black tie evening in those Torture Twins, much less a night of drinking, dancing, and debauchery. Right away, I would have to pray for tall guys with bad peripheral vision and poor lighting. I've never really been on the cutting edge of fashion, and I have definitely retreated even more since I've been married, but after talking with these girls, I'm afraid there is absolutely NOTHING in my closet that would "work" at the clubs (and there probably never was). Even my undergarments would be laughed at. This, along with all the love-dovey and baby stuff of course, is why I am so glad I'm married, why I'm so glad Bryant is happy with me without "clubbing" clothes, and why you will never catch me grinding on a pole to the beat of the thumping at City Bar!

OK, I'm just conducting my own unscientific poll.

"Doing launrdy" is:

A: Putting the clothes in the washing machine and turning it on.

B: Moving clothes from the washer to the dryer and, if necessary, reloading the washer with more dirty clothes.

C:Removing dried clothes from the dryer, balling them up on the counter. Moving clothes from the washer to the dryer and, if necessary, reloading the washer with more dirty clothes.

D: Removing dried clothes from the dryer. Moving clothes from the washer to the dryer and, if necessary, reloading the washer with more dirty clothes. Immediately returning to the clothes just removed from the dryer and folding them, then returning them to their right places in various closets and drawers.

I'm just wondering. Please leave your answer in the comments.

Thanks!

What a Short, Wonderful Trip It's Been

Still bruised from his delivery.

I am so emotional as I sit here writing this. I just never knew you could love someone so much. 365 days ago we were welcoming Reeves into our lives. We had gotten his nursery ready. We had dedicated a cabinet in the kitchen to his stuff. We'd read (skimmed) all the books, talked with all the friends who were already parents, and tried to get as much sleep as we could. And then the miracle happened. And there is absolutely no way to have adequately gotten prepared. The emotions, the fears, the love, the fascination - I have yet to come across anything that truly conveys what a first time parent feels. Oh, I've read lots of things that have come close, and talked to people who have felt the same way, but there is always that something missing. I make no claims to be able to verbalize it here because I don't think it can be. There are not words to describe it. It's just something that is there - the look in the eye, the breath on your face, the complete abandon with which this child relies on you and knows you will do anything in your power for him, for the rest of your life. These are just some of the things that we, as parents, all know.

If we can just grab an hour's sleep, if he'll just take one more ounce, just give us a wet diaper so that we'll know all your systems are working properly. All these things that make the first three months so exhausting and hard are the same things we look back on and laugh at, and they're the same things that, for some strange reason, we all look forward to having again.
Reeves is truly a blessing to us. He amazes me and his daddy more and more each day. I look back on this past year with so many emotions. Joy in watching him grow and learn, saddness to know that he will never be a little baby again, gladness at seeing the wonder with which he greets each new day.

365 little days, one year. What a drop in the bucket, yet what a difference a year makes.
Mark 10:14 says, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Children are God's way of letting us get a glimpse of what the kingdom of heaven is. It is innocence and purity and hope.

If you look in a child's eyes, that is what you see, and that is what grabs your heart and never lets go.
Reeves, Thanks for the best year of my life. I can't wait to see what's next!

Reeves' GodBopper

Reeves' godfather, Bopper, came into town this weekend for a visit. It was such a treat to see him, and Reeves fell immediately in love. It took only two tries before, "Where's Bopper?" was met with a quick head turn in his direction. Bopper gave Reeves his first bit of corn on the cob and worked on teaching him how to blow sugars. Unfortunately, R gets a bit distracted during the hand to mouth part of it and ends up just making Indian noises. Whatever, it's all adorable! I love it when Bopper comes to town because he is such a good influence on Bryant. For some reason, when I suggest to Bryant that we work in the yard, it comes across as nagging, but when Bopper just comes and starts doing it, Bryant is encouraged to do it as well. I'm not quite sure I understand, but it's just as well because, to be honest, B and I don't work terribly well together on outdoor projects. I think we have two different plans of attack, and they come from opposite ends of the spectrum. Nevertheless, Bryant and Bopper got a ton of fencing up this weekend - all the way from the back of the lot to the edge of the house. Yay, no more tighty-whiteys in our face!!

Here are two of my favorite guys with their masterpiece!

Looks Like Caroline Was Right

OK, I can't believe I haven't posted about this sooner, but Reeves is basically walking - strike that, he is taking multiple steps. I wouldn't call him a walker yet; he difinitely prefers crawling for its speed and efficiency, but he is getting closer everyday. He walks across the den, across the kitchen, across our bedroom, his room, our bathroom. He really started last week. Julie was sweet enough to get it on video for me, and as soon as I can figure out how to get it from the video camera to the computer to the blog, I will be posting. Otherwise, I'll just try to capture him with the Sony and put it up. He can go from sitting to standing without pulling up on anything. It is amazing how much he has progressed in just the last week, since Wednesday really. He would take a few steps, but it wasn't like he really wanted to. Now he is always trying walking first. If he falls, he crawls. But he is realizing that it is much easier to carry something while walking, rather than trying to do the two kneed, one handed crawl. Our little world is about to be rocked. Sunday morning, we caught him standing on the drawer handle on the oven, holding on to the oven handle door, trying to get at the pan on the stove top. Here is climbing onto a rocking chair at the beach, and all by himself, please!

I'm thinking about having the bookshelves removed. Thank heavens our ceilings are so low - limits the risk of massive injury.

364 Days Old

The bad news is today is the last day we will ever be able to say Reeves is "almost a year old". I can't believe a year has passed so quickly!! The good news is that it looks like that tropical storm we ordered for his birthday present will get here just in time.

Happy 30th Birthday, Rob!

Saturday, while Bryant and Bopper worked on the fence, Reeves and I headed out to Folly for Rob Kunes 30th. Of course, Reeves nap put us a bit late, so we missed lunch, but it didn't matter one bit. We got there with plenty of time to change into our suits, lather up, and get on the beach. Of course, I am such an idiot. I put sunburn lotion all over Reeves, but failed to do the same for myself. Luckily, wherever Reeves touched me, the lotion transferred, so the top of my left arm, my shoulder, and a leg shaped section on my back are all without sun. But it's OK. I didn't get burnt, just enough sun to feel it. Julie helped Reeves and me make our way to the beach, where we headed immediately for the kiddie pool (gully). There were a couple of other kids there just a bit older than Reeves. He was loving it! When Mom and Dad came down a bit later, Reeves immediately started waving to them. As soon as Mom sat down, he promptly crawled out of his puddle in the sand, and onto her lap. Is there anything that makes you feel better or more loved?

Dad pulled Reeves on the boogie board. I was very impressed with his balance…and attention span!
It was so good to see the Kunes again. Here, Rob and I grew up two houses apart from each other, saw each other nearly everyday (except when he went to boarding school), and now it takes his birthday for us to get together. I say this only because the last time we saw them was at his birthday TWO YEARS AGO!! It's not that we don't talk, it's just that every time we talk, we end each conversation with, "We really need to get together soon." Likewise, we left that way on Saturday. I really miss seeing Rob and Julie. Hopefully soon, Rob and I will be able to follow through on our threats to have each other over for dinner!!

What a Hunk

Already turning the eyes of the ladies!

Here She Comes, and There She Goes

The Queen Mary 2 steamed into port yesterday. Until last May 19, she was the biggest ocean liner in the world. The Freedom of the Seas took over that honor, outweighing her by a mere 6,600 tons.

I had forgotten she was coming in until I spotted her as I was crossing the bridge into Mt.P Wednesday morning. She was bigger than any ship I'd ever seen. I couldn't believe how small she made our harbor look! I snapped this picture just to document it. (I know you are all breathing a sigh of relief and jumping for joy that I am now bringing my camera everywhere again!)


Mom had picked Reeves up, so after work, I headed down to their house, and Mom, Dad, Reeves, and I walked to the CYC to see her leave Charleston and to grab some dinner. It was a bit anticlimactic watching her go. I'm not really sure what I was expecting, but if nothing else, it gave us an excuse to go out to dinner AND get a bit of exercise. We ran into the Boykins and the Baileys. And I got to meet baby Betsy. She is just precious! Oh how I missed the days of the bucket seat as Reeves was batting my water all over me as I tried to give him a sip! Thank you, Ann, for helping me dry off!
Here's what amazes me the most about this ship. According to the Charleston Regional Business Journal, "the potential economic impact of the one-day visit for Charleston could be as high as $230,000." Are you kidding? She was here for less than 10 hours! And that's the amount if she didn't take on fuel and provisions. Who knows what it would be then. I say bring on the cruise ships!

Anatomy of a Swing

I love this Canon Rebel camera. I put it on sports mode and was able to capture all these frames of Preston's swing and run to first. I'm sure future t-ballers will be studying these during training. Notice the focus, the backswing, the follow through. Oops, careful! Don't trip over that bat! Good job! SAFE!

The Boys (and Girls) of Summer

The Crowd Goes Wild
Preston's last t-ball game was on Saturday. It was so much fun, but these poor kids. They had a double header! -They are four years old!- I can hardly focus through a double header! But they were great. Of course, in the second game, the coaches had to direct them a LOT more, "Throw it to home","Run to first","Look this way","Stand up","Come on, back on the field". And they were much less apt to jump up, but I truly think they were loving every minute of it, if for no other reason, than in anticipation of their turn at bat. You could see, through the masks on their helmets, the excitement on each face, the concentration, and the joy when they actually made contact with the ball. They would race off to first base as fast as their little legs could carry them. Then it was time to chat with the first baseman. "So, are you going to catch The Wiggles in Columbia?" But at the crack of the next bat, they were off rounding the bases in a cloud of dust, helmet bobbing, arms and legs flailing.

Preston's friend, Meredith, races to first. Don't you love the pink helmet?

Preston just beats the throw to first!

This is why I love sports.
I love that you get so focussed on the game, that nothing else matters, except getting to that next base. I love that you know your family and friends are in the stands cheering for your whole team, but cheering loudest when you come up to bat. I love the feeling you get after a long game, win or loose, when you're exhausted and physically spent, but you have just enough energy to hug your teammates and rehash all of the great plays. This is why I'm looking forward to Reeves being old enough to play sports. I can't believe Bryant and I will be the parents in the stands. How did this happen? Don't worry, Reeves, I won't get your team any Technicals!! Love ya, Gams!

Put me in, Coach.

I'm ready to play, today. Look at me. I can be centerfield.

Just Like Daddy

Since we have only one straight tie in our house, I felt it was necessary to go ahead and indoctrinate Reeves into the world of the bow tie. I think he's ready to head off to the office.

Check out those top teeth!