Salem's Photo Diary- December 28th 2012

Hello World

Time: 12:54

Weight 7lb 13oz

Length 20 inches

 Meeting Daddy

 At first glance

 A closer inspection

 All Four

"So Big" Sister

Meeting Papa

A good look

Meeting Mema

Further inspection

THE Brother

Salem Elfed herself

Ok...... I did it, she objected

I let her have her way

Quizzical brow

Salem Ann

Salem Ann made her way into the world today at 1254.  She was 7lb. 14oz., 20 inches long. We are getting to know her.  She has a hardy appetite, and a lusty cry, both good things in a new born.  The kids loved her! When she started to cry Hosea plugged his ears and Aggie started whimpering in concern, and Shiloh looked at me with eyes asking if it was ok.  The older kids both enjoyed doting over her little fingers and ears and soft skin. I will post a picture soon.

Labs

Aggies blood arrived safely in OH today, so thankful!

On another note, I'm scheduled for an induction in the morning.

Labs

We had are labs drawn today, probably are most pleasant lab experience yet, if a lab experience can be pleasant, this was high rating.  We had an appointment with someone who knew what they were doing, it was a blessing for sure.  Then we FedEx'd them overnight to their destinations per the instructions.  Now we are just praying that they don't get stuck somewhere in this storm sweeping across the country so we don't have to redo them. Geesh.

Belly Update

Just a little belly update:  the button in my middle is not quite it's self.

This is my first experience being "over due".  It has been a humbling one.

While we Wait

While we've been waiting for little Miss Salem to make her grand appearance we've kept ourselves busy, maybe too busy? Probably so.

 Me Ma has been dominating the kitchen.

 Grandma and Grandpooh were also in town this week for Mike's youngest brothers graduation from the Navy EOD program.

 The kids have enjoyed receiving bundles of gifts. 

 Hosea is ready for more nerf wars.

 Grandpooh likes a good war.

 My parents (mema and papa) are staying with us.  Grandma and Grandpooh rented a condo at Destin.  We went to see them on one of the more fair days. It was in the high 60's, so we scoped out the beach and then swam in the heated pool.  The grandparents enjoy visiting with one another.  Hard to believe we had a beach trip in December.

 Shelling with Papa.

 Uncle Aaron's graduation. Only 1/3 of the students that start the program complete it, so it has been a great accomplishment for him this past year.  We are all very proud of him!

 All who came to watch the ceremony.  Mike's Family.

Mike and I bought the children a new playground for Christmas and My dad has been working away at getting it together this week.  Now that Mike is off for the holiday he can help also.  Hosea has been helping all week, he is the little supervisor under the roof. 

I've also had some adventures of being the parent of a "special needs child", we always joke that we have a "special needs child", as our dietitian was so kind to inform me of it on our last visit.  As if I was not aware.  I thought "lady if there is anyone closely acquinted with this fact, it's me".  So in making light of that........ I've made some "special" phone calls trying to find a lab that will draw blood work and overnight it to two different locations, as a follow up for our positive genetics results, per her Dr's instructions.  After a couple hours on the phone, I found a lab that will draw it, but we will have to ship it ourselves.  So then I made some more "special" phone calls learning how to over night blood.  Then I went on a "special" scavenger hunt to find materials for this "special" shipping project.  After all the information and material was gathered for this "special" project, I turned it over to my man, since the lab work must be drawn on the 26th of December for it to make it's scheduled arrival on the 27th to it's destinations, I thought giving my current circumstances it was best in his hands. Oh.... unrelated, but also on the "special" spectrum, I made another series of phone calls to get some "special" medicine for my "special needs childs" g-tube infection.  I'm really glad I didn't have anything planned this week, so I could take care of all our "special needs". 

Aggie's Genetics Labs

Aggies genetics Dr. called to inform us one of her labs had a positive result. Pyruvate dehaydrogenase. Which is a mutation in a gene that affects making and breaking down glucose.  It is on the X chromosome, and since girls have 2 X chromosome they often present with milder cases, if Aggie was male, she would probably be dead by now b/c males only have one X, so if all their X's are affected, they have more sever problems. The mutation seen on Aggies gene has not been seen in that exact location before.  They are sending us paper work so her, mike and i can all have further labs drawn to confirm an exact diagnosis, or deny something?  We will do that next week, as the one for Aggie had to be scheduled to be mailed. The treatment for this is a ketogenic diet, which we won't start until the next round of labs confirm it is what we need to do.

Here are wikapedia links if that is helpful.

Pyruvate Dehaydrogenase 

Ketogenic Diet