Transitional Care for Chase

After hearing a friend of mine talk about transitional care for her baby done in the delivery room, I was very curious. When I delivered Colby I was very uneasy about the nurse taking him away for three hours because everything I read went something like this:


Maintaining Parent-Infant Contact
During the immediate postpartum period, the mother and newborn, within
the context of their family or personal support, should be viewed as a unit.
Whenever possible, disruption of the close parent-infant relationship
during the crucial few hours following birth is to be avoided; meanwhile,
direct physical contact between the baby, mother, and father is strongly
encouraged. The parent-infant bond — the first step in the infant’s
subsequent attachments — is formative to a child’s sense of security and
has long-lasting effects. Indeed, the benefit to the parents should not be
underestimated: this early physical contact with the baby affirms their sense
of accomplishment and promotes their self-confidence as parents. Keeping
babies and parents together should clearly be of the highest priority.
Institutional policies can at times restrict this contact, so flexibility should
be the guiding principle.
EARLY POSTPARTUM CARE AND TRANSITION
At the time of birth, certain policies and practices can help initiate
the attachment process. For example, skin-to-skin contact between mother/
father and baby should be encouraged; babies should be examined and cared
for within the parents’ range of vision; and babies should have the
opportunity to breastfeed during the first hour after birth.
Whereas continued contact between parents and baby is a positive predictor
for successful breastfeeding, separation from parents after birth jeopardizes
successful lactation. During the immediate postpartum period, parents need
undisturbed time to inspect, explore, and begin to recognize their baby.

It really bothered me and made me really anxious while Colby and I were apart and I know it effected his ability to latch on and nurse. I remember Chris calling the nurse at the three hour mark and asking when would he be returning. I didn't think that it was right for him to be away from his mother that long. So, when I heard that River Oaks now offers transitional care in the delivery room I was praying that my hospital also does too. I called yesterday and was so estactic to discover that in fact it is provided. The nurse told me I would love it, how much better it is for the baby and mother, how great the accommodations are and then said it was an extra $300. Hello....why in the world is there a charge when they know it's what's best for the baby and mother. I will definitely pay the extra money because I think it is well worth it, but I just can't believe that I have to pay an extra $300 because I want to keep my baby with me at all times....sounds a little bizarre!

Zoo Trip with Coach & JoJo

We met Coach and JoJo at the Hattiesburg Zoo and Colby had such a good time!!

He insisted on carrying JoJo's pink umbrella.....pretty masculine huh?

No Fear....playing with a snake!

Colby and Coach

They treated us to lunch at Chesterfields...it was sooo yummy! I'm so glad we got to see them for the day, I wish it was more!!

A Rough Week

Let me start off by saying I try to live by the verse:

In everything you do stay away from complaining and arguing Philippians 2:14


so I will start with the praise first!

I am so thankful that Colby is such a healthy child (I like to think it's because of the 13 months of nursing but he could just have a really good immune system)! He has had one ear infection at 3 months old and three fever viruses, that's it!! My heart goes out to many of my friend's children that are constantly struggling with ear infections, sinus infections, bronchitis, tonsillitis, flu, strep and sooo much more. I have seen how difficult it can be for the child and parents. I keep them in my prayers constantly. I will settle for a fever virus any day, and I really do count my blessings!!


With that said.... I have to describe our past week. I am not complaining, but it was rough to say the least!


First of all, I was so determined to never start Colby on juice because I was thrilled that he loved milk and water soo much. Plus, juice has way too much sugar and can cause tummy problems. Thanks to birthday parties and my dad, juice was introduced not by my choice. He began to ask for juice instead of milk, so I broke down and bought a bottle of all natural apple juice. Last Thursday he cried all day for juice and I gave it to him (I know what your saying.....get a back bone and say no) He probably had 5 sippy cups full throughout the day. Guess what Colby had the entire next day....yep horrible diarrhea. He wears underwear at home so he went through about 15 pair. He would yell "poo poo" and as I picked him up and started running to the potty I would feel runny poop drizzling down my leg. It was pitiful, and I felt so bad that I could have prevented the whole situation. He got a booty rash because of all the diarrhea and would scream hysterically if you even tried to put medicine on it. He wears cloth diapers so he never experienced diaper rash so he didn't take it too well! I went to the store and got some Aveno powder to put in the bath tub and it seemed to help tremendously. I decided no more juice in the house!!!


I also found out that at his age he isn't suppose to have more than like 4 ounces a day....that might explain where we went wrong.


Friday....feeling better and no juice.

Saturday....a little cranky and running 99 fever.....gave him Tylenol.

Sunday.....running 103.6 and felt like he was on fire.




I called the doctor and they told me they were overloaded and just the call back wait was two hours. I began to rotate Tylenol and Motrin every four hours to get his fever down. I waited 3 hours and no call back and Colby's fever was still 103. I'm frantic at this point and call back and request to please get a time for an appointment. I think she could tell I was almost in tears so she said come at 4:00. Colby and I sat in the car while Chris waited inside, I didn't want to expose him to the swine flu. Colby pretended to drive for two hours while we waited and finally Chris came out to the car and said it was time to see the doctor. I was so scared it was the flu but they ran all the test and found nothing. For the third time it was a stinking fever virus. The doctor put him on an antibiotic just in case because some children were testing negative for the flu and then the next day testing positive. Colby has only been on one antibiotic in his life (the ear infection at 3 months) so I really don't know if he is allergic to anything. Well...he woke up the next morning with a rash from head to toe. The nurse said it was probably a rash from the fever virus because that's typical, but to be safe stop the medicine for 24 hours and see what happens to the rash. I stopped the antibiotic and the next morning the rash began to fade and he had no fever, thank goodness!

Monday-Thursday- Home bound :(
I kept him in the house all week until Thursday and we almost went stir crazy!


We love to go go go! I love going to bible study, play dates, park, etc. He was so cranky from being in the house all day everyday that we were both going insane! Not to mention that for about four nights in a row he would wake up not feeling well and wanted hugs and kisses. I didn't mind at all because he went right back to sleep but it's something about interrupted sleep that makes you feel so sluggish the next day. I guess it was a good reminder of whats to come in January.


I was at a loss trying to find things for Colby to do that kept him happy, and I discovered he loves to play with rice.

I'm glad this week is over and Colby feels 100% better!! He deserves something really fun so tomorrow we are meeting Coach and JoJo at the Hattisburg Zoo and then having lunch!! I can't wait, Colby will be so excited!!

Colby & Bebo

Colby has always loved loved loved his Binky and doesn't go anywhere without it but now we have a new friend..a BIG friend. He wants to take Bebo everywhere we go but the problem is....he is bigger than Colby!








Don't worry, he doesn't leave Binky behind and sometimes we have to bring pink bunny and Ike the dog too!

Colby's big thing right now!

When we pull up in the driveway he screams DRIVE and can't wait for me to unbuckle him so he can climb to the front and drive. He would play in the car for hours if we let him!

Excited about driving and signs "yes"

He also loves to bring me flowers....well weeds, but it's the thought that counts!

We went to eat lunch with Daddy today and Colby discovered something he loves!

Christopher Chase Jones

My pregnancy as been absolutely perfect! No sickness, pain, or any complications! I feel great and love getting bigger! He is moving more and more every day and it's amazing! I am 21 weeks and I've gained about 8lbs and 7lbs is in my behind!

This was Saturday night at "Ladies Night" and Emily went into labor and delivered Brooklee (not there she made it to the hospital) YAY!! She is soooo beautiful!

Sacred Marriage

Insights from bible study:
Most of us got married, not to learn how to love but to be loved.
That's what causes marital problems because it's not in the image of Christ.

When we grow in our commitment to serve each other, we become more like Jesus who said, "The son of man did not come to be served, but to serve" Matthew 20:28

My goal is to serve Chris and spend time making him happy and quit focusing on what will make me happy. I have realized though that the more you make your spouse happy the more they make you happy. It's a win win situation!
I have realized after talking with a group of women that my husband isn't the only one that seems a little ungrateful at times. You know....when the house is spotless, dinner is delicious, errands have been run, clothes have been washed and put up, and it all goes unnoticed without a thank you. It's easy to get your feelings hurt when you are living to make yourself happy instead of living to serve others. A wise women in our study said, "it doesn't matter if he didn't notice your service, God knows and will reward!" I could get mad because he didn't make me happy by bragging on me but WHY ruin a day that God has given us? Chris isn't just my husband he is God's son and no matter his faults God wants him to be loved and that's what I committed to do until the day I die!!

* If you love to get love then it isn't love
* Success in marriage is not about finding the right person but being the right person.
* I have to be a God-centered spouse not a spouse-centered spouse

Things to pray for:
* God, you made men and women gloriously different. Teach us to use these difference as a gift, not a curse.
* Let our marriage be a laboratory for you to work in each of our lives, and teach us to love and serve like the Savior who gave himself for us.
* Give us eyes to see our spouse as you do, and not from our limited perspective.
* Show us the folly of dreaming about some nonexistent "soul mate" and instead teach us to invest our heart, service, and love in the spouse you have already given us.

We also discussed our responsibility as a parent:

You shall love the Lord God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength. Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today. Drill them into your children. Speak of them at home and abroad, whether you are busy or at rest. Bind them at your wrist as a sign and let them be as a pendant on your forehead. Write them on doorposts of your houses and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:5-9

We have a huge responsibility as a parent to guide our children down the right path and how great is God to give us advice to do so!
I couldn't decide which verse to put on Chase's wall and while we were reading that verse I had an AH HA moment. Above his bed will be the words
Love the Lord God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength.
Deuteronomy 6:5

I love Wall Decals!

We finished painting the nursery and started decorating the walls. I love this decal that I found at www.etsy.com. We got the bed put together and we are hanging curtains tomorrow. My good friend is coming Tuesday to paint a tree on the opposite wall..I will post pics. I'm so excited, I know it's going to look great!

Of course, I had to order Colby some airplane decals for his room. He is soooo obsessed with planes and keeps staring at them and signing "airplane".

Family Time

Coach, JoJo, and Granny Bub (Colby's great-grandmother) came to visit yesterday! We had a yummy lunch at Primos and then came home and watched Colby play in the rain. We thought the men were inside watching football and this is how we found them! I guess they had a good excuse since they didn't get home until 2:00 am the night before.....the duties of coaching high school football.
He loves to play in the rain!

Colby & Granny Bub

He was signing "flower" on her necklace.

Later on that night aunt KK came to visit too! She came home for the weekend but has to leave tomorrow to return to Texas for 7 more weeks. We will miss you KK!

What do you do??????

What do you do with a changing pad you find in the nursery? Make a bed, of course!

What do you do when mommy won't let you take a nap until 1:00? Take a cat nap in the swing!

What do you do when you can't decide between milk or juice? Drink both, why not??

Oh My, the things he does!

Sacred Marriage

I am going to a bible study on Sacred Marriage and I'm so excited to see marriage in a whole new perspective. Our culture has programmed us with an unrealistic image of marriage. Everyday is not suppose to portray a romantic novel and we aren't Cinderella. I love how this book really emphasis that God designed marriage to make us holy more than make us happy. I got married at the young age of 21 and was naive to believe that marriage was suppose to be a fairytale everyday and if not then something wasn't right. I'm sure it was mainly because I was immature but it was also because I didn't understand that building a strong marriage is one of the greatest challenges in the world! Even so, if we approach marriage with the right perspective and attitude, it can be one of the most glorious pursuits in all of life. If we listen to the wisdom of God, our marriage can be satisfying and a life-changing journey that shapes our souls and connects us with God and each other. I often think about the first years of our marriage and some of the struggles we endured and it's disheartening because I wasn't approaching marriage the way God intended. Thank goodness God is merciful and forgiving and always shows us the right path if we are searching.

Insights from lesson 1 and group discussion:

• Die to expectations that humans can never full fill
• Grow together in Christ
• If things aren't going right...get a new perception not a new marriage
• If the purpose of marriage was simply to enjoy an infatuation and make me happy then I'd have to get a new marriage every 2 or 3 years.
• Marriage and family is a ministry in your life

I often wonder sometimes if I'm ever doing enough to serve Christ. Being a stay-home-mom is so rewarding and such a gift, but I contemplate if there are more ministries I should be involved in but I can't imagine where I would ever get the time and energy. Today was very eye-opening for me and I realized that my marriage and my family are huge ministries and I'm making a big difference. When I look at it as a ministry it gives me a whole new outlook! Staying at home is my mission field that will give my children stability, security, a safe haven, and an opportunity for me to provide a holy place for them to thrive. God might have many plans for my future and where I need to serve but I have learned to be proud of the ministry he has appointed me at this time in my life!!

Christopher Chase 18 weeks

Colby 20 months

Getting the nursery ready