Comments for http://redesignsite.com/blog Dedicated to Kicmol-OShea Family Tue, 7 Sep 2010 11:16:10 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1 Comment on 36 Weeks Gestation - December 12th by Angie http://redesignsite.com/blog/?page_id=45#comment-246 Angie Thu, 20 Dec 2007 08:41:30 +0000 http://redesignsite.com/blog/?page_id=45#comment-246 December 20, 2007 Cole has been very alert and responsive today during my morning and evening visit he was awake the full time, hopefully this is the beginning of the end of his NICU experience. We suffered a major setback the last few days. The feeding tube was removed last week only to be put back a few days later when he was having problems finishing his formula again. I have had many conversations with nurses and doctors about him going home. I secretly wonder if they are keeping him because he is so wonderful. Tonight he did so well drinking his bottle. Grandma got to see him after not seeing him for a week. He was so different from the baby she remembered. Pudgy, responsive and strong. He is able to control his neck now, moving it up and side to side and he pushes up with his strong legs. The night nurses also told me how Cole was their favorite, so alert and curious with so many facial expressions. One nurse enjoys carrying him around at night, despite the monitors. It seems he has many moms at the NICU. December 20, 2007

Cole has been very alert and responsive today during my morning and evening visit he was awake the full time, hopefully this is the beginning of the end of his NICU experience. We suffered a major setback the last few days. The feeding tube was removed last week only to be put back a few days later when he was having problems finishing his formula again. I have had many conversations with nurses and doctors about him going home. I secretly wonder if they are keeping him because he is so wonderful. Tonight he did so well drinking his bottle. Grandma got to see him after not seeing him for a week. He was so different from the baby she remembered. Pudgy, responsive and strong. He is able to control his neck now, moving it up and side to side and he pushes up with his strong legs. The night nurses also told me how Cole was their favorite, so alert and curious with so many facial expressions. One nurse enjoys carrying him around at night, despite the monitors. It seems he has many moms at the NICU.

]]> Comment on Cole - November Photos by admin http://redesignsite.com/blog/?p=41#comment-245 admin Tue, 27 Nov 2007 18:14:46 +0000 http://redesignsite.com/blog/?p=41#comment-245 Cole is gaining weight big time!!! He is putting on 20 grams a day now; as of today he is at 4.1l pounds. He also passed a kidney test and brain scan. We were very worried about his kidney infection found at 5th month. Antibiotics fixed him up and now we can move forward on next hurdles (so far, we do not see any new ones!!!). We have learned much from the experience. How to take on tragedy, sadness and stress. For Cole, his main goal along was to just breath. So, lets do that!!! Just breath. Cole is gaining weight big time!!!

He is putting on 20 grams a day now; as of today he is at 4.1l pounds. He also passed a kidney test and brain scan. We were very worried about his kidney infection found at 5th month. Antibiotics fixed him up and now we can move forward on next hurdles (so far, we do not see any new ones!!!).

We have learned much from the experience. How to take on tragedy, sadness and stress. For Cole, his main goal along was to just breath. So, lets do that!!! Just breath.

]]> Comment on Cole is Born!!!! by cory http://redesignsite.com/blog/?p=19#comment-244 cory Tue, 27 Nov 2007 17:13:38 +0000 http://redesignsite.com/blog/?p=19#comment-244 Angie and Tom, we are so happy for both of you on the birth of your new baby boy, Cole Thomas. Like his middle namesake (dad and great-grandfather) he is strong and a fighter in the face of great adversity. We keep you all in our thoughts and meditations. Lynette and Cory Angie, it was so nice to talk with you on the phone recently. I'm hoping we can grow closer again as we progress on into our adult lives. You were always a person I admired and adored so much throughout my childhood and young adulthood. Hang in there, Ang. I love you very much. cory Angie and Tom, we are so happy for both of you on the birth of your new baby boy, Cole Thomas. Like his middle namesake (dad and great-grandfather) he is strong and a fighter in the face of great adversity. We keep you all in our thoughts and meditations.

Lynette and Cory

Angie, it was so nice to talk with you on the phone recently. I’m hoping we can grow closer again as we progress on into our adult lives. You were always a person I admired and adored so much throughout my childhood and young adulthood. Hang in there, Ang. I love you very much.

cory

]]> Comment on Cole - November Photos by Miguel http://redesignsite.com/blog/?p=41#comment-243 Miguel Mon, 26 Nov 2007 23:36:53 +0000 http://redesignsite.com/blog/?p=41#comment-243 Congratulations! I hope he gets better soon so he can start surfing (or HTML-ing) with daddy! Congratulations!
I hope he gets better soon so he can start surfing (or HTML-ing) with daddy!

]]> Comment on Cole - November Photos by Tom http://redesignsite.com/blog/?p=41#comment-242 Tom Mon, 26 Nov 2007 23:33:42 +0000 http://redesignsite.com/blog/?p=41#comment-242 Anna finally held little Cole. She was not nervous and seemed very eager to get right in there and be near him. We are all looking forward to holding him at home and not have to worry about all the wires and tubes. Anna is amazing. She has a very lucky brother. Anna finally held little Cole. She was not nervous and seemed very eager to get right in there and be near him. We are all looking forward to holding him at home and not have to worry about all the wires and tubes.

Anna is amazing. She has a very lucky brother.

]]> Comment on Cole is Born!!!! by Auntie Kate http://redesignsite.com/blog/?p=19#comment-241 Auntie Kate Sun, 25 Nov 2007 04:48:41 +0000 http://redesignsite.com/blog/?p=19#comment-241 Angie and Tom, you have been so precious to me. Then there was Anna and now Cole to love and enjoy! I have been sooooooooo worried, having daily opportunities to learn about all the trauma that can occur as we come into being and bring our little ones into our lives. On this Thanksgiving, I am especially thankful that everyone is healing and growing and for all those who have been there to help. Angie and Tom, you have been so precious to me. Then there was Anna and now Cole to love and enjoy! I have been sooooooooo worried, having daily opportunities to learn about all the trauma that can occur as we come into being and bring our little ones into our lives. On this Thanksgiving, I am especially thankful that everyone is healing and growing and for all those who have been there to help.

]]> Comment on Cole - November Photos by Angie http://redesignsite.com/blog/?p=41#comment-240 Angie Thu, 22 Nov 2007 00:05:18 +0000 http://redesignsite.com/blog/?p=41#comment-240 Regarding the incision - I am healing so fast! I am really surprized at how quicly I'm recovering from all the complications! I'll probably have this verticle scar for a while but, who knows, maybe it'll heal? I regained my pre-pregnancy weight 2 weeks after the surgery much to my surprize. Also, my blood pressure finally started to drop from it's outrageous 160/100 that seemed to be yet another pregnancy complication. This is such a relief, since I thought I might have high blood pressure forever. Day by day, things are getting back to normal. After some time to ponder the complications that brought about preterm labor: hypertension, placental abruption, placenta previa, 15cm fibroid blocking the birth canal, matured placenta, etc., I am convinced that preterm labor was the only choice for Cole and I. Cole was a happy camper until the day of his birth. He was at the 90th percentile for gestational weight at the time of his birth, despite all the problems. I have wondered what I could have done differently, what the doctor should have done differently (he didn't tell me about the placenta previa), and all my ponderings come back to this: Cole's preterm birth was unavoidable and necessary. Regarding the incision - I am healing so fast! I am really surprized at how quicly I’m recovering from all the complications! I’ll probably have this verticle scar for a while but, who knows, maybe it’ll heal? I regained my pre-pregnancy weight 2 weeks after the surgery much to my surprize. Also, my blood pressure finally started to drop from it’s outrageous 160/100 that seemed to be yet another pregnancy complication. This is such a relief, since I thought I might have high blood pressure forever. Day by day, things are getting back to normal. After some time to ponder the complications that brought about preterm labor: hypertension, placental abruption, placenta previa, 15cm fibroid blocking the birth canal, matured placenta, etc., I am convinced that preterm labor was the only choice for Cole and I. Cole was a happy camper until the day of his birth. He was at the 90th percentile for gestational weight at the time of his birth, despite all the problems. I have wondered what I could have done differently, what the doctor should have done differently (he didn’t tell me about the placenta previa), and all my ponderings come back to this: Cole’s preterm birth was unavoidable and necessary.

]]> Comment on Cole - November Photos by Angie http://redesignsite.com/blog/?p=41#comment-239 Angie Wed, 21 Nov 2007 23:56:20 +0000 http://redesignsite.com/blog/?p=41#comment-239 I took today off for the first time in 3 weeks. After crying in front of the lactation consultant, she told me I had a case of NICUitis and it was time to take a break. I agreed with her. She also told me she would grant me absolution (from guilt) with her magic wand if I decided not to continue with the horrors of breastfeeding. (yes, I do mean 'horrors' - that is not a typo.) It was so nice to be away from that place for a day and just spend my day schlepping around the house. Still, tomorrow begins another day of breastfeeding attempts and 4 hour visits to the NICU. I am always anxious to see little Cole, but I approach the environment with trepidation sometimes. Still, I know Cole needs to experience something other than the overstimulating lights, beeping monitors, loud voices and medical procedures of the NICU. I imagine I will be making up for the unnatural environment of the NICU for several months after we bring him home with a big, 24 hour/day dose of attachment parenting. Still, he seems like he's doing OK, considering the situation. He is gaining weight and catching up to his expected gestational weight at 4 lbs 4 oz yesterday. Everyday is a new milestone for him - I find that each day he is more alert, more interactive and has better muscle tone. Can't wait to bring him home so we can take naps and walks without the wires, tubes and beeping monitors. Grandma left 2 days ago, after helping us take care of Anna for 2 weeks. Anna has been really missing her and Grandpa, and showing it in some ways that are stressing me - angry behavior directed at me. I had gotten used to being an absentee mom for a while and just focusing on Cole - now it's time to be a parent to both children. Not an easy task with the emotional roller coaster we've been on. Anna cried for a while yesterday, so hopefully, that relieved some of the stress her 6-year-old self has been under. I took today off for the first time in 3 weeks. After crying in front of the lactation consultant, she told me I had a case of NICUitis and it was time to take a break. I agreed with her. She also told me she would grant me absolution (from guilt) with her magic wand if I decided not to continue with the horrors of breastfeeding. (yes, I do mean ‘horrors’ - that is not a typo.) It was so nice to be away from that place for a day and just spend my day schlepping around the house. Still, tomorrow begins another day of breastfeeding attempts and 4 hour visits to the NICU. I am always anxious to see little Cole, but I approach the environment with trepidation sometimes. Still, I know Cole needs to experience something other than the overstimulating lights, beeping monitors, loud voices and medical procedures of the NICU. I imagine I will be making up for the unnatural environment of the NICU for several months after we bring him home with a big, 24 hour/day dose of attachment parenting. Still, he seems like he’s doing OK, considering the situation. He is gaining weight and catching up to his expected gestational weight at 4 lbs 4 oz yesterday. Everyday is a new milestone for him - I find that each day he is more alert, more interactive and has better muscle tone. Can’t wait to bring him home so we can take naps and walks without the wires, tubes and beeping monitors.

Grandma left 2 days ago, after helping us take care of Anna for 2 weeks. Anna has been really missing her and Grandpa, and showing it in some ways that are stressing me - angry behavior directed at me. I had gotten used to being an absentee mom for a while and just focusing on Cole - now it’s time to be a parent to both children. Not an easy task with the emotional roller coaster we’ve been on. Anna cried for a while yesterday, so hopefully, that relieved some of the stress her 6-year-old self has been under.

]]> Comment on Cole is Born!!!! by Gramma http://redesignsite.com/blog/?p=19#comment-238 Gramma Wed, 21 Nov 2007 18:59:49 +0000 http://redesignsite.com/blog/?p=19#comment-238 This is my first day back in Idaho, after having been with Angie, Tom, Anna and Cole for the past 3 weeks. I am not sure words can express all of the feelings I have inside for this special little boy, for all that Angie has been through physically and emotionally and for the care, compassion, and devotion Tom has provided. Tears well in my eyes as I write this and my heart swells. In the midst of profound joy, heart stopping worry, immense love and moments of fear is Anna. My delightful grand daughter who is in 1st grade, learning and yearning to read with such zeal, riding her bike for the first time and sharing in the joy of having a baby brother while trying to understand all that is going on around her. I am so grateful, Angie has recovered. It is too frightening for me to think too much about what she went through the day she went into labor. We had feared something like this would happen, but I wanted to believe that it would not happen to Angie. I can only say that I am also grateful to Tom for being there and for the doctors, nurses and the hospital for their care of her and continued care of Cole. It has been nothing short of miracules. I am so glad that I have been able to share this time with each of them. It was very difficult to leave, knowing that Cole will be changing so much in the weeks to come and Anna with her reading and her excitement about Christmas. It was difficult to leave knowing that Angie and Tom still have so much to do in managing a life at home, work and having Cole in the hospital. Life marches on and work and responsibility in Idaho was calling. This was my first experience in a neonatal intensive care unit. Learning all the procedures, protections and rules was a bit intimidating. The unit is filled with tiny babies, each connected to their own monitors with alerts going off every few minutes. For the first week Doug was with us. We visited together and would just place our hands on his little back or heard and speak softly to him. The second week Angie and I went together to the hospital and she let me hold him. Nothing compares to holding your grand child for the first time. Maybe especially because he is so small and his life such a gift. Holding Cole, looking into his little eyes, and delighting in his smile brings such joy and happiness to my heart. He is so precious. Having said that I must also say that to hold Cole requires much work. First, you have to pick him up, within the incubator, while carefully maneuvering him, careful not to bump his head and at the same time holding all his tubes and monitors and trying to sit-down carefully so that none of the monitors get disconnected and the feeding tube does is not stretched to tight. Having done all that, it is worth it. He is absolutely beautiful, with his own little personality. I have told his nurses that I do believe that he is the cutest baby (not that I am prejudice). But the truth also is, they think he is darling too. That smile melts everyone. Can you believe he is smiling and cooing? Even though he is so tiny he is amazing! Everyday he would open his eyes more and more. He looks around and looks into your face. He is now sucking; sometimes on his finders, sometimes on a pacifier and now finding his thumb. He much prefers having his diaper changed in your lap, as opposed to his incubator. I could go on and on.... I can only smile thinking of him. This Thanksgiving our family has much to give thanks for. I thank God for the blessing of our new grand child, for health and for this new family. This will be the first year that Angie and Tom have their own children. Anna's adoption was final in August. It is our first Thanksgiving with grand children. I am also thankful for the staff at the University of California, San Diego hospital and for all people everywhere who spend their lives giving life to others in the many faces of contribution and love. This is my first day back in Idaho, after having been with Angie, Tom, Anna and Cole for the past 3 weeks. I am not sure words can express all of the feelings I have inside for this special little boy, for all that Angie has been through physically and emotionally and for the care, compassion, and devotion Tom has provided. Tears well in my eyes as I write this and my heart swells. In the midst of profound joy, heart stopping worry, immense love and moments of fear is Anna. My delightful grand daughter who is in 1st grade, learning and yearning to read with such zeal, riding her bike for the first time and sharing in the joy of having a baby brother while trying to understand all that is going on around her.

I am so grateful, Angie has recovered. It is too frightening for me to think too much about what she went through the day she went into labor. We had feared something like this would happen, but I wanted to believe that it would not happen to Angie. I can only say that I am also grateful to Tom for being there and for the doctors, nurses and the hospital for their care of her and continued care of Cole. It has been nothing short of miracules.

I am so glad that I have been able to share this time with each of them. It was very difficult to leave, knowing that Cole will be changing so much in the weeks to come and Anna with her reading and her excitement about Christmas. It was difficult to leave knowing that Angie and Tom still have so much to do in managing a life at home, work and having Cole in the hospital. Life marches on and work and responsibility in Idaho was calling.

This was my first experience in a neonatal intensive care unit. Learning all the procedures, protections and rules was a bit intimidating. The unit is filled with tiny babies, each connected to their own monitors with alerts going off every few minutes. For the first week Doug was with us. We visited together and would just place our hands on his little back or heard and speak softly to him. The second week Angie and I went together to the hospital and she let me hold him. Nothing compares to holding your grand child for the first time. Maybe especially because he is so small and his life such a gift. Holding Cole, looking into his little eyes, and delighting in his smile brings such joy and happiness to my heart. He is so precious. Having said that I must also say that to hold Cole requires much work. First, you have to pick him up, within the incubator, while carefully maneuvering him, careful not to bump his head and at the same time holding all his tubes and monitors and trying to sit-down carefully so that none of the monitors get disconnected and the feeding tube does is not stretched to tight. Having done all that, it is worth it. He is absolutely beautiful, with his own little personality. I have told his nurses that I do believe that he is the cutest baby (not that I am prejudice). But the truth also is, they think he is darling too. That smile melts everyone. Can you believe he is smiling and cooing? Even though he is so tiny he is amazing! Everyday he would open his eyes more and more. He looks around and looks into your face. He is now sucking; sometimes on his finders, sometimes on a pacifier and now finding his thumb. He much prefers having his diaper changed in your lap, as opposed to his incubator. I could go on and on…. I can only smile thinking of him.

This Thanksgiving our family has much to give thanks for. I thank God for the blessing of our new grand child, for health and for this new family. This will be the first year that Angie and Tom have their own children. Anna’s adoption was final in August. It is our first Thanksgiving with grand children. I am also thankful for the staff at the University of California, San Diego hospital and for all people everywhere who spend their lives giving life to others in the many faces of contribution and love.

]]> Comment on Cole is Born!!!! by Teresa & Stuart http://redesignsite.com/blog/?p=19#comment-237 Teresa & Stuart Tue, 20 Nov 2007 06:00:28 +0000 http://redesignsite.com/blog/?p=19#comment-237 Welcome to the world, baby boy! Welcome to the world, Cole Thomas! Welcome to the world, Angie's & Tom' son! Welcome to the world, Anna's brother! Cole, sometime in the future, when you are old enough to read these messages, I wanted you to know that I was at the birth of YOUR mother, Angie. It was a beautiful, sunny day in Idaho Fall, Idaho. I met your mom when she was just a few minutes old. They wheeled her directly from the delivery room - out into the waiting room - where I got my first look at her. It was such a delight to see my newborn niece! (From, Teresa) Cole, Stuart met YOUR mother when she was three-years-old. She was full of energy and was a very pretty little girl - with lovely, violet eyes. (From, Stuart) Cole, we wish you the very best that life has to offer! Tom & Angie, Congratulations on this wonderful addition to your family. Anna, Congratulations on being Cole's big sister. Love, Aunt Teresa & Uncle Stuart Welcome to the world, baby boy!
Welcome to the world, Cole Thomas!
Welcome to the world, Angie’s & Tom’ son!
Welcome to the world, Anna’s brother!

Cole, sometime in the future, when you are old enough to read these messages, I wanted you to know that I was at the birth of YOUR mother, Angie. It was a beautiful, sunny day in Idaho Fall, Idaho. I met your mom when she was just a few minutes old. They wheeled her directly from the delivery room - out into the waiting room - where I got my first look at her. It was such a delight to see my newborn niece! (From, Teresa)

Cole, Stuart met YOUR mother when she was three-years-old. She was full of energy and was a very pretty little girl - with lovely, violet eyes. (From, Stuart)

Cole, we wish you the very best that life has to offer!

Tom & Angie, Congratulations on this wonderful addition to your family.

Anna, Congratulations on being Cole’s big sister.

Love, Aunt Teresa & Uncle Stuart

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