Pokes and Prods

Just a quick update regarding Katelee's medical adventure. We have spent the last week in many appointments seeing many doctors. We calculated that Katelee has been poked 18 times in the last week after blood draws, immunizations, and urine sample via catheter. She has had appointments starting last Friday (pediatrics), Saturday (ER), Sunday (ER), Monday (pediatrics), Wednesday (family practice), and today (family practice AND ER). After two blood samples came back as postive for a bacteria, they wanted another one today, as well as a urine sample. They believe the positive results are just contaminated samples, and today's sample should help clarify that. Hopefully, it will all be settled soon for Katelee's sake!

Medical Mania

Well, it was a busy weekend that just flew right by! Friday, Katelee had a doctor's appointment at Navy. They drew blood for labs.

On Saturday, Olivia and Mom went to the beauty salon for a pedicure. Olivia chose purple for her toenails, while Mom got red. When we returned, we had a message on the machine saying Katelee's blood work had returned positive for a bacteria, and they wanted to do it again to make sure. This meant a trip to the Navy ER. Fortunately, we had a pediatric nurse who poked her this time, and he did a good job (even if he was wearing Texas Longhorn scrubs). They also started her on antibiotics, which meant two shots -- one in each leg.

On Sunday, we had to return to the Navy ER for the second set of shots. Fortunately, they did not have to draw blood again. But, we were at the ER for about 4 hours.

And, that brings us today -- Monday. We had a follow-up appointment at Navy hospital to see the pediatrician. The second lab work came back, and the results were negative for any bacteria infections. So, no more shots; no more pokes.

Ironically, tomorrow is Katelee's 2 month Well-Baby check-up. Hopefully, they won't want to poke her! Poor girl. Yes, she still has diarrhea, but the fever has come down a bit. We'll keep you updated.

The Downside of Bunkbeds or Lofts

So, one of the things I've noticed is -- Olivia's new bed was not made with parents in mind. About every other night Olivia is in some weird position (as below), and I have to get her back to where she is supposed to be (head near the slide on left of picture). If she is just a little scooted down, no biggie. I can reach her. But, when she is way down, like tonight, I have to crawl into the bed, pick her up, and move her back up. So, one may question: Why not just leave her as she is. One, the blankets are tucked in on the right. Second, I fear she will not sleep as well, wake up earlier, and end up waking me at 5 in the morning. I could test that, but I'd rather just crawl into the bed at this point.

Katelee continues to grow. I think she is up to 50 some odd pounds or so . . . at least that is what she feels like in her car seat. Why are my biceps not just huge? She did have another doctor's appointment today regarding the diarrhea and fever. They took some blood, which meant pokes in the arms before finding a good spot in the hand. We'll wait for results now. Maybe it is all the sand she is eating!

Mid January

Well, we are over halfway through January, and all is beginning to settle into a routine. Unfortunately, part of that routine has been dealing with a sick baby. Katelee continues to have diarrhea and a low-grade fever. She has had it about two weeks now. She has seen the doctor, and they even tried to get some blood for labs (unsuccessfully). She is a bit fussier than normal, but she is eating well. In fact, she is up to 9 lbs 2 oz. Her latest trick includes grinning, and we may have even gotten a giggle out of her.

We are mostly settled into our new home. Most of the boxes are gone, but we are still finding places to put things. Courtney has had some friends step up and take the "So you want to organize a house" challenge. They have been quite helpful, even if it makes Mark quite uncomfortable to know women are organizing his underwear drawers!

We have also seen some much generosity in people preparing meals for us. We have had lasagna and pork loin and salads and cheesecake and lemon cake and mac & cheese and rice and the list goes on. It has helped tremendously as we have been unpacking on much less sleep than normal. We also had a fun get-together on Friday with friends to BBQ and hang out. Even with the two rain storms that created a bit of mud for the kids to find, it was fun.

Olivia continues to be a loving big sister . . . maybe too loving at times. She loves to be in her face and hug her. She doesn't act too jealous, but her behavior has taken on a "I'll test all your boundaries" quality. Is that "New Sibling" behavior or "I'm 3 and live with me" behavior? Not sure.

Well, speaking of less sleep, it is time to squeeze some in between feedings. Enjoy the latest pics!

2:00 a.m. feeding

Beach Babies

Wanting the Waves

Surrounded by Girls

How to spend the start of a New Year

Happy New Year

from the Taylors

A Room with a View

From our back deck.

Courtney's parents are set to come in April. Get the scuba gear ready! Maybe this view will be incentive enough for Mark's mom to overcome her Aviophobia. She can take a test here to assess the severity of her phobia, then she can grab a hypnosis tape here. Hey, it worked for smoking!

Welcome Home

This was taken 01 Jan 08. It was a late night on the 31st. The girls all arrived around 7:00 p.m., and the flight went well. We loaded up the luggage -- all 34 bags -- and headed home. We were all pretty tired, so we prepared for bed. Courtney looked in her luggage for some bathroom items, and that is when she realized . . . she grabbed the wrong bag.

So, Olivia and Dad made a trip back to the airport around 10 at night. We got up there about 11, where we were told the next shift comes on at midnight. This was said after watching people coming and going from the counter. I guess they weren't impressed with my "I'll just have to find a place to drop this off then" response. A very nice lady helped us at that point recover Courtney's bag, clear customs (again), and drop off the other bag.

We made it back home around midnight, rang in the New Year, and hit the sack! I think Olivia woke up at 4:00 a.m. the next day. Ugh. So, in order to fight the jet lag, we headed to the beach. I'll post some good beach pictures soon.

The Bed

Ok, there has been a slight delay in providing updates because a necessary cable for the camera was left in MO. But, it has been mailed, and it arrived today. So, we'll start posting pictures soon.

Courtney, Olivia, & Katelee arrived on island on the 31st of December. As a nice surprise, I (Mark) was able to get moved into our new house. I had several people help, so it only took about half a day to move boxes across the street. After moving all morning though, I managed to get Olivia's surprise gift -- the ultimate Toddler bed!

Little did I know, this would be the bed even Santa would pass on delivering! Yes, it does get cool points for the slide and the bright colors. However, the parts and instructions were developed by someone with a sick sense of humor.

First, the instructions had no words -- just pictures. Of course, these are highly paid artists drawing these illustrations, so they look exactly like the pieces on the floor before me.

Second, the tools included were 15 sizes of screws, 3 sizes of washers, and two allen wrenches the size of my pinkie finger (allen wrenches are the L-shaped tools just small enough to provide no leverage in turning the screws). Of course, I had those great illustrations to tell me which size screw went in each hole.

Third, as I started in on the project, I worked for about an hour before standing up with a sense of accomplishment -- Step 1 of 13 done! Ugh!

Fourth, and finally, just when I had managed to develop a successful strategy of using the allen wrenches, they decided a screwdriver and regular wrench would be a nice switch of tools.

All in all, 7 hours later, with blistered fingers and scratched knuckles, the bed was finished.

Fortunately, Olivia likes it. She must sleep in it until she is 22!

2008

Happy New Year 2008!

*We will update Courtney, Olivia, & Katelee's return to Guam soon . . . complete with new pictures. Currently, we are getting settled into our new house with our new baby in the new year while the girls battle jet lag!

Check back soon!