Beauford Family Life

2012. Bring it on!

noreply@blogger.com (jennB) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 17:01:00 +0000

2011 was a relatively good, but very turbulent year. I'm pretty glad to see it come to an end! To highlight a few things- We received custody of Ashley and Dagen permanently, so they are no longer part time residents at our house. We found a house and piece of property that we fell in love with instantly in March, and spent the next 9 months trying to buy it, which we did. We are now officially "country" living! My business saw the launch of its first original patterns, and our first sale.

Now, on to 2012. We are still in the middle of a construction zone here at the house. With any luck by the end of January, we should be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. My sanity might not be able to handle it much more if it goes too far beyond that.

Tomorrow we will begin homeschooling in earnest for all the kids, which was pretty much put on hold during this moving process. I may be pulling my hair out before its all said and done so please pray for me.

New makeover and a quick update

noreply@blogger.com (jennB) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 19:02:00 +0000

Thanks to Cori at Scrap-e-blogs we have a custom makeover for our blog. Hope you all like it!

Not alot going on around here, just biding our time waiting for Zach to come home. We all miss him. ALOT.

Currently Jacob and I are both at home sick. Coughing, fever, congestion, stuffiness. We've got it all. I can honestly say it sucks. Normally I'd be thrilled with a couple of days at home to try and catch up everything but I have zero energy so nothing is getting done. I just want to sleep and thats the one thing that eludes me.

Sick kids= Tired Mom

noreply@blogger.com (jennB) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 07:05:00 +0000

Jacob has been sick for several days now. After not keeping anything down for more than 24 hours, I took him to the ER, concerned about dehydration. After 12 agonizing hours waiting there, we were told that he has an ear infection and an upper respiratory infection, and it wasn't anything serious. Got a shot and gatorade and we were on our way back home. That was Sunday.

Monday he's still not keeping anything down, so we head BACK to the ER. On the way there Jonathan started getting sick. Really sick. I had them both seen. They gave me something for the nausea for both and back home we went.

Since they confirmed that they weren't contagious, I let them go to school, but left work early to come get them. Jacob spiked a fever shortly before I came to pick him up, and Jonathan says his stomach hurts but he's not been sick again.

My lack of sleep the last several days has caught up with me and we all went to bed as soon as we got home today, around 530. Tomorrow I'll head BACK to the doctor with Jacob to be looked at more closely by his pediatrician.

Poor baby wants to eat and play but just feels icky. :(

I'm a horrible blogger...

noreply@blogger.com (jennB) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 03:34:00 +0000

I keep making the promise that I will come here and update and then time slips away and next thing you know it's 7 months later!

Ok..so in all fairness it isn't like I haven't had a ton going on. We moved rather unexpectedly right when school started. Zach started a new job 6 weeks prior to that. Then Zach left for his deployment in October. I finished moving by myself (and the help of a couple of friends), I've made a trip to Colorado with 4 children, a trip to Arkansas with 2, still work full time, still taking orders and working on new items, designed (sort of) my website for my store, redesigned my craft blog (which I have been better about updating), attempt to get my house in some form of order, trying to lose a few pounds, and I started taking college classes again this month.

There, I think that pretty much catches up!

Lets see...Zach is gone for another 4 1/2 months so we are closing in on the halfway point of this deployment. We miss him more than he probably knows, and we can't wait for Daddy to come back home. He's doing ok over there. I think boredom is his biggest thing, when he's off work. I'm trying to keep him supplied with books and care packages.

Ashley is doing well, in Girl Scouts, 5th grade, and is still doing homeschooling. She likes it and seems to be doing well with it. She's into horses and art.

Jonathan is doing much better at his new school. His teacher is a doll, and he's made friends. His grades shot way back up to where they usually are. He's been doing remarkably well with his Dad being gone so I am very proud of him for that!

Dagen is in Kindergarten. We decided to put him back into public school so he could get that needed structure and social aspect that I think will serve him well. He likes it so far and I think it will be a better choice for him in the long run.

Jacob is his father's son. He is a playful little guy who has discovered how to laugh but not yet figured out that he could walk without holding onto things.

I've redesigned and caught up here, so I promise now I will make it a point to do better at coming here and updating.

sorry for the absense....

noreply@blogger.com (jennB) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:33:00 +0000

So life is a little crazy and I just haven't been good at maintaining this at all.

Jacob is now 8 months old and healthy as can be. He is starting to crawl, though he has the inchworm scoot down to an art. He's holding his own bottles, working on sitting up unassisted, though not too interested in it. He'd rather stand!

We have another new addition to the family as well. Last week we adopted another dog into the family, Akela. Akela is a Siberian Husky and extremely patient. He lets Jacob do pretty much whatever he wants and is fiercely protective of Jacob from any other dog.

Ashley, Dagen, and Jonathan are happy it is summer, and just enjoying the sun. Jonathan is off spending a couple of weeks with his grandparents, and Ashley and Dagen will be here the whole month of July, so who knows what we will end up doing.

As the summer rolls in, Zach is working short orders on base, I'm still working full time, and starting to generate some interest in the items I've made from military camo so I'm spending alot of time with fabric and my sewing machine.

I'll see about getting some updated photos on here.

noreply@blogger.com (jennB) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 00:13:00 +0000

In keeping with Beauford "tradition", Zach dressed Jacob up in the uniform from the Air Force teddy bear for a little photo shoot. Jacob wasn't totally cooperative, however. He was more interested in the flashing light of the camera flash.

His personality is starting to really emerge now. He's smiling and cooing, and is fascinated by the flames in the fireplace, as well as the mirror above his swing.

Latest news

noreply@blogger.com (Zach) — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:22:00 +0000

Life has been busy obviously. Jonathan got straight A's again for the 3rd six weeks. Jacob weighed 6lbs 12oz his last checkup and that was weeks ago. He is beginning to smile and always has to have his head up now.

I couldn't resist..

noreply@blogger.com (Zach) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 19:18:00 +0000

Stocking Stuffer!! Merry Christmas

Two months old!

noreply@blogger.com (jennB) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 05:49:00 +0000

Today is the day I was SUPPOSED to have a scheduled c-section to have Jacob. Instead he went to the doctor for his 2 month check-up. He is making rapid progress in the growth department! 5lbs, 10oz and 19 inches long. He also got 3 shots today so he wasn't the happiest of campers today. When I got home from work I laid down on the couch with him while he slept on me, which is where we both remained until just a few minutes ago. I'm heading to bed now :)

Jacob's First Thanksgiving

noreply@blogger.com (jennB) — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 20:00:00 +0000

With all the chaos that we've been through the last couple of months, we took a much needed "break" this Thanksgiving. Jonathan went to spend the holiday with one set of his grandparents, Ashley and Dagen were with their dad, so Zach, Jacob, and I headed to his Aunt and Uncle's deer lease for a long weekend of hunting and vegging out on the sofa. They have a REALLY NICE RV camper that they took down there, so while the boys were out hunting for deer, hogs, and whatever else they could, his aunt, Jacob, and I hung out watching movies, playing, and basically doing nothing. It was wonderful!

Jacob and his quilt

noreply@blogger.com (jennB) — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 19:55:00 +0000

Ok so I'm a little behind on posting stuff...Jacob has received a few gifts since he came home from the hospital :) This one in particular is a quilt that was made by a group of online friends from all over the world. Some of these ladies I just met within the last year but some I've known for years. They all got together to make this adorable quilt for Jacob, complete with Air Force logos in the corners :) It is barely larger than a crib quilt and makes him look super tiny (which he is).

APHA Fall show

noreply@blogger.com (jennB) — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 22:29:00 +0000

last Friday, Zach and I took Ashley and Dagen (and Jacob) to the American Paint Horse Assn. Fall show in Fort Worth. Zach's aunt works for APHA so we had a good reason to go. Ashley and Dagen walked the barns and greeted several horses, talked to a few riders, watched the competitions, watched the horses getting groomed to compete, and the winner's circle photographs. They had a great time. Ashley was in horse heaven!

6 weeks old!

noreply@blogger.com (jennB) — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 22:23:00 +0000

Jacob has been home for a whole week. He's doing great. I'm exhausted :P He has a preference of sleeping ON one of us, otherwise he lays in his bed and grunts in his sleep, which, when amplified over the baby monitor into our bedroom prevents anyone from getting any sleep.

He weighed in at 4lbs 9oz at his first doctor appointment, so he is still gaining steadily, which is good. He's eating well, though only from a bottle which means I have to pump all the time.

I haven't taken new pictures yet but I'm going to work on that this week.

JACOB IS HOME!!!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (jennB) — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 23:32:00 +0000

Jacob is finally home! We spent the night at the hospital last night. Jacob slept soundly (at least SOMEONE did...) and ate well, just as he needed to, and he got to take his first trip outdoors to head home this afternoon.

As soon as we got home, he ate and took a nice long nap on mommy, then hung out with us for a little while before dozing back off.

He has his first dr. appt this coming Friday, but otherwise will pretty much just be hanging out at home for the next few weeks.

Still making progress :)

noreply@blogger.com (jennB) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 21:43:00 +0000

Jacob is continuing to regain his progress he had made before his setback on Monday. He has completed 3 of his required 5 days being "apnea free" without any further incident. He has been a little up and down on his weight gains, which have been attributed mainly to alot of....diapers...the boy likes to poop.

He has gained back what he had lost, so he was just under 4lbs, 4oz this morning, a gain of about 1.5 oz over the last 24 hours.

Ever since Monday's episode he has been lazy with his feeds, not taking all of his milk, or taking excessively long to finish. We were on the verge of having to have his feeding tube reinserted to make sure he was getting all his required nourishment, but he must have heard us talking and stepped up, and has been taking his feeds like a big boy ever since.

Currently, the plan is to room in Sunday evening and discharge on Monday, the 10th at this point.

Update on coming home

noreply@blogger.com (jennB) — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 02:28:00 +0000

We had originally thought he would be coming home today. He got a new doctor yesterday who disagreed, and had pushed it back an extra day or two. While I want him home more than anything I am thankful for that doctor's decision to keep him.

Yesterday was a tough day for Jacob. He had a shot, circumcision, was jostled about going from procedure to procedure, had tylenol, and had a long bath, while I was learning what to do to bathe him, and had more feeds by breast than normal. (All his feeds are breastmilk but some by bottle)

Last night/early this morning Jacob had an apnea spell where he stopped breathing for 20 seconds. His heart rate plummeted and he required the nurse to pick him up and stimulate him to recover. While these are quite common in preemies, we have been lucky that he has not had any episodes before now. While the doctor is fairly confident that it was the result of just too much stress on him yesterday, he now will not be discharged for several more days as a result.

The hospital's "rule" is a 5 day countdown without further episodes before they will revisit discharging him, so he will be there at least through the weekend.

Had I roomed in with him last night, we might very well have lost him, as he would not have been on the monitor that detected he had stopped breathing and set off alarms.

ATTENTION: WE HAVE A DISCHARGE DATE!!!

noreply@blogger.com (jennB) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 02:02:00 +0000

Jacob's doctors are so impressed with all his progress! As his doctor stated to me today: He thinks he's a big boy so let's give him the chance to prove it!" Tomorrow evening I will be "rooming in" at the hospital with him overnight. Just as if I had had him at term, he'll stay in the room with me, I'll feed him, change him, etc. (only I won't be bothered by nurses coming to poke and prod ME all night..and I won't be in pain!) and they'll keep an eye on how he does. If all goes well, he's coming home on TUESDAY!

Good thing Zach and I already voted! Hopefully we'll have more than just Jacob's homecoming to celebrate that evening!

Halloween!

noreply@blogger.com (jennB) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 21:24:00 +0000

Please check back later because I will update with more and better pictures...I just had to share this:

I got to the hospital this morning to feed Jacob and noticed he had a new hat in his crib, along with a costume! One of the nurses made little pumpkin costumes for all the babies in her care. I didn't have my camera with me, so I slipped the outfit over his sleeper and snapped a couple of pictures via cell-phone...

Jacob had a banner day!

noreply@blogger.com (jennB) — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 22:48:00 +0000

Lots of progress for Jacob today.
--He hit 4lbs 1oz
--He graduated from a temperature controlled isollette into a regular basinette
--He moved from 3 or 4 feeds by mouth to 6 of 8 feeds by mouth
--He increased his feedings from 37cc to 40cc per feeding

His doctor is very impressed with the rate of progress he is making, and even (cautiously) predicted that we could possibly have Jacob home as early as the end of next week if he continues at his current rate.

He'll get to sport his first real clothing now that he's out of the isolette. Since he prefers to be "free" to wiggle when he's being held and fed, I'm allowed to put some actual clothes on him to help him stay warm when he'd otherwise be wrapped up in a nice cozy bundle.

Guess that means I should go find him something to wear....I planned on having a big baby so we didn't get much in the way of NEWBORN or PREEMIE sized clothes!

Jonathan earned his Bobcat badge

noreply@blogger.com (jennB) — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 09:13:00 +0000

Tuesday during his pack meeting, Jonathan was awarded his Bobcat badge in cub scouts. He has worked through a huge portion of his Tiger Scout book already, and earned 2 beads as well. Zach has been handling most of his activities in light of things, but I know he was very excited to earn his first patch.

No work for me...yet.

noreply@blogger.com (jennB) — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 03:24:00 +0000

Well, Monday morning I called my doctor, and Zach took me to my appointment later that day. He was out delivering a baby, so I saw Angela, the nurse-practitioner who had seen me the day I delivered and sent me promptly to the hospital. She's also a labor and delivery nurse so she's seen the gammut of scenarios, and she's pretty understanding, yet very straight forward when it comes to what she sees.

No infections or anything which is good, but she basically told me I was trying to do too much and my body was "revolting" so I am not released to drive, and not released to work. Pretty much all I'm doing is working on a blanket from the confines of the couch, and going to the hospital to feed Jacob. It is frustrating when your mind tells you that you are fine, get up and take care of what needs to be taken care of, but your body tells you to park it, and let it go. The body wins because I have little tolerance for pain, and even the narcotics dont make it go away, they just make me sleep through alarms. :)

Jacob will likely hit the 4lb threshold in the next day or two. He was up to 3lbs 15oz at last weigh in. He lost an ounce which they attributed to a rather high number of dirty diapers :P He was observed by a therapist today during one of his bottle feedings and he did really well, taking the entire feeding by bottle without showing signs of stress or fatigue that were out of the norm. He's got the nursing "latching on" down, but if he's tired and sleepy, he just sits there and snoozes. Comfy for him, I'm sure, but for me-not so much. He's got to get up to 8 feedings per day in full by bottle or breast before he can lose the tube and he's hovering around 3-4 so he's about halfway there.

The nurse did talk to me today about preparing to "room-in" for him. Prior to his discharge from the hospital we will do a 2 night/day rooming in just as I would have done with him had he been full term. This way they can monitor his stats with me round-the-clock feeding him, etc. for a brief period before he comes home.

I forgot the camera today so I'll try to remember it tomorrow.

Bring on the milk!

noreply@blogger.com (jennB) — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 01:09:00 +0000

Friday was Jacob's first experience in taste. He got his first bottle feeding Friday morning. The nurse spent extra time with him, showing me how to hold him, and check his progress from time to time. They had seen him exhibiting normal signs of being ready (hands up at his mouth, able to hold in the pacifier, etc) so they figured they'd see how he did. He took about 2/3 of his normal feeding before he fell into a deep sleep. He'd had enough but he impressed the nurse and doctors enough that they wanted to continue it. He's up to 3 bottle feedings a day now, and I got to try to nurse him for the first time yesterday.

He took awhile to catch on to nursing the first time, but he did manage to latch on, even if it was only for a few minutes. Today he was too sleepy to really be bothered with feeding at all, so after about 15 minutes I let him just sleep instead.

Tomorrow I'm supposed to go back to work. That still remains to be seen I suppose. I had a bit of an "episode" today and Zach isn't so sure that I need to be working just yet. I woke up with alot of pain on one side of my incision, making it rather uncomfortable to walk. When I was leaving the NICU area a nurse stopped to ask me if I was ok, and I got really faint and dizzy at about the same time. They called Zach to come carry me back down in a wheelchair and not let me walk. He got me home and put me straight to bed. I'm feeling a little better. Very weak but not in as much pain. I hate having the desire to get up and do stuff around the house but not the energy. I'm going to be trying to figure out a way to make it up to him for all the extra work he's had to take on these last few weeks.

Still chuggin' along...

noreply@blogger.com (jennB) — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 03:51:00 +0000

Jacob is continuing to make more progress each and every day. Yesterday they removed the IV from his arm, so he is down to just the feeding tube and monitors on his breathing, heartrate, and body temp.

Today they moved his feeding tube from his mouth and it is now through his nose. Apparently this will enable him to work on his ability to suck/swallow while maintaining his breathing. He's up to 31ccs per feeding and weighed in at 3lbs 9oz today.

They had him in one of the hats my step-dad made for him tonight, which is still a little big on him, but it reminded me of that character in Fat Albert where the hat is completely covering his head :)

lots of pics....

noreply@blogger.com (Zach) — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 03:11:00 +0000

Here's a whole crop of photos, from the beginning up through today. Enjoy!

Jacob-update and new pics

noreply@blogger.com (jennB) — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 23:04:00 +0000

Well, this morning marked a full 24 hours of Jacob breathing without the aid of the cpap and all is well. Ashley and I went to see him around 2pm this afternoon and he was all stretched out, snoozing peacefully. He is up to just over 1/2 oz per feeding, and they plan to continually up that, and decrease his fluids he is receiving via IV as long as he continues to tolerate his increased feedings just fine. So far that has been a non-issue. He was also off the BP monitor so he has just the IV, feeding tube, and heart/lung monitors left, along with his temp monitor, which he has also been maintaining on his own for 24 hours.

He is wearing a little hat that was in his isolette yesterday when we went in. The nurses told me that they have a girl who was born there at 24 weeks who is now a healthy, active 14 yr old. She makes little hats and booties for the babies all the time, and delivered some yesterday. She makes them for the holidays so this is his "candy corn" hat. Apparently it was annoying him in his sleep because he kept pulling on it so I finally took it off.

I held him for a little over an hour and a half "kangaroo" style, which he seems to like. He was actually awake for a good part of the time I was there, looking around, just kinda taking it all in. I have a feeling it is only a matter of time before he figures out how to yank out his feeding tube. He's trying really hard to get that thing out, both by tugging on it with his hands, and pushing it out with his tongue. All the nurses describe him as very feisty :P Can't imagine where he could have gotten that from....