Pictures from Last Week

My parents visited last week and here's some pictures since Easter Sunday. Todd is still growing like a weed and Claire is as cute as ever. Oh, and my parents are doing well too - loving the new little man. Love to you all, E

Todd's test results

Right now I am nursing Todd on the boppy pillow while I post this new blog - see? A mom can do two things at once - and that's pretty much how I get everything done nowadays.

Well I mentioned that Todd had an ultrasound scheduled in my last posting and I wanted to give you all a heads up on the results of that ultrasound - plus all the other things we've managed to find out as a result of this.
Todd's ultrasound revealed a couple of things. Number one, he has a VESICOURETERAL REFLUX in his right kidney. It is a grade II, which means that he has urine backing up into his right ureter, but not into his kidney (the right kidney looks very healthy). In his left ureter (the tube connecting the kidney to the bladder), he has a blockage (like a bubble in an old garden hose) that has pushed itself into his bladder. This is going to have to be treated with non-invasive surgery. They will go through a catheter to puncture this blockage so the kidney can drain. He is taking a low dose antibiotic to prevent any urinary tract infections because if he gets an infection it can cause some pretty nasty problems. The reflux should go away on it's own, but he will be monitored by ultrasound every three months to check for further dilation of his kidneys (which would mean that it's getting worse). He'll be going back in another month for an ultrasound because the doctor doesn't want to rush the procedure of removing the blockage in his left ureter since he'll have to be put under anesthesia - and the older he gets the better it will be for him. All in all, it gets pretty confusing, but the most important things are that number one, the doctor says it is a very mild case and that he's going to be just fine. And number two, that we really need prayer for him right now to be protected from infection, and for his reflux to go away as he gets older and grows. I think the procedure of removing the bubble is probably unavoidable, but I know God can perform miracles - I've got a little one sitting in front of me right now - you'd never know he had any of these issues. If you want more info just email me or zach, love to you all, Erika

The last two weeks

So now we have hit the two week mark and things are still going fairly well. We are all having to get adjusted to our new life together. I'm still getting caught up on sleep (an ongoing battle - usually losing more than gaining) but Todd is doing well at night, sleeping about 4 hours at a time. Everything we've had to adjust to still doesn't compare to being pregnant (thank goodness that's over with). We celebrated Claire's birthday last Saturday and took the family to the zoo. This coming Monday we'll take Todd to Vanderbilt children's hospital for an ultrasound on his kidneys since they noticed something on my 40 week ultrasound that they want to re-check. I can't imagine anything being wrong since he's a neverending fountain of pee. haha. Well anyways, here are some more pictures from the last two weeks. He's really starting to look like a baby now and less like a little pink raisin! Love to you all, E.

at the doctor

today was todd's first visit to the doctor. it was just the normal newborn checkup. after some poking and prodding, the doctor told us that he's perfectly healthy.

here are the statistics:
weight: 9 lbs. 2 oz. (90th percentile)
length: 21" (90th percentile)

as you can see, he really likes to eat and is packing on the weight already.

sorry for the lack of additional pictures. we've been trying to figure things out, stay up on our sleep and not go insane now that we have two wonderful children! we'll get more up just as soon as we can.

he's here!

like any good 21st century father, i figured the best way to appease the masses for information and pictures was through a blog. so here it is... todd isn't even 24 hours old but he has his own blog.

the story
yesterday, thursday, about noon, erika's water broke. she'd been dilated at 1cm for about 4 weeks without any change. she started having consistent contractions about 2 that afternoon. our doule, susie meeks, got to our house a little after 5 and erika was already dilated to a 3! we labored at home for another hour or so and at 6:30 erika was dilated to a 4 and felt that it was time to go. once we got to the hospital (35 minutes later), the contractions were 1.5 - 2 minutes apart and erika was 7-8 cm dilated. things were moving fast now! the nurses at centennial did a great job of getting her into a delivery room quickly and getting everything setup. our doctor, dr. lisa morgan, arrived at about 7:45 and erika was really having hard contractions. she got settled and at 8:07 pm, todd alexander greeted the world! for those of you that didn't do the math, that was 8 hours from water breaking to delivery! it happened fast! erika did a fabulous job. she had a totally natural labor and delivery with no drugs or anything. i'm so proud of her!

the vitals
weight - 8 lbs. 9 oz.
length - 21.25 inches

and now, what you've all been waiting for...


susie coaching... erika relaxing...


first picture with mama


todd with the ladies. susie is on the left. dr. morgan is on the right.


on the scale


tipping the scale at 8 lbs. 9 oz.


back on momma






proud parents


the men taking a well earned nap


all clean and getting his hair combed

that's all for now! i do have more pictures to upload. so check back tomorrow!