Promises, Promises

When I got home from playing Nonna, I found this.

 It's just a teaser, because today, I woke up to this.

It IS melting, and I can't imagine it will be like this forever, but I would very nearly commit mayhem just to have 2 consecutive days of warmth and sunshine.

Home Again

Tad came to get me Friday evening at the kids', stayed over and we left Saturday morning to come back home. It's good to be back in my own bed, my own shower...the kids were great hosts, and I loved helping out and holding that sweet baby girl. I miss her already. It's going to be a long wait until we can see her again.

There are things to do now that I'm home. I need to sew a blessing dress for Evie, finish the quilted tote bag I started for Hailey, get caught up on laundry and cleaning and pray for warm, Spring weather. I have more painting projects (Surprise!) that need a warm, calm day. I want to open the windows and let the fresh air in. I want to be able to enjoy the crocus that are up. (Yay!) I feel rootbound. I want to blossom and grow. Hurry, Spring! According to the calendar, you are late!

Crafting at Evie's House

I got to spend the last 10 days in Orem with the kids, helping out and playing with the baby. It was fun, and tiring, but I really enjoyed it. I got to make a few things for Evie while I was there, as well as do a couple of things that Jessie wanted.

I  used to cover binders for my kids' scrapbooks,  using fabric, batting, cardboard and lots of hot glue. Then I got lazy (or smart) and started sewing slipcovers for binders, instead. It's easier, quicker and takes a lot less fabric. Here's the one I made for Evie, using the scraps of fabric I'd gotten for sheets.

I also scanned some of the fabric before I left home and printed off some paper to make a journal for Jessie and Todd to write notes and letters to her. It turned out pretty well. I love to cover composition books. I have more covered books than ways to use them. 

I also made some little mitts for Evie so she doesn't scratch her face with her fingernails. Quick and easy-peasy.

It was fun to be with the kids, but it's also very good to be home. I can't wait to see and hold that tiny cutie-pie again.

Generations

When Jessica was born, my dad custom built a cradle to be used for all of my babies. When Hailey outgrew the cradle, we disassembled it, packed it away and moved it from house to house, state to state. Now that I'm in the grandparent stage, we pulled it out of storage, found all the parts and hardware and brought it down to Orem last week. It's now on its 2nd generation of Taylor babies. Evie has been sleeping in it and will probably fit for several months.

Here is a picture of Jessica at one day old, right after dad assembled it.  Dec 29, 1989

Here is a picture of Evie at 1 week old, after I assembled it. March 28, 2011

 I can't wait to see the grandkids' grandkids lying in it.

Thanks Grandpa!

PhotoTherapy

Evie came home from her pediatrician's visit on Friday with the recommendation (read commandment) from the doctor that she have phototherapy due to her high bilirubin levels. Her Friday levels were 19.? and they need to be below 12. The bili light guy brought the bili bed Friday evening and we had her under the lights for a couple of hours. Saturday morning levels were 17.5. Definitely an improvement, especially for such a short exposure. Sunday's levels were 12.9, after all of Saturday under the lights. Great! We're taking her in to the lab this afternoon and we're hoping they are well below 12, since she's spent the better part of the last 2 days under them. You can see from these pictures taken Thursday evening that she was definitely yellowed. (Contrast against Hailey's pink skin.)

Evie didn't like the goggles that were sent with the bili bed. She kicked and screamed and hissed and spit and pushed them up over her eyebrows. When we took them away, she settled right down and actually napped for hours at a time under the lights without a peep. The improvement is incredible--and obvious. We know it's because of the phototherapy, but also prayers offered in her behalf.

 

I'll take more pix after Evie wakes up, to show her pretty, pink skin.

Later:
The bili levels are down to 10.6 today. Yay! Here are some pix to show off her lovely, pink complexion.

Playing at Evie's House

I'm spending the week (or however long) in Orem, playing at Evie's house. Evie's mommy called  me Monday (right after the last post, as it turns out,) to say that they were at the hospital and that Evie was on her way. She was born Monday night at 11:30. She weighed 6# 3 oz, is 18" long and has dark brown hair and blue eyes. She looks like her daddy. Her hair is sniffable. Mmmm.

Tad, Hailey and I came down Thursday and I'll be here for several days. We still haven't painted our toenails or braided each other's hair, but we have stayed up all night and eaten fun food. Later we'll talk about boys, make popcorn and watch movies.

Sick...Tired...Still Here

I'm not going to apologize. I'm just sick. I have been for 2 weeks. I've been to the doctor, I'm on meds, I'm just waiting for them to truly kick in. I know that it can take time for them to work, but I want instant results. I want to be well already. I have a good motivation to be well. I know that if I'm sick, I can't go play at Evie's house. I want to go play at Evie's house. It will be fun. We'll have a slumber party, stay awake all night, eat fun food, talk about boys, paint our toenails and braid each other's hair. That's why I have to hurry and get well, because when Evie's mom says it's OK to have our sleepover, I'll be there. It'll be fun. Hurry, Evie's mom, hurry and call and tell me it's time to come and play.