Well it's been about a month since I last updated but it's been a crazy month so I apologize for not posting news and pictures sooner.  Right now I am sitting at my office computer so there wont be any pictures yet but I promise that by the end of the day there will be pictures and stories galore about about how the last month has been and how Ally's first trip to New England went.  Just a quick note of what's been going on here:

July 11-12 District NYI Convention here at the church

July 14-17 District Assemblies and a Local Mission trip for the teens

July 17-30 Gossen Family Vacation (driving from Carthage to Indianapolis, flying from there to Maine, from Maine to Maryland, from Maryland to Indianapolis, driving from Indianapolis to Carthage and then trying to beat the Marion Days rush at Walmart so we have groceries before some 60,000 to 80,000 Vietnamese descend upon the city of Carthage.)  Just a taste and while traveling we did not have much internet access.  keep close its a coming

I am outie 5000,

Robb

Ally's First Week Home

I realize that it has been awhile since I last updated but I have been just a tad busy loving on my daughter, adjusting to life with a newborn in the house, getting two very spoiled boxers used to their new charge, and getting back into the swing of things at the church.  Because I know that you are dying to know what is going on in the world with Ally I will fill you in on the past week. 

My parents came in to visit and to spend time with their new granddaughter for a bit and because my mom decided that since my dad was traveling for a good portion of the week that what better place to be than to spend a week with her favorite daughter-in-law and the new love of her life. This proved to be a great blessing as she was able to help Amy and care for Ally.  This proved to be especially important as Tuesday we had to visit the doctor and we found out that her Bilirubin number was much higher than it should have been so we got a special machine that was to help with phototherapy of light on Ally to raise this number.  After several hours of light and keeping track of her temp so that she didnt get overheated.  We kept her on the blanket as much as possible.  We went back in on Thursday only to discover that the number was still too high so we continued with the therapy.

On the Fourth of July we went back to get another blood test to check her numbers but because it was a holiday we had to visit the lab at the hospital.  This proved to be one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.  First, the lab tech took forever in getting the paperwork done but once that was done we headed back to get the blood work done.  Now to test the blood the way they do it is to stick the heel and then squeeze blood into a vial.  Now the previous two times we had been at this point the nurses in the office were able to draw blood extremely quickly and then be done.  This time however, the lab tech was HORRIBLE.  There was blood all over her heel they weren't holding Ally right they.  Squeezed the foot wrong and ended up bruising over half the foot while trying to draw blood.  The blood they did get they weren't sure they had enough and then they made us stay through the test to make sure and then once finished they could not tell us the results.  When we got home the doctor had called and asked us to call her back.  She told us that the results were actually higher which she thought was strange but that also the blood was not in the best shape.  While taking the blood they had damaged the cells.  Ally was screeching in pain and her mom was crying her dad was ready to punch both techs in their faces and as much as he hates needles would have gladly have been stuck to take the pain and suffering away from his daughter.  The weekend was a huge success and Uncle Kurt and Aunt Steph came to visit and a great time was had by all.

Lots of pics were taken with Granna and Grandpa and Auntie Ambur.  We will be posting new pics as soon as I can get them onto the computer.  

P.S.

We went back to the doctor's today and her number was down significantly and so NO MORE BILIRUBIN BLANKET!!!! WOOOHOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

I am outie 5000,

Robb

Finally HOME!!!

It's Monday and we have now been in our own home for almost 24 hours.  Just to update you on things.  Sunday night about 3 the nurse came in and said that Ally was probably not going to be able to go home.  She had lost almost a pound and they were doing some blood work for jaundice.  Well, at 3 in the morning when we were actually asleep and kind of resting that comes as a major blow of disappointment.  She gave us some supplement to feed Ally that should help.  Ally ate it up but we didnt know how much to give her and how often to feed her.  We ended up giving her too much of this crap throughout the morning and it was extremely frustrating.  Then the doctors came in and both said that she was totally fine and that the weight loss was well within the parameters that is acceptable.  She's stinking 9 pounds 10 oz to lose a pound is not much!!  When we got ready to leave the crap that the nurse gave us had given Ally an incredible upset stomach and so she spit up several times and each one coinciding with putting her in her carrier.  We made it home and it proved to be a long day of sleeping for Ally and not eating till late but because she hadnt eaten all day she wanted to eat all night which made it a long night for her parents.  We are doing well and she grows more beautiful by the day.  I have to admit leaving for work this morning was incredibly difficult.  I really didnt want to go.

I am outie 5000,

Robb

One More Time

Here is one more set.  The last pic is of me changing my first diaper.

Here Are More

They only let me post 5 at a time for some reason so I will be making several posts.