Lauren's First "Professional" Portraits

So Lauren got her first "professional" portraits taken on 3 September. They turned out adorable (there may be a bias in this statement/conclusion), but so much so, that we decided to use three of the pictures to go on the birth announcements. Lauren was yawning by her second snap-shot and just rolling along with the clothes changes and bow switches, with minor grumpiness between shots. I'd have to say she was dealing with it a lot better than Nate, who was cranky and "not feeling picture day" before we even got there! So while Nate and I were not seeing eye-to-eye on Lauren's head-gear ("Katy, that flower is the same size as her head!"), Lauren rocked each and every outfit we put her in--and with a smile at times! Hope you enjoy her photos, courtesy of Sears Portrait studio...

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You Know Where Frugal Will Get You?

In Lauren's case, frugal got her father a big pile of baby poop on his shirt!
With Lauren now being 10lbs 15oz (6 weeks old), she no longer fits in newborn diapers; yet Nate insists on using them all regardless of fit. No diaper will go unused in the Olsen household, no matter how small! :) So Lauren let Nate know what she thought about his tight-diaper policy by promptly "blowing one out" right onto his lap! Take that Frugal Daddy!!!

Family Home Evening (FHE) Crew

So we have a couple families, affectionately called The FHE Crew, that we meet with every Monday night to have dinner and spend time with... Basically good times are had by all. :0p Especially by Ms. Leah Pettet when she gets to lick the brownie beater AND hang out with her dad, Tyler, as demonstrated in the picture! :)
Speaking of Tyler, the world continues to be extremely small, and an even smaller Air Force. As you all know, Nate and I are stationed at Scott AFB, in the cornfields of Southern Illinois. The Pettet's moved to Scott AFB earlier this year and Ashley (Leah's mom, Tyler's wife) and I have become pretty good friends. A couple months after the Pettet's moved in, we were chatting about where we are from originally (typical AF first-exchanges right?). Any way, come to find out that Tyler is from Payson, Arizona, a town about 2-hours away from Pinetop-Lakeside where I grew up. It's great to know someone else from the non-desert part or the mountains of AZ...again, such a small world...

"The Heisman" vs. "Dead Bug"

So Nate found the baby's new favorite "hold", which apparently changes weekly, if not daily! She seems to like pressure on her tummy regardless of the hold, so Nate thought he'd get some bicep curls in, AND start her towards her sports related photos. So that explains Nate and "The Heisman" pose with Lauren as the pigskin! (Question: Do all new dads get a picture of them holding their babies like footballs?)
Nate then noticed that no matter how he moved Lauren, her limbs were oober limp and she was out cold! We're talking like smelling-salts out cold. So he rocked her back-and-forth, limbs flailing, and called it her "Dead Bug" pose...it was really a pretty hilarious sight to see. ***DISCLAIMER: No Lauren's were harmed in the development of this hold/pose***
So which pose is better? Or more Funny? "Thr Heisman" or the "Dead Bug"?

Lauren Playing "Dead Bug"

Winnie the Pooh Robe

Lauren sure loves her robe after her baths...unfortunately she hates the cute hoodie (Pooh ears and all) that keeps her body heat in. Yeah...the wearing of the robe lasts for about 2 minutes.

Nothing Says Adorable Like...

Big, blue eyes and a double chin! Oh, and a sweet mullet that unfortunately you can't see in this picture ;0)

Post-PT Nap

PT tired Lauren out, but check out the biceps! She's totally been working on the gun-show!

Tuesday's Are Physical Therapy Days

The Lamb Swing - What A Blessing!

The Lamb Swing is such a comfort (and distraction) for Lauren - we love it!!! Though if the music stops and the swinging wanes, you better watch out... Lauren goes from content to The Angry Hulk Baby in seconds! What can we say, she loves the music and movement - we must have a booty-rump shaker on our hands!
Not to worry though, we've purchased so many AA batteries now, we're pretty sure we're part owners in the Duracell Company...AND Lauren won't stop swinging until 2012!

The Appearance of Angry Hulk Baby

Lauren & John LaCroix

Mid-August: Lauren got her first visit from Katy's work colleagues. We know, a whole month after she was born--we're such hold-outs! She sure liked being held by John though...trying to make googly-eyes at him and everything! :0P Next stop - AMC/A7P, to make friends with Nate's coworkers!

One Month Old Today

Lauren is one month old today!

We weren't sure if we'd be celebrating this milestone in the NICU or not, so we're celebrating double today!!! Developmentally Lauren appears to be progressing with her fellow one-month old babies--though, for the veteran parents, you know that each child progresses on their own schedule. Lauren's mobility is excellent, she already fights Nate to hold up her own head, she just begun the random noise making (yesterday!), she's a champ at breast and bottle feeding, and can go from zero to raging-ticked in a matter of seconds!

We're thankful that she's acting like a "normal" one-month old and continue to hope and pray for her progress! Thanks again to all of you who keep her in your daily thoughts and prayers--we appreciate them...

We've Got a 10 Pounder!

So Lauren officially hit 10 lbs at her Home Health Visit on Wednesday (11 August), and we're stoked she's gaining weight as she should be. Not bad for a baby one-day shy of one-month old right?! Though sometimes we wonder how she's even gaining, as it seems like she spits up and vomits just as much as we feed her. Nate and I do accept some responsibility for these episodes--we have had problems with overfeeding her (bad parents!)...so she informs us by vomiting about 2 feet out and all over her clothes, our clothes, and the beautiful blankets she's been given! Needless to say, laundry frequency has increased two-fold and we're easing up on her intake!

First PT Home Visit

Lauren had her first PT Home Visit appointment today--where she was actually worked out. Joan, her physical therapist, went through all the different movements we are supposed to do with her daily; but overall was very encouraging. Per Joan, Lauren is moving extremely well for an almost one month old baby, never mind that she's an HIE baby! Wonderful news to hear! There were two minor items she mentioned: 1) stiffness in her right wrist (most likely linked to Lauren's extreme like to keep her fist tightly wadded-up like a prize fighter!), and 2) she has a slight tremor in her right foot when Joan performed the tap-reflex test (taps bottom of her foot with hand; a reflex/action seen often in HIE babies--but Joan didn't seem worried at this either). So bottom line, it was probably as good a first PT visit as we would've asked for, and we pray Lauren continues to keep her limbs flying and progressing along with her baby "colleagues"...

Gang Signs - Part II

Baby Gang Signs

Have you ever noticed that babies do the most hilarious things with their hands--while awake or sleeping? We've caught Lauren "throwing" a couple different baby gang signs--anyone recognize these from your own children?! If so, can you tell us what posse Lauren is trying to join?! :0P

Banana Hands Club Members

Milk-Drunk & Banana Hands

Only Lauren can pull-off the post-feeding time Milk-Drunk look!

Also, as we've often stated before, Lauren is a very long and skinny baby--which we all know are attributes that we'd use to describe her Daddy Nate. (If she was short and pudgy, then we could give Katy a little credit :0)). Really though, per this picture, we now have another documented "Nateish" attribute that Lauren possesses--Banana Hands! Seriously! Check out her mitts in this picture! Nate is often referred to as Banana Hands due to his very large man-hands, and it looks like we've got a Mini-Banana Hands in the making.

Tummy Time With Dad & Bear

Lauren and Nate have their tummy time every day, a little after dad gets home from work. Today Lauren had a visitor during tummy time--Bear. She was wide-eyed looking at Bear, but it's up for debate if she was oogling Bear, or that perhaps she couldn't believe the goofy noises coming out of her dad's mouth. Also, only Nate (aka: tall white-guy) could make Bear's dance moves look so, well, discombobulated! But we'll take 'em, because no one is as dedicated to tummy time as daddy...

Lauren & the Home Health Nurse

Lauren had her second visit from her Home Health Nurse, Dawn, this past Wednesday. She comes to our home bi-weekly to make sure that Lauren is gaining weight and growing appropriately. So far, so good. Lauren weighed 9lbs 4.5oz during visit #2, and measuring 22" long. Which, if you're keeping track, is 1.4lbs more than her birth weight, and about the same length. Not too shabby for being 23 days old right?! With weight gain at this rate, Lauren may catch up to her cousin Kayla, who is 6 months older...who knows, maybe Lauren will follow in her mother's footsteps and be a rugby player!

Naked Feeding Time

Day 21 - Feeding Time

Lauren really seems to enjoy feeding time...NAKED (diaper only)! We are getting a bit better at reading her cues, though her severe tizzies every now and then would lead you to believe otherwise. 9 times out of 10, she's angry because she's hungry though. Guess Papa Nate will have to quit rationing the breast milk...he sure could give a girl a complex about her weight gain! ;0P

Please go to Sleep

This is Intense

The first night Lauren was home from the NICU was probably the longest night of our lives. We had never heard anyone scream so much. We were so excited to get her home that I think we forgot what we had gotten ourselves into. We know that all of you parents out there are laughing at us because you have been there and done that. We can honestly say that we have a new found respect for all you veteran parents out there. It seems like Lauren sleeps all day and then when the night time comes she is ready to test out her lungs.

After the Bath Incident

Bath Time Round Two

Well, you have to give it to Lauren for being consistent. We attempted her first bath at home the other day and you will be happy to know we had the same result as the last bath she had. We will have to keep this in mind if she is ever having bowel issues later on.

Last Day at the NICU

No More NICU

Today was the day we have all been waiting for. Lauren was able to go home today!!! Katy was a little nervous for the car ride since Lauren hated her car seat so much during her test, but she did great. She got so tired of the St Louis rush hour traffic that she fell asleep.

Thank you so much for the support and prayers while we were at the NICU. We couldn't have made it through this adventure withouth everyone's help. We will continue to keep everyone up to date on Lauren. Please keep her in your prayers as she continues to develop and grow into a fine young lady.

NICU: Day 16 - Talk of Going Home

So today during rounds was the first time that Dr. Brian Hackett, Lauren's NICU Doctor, named a possible "end-date" for our stay here in the NICU. If Lauren has continued to gain weight as of her official weigh-in tonight (midnight), we'll get to take her home tomorrow--Wednesday, 28 July 2010!!! It's going to be weird to be able to go down the hall to see Lauren, vs. a 40 minute drive each way to SLCH. But we'll absolutely take it!

We do appreciate everyones thoughtful cards, emails, and gifts we've received over the last 16 days...as well as the spontaneous meals and yard care. We truly have outstanding friends and support, and we are sincerely appreciative to you all...

Keep your fingers-crossed for Lauren's weigh-in tonight and sufficient weight gain to bring her home tomorrow.

NICU: Day 15 - Car Seat Test

Yesterday Lauren took her first official, and hopefully only, car seat test. What's that you ask? Well in order for us to be cleared to take Lauren home from SLCH, she had to pass a two-hour car seat test. Yes, we only live 30 miles away from the hospital, but all NICU children must be able to sit in their car seat for a minimum of two-hours without desaturating--her vital signs needed to remain within an acceptable range. So Lauren did great when she was put into the car seat initially; however, when she realized that we were leaving her in there and not taking her out immediately--well, all heck broke lose. She screamed bloody-murder for the first 30 minutes of the test, only to tire herself and zonk out for the last hour and a half. This was our first time seeing a Lauren melt-down, so it was a bit tough to endure...but we're stoked she passed the car seat test with "screaming" colors! :)

Pre Melt Down

Post Melt Down

Bath Time

Sunday night Lauren had her first bath ever!! Normally we would not wait fourteen days to bathe our child, but this was the first time they would allow us. Lauren didn't like the water at first, but then she got a little too comfortable. So comfortable in fact that she decided to take a number two in the water. We performed an emergency evacuation of the wash basin and had to start all over. Needless to say there are no pictures of this momentous occasion.

NICU: Day 14 - Tube Free

Lauren has been doing great learning to feed on her own. She has done so well that they removed her feeding tube this morning. This put Katy's mind at ease because before today the doctors would force 3 ounces of food down her feeding tube every three hours. I know it sounds like fun not having to worry about chewing, but Lauren's little stomach didn't seem to be able to hold that much food and she let us know by spewing it all over the cute outfit mom picked out for her. Now, after three days of breast feeding the eruptions from her stomach have seemed to stop.

No More Feeding Tube