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The Summer Mega-Catchup Thread


Sorry it’s been so long since our last update! We’ve had an awesome (and HOT summer) this year and have been super busy with life, work, and family. Here’s the latest updates on the Martins since May.

Back in June, we ended up at the hospital with Spencer for testing. His normal blood work revealed a high count on a certain liver blood-enzyme. It wasn’t serious, but we did have to stay for a few days so they could draw blood periodically and run tests. It eventually returned to normal.

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Blowing bubbles helps to soothe a very mad baby after blood is drawn

While we were there, Spencer got to ride around in a cool red wagon and we picked up some more dragons from the gift shop.

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Spencer’s chief cheerleaders (besides Mom and Dad) were his team of dragons.
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I’ve got dragons in my wagon!

We of course had to buy our own red wagon once we got back home.

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“You mean I have my very own ‘Dragon Wagon?'”

We decided to take an extended family vacation and spent the weekend with my folks and brother and sister in Gatlinburg. It was great to have a huge cabin all to ourselves with a great deck looking out into the woods.

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Grandma bought us this awesome easy chair for us to relax in while watching YouTube videos.

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Let’s play catch!

Our Corgi, Gabby, still walks on eggshells around Spencer but is starting to take a shine to him now that he’s figured out her favorite game: catch! Spencer really gets a kick out of watching her chase after the tennis balls when he tosses them.

https://youtu.be/hwsUyAnmzYQ

Looks who’s walking!

Around late July, Spencer started taking his first steps. Scooting was still his primary mode of locomotion for awhile, but everyday he started taking more steps and standing longer.

It wasn’t long after he started walking that Spencer figured out what his activity walker was for. He still loves to push it around the house but now he’s running behind it and there’s usually a puppy running in front of it!

For my birthday this year, Spencer brought home his first drawing for us to hang on the fridge.

Spencers first drawing

What toddler’s life would be complete without a chance to play with some pots and pans? We’ve got some stainless cookware and the lids have an awesome ring with struck just right. When we gave Spencer some of the lids to play with, it wasn’t nearly as much of a headache as we anticipated. It was almost… Zen-like.

Spencer’s first interaction with robotics

We’ve had to discontinue the use of Roomba for the time being since his battery holds little charge anymore. For awhile, it just sat there on it’s charging base, but then Spencer discovered it one day.

Well, that about gets us caught up on this summer. We’ll have more updates later on the Fall, but for now, we’re just going to “leaf” you hanging!

 

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25 Signs You Are A Parent of a Preemie

Spencer is continuing to do very well. We didn’t get to take him home last week because he had another brady episode but we’re hopeful that he’ll be coming home very soon. In the meantime, we’d like to share a new photo of Spencer and this list of 25 signs that you are the parent of a preemie.

"You thought I was going home today?! Pfffttt!"
“You thought I was going home today?! Pfffttt!”

25 SIGNS YOU ARE A PARENT OF A PREEMIE:

  1. You scrub your hands like a surgeon…100 times a day.
  2. You should really consider buying stock in Purell, since you practically bathe in it.
  3. You plan your day in 3-hour increments.
  4. You measure your baby’s weight in grams instead of pounds and are ecstatic when they gain just a few.
  5. You know that kangarooing has nothing to do with the animal or Australia.
  6. The phrase “Don’t cry over spilled milk” takes on a whole new meaning after pumping just a few drops of this “liquid gold” then accidentally tipping it over onto the floor.
  7. You rejoice at poopy diapers, first time clothes, and tiny cries…all major milestones that need to be celebrated.
  8. NPO, ABD’s, NG, CPAP, CC’s ROP, TPN, PICC–all make sense to you and have become common abbreviations in your vocabulary.
  9. You hear 5 different types of beeping and can distinguish the difference between them, even in your sleep.
  10. You know the importance of the phrase suck-swallow-breathe and have prayed for the “light bulb” to come on or for it to “just click” more than you can count.
  11. You measure milk in ml’s instead of ounces and rejoice when your baby’s feeding is advanced even by 1ml.
  12. You’ve heard the term “feeder-grower” and know that it is not the name of a lawn care product or a description of something found at a feed and tack store.
  13. You long for open cribs, hearing screens, and car seat testing because you know that means the end of the NICU journey is near.
  14. The statement “breastfeeding is natural” makes you laugh…or cry…depending on the day…or even hour.
  15. You measure age, not in years or even in months, but in weeks and adjusted weeks.
  16. A giraffe is more than an African animal to you.
  17. You know what an isolette is and feel comfortable working through tiny portholes, changing diapers and taking temperatures with ease.
  18. You hear the words “brady” and “episode” and know that they are not referring to the 1970’s TV show.
  19. When your baby is finally discharged from the hospital, the overwhelming joy is coupled with the feeling of uncertainty of what to do with a cordless baby, for you have come to rely on the wires and monitors for reassurance for so long.
  20. The answer to “How old is your baby?” turns into a 30-minute conversation.
  21. Newborns now look like preschoolers to you.
  22. You make friends and family fill out a lengthy health questionnaire before coming over to your house to visit the baby.
  23. You have a countdown on your calendar to the day RSV season begins and ends.
  24. You have hand sanitizer stashed in every corner of your home, in your purse, and diaper bag-and it has become your number one gift to give others.
  25. Your perception of a Super Hero has forever changed- from capes and masks, to tiny souls behind plexiglass.

Preemie parents and brady episodes

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Gooooooal!

Spencer reached one of his goals this morning…

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Peanut update – 5.8.2015

Well it’s been 8 weeks today since Joy’s water broke and we brought her to the hospital. We’re just over half way through week 29 and Peanut has decided it’s time to leave the nest. Joy started having contractions late last night, about every fifteen minutes. When the doctor arrived this morning, he said they weren’t going to try and
stop it and instead scheduled a C-section for 4pm today. Joy is dressed and prepped and we’re just waiting for them to wheel her back there. We’re saying some last minute prayers and trying to settle on a boy’s and girl’s name. More info and hopefully pictures to follow soon!

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Coming Summer 2015

Baby Family AnnouncementSO excited to finally share the good news! God is good and has blessed our family! Joy and I are expecting our family to grow by two feet late this July (maybe August). Yeah!!!