Sunday, January 6, 2008

Close, but no cigar

Hey everyone! We've had a crazy week so far with Forrest home. It definitely takes a little while to establish some sort of routine even with one baby. I shudder to think what it will be like when they all start coming home! The title of that post will probably be "Utter Chaos"!

Our "big Poppa" Pius was scheduled to come home on Sat or Sun, but he decided he wasn't ready to leave his favorite nurses in the NICU. On Friday, he had an episode of bradycardia when he was sleeping. He stopped breathing long enough to cause his heart rate to drop (that's the bradycardia) and the nurse had to leave Danna's bedside to go stimulate Pius to breath. Because of this, the docs wanted to watch him a little longer, and he'll have to go 5 days without any more red marks. If he has any more episodes, they'll have to start the 5 day count over again. He's still doing great, along with all the others and gaining weight like crazy. He is also still oxygen and feeding tube free and it's great to be able to see his whole face without all the tape and tubes! He has dimples to go along with his little "butt chin" and fat head. He currently weighs 7 pounds, 3 ounces and has outgrown all the preemie clothes. The nurse squeezed him into one yesterday and it looked like a muscle shirt.

Frosty had his first doctor appointment last Friday and passed with flying colors. The docs said he looks great (which Forrest is fully aware of already) and we just need to keep doing what we're doing, including giving him a baby mohawk every time we brush his long, blond hair (I just can't resist it). He does have a small umbilical hernia that is pretty common in preemies. His belly button just looks like a big outtie. Between Billy, Becky and me, he is being fed every 2-3 hours on average. He takes breast milk mixed with some higher calorie formula called EnfaCare, and he can also breastfeed up to 2 times a day. He has gained weight since his hospital discharge and is probably around 6 pounds, 15 ounces, or so. Not really sure since we don't have a scale at the apartment, but he was about 6 pounds 13 ounces at his Friday appointment. Also, I'm proud to say that he has peed all over Billy's face a couple times now. I told him he should have been using the pee-pee tee-pees that Mary sent, but I guess it'll take a few more squirts to the face before Billy starts to listen.

See, Jac, the pants don't ALWAYS have to be hiked to their neck!

Forrest showing off his lil' mohawk after a bath

Ah, ah, ah, ah, stayin' alive, stayin' alive....

Too close, mom, too close! My girlfriend, Emma, will see all 3 of my chins!

The little princess has been doing great, too. Her nurse tonight said she has been doing really well with her bottlefeeding and she even took her whole bottle this afternoon when Becky was feeding her. She was also being a little brat and fussing for no apparent reason, causing Becky to stress out. What a high maintenance little girl! She thinks that just because she keeps gaining weight, she gets to push people around with it. Tonight Danna weighed in at 3 pounds, 6 ounces. She's still our little peanut, but they'll probably be able to move her out of the isolette and into an open crib shortly. I think she also has dimples, but it's hard to tell with all the tape on her face.

The little stinker after giving Miss Becky such a hard time


Little man Laine got a bath yesterday and enjoyed some snuggle time with mom. He took 30 of his 40 mL bottle and then tuckered out. I think the bath before the feed may have taken the energy he needed to finish those last 10 mLs. He's still such a sweet little boy and usually only cries when it's warranted. I keep waiting for him to throw a fit for no good reason, but he just lays there and stares at you like, "What more do you want from me? Back flips and cartwheels?" He continues to gain weight like he should and is now up to 4 pounds, 15 ounces. He's really starting to fill out and even has those big, beautiful Selenke lips like Grandma Vicki and Uncle Ryno.

Mom and dad are still doing just fine. Enjoying our first baby at home, as well as the time away from the baby at home in the beautiful 70 degree Phoenix weather. Billy and I have done a good job of taking turns with feeds and getting up or staying up 'til all hours of the night with Forrest.

In our last post, I forgot to say congrats to Bob and Janeen Smith on the arrival of their little girl, Erin Noel. Wish we could've stopped in to see you all when we were in town, but it was good to at least see Bob at Players. Hope things are going well with all 5 of the kiddos!

Jaclyn, hope the "boob infection" is getting better. It sucks, I know. Thanks for all the tips and advice from our last conversation. I'll call you about what I found out about the formula measurements.

Thanks for all the continued support and prayers! A huge thanks to all my Wesley friends who were able to donate some of their PTO hours to me. That helps SO much with the insurance dilemma we have been facing! We really can't thank you enough.

For those of you who we've talked to that say, "Oh, I check your website all the time!" but never comment (you know who you are), you'd better start giving us shout-outs, even if it's just a quick note to say hi and you're reading! Your comments are sustenance for us!

Also, we'll be getting more recent pictures of Laine and Pius when I visit them after church today. We'll post them as soon as we can.



Love,


Billy, Moni, Pius, Forrest, Danna and Laine

42 comments:

Anonymous said...

What cuties! So glad you are getting to do the baby routine one at a time. I know Pius will soon miss his bro and be home to share mom and dad time. Have fun with them. I just can not imagine how busy you must be taking care of Forrest and visiting the other 3 in the hospital.
Kathy

Anonymous said...

Gee the babies are getting so big , I am sure that you aren't far from coming home to Wichita. It was great seeing you last weekend, you both look so good. I got home on Wednesday and boy was I tired too much going and not enough sleep for this Grandma. Hopefully in a couple months I can come back to Wichita to see the whole Graf family, and help out with the little ones. I guess Mark is leaving for Houston this afternoon, I have beeen trying to catch up with him, oh well I guess he will call sometime. I want to do some work on my Farm books this afternoon so better get started. Take care Love you all Aunt Laverna

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear all the bambino's are doing wonderfully. We will have to plan a trip to Kansas once you have been home and got settled back in. It is of course snowing yet again here in Colorado, we are so over it. I admit to being guilty of checking the web site and not commenting. I apologize, it's kind of hard though with working full time and then having the two babies to take care of when I get home (yes, I class Brandon as a baby). I have got a bunch more stuff here for you guys. Also, you need to let us know what you need, or even if a gift certificate works best. Not sure if you have got all the cribs and stuff you will need at home, let us know. Well Ronin is now awake form his nap, better get back to it.
Love you guys,
Tracy

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh! They are beautiful. I smile, I cry, I just want to hold them. I held little Jack last night and I kept thinking about the babies. He is at that fun age where he just smiles at you. I am ready to have you all home. Love Grandma Vicki

Emily's Blog said...

Glad to see that the babies are growing and doing well. Ya'll are in my prayers.

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for the update! I check about 3 times a day! The pictures are just priceless! I'm glad Billy got peed on since he didn't use the little santa hats!!! I have told so many people about your blog Billy watching the football game with the little guy. You are such a great writer. Well, both of you are actually. So entertaining I just can't wait for the next installment. Oh, and the Christmas card gets passed around to everyone who enters the barn. I'm so proud you'd think I'm the grandma! Love you all, Mary O

Bucko 43 said...

Hi all my Graf bunch. What great pictures of those little angels. I love it. I can't wait until you all get home. The weather is beautiful today. I get to walk outside for the first time since I've been to Az, Keep up the good works. Love and prayers to all. Bucko

Anonymous said...

They sure are cute! Don't you just love all the precious little noises they make as they snuggle, sleep and eat? It must feel great having at least one little one with you right now. Can't wait to meet them in person. You guys take care.
Debbie

Anonymous said...

I have been keeping up with your blog for a few months and really check every day for a post! My SHOUT OUT goes to Moni for PUMPING all the breastmilk! That is a full-time job, and not a very easy one! (I had twins in NICU born at 31 weeks in 1998, and I remember bringing my droplets of breastmilk to the NICU and thought I had done a great job.) Feeding four babies through pumping is something that needs a big woop-woop! Why don't men get mammory glands when the woman has more than one baby? Not fair!!
Michelle Long
Irmo, SC

EMO said...

Wow! What a wonderful day. New posts from you guys and the Turbes. What more could I ask for? Everything sounds good. I guess Pius just wanted you to have a little more time getting down a routine with Forrest before he comes home. Can't wait for more pics.
Love
Erin

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the new post. Glad all the babies are growing so well. It's amazing when you look back at their old pictures and see how much they have changed! Love you guys and wish you the best in your baby-filled world ;) Wah, Wah, Wah(x4)it will have to be music to your ears!! Sorry I just had to say that- Andrea
I know it will be awhile but I can't wait to meet them in person.

homealonemom said...

I've been following your blog and the progress of your little ones. I have 13 year old boy/girl twins and I remember the NICU well, as well as those first few weeks when they first came home. I can't imagine it with 4!! Glad you are all doing great, really cute pics of the kids!

Anonymous said...

Hey guys! The pictures are great and the babies are adorable! They are all getting so big! It sounds like you are all doing well!

Keep up the good work and we will see you soon!

Dan and Delane

Anonymous said...

I know this is also your source of entertainment, so the comment about commenting was good! Thanks for the pictures. They really help. We are all so homesick for ya'll to be back home.
Love ya! Mama Budda

Anonymous said...

Aww...I love the new pictures!!! They are awesome!! Just when you think they can't get any cuter, they freakin' do it!! I just love them! I'm sorry I haven't posted in awhile, I'm sure the comment was to me! I will start doing better, I promise!! Billy-you deserved the pee! Mary sent those pee-pee tee-pees for a reason! I love you guys big time and miss you!! Give them all a kiss from Aunt Lainie! Love you!!

Unknown said...

Thanks for pointing out the comment thing, Monique, I look every day but don't always comment. They are so beautiful. Where did all that blond hair come from? I think Danna might be a real character. I need to read her some Junie B Jones books in a few years. She just might relate! I love you all. Aunt dd

Anonymous said...

I dont know why you have to make me feel guilty about not commenting but it worked. I am so excited for the 6 of you. Its been fun seeing the Graf family expand.Their all beautiful children and I cant wait till your all back in the land of ahhs

Cary Brady

Anonymous said...

Dear Billy and Moni, love all of your news and pics. Have not been on the web for awhile to read all of your news----sooo sorry!! Gosh Pius looks so big. He must just love the attention at the hospital. Just know that Danna is going to be your rough and tough one. She'll beat up on all of her brothers... My neice is having getting preg. probs. Is having to have her babies fertilized in a dish then injected. They say Dan's eggs do not swim. They will fert. 2-3 then inject. She is hoping for twins and then it all be over at one time. They live in Denver.

Lots of love
Anita

Anonymous said...

Hi Guys!
Such good news that Forrest is home!! How exciting!
It was awesome to see you 2 at Player's, even if I was only there briefly. You both look great!
Billy, you might not remember much from that night but you did tell me I am your favorite, and I will continue to remind you of that always. You didn't specify favorite what, but still, I'll take it.
You also told me to harass TJ for not coming because, in your words, "I am important!". He agreed that you are indeed important, and wanted me to relay to you that it was my fault he couldn't come. I made him stay home with the chillins.
Anyway, he says hi. He's keeping up with the blog, too.

Can't wait to see all 6 of you back in KS soon!

Maria

Anonymous said...

Hey they are all just the cutest little (getting bigger every day) babies ever. Wonder where they get it...all Moni of course. Cant wait till you come back to KS. Sorry we missed you when you were here. I know G was happy to see you.
Stacy and Korey

Stacey Faber said...

Hi Guys!

Glad to hear that Forrest is doing so well at home. I know you're anxious to get everyone home to Wichita and we're so excited to see you all. All in good time...you're doing a great job of being patient even though I know that's not your favorite thing--either one of you!

We missed you last night at the Friends' game. Coach had a great time and says he was truly surprised at the celebration. (And we played so much better, too! Hopefully we'll keep it up!) Wish you could have been here because there were some pretty intense discussions about which BC team was the best, which played against the toughest CL opponents and on and on and on! Brad and Justin did their best to state the case for your class but they could have used your assistance, Bill!

Thanks for the update! I love Forrest's mohawk and the adorable pictures. They're so sweet! Until next time, know that you're in our thoughts and prayers daily. Take care! We love you!
Stacey

Andria said...

Cute as ever! Gosh love those chubby cheeks and chins. Danna bright eyes are telling stories for sure. Keep up the great parenting...and great blogging!

After our storms here in N. California, I'd die for some of that Phoenix weather!!!

TrishaF said...

Moni, it was so good to get to see you. The babies are getting to big and look more adorable every day. Well by the time you guys get to come back home you will probably have a routine down and you will make it look easy. I agree w/ Anita that Dana will probably be your rough and tough girl. I am soo glad to hear that everyone is doing well.

Anonymous said...

Great update on those precious babies and love the pictures. Sorry we didn't get to see you, but heard all about your visit and sure it was a good "family / friend fix" to get you through the next few weeks until you are home. Yes, Fabe's little surprise went over very well and it was so fun to see the 'old' ball players walking in with a child or two tagging behind. An alum game would have been fun, but probably would have needed the paramedics on the side line after some of them went up the court a time or two. We had all of the kids home for the holidays - that's 10 grandkids and 7 are very close to the same age. Needless to say, our house has gotten much smaller and resembled a 'zoo'. You are very busy and will get busier, but it's worth every minute - cherish those moments. They really do grow up too fast. Take care and love you all. Terry

Anonymous said...

You guys are seriously so amazing. I am so happy for you! Sounds like you do have your hands full with one bet you cant wait until all of the kiddos are home, that will be chaos!!!! I keep you all in my thoughts and share your updates with the few carrol-lites i see and talk with!! What a beautiful family !
love katie strunk

Anonymous said...

Great to hear from you again - I have been checking every day! The babies look great and sound like they are doing well. I know you are having fun with Forrest home. When do you think you will be returning to Wichita? Keep the pictures coming - I love looking at the beautiful kids.
Love, Mary Ann

Anonymous said...

Just to let you know that all of your friends at the "O" haven't forgot about you. We talk of you often and of course we miss you Billy! The babies look so cute - can't wait to see them in person. Hope you guys are doing well and hope you make it home real soon! So sorry I missed you when you were back. I love checking the progress of the little ones on the blog - keep up the good work.
(by the way - I seen your dog the other day - looks like he has been eating well and putting weight on too)

Linda

Anonymous said...

Hope you realize that you'll have to keep this blog going for at least another 18 years. I have the Santa pix here on my desk. It's fun to compare their faces with the ones you post. Kisses from Aunt GGr and Sammy Joe.

Anonymous said...

Billy- don't worry about not using the pee pee tee pee, they don't hold all the pee pee that comes at you when your angel decides to give you a shower!

Dianna Goebel

The Murray Crew said...

You are all doing FABULOUS! I'm so glad that you and Jaclyn have each other to help out...if you both get stumped feel free to email me and us quaddies will figure it out together! Thanks for sharing all the great news! Home is just around the corner. Yippeee!
Jen
www.murraycrew.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Hey Linda...what the hell does "too" mean? I think Moni is doing a great job with her weight. And Mary Ann...whenever Laine and Danna say we get to come home, we will come home. Probably end of January, beginning of February-ish.

Billy

EMO said...

Billy I am sure that she meant like the babies are putting on weight. (duh) ♥♥♥
Erin

Anonymous said...

Yeah, Billy. Monica has lost a ton of weight and the babies have gained a whole bunch. So, she had to mean the boobies, I mean babies. Aunt GGr

Anonymous said...

Long time lurker, first time commenter. Your babies are all so precious!! Here's to ALL of them coming home, hopefully soon! Hugs from Dallas, TX!

Anonymous said...

What cute photos! How funny-Billy peed on. What an amusing image to have in my head. Glad to hear that one has made it home and the others are doing well. Take care of yourselves and enjoy the warmer weather.
Lana

Anonymous said...

Well, I guess I am one of "those people" you were tlaking about!! ;)) But I do check every day. The babies are all absolutely beautiful!! Keep up the good work!
Genae

Anonymous said...

I haven't checked for a couple days. Been in Dallas with Uncle Jim and Jolie. We love you all and prayers will continue.

Julie's brother Tom and wife Carrie had their baby Sat. morning. Abigal Jane. They're all doing great.

Peace Out. Orange Crush Uncle Tom, Aunt Julie, Jolie, and Logan

Anonymous said...

Go Danna!! Let those brothers know you rule the roost!

Anonymous said...

Love you guys - thanks for keepin' the blog alive . . . make sure you are taking care of yourself, getting enough rest, etc. Dare I say, "Geaux Tigers"? I didn't watch the game, just a few highlights, and while I didn't care one way or the other (Rock Chalk, we have our win), the first people I thought of were the Tubres when I saw that god-awful purple and yellow combination - what a season for them, eh? Quads home AND a Nat'l Championship! Hmmm . . . that could only mean one thing - Broncos to win next year's superbowl!
Love you lots. Big SQUEEZE.
S.
PS) I made Molly Poell a Broncos fleece blankie like the Quads. I guess she was pretty excited. Uncle Bob G. didn't think it was funny that I put her present under the tree with the other kiddos :)

Anonymous said...

Hey Graf family! Glad to hear that everyone is doing so well. We miss you guys!
Alyssa

Karen said...

I love the pictures! Forrest looks like he's living the good life at home (except he's not in Nebraska, poor thing). Maybe it's a blessing that the quads are coming home staggered, so that you 2 can get adjusted, little by little, one baby or two at a time. You two are going to be the coolest parents ever (almost-you're neck and neck with Cory & I). Anyways, better get going - we're anxiously awaiting furniture delivery! Call me one of these days - I'm off today and tomorrow and would love to chat!
Karen

Anonymous said...

Hello Friends!

I am emailing you because I am boosting the regulations for the Friends site a bit. I apologize for having to bother you with this when so many of you are facing difficult times. The reason I am doing this is two fold: (1) to protect your sites and (2) to protect the Friends site. It is my hope that one day we can become a legitimate foundation, but in order to do this I need written permission from each of you.

To do this, all I need is for you to provide the following information. Simply fill out the info below and email it back to me. By doing this, we will keep your site on our list of Friends so others can continue to pray for you. If you want you site removed, you can either do so by writing back to me or by simply not responding to this request. the deadline for responding is April 8, 2008 (though the sooner the better). Thank you and here is the request:

As we want to protect all of our families privacy, Asher and Jacob's Friends have set higher standards for submitting a family to the Friends list. If your family would like to have your site added (or maintained on the site), please email Laura with the following information:

1. Loved one's first and last name:
2. Birthdate:
3. Main Diagnosis:
4. Location:
5. Webpage:
6. Email:
7. Photos in jpg format if you would like it used on this site (only used for site):
8. Your name and your relation to this person(s):
9. Any particular prayer requests you have at this moment:

***Email this information to Laura at: laurainsem@yahoo.com***

None of this information will be used on the site except for the name, website, and photos if applicable. Thank you wanting to be a part of this prayer ministry. We hope that through this site, you will find encouragement, comfort, and support.

Thank you, from Asher and Jacob's Friends. www.asherandjacobsfriends.com