LaRae's Sip and See Shower!

I was really excited to have a baby shower for LaRae. I had a surprise one at work at Medsource when I was pregnant with Lincoln and since I had another boy did not have one with Vance. Aunt Michelle gave me so many NEEDED hand-me-downs from clothes, furniture, bedding, toys, etc so I hardly felt like I needed anything when it came to having a boy. I had the things I needed for a girl and got lots of great hand-me-downs from Alyssa but I wanted lots of bows and all the fun accessories that come with having a baby girl. We also wanted to celebrate LaRae getting through all her sickness in her first month so we had a party. We held the shower at Julianne's house and my Mom ran the party. Julianne, my Mom, and Lys all helped with the decor and food.

It was so fun. LaRae and I were both spoiled. I loved it. My favorite gift was from my Mom. She had Alyssa print off a picture of my Grandmother Glenna LaRae and framed it to go in LaRae's nursery. I really wish we had a surviving picture of Sheehan's grandmother Viola so LaRae can see where she gets her first and middle name. I'm so grateful for all the family and friends that we have that love us and support us.

It needs to be documented that I sent an image of exactly like this baby balloon art jokingly to Julianne and said, "I expect nothing less." Then she managed to figure out how to make it! It was unbelievable. She is so smart and talented. 

Our good friend, Cindy Schonberger, gave us this blanket for LaRae. Baby Rae was just coming out of the RSV when I took this pic. I was so excited to FINALLY just enjoy my newborn without worrying about her health. The sun was shining and my baby was feeling okay!

Lincoln's 4th Birthday

We had a low key family birthday for Lincoln. It has been a whirlwind since LaRae was born and everyone is healthy and happy. We needed to take it easy this year. He loves nothing more than to be with all of the family playing with his cousins. Add cinnamon rolls and our little Link-o boy is set!

We bought his a power wheel and gave it to him early to keep both of the boys occupied while Rae was in and out of the hospital. 

The grandbabies love their Papi. 

Vance loves his Daddy. 

Grandma Colleen came to visit and got to meet her grandbaby girl, Baby Rae. 

 

Post-Partum Hypertension & RSV

I explained in-depth about postpartum hypertension I was dealing with and the RSV Rae came down with during the weeks following her birth in previous sections of this book/blog. I don't have much more to say on the topic besides that later I could hardly handle a doctor's office as it would make my blood pressure skyrocket. Our Rae girl recovered but still has difficulty if she gets sick. It hits her lungs and she gets coughs that last for over 4 weeks. She's our sweet and wild girl and I'm so grateful that she pulled through and healed so that we could enjoy what was left of her newborn stage as a healthy and beautiful girl. 

Sometimes I wonder if the stress of these events contributed to my Crohn's symptoms that began almost exactly one year later. Watching our sweet girl struggle with RSV was one of the worst experiences of our lives. 

These are pictures of them doing a spinal tap on her to test for meningitis. The pictures of Sheehan holding Rae are when I went home for much-needed rest. I hardly slept for weeks. I was constantly up holding Rae or worrying about her. 

Sheehan wrote this message on social media the night he sat with our baby girl. It was so scary to see her so sick. 

David archuleta- Be Still My Soul
http://youtu.be/pV3DEtJtho8

This song touched me greatly this morning at 3 am as I watched baby LaRae fall asleep in my lap.

She's got an IV in her head, oxygen tubes, foot sensor, and chest sensors on. Yesterday she was poked, prodded, X-rayed, had a catheter put in to get a urine sample, and got a spinal tap.

It is difficult to see her like this; it brings me to sobbing tears. But I know she will get better, no matter what that means.

That knowledge I have is not because of the medicine or treatment she is getting. It is because 2,000 years ago someone cried tears for her, long before I did today.

"And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt."

"...Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink—

"Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men."

"...And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

"...he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities."

"...Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation. For after much tribulation come the blessings."

I love the Savior and will forever be grateful for his sacrifice, that a worried father in a hospital in Utah at 3 am can be comforted knowing that this precious Daughter of God is noticed by Him and will be taken care of no matter what.