These past 2 months have been exciting, stressful, long, adventurous, busy, and wonderful. We closed Zida July 27th. We decided to have Camden induced on July 30th. Fortunately, mom and Jacob were there to help us. I want to focus this blog on sweet Camden boy, but there are lots of details to share as well.
Camden Lee was born July 30th at 12:19pm. He was 8 lbs 1 oz and 20 1/2" long. He made quite the dramatic entrance into this world. The umbilical cord was wrapped around his little neck and the Dr. could not unwrap it. He was delivered very quickly and the NICU team was called because he was not responding. They immediately grabbed him and called for Joel to follow them. In the NICU they were working hard to get him to breath. There was not a more precious and glorious sound in the world other than his sweet little cry. After a few minutes he was okay.
Nanna and Jacob brought Braylin up to the hospital to meet our little guy. Nanna and Jake immediately loved him. Braylin...not so much. Whoever was holding Camden, Braylin wanted all their attention. Joel and I braced ourselves for coming home to work with Braylin to adjust to him. Once we got home though, she LOVED him. She is still such a proud sister and loves to take people to him and will point and talk about him for as long as you will listen (granted, you can't understand a thing she is saying!)
A few days after birth, we found out that he had MRSA (as well as momma and Braylin) We were all put on antibiotics and everything was okay (mostly)
2 weeks after his birth we had him circumcised and the next day got in the car to move to Texas. (During those 2 weeks, we had a garage sale, finished up at Zida and packed up or house. INSANITY!!! We are so grateful to all our family and friends who helped. We literally could not have managed without you)
Camden at the Dr. Office
Our Texas trip took 7 days and as crazy as it sounds, it was a wonderful adventure for our little family. (Realize I am writing this many weeks after the fact. I am thankful that I can look back on it as a good time!)
We got to Texas via LA to visit Jill and Kevin and Arkansas to visit Joel's family. (Yes, I realize this was not the quickest way! Many people like to point that out.)
Bray in the car watching movies
At a hotel
Lunch break one day
The day after we got to Texas, Joel and I interviewed to be house parents at Happy Hill Farm Academy. The next day we got the job and have been working and trying to settle in since. (We are really enjoying the job and the 5 teenage girls that have been entrusted into our care. They are great with the kids and have really opened up to us even in this short time.)
The week we got here, we really became concerned with Camden's circumcision, and turns out, we had good reason. He had surgery yesterday to fix it. Thankfully, he did really well and will hopefully will heal quickly and correctly.
Braylin has also seen a dr here as she is still dealing with UTI's. We are looking forward to seeing a specialist and getting her fixed up as well.
As you can tell, this has been an intensely chaotic time, but we can see and feel how God had and continues to have His hands around us and guides us through each day. We are blessed beyond belief.
Minor side note, Joel started seminary a couple of weeks ago as well, and is loving it. It is awesome to see God moving in our lives and for the opportunities we have been given.
As far as Camden goes, he is a sweet baby boy. He LOVES being held and snuggled. He will literally sleep all day if someone would snuggle him (there are plenty of volunteers, don't worry!) He has grown so much already. He is a BIG boy. We have nicknamed him Chubba Bubba. At his 1 month appointment he was 12 lbs 7 oz and at his procedure yesterday (6 weeks) he is 14 lbs 10 oz. This boy obviously loves to eat and rarely skips a meal. He makes the sweetest sounds and is even okay with his sister patting his head, or belly, or pulling at his toes, etc. I think these 2 will be very close!
Precious Boy!
Recovering from the surgery in just a t-shirt.
