Fall Is In the Air!

Fall is in the air!!!  Adam and I took Kaisson out to the Dallas Arboretum this past weekend.  They have a large pumpkin patch and pumpkin display where pictures can be taken.  So, we dressed Kaisson up in his fall attire and off we went to get pictures!  The weather was great, and despite having to fight the crowds, we had a great time getting to take pictures and video of Kaisson!  Kaisson was a great little model!!!  Maybe he'll take after his mom instead of his dad when it comes to pictures!  Adam SO loves to get his picture taken!  =)

Kaisson's First Two Weeks

Going into this, we had this idea of how things were going to go...we were going to have a natural delivery and the first few weeks we would just fall into sync with a routine.  Isn't funny how that doesn't happen?  

The past 2 weeks have been quite an uphill battle.  We headed home from the hospital after being there for an entire week.  Within the first 2 days we found that feeding was an issue and Kaisson was not eating.  We thought that he was just having trouble figuring out breastfeeding, but come to find out it was something more.  By Tuesday Kaisson had decided that he wasn't interested in eating and he went an entire 24 hours without any food.  We went and visited the lactation consultant, which we are convinced saved his life!  He had lost from his birth weight of 7 lbs 10 ounces to 6 lbs 5 ounces.  At that point we began supplementing with formula.  

You would think at this point that our problems were solved.  However, we still were having trouble eating.  It was taking him an hour or longer to get down 2 ounces or so.  Then within the next day or so he had several apnea episodes where he would become listless, blue or white. After an episode Friday afternoon, Adam and I took Kaisson to Cook Children's in Fort Worth.  We spent the evening in the ER and then we were admitted and spent the weekend in the hospital hooked up to a monitor to check his breathing, oxygen level, and heart rate.  The pediatrician finally decided that his apnea episodes were due to reflux.  Kaisson is now on Zantec and is getting better everyday.

As of yesterday he had jumped up to 7 lbs. 10 ounces...a huge blessing since Saturday at the hospital he was still 7 lbs 1 ounce.  

God has been so faithful in this situation.  Although we don't always know the outcomes of things or know what is to come, He knows and is faithful to provide the best.  

We are thankful for everyone that has been praying for us over the past few weeks.  God hears the prayers of His people and is faithful to listen and provide!  We love you all!!!

Welcome to our family, Kaisson O'Neal!

After 2 days of pitocin and a lot of contractions that didn't cause any progression, I delivered our new son by c-section at 7:41 pm on October 1st.  Kaisson O'Neal let everyone know he had finally arrived with his cries showing off his strong lungs.  What an emotional feeling that cannot be described.  We are very thankful that he is healthy, lively, and cute....oh, and his father is glad he came "with all his parts."  He weighed 7 lbs. 10 oz. and stretched 20 inches long.  God truly blessed us with a huge gift that we don't deserve but are greatful He gave.  I don't think the responsibility we have for this child has hit since we're still in the hospital for another couple days.  When we take him home, I imagine the reality of what God granted will be completely evident and a new chapter in this Norwood household will be well underway.  Thank you to all for your prayers, thoughts, and encouragement.  You have blessed us so much.  We realize that the way you have shaped Adam and my life over the last 4+ years will carry over to helping shape our sons life.  Thank you for the love you have given and will give to our family.