SharonAndAdam.com

Fighting Jaundice

UPDATE: Thérèse’s bilirubin count has gone down and the doctor has taken her off the phototherapy. Thanks for all your prayers!

Having a new baby in the family has certainly brought forth it’s challenges and difficulties. We’re in the midst of bearing a few crosses with little Thérèse.

Like the vast majority of newborns, Thérèse developed jaundice. However in her case, there is an issue of ABO incompatibility. Her bloodtype is not the same as her mother’s. When the bilirubin count reached a significantly high level, our pediatrician thought it best to take an aggressive measure and place Thérèse on Phototherapy.

Thankfully, this can be done in the comfort of our own home. The baby wears a wrap around herself that gives off ultraviolet rays (photo) that will help break down the excessive red blood cells. After one day, it’s beginning to work. We’ll have one more blood test on Friday to see if she needs to continue the treatment.

More photos have been added to the Thérèse album.

Baby G is Born!

Baby G is a girl! Thérèse Marie Gretencord was born to us on Friday, January 16, 2004 at 10:58am CST. She weighed 7 lbs 9oz and measured 19 3/4 inches long. Mother and baby are doing fine. Sharon would later like to give the details on the birth experience after she has time to heal. To make a long story short, it would be very difficult to ask for a more perfect birth story. We were incredibly blessed with a birth with no complications and much loving support from all our family and friends. Thank you all for your prayers and all that you have done, and will do, for us.

On a related note, please pray for Sharon and Thérèse. Breastfeeding is very challenging for new mothers and requires a tremendous amount of patience.

Be sure to view our photo album highlighting the special event.

Happy Anniversary to Us!

On Sunday we celebrated our 1 year anniversary! I’m still in awe that a whole year has passed. And any day now Baby G will arrive and give us new adventures in love.

The last line has probably answered all your questions…No, the baby hasn’t come yet. I’m 3-4 cm dialated as of Monday, but I have not really experienced any contractions since then…so we probably haven’t progressed much. During this time I’m reminded of the readings during Advent when we hear of the second coming of Christ…”You know not the hour or the day…”

So I’ve been accused of “nesting.” I think that’s all hogwash. It’s not that there’s this innate feeling to tidey up. For me, it’s been taking a good look at the house and saying, “Oh my, after the baby comes I won’t have any time to clean the house…better do it now! What’s worse, all these people are going to be visiting us and I can’t have the house all a mess!” I must admit, it keeps me from going nutty during the day.

We’ve received a few offers to help us out. If you REALLY want to help, shoot us an email and let us know. Probably the best thing you can do, while we’re still adjusting, is cook us a meal. Doesn’t have to be fancy. Just something to get Adam an evening so we don’t have to have soup and grilled cheese sandwiches.

A Year of Blessings!

It’s hard to believe that a year ago we were less than a week away from our wedding and closing on a house. We were discussing the other night how it seems like almost yesterday that we got married. We have been so blessed! Here are some of the highlights of last year…

*We got married–but not without Sharon getting sick the night before and Adam getting sick the night after.

*We met the Pope and learned that Italian churches are about the coldest on the planet.

*We bought a house and learned that Home Depot is probably one of the best companies to invest in.

*We found out we were pregnant and learned that it doesn’t matter how light the second line is…it still counts as positive on the pregnancy test.

*Sharon went to her first baseball game at Wrigley Field, and learned that the Cubs really are CURSED!

*The Austin Area Contractors and Suppliers for Life stunted the growth of Planned Parenthood in Austin! We learned that it DOES make a difference when we stand up against the moral evils of our society and prayer and perserverence are essental!

*Baby Gabriel and Baby Theresa were born among many others precious children…and we learned that when changing a boy…beware the “fountain.”

2004 is going to wonderful we can already tell…Baby G is due any day now. Keep us in your prayers!