March Happenings

I have always loved March because it's my birthday month.  I turned 29 on March 7 and was able to make a quick trip back to Illinois to celebrate with my twin sister.  Twins have to celebrate birthdays together after all.  Dan was unable to make it due to calving and other farm responsibilities.  It was so good to see family and friends at Maria's housewarming party (she just bought her first house).  Lorena was a big hit at the party!  I think about everyone woman at the party got to hold her.  This was a HUGE deal for me...it was the first time I let people hold her without sanitizing hands.  Dan and I are ready to let people enjoy Lorena as much as we do.  We know that we can't keep her in a bubble forever but we definitely tried for the past 6 months.  I'm not throwing my hand sanitizer away just yet but we are getting a bit more lenient, which is probably why she has some sort of virus at the moment.  The doctor put her on amoxicillin since she is slightly congested.  She tested negative for RSV thank goodness.  She is acting fine but has a bit of a cough at night and stuffy nose throughout the day.  She is such a tough little girl.  I honestly thought it would be the end of the world when she got her first cold but she is proving to be not as fragile as I thought.

Lots happened in March before my birthday.  Mom, Dad, Addie, and Maria made the trip over for Lorena's Ratification ceremony.  Lorena was baptized in the NICU the day she was born but this ceremony introduced her to the church.  We had a big meal at Dan's parents afterwards.  It was a splendid day. 


4 generations - Elsie, Ernie, Daniel, Lorena

Family Picture

Some of the IL Family

Some of the KS Family

There are a few relatives missing in these pictures.  Michael and the boys stayed in Illinois and unbeknowst to me, Katie (Dan's sister) was in Topeka having her baby!  Lillian arrived over 5 weeks early on March 3 and weighed 5 pounds 3 ounces.  She stayed for 2 weeks in the NICU in Topeka but got to come home yesterday.  The first picture was taken the day she was born and the second picture is of her at home.  Please pray for Kate and Jeremy, as having a premature baby is a whole different ball game!  Welcome to this awesome world Lillian Leigh Olson.

 

So glad to be home

Lorena had her NICU follow up in Topeka on March 5.  They were really excited about her progress.  She weighed 15 pounds and 5 ounces and was 23 3/4 inches long.  She has been diagnosed with slight torticollis which is a tightening of her neck muscles.  She has always preferred lying with her head to the left side so we are working on getting her to turn more freely to the right.  We have stretches and exercises to help with this condition but the doctors didn't think it was too major at this point.  She is now on regular strength formula and breast milk combination and eats about 26-28 ounces a day.  She can sit up with support, smiles, reaches for toys, and laughs sometimes. 

 

Lorena has done some fun things in March too.  We went on our first walk outside.  Last week we had several days of 80 degree temps so we took full advantage of the sunshine.

 

 

 

Lorena also dyed her first Easter egg with some of her cousins at Grandma Cindy's house.

 

Dan also had his first experience watching Lorena by himself. I had adjuster training in Kansas City for work and was gone 3 days/3 nights. I have to say that I'm pretty proud of Dan. He did an excellent job caring for our baby girl while I was gone! I question some of his outfit choices like the one below but he did his best, and that's all I can ask. :-)

Nothing matches and the pants are way too small

March is also a bittersweet month for our family.  Our nephew Kaden would have been 8 this past St. Patrick's Day. He passed away in 2010 just a few months after Dan and I got married. Here is him in a picture from our wedding.

He was such a good ring bearer!  We were all so proud of him, especially proud were his parents Kevin and Laura.  I regret not knowing Kaden better.  I know Kaden isn't mad at me for not being there at all of his t-ball games and activities but I wish I could make it up to him.  I have never really thought of myself as "a kid person" and I actually thought kids didn't like me much.  Now that I'm a Mom, I am trying harder to be there for my nieces and nephews.  We all just wish Kaden was here to enjoy life's ups and downs with us. 


Sending balloons to heaven

 I will try to write more often but things never seem to slow down.  I can't believe spring is almost here.  I know we are definitely ready for warmer temperatures and longer days.  ~ Lydia