July 18 - 24

WHAT A WEEK!!!!!

The best part of this week has been having a new grand baby!  Lynzi and Ron had their new baby boy, Michael, at about 4:30 on Friday, July 22nd.  Here are some photos and explanations:  

When Michael was first born he let out a good solid cry so we thought everything was great.  However, after a few minutes, the Dr. said he was "grunting", and asked the nurses to call N.I.C.U.  They immediately gave him oxygen in his little bed, and a few minutes later the NICU nurses came in.  They told Lynzi and Ron that they were taking Michael to the NICU for about 30 - 45 minutes to "check him out" and they would bring him right back.  After about an hour, when they hadn't returned, Ron went to the NICU to see what was wrong.  It was then that he found out Michael had swallowed and aspirated some muconium and blood.  From about 4:30 till about 9:00 there were 2 nurses, a respiratory therapist and the NICU dr. working on him, inserting tubes and needles.  Poor baby!!!!!

On day 2 they found that he was developing pneumonia because of the fluid in his lungs and started him on an antibiotic.  You can see, he has an IV i his head, oxygen in his nose, a tube through his mouth into his stomach and two tubes in his umbelicle cord.  He didn't get real food in his stomach for 2-3 days.

This is about day 5.  The NICU was VERY strict about their policy of visitors.  One parent and one visitor.  We went to the hospital every day, but usually only got to see Michael for 10 - 15 minutes.  The Monday and Tuesday after Lynzi was released from the hospital, she and Ron were able to have a "Family Room".  It was a room the hospital let them stay in for 2 days during Michael's stay.  After those 2 days, they had to travel back and forth.  They were at the hospital from about 9:00 a.m. till about 6:00 p.m. every day.  No one is allowed in the room during shift change.  6:00 - 7:00 a.m. and p.m.

FINALLY on about day 6 they took the rest of the tubes you could see out and left this beautiful baby boy!  He still has the 2 tubes in his cord, but you can't see those.  Unfortunately, the next day, they had to re-insert the tube to his stomach, but this time they put it through his nose.  That made it so Lynzi could feed him.  He wasn't a great eater, but considering he had nothing in his stomach for the first 3 days, he did really well.  On day 9, Sunday, July 30th he passed the "car seat" test and was able to come home.  What a blessing!  He's a beautiful 8 lb 1 oz, 20 inch long boy with dark black hair and a mullet in the back!  

Now for The Rest of the Week

OK - the rest of the week was great - but not nearly as exciting as the birth of a new grand child!  We actually went to another training!  I think by the time we're done with this mission we will have been thoroughly trained in everything!  This one was a 2 1/2 day training for the Library.  Some of it was stuff we already knew, like where is the bathroom - but most of it, I must admit, was very interesting, and very informative!  We learned what to do in case of emergencies, and then we learned a LOT of interesting facts about the Library!  One of the things they talked about is how many people use the library, and how there's a line of people waiting to get in every morning.  When we walk to work at 7:30 a.m., we ALWAYS see people waiting at the doors.  Now, mind you, the doors don't even open till 8:00 a.m.  We just always figured that people were waiting because they ride TRAX in and that's what time it arrives so they wait.  One morning, I had to walk home because I forgot my phone (had to have it in case Lynzi called saying she was in labor!)  When I got back to the library, it was about 7:55 a.m., and there was LITERALLY a line to get in to the library that went from the doors clear to the street!  I was shocked!  It's not like things are first come first served, or there aren't enough seats or computers - there's plenty of everything!  It's just that there are a LOT of people who are AVID genealogists and are waiting to begin each day!  I still don't totally understand, but I'm definitely beginning!  Another thing we learned is that about 60% of the patrons who go into the library to do genealogy are NOT members of the church.  They are people from all over the world who want to find their ancestors!  

OK I know this one is short, but I'm 2 weeks behind so I'll make it up in my next post.  Things are good - we're loving this mission - but do miss home and our family!  We pray for you (our family) every day and hope the Heavenly Father will answer the blessing we got when we were set apart, that you (they) would all be blessed through our service.  

Till next week!