Strong medicine

Hi All,

This week absolutely flew by and you can see how much little one has grown just in the last couple of days! He's talking so much and is really getting such a cute personality now! He even throws little tantrums when he wants his dummy. His nose is still very blocked and he still has a cough. On Thursday we gave him the coryx that the doc said we should use if his symptoms don't clear up and my oh my what a mistake that was! Our little one started shaking like mad, it was his epilepsy twitches times ten! When we looked at the side-effects it said tremors, convulsions etc. etc., so we phoned the doctor and he said we should just check his breathing and wait it out. If his breathing gets affected at all we must take him to the ER! Well, Wes and I didn't take our eyes off of caden until 24h00 when the tremors finally stopped. Shame, Wes had to go to work the next day with bloodshot eyes, but he managed to get through it! We had such a fright, but luckily it's all fine now. The only problem is that we can't give him anything other than saline and panado for his cold now. Hopefully eventually it'll do the trick, but I feel so sorry for him, he really struggles to breathe through that nose!

Yesterday he was so awake and we got to play for a long time! He also met Dale and Lisa for the first time and got a beautiful teddy, thanx Lees! At about 14h00 I quickly went to Unitas to go and get his epilepsy medicine, but they didn't have stock. Then I went to two other pharmacies, and they didn't have any stock either. I even phoned Carstenhoff but their pharmacy was closed to the public over weekends! I started panicking, because I realised too late that the bottle was finished, and he had to have the medicine that same day! After a couple of phone calls and two hours of searching we finally found some at Dis-chem, phew! When I eventually got home I bathed our little angel and then we had a very chilled braai with Yolandi, Gerrie, Ettiene, Adriana and Anel. It was so nice and the food was incredible!!! This morning we had a king's breakfast and after that aunt Lettie came to meet Caden. Now we are doing our usual Sunday nothing, how nice!

Wes's job is going well, he seems to enjoy it, especially working office hours now and not in the evenings and over weekends! It's just a lot of new things to learn, but that's the case with any new job. Other than that we're all doing well and looking forward to another week of development. I can't believe he's 4 months old already!

Anyway, have a great week and don't work too hard

Lots of Love

Elriza

So much news!

Hi All,

So much has happened in the last two weeks! Two Saturdays ago we took Caden to go visit ohpaw Zak and we went to Magnolia gardens for breakfast. It was so nice!! The next day we took Caden for his first holiday! We went to Cape Town on the train. It was so relaxing and the train really seemed to soothe little one! Although he had so many dirty daipers I think the train-staff were not impressed, hie-hie. The next day we arrived and were greeted with open arms by granny at the train station. We were so relieved to have a shower and freshen up a bit and we relaxed the rest of the day. It was so great seeing grampy, Brendon, granny grey and the rest of the family again. The next day we dropped ouma Rina off at work in Sumerset West and went to drive around. I had terrible hayfever (again) and slept most of the way. Once again we had a relaxing evening. The next day after ouma finished work we went for a wine tasting at Oude Libertas and ate some cheeses at Fairview, how divine! During the week we also went to Blue Peter on Blouberg strand and had a very nice picnic in the Kirstenbosch gardens! It was truly a wonderful holiday. It was also awesome showing Caden to his godparents for the first time (Nicky and Morne) and also to Mrs & Mr Els, Nicky's parents and her sister, Marcelle. Caden had a great time talking to Mrs Els and staring at the black and white painted wall in their living room. Nicky's looking very well, at 31 weeks pregnant you are glowing! Thanks for a great evening! Thanks granny & grampy Paul for opening your home to us and for a very lekker holiday! We had to go home on Father's Day so unfortunately we couldn't do anything but spend time together, which was just as nice! Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful fathers in our lives! Ohpaw Zak, Grampy Charles, Wes and oom Koevoet, may you know how much you mean to the people around you and to all the lives you touch with your greatness! WE LOVE YOU LOTS!

Unfortunately our holiday had to end on a bit of a down note. During the week we noticed Caden developed a slight cough, but it was only once about every 3 days and could easily have been mistaken for a little choke. The first day back on the train however, it become a lot worse and Caden became very niggely and moany with his nose blocked and sneezing all the time. At first we thought it might be an allergy because his eyes were very red and watery but the doctor said allergies don't appear like that at such a young age, it would have rather been a rash. Today we took him to dr. Vermaak and he said that Caden definetly has a cold, but luckily only in the nose and not in the chest yet! So we got some medicine and now we're under house arrest again for a while. We're just praying that this cold goes away quickly and doesn't move to his chest, because then he could end up in ICU again!

Anyway, we're taking it easy, Wes is starting his new job tomorrow so we're having a relaxing evening in front of the t.v.

Hope everybody had a great long weekend and enjoy the short week ahead!

Lots of Love
Elriza

P.S. Caden now weighs 3.18kg!!!

Still growing!

Hi All,

Well, since Caden's been off the oxygen it feels like our schedules just got busier! Last Tuesday our poor little monkey had to go for his 6 week immunisations. He had to get a different injection to the one the state supplies because one of the side effects of the state's one can be epilepsy, and because Caden is on the Phenobarb, we obviously can't have that. The plus side is that he only has to get one injection instead of two, but the down side is that it's very expensive. But our warrior was so brave when the nurse injected him. He only gave one cry and that was it. However, the couple of days to follow were definitely not easy. He didn't get a fever, but he definitely had an overwhelming tone of general unhappiness. After a couple of sleepless nights he finally settled. On Saturday I went to Loren's baby shower while dad looked after baba, and later that day our monkey went to Ouma Rina for about 2 and a half hours. Wes and I met up with some friends and the first hour felt like it would never pass!!! I can't believe how difficult it is to leave him. When we went to pick him up though I saw all my worries were for nothing because he was so peaceful and sound asleep! On Sunday morning we went to uncle Pete on the farm, and what a new experience it was (for both of us). While Caden was loving the fresh air, I was fidgeting like a maniac, watching out for spiders, boerbulls and all sorts of other "wild" nature things! Eventually I settled and we got to enjoy a beautiful day outside, with such fresh air, something we're not use to anymore! It was also so great seeing Peter again! We got home and had a great rest after a big lunch, the way Sundays are supposed to be! Yesterday I went to go show our boy off to all the people at Vista. It's always so nice to see people oohing and aahing over your child. We had a lot of prayers from their side, so it was nice to show them the result! Later in the afternoon ouma Rina had to give him a Synagis injection to protect him from a certain kind of flu. And once again he gave about two big cries, but as soon as the needle was out he was quiet. Thanx so much ouma, I know it was very difficult for you to do, but we appreciate it lots and now baba is protected for the winter! Today I'm packing baba's newborn (yes, he's in newborn clothes now, even though he still drowns in them) out. I just realised again how blessed we are, because his cupboards are almost too small for everything!

Anyway, hope everybody has a great week! I'm off to feed the little monkey now!

Lots of Love

Elriza

Out and about

Hi All,

Well, we've had an action-packed weekend taking our little warrior to go and explore the outside world. On Friday me, Caden and ouma Rina went to the mall to go develop some photos and get a baby book, but before we went I gave Caden his Phenobarb, which makes him VERY sleepy. As we came out of Her Annies, a craft shop, I saw Caden's hands were freezing cold, and he was so fast asleep that you could lift his hands and they just dropped lifelessly. When I showed this to ouma Rina she got the fright of her life and jumped out of the car to start resuscitating Caden (She didn't know his baby monitor was on so she thought he stopped breathing). This was very understandable because he has a very pale skin (from the Danish side) and his hands almost looked blue. I was so proud of her quick response, but I'm sorry you got such a fright!!! Caden was fine, just sleeping very deeply, so we enjoyed the rest of the afternoon with peace of mind.

Saturday morning we had Caden's newborn photoshoot and got some stunning pictures. My friend Loren took the photos, go check them out on:
http://www.lorenstowphotography.blogspot.com/ and click on Caden Paul. Thank so much Loren, I think the photos are incredible!

Then we went to Conrad and Megan's for a braai Saturday afternoon and ate like kings, thanks guys! Caden was very well behaved, just sleeping and waking up only to eat. Thanks my angel! A very big congratulations to Grant and Coreen who got engaged! May you guys have many wonderful years and memories together! You make a fantastic couple and I'm sure you'll have a very full life together!

Then on Sunday morning it was time to show Caden to the Friis side of the family. I was so impressed with how many people showed up to see our little warrior, and once again he was very well behaved. Happy birthday to Marycia for Sunday as well, hope you got spoiled rotten and may you have many more happy years to come!

Well, that's all from us for now, hope everybody has a great week, and good luck with the cold for those of us here in Gauteng!

Lots of Love
Elriza

Off the Oxygen!!!

Hi All,

Sorry for the late update but we had an eventful couple of days! As you can probably see from the title our little warrior is finally off the oxygen and coping very well. We slept over (unexpectedly) at the hospital and they monitored him overnight. He kept his stats at 97 - 100 the whole time except when he was going into a deep sleep, which is normal according to dr. Vermaak. Maybe it was because he had a pink blanket? We are so extremely proud of him! Wes and I are still looking for the pipes everytime we move him, but I suppose that's only natural. He also went to the eye doctor and he's very happy, so atleast the oxygen didn't affect his eyesight. I noticed some rythmic twitching over the last couple of weeks and told dr. Vermaak about it. According to him it's not normal so he sent him for a brain sonar. Luckily nothing showed up, but he gave Caden some medicine that he has to take for the next 3 months incase it's an early stage epilepsy. If it's not then the medicine won't have any effect, but if it is it should clear up after this course. I was so incredibly proud of our warrior, he didn't cry once during the eye appointment or during the sonar. I heard the other babies screaming, and started to worry a bit, but he was so brave!
Thank you so much for all the prayers and thank you our Lord for this wonderful gift! Now Caden must just grow grow grow!

Thank you granny, grampy and granny grey for all the amazing things you did for us during your stay, we appreciate it more than you know! Thanx Megs for the very cute baby grow and the nappies, they will come in very handy! Thank you Melanie and Ludwig, or should I say Helmut and Charlotte for all Caden's toys, we can't wait to see him playing with the musical mobiles and gadgets! Thank you everyone for your continuous prayers and support. We are a very blessed family with so many people who care for our beautiful warrior!

Anyway, I hope everybody enjoys the rest of the week, don't work too hard!

Lots and lots of love
Elriza

Happy due date!

Can you believe that our precious little warrior was only supposed to be born today! Finally we can start counting forward and not in the minus anymore! Happy due date my beautiful boy, and thank you for a wonderful 3 months that you have given us so far. We love you endlessly!

Well, what an adventurous couple of days. Yesterday Granny and Granny Grey finally got to meet our little warrior. It was such a special and long awaited moment. I'm so glad you finally got to see and hold Caden. They'll be staying till Sunday, so atleast you can spend a lot of time with him.

Caden has also now found a new liking in his mobile. He just stares at the little dalmations and every now and again it looks like he tries to catch them. It's incredibly cute!

Thank you so much for all the birthday wishes, I appreciate it so much and I had a stunning day, spoiled rotten! We are so incredibly blessed to have so many amazing people in our lives. Thanx for all your support throughout this journey, it's been a pleasure sharing it with everyone!

Anyway, I hope everybody has a fantastic weekend. ONLY 5 MORE DAYS TILL THE OXYGEN COMES OFF!!!

Lots of Love

Elriza

Mother's Day!

Hi All,

I hope everybody had a wonderful mother's day! I got spoiled rotten by the two men in my life. It started at 00h30 when Wes offered to do the night feed so that I could rest. Then I got woken up with a stunning breakfast, Wesley's famous ommellets! Anyone who's had one will know that life is not the same after you've had a bite of it! Caden was so quiet the whole day, only waking up to eat, and eating so well, so that was another gift! And in the afternoon Wes and I sat on the porch, building cookies (one of my favourite things to do) and filling out crossword puzzles. It was really a very stunning day, thank you guys!

Can you belive that it is only Caden's due date in 3 days! I checked the milestones of a baby on the internet and I'm happy to say that Caden has reached all the milestones of a two-month old. This is very good news to me seeing as the doctor said we should only count from his due date. That means he's two months ahead, yay! Maybe we have a little genius on our hands???

Anyway, hope everybody enjoys their week.

Lots of Love
Elriza

Grampy, Ohpaw & little warrior

Hi All,

What a sight it was on Wednesday! Grampy saw Caden for the very first time and it was such a delight to see him so full of pride. At first he was a bit apprehensive to hold little one because he said "He's so small". Apparently the photos are quite deceiving. But later that evening Grampy held him and it was such a delight to see the three generations of men together. I hope to post some pics of this wonderful event soon! Caden was so calm in grampy's arms, it was really a moment to freeze in time! Hopefully Granny, Granny Grey and Uncle Poena will get their bums down here soon so that they too can share this wonderful experience!

Yesterday Ohpaw came to visit little one aswell, and I must say, I was very impressed with the way he got those winds out! I was struggeling, struggeling, struggeling, but Ohpaw took him and within a couple of seconds those nasty winds saw their end! Looks like all those years of Nursing really paid off, you definitely haven't lost your touch!

Thanx Granny for all the amazing clothes you sent down for little warrior. He is really gonna be one very snazzy dressed little boy! And the woolly beanies are just too cute for words! I can't wait till it's cold enough for him to wear them, he's gonna look like a proper little gangsta!

Yolandi had the pleasure of watching me bath Caden last night. She came to keep me company while Wes spent some quality time with Ohpaw. Thanx for being such an awesome wing-man (or woman). You're gonna be an amazing mom one day!

Anyway, I hope everybody has a wonderful weekend and happy mother's day to all the mommies there. Megan and Anja, I hope you guys get spoiled rotten for your first mother's day! Nicky and Loren, next year it's your turn! I just want to say a special thank you to our mom's, Ouma and Granny. Thank you guys for being the amazing mom's you've been, and still are. You guys are incredible and we would never have become the well-balanced people (I hope) that we are today without your constant support and love! We love you tons! And a super special thank you to granny grey and ouma-grootjie for being such strong "Stam-moeders". You have created such a special family line and we can only thank God that we were blessed to be part of it!

Oh, Caden drank 80 mls the other day, a new record!
Enjoy the weekend!

Lots of Love
Elriza

Pics

Hi All,

Caden's doing very well, feeds are going up to 70mls now! We can see he's growing day by day, and he's learning all sorts of new sounds and being alert and awake a lot more.

During the week Morne and Nicky told us not to make any plans for Saturday night and this has been boggeling us for the whole week. Last night we were surprised with a full seafood platter and sushi delivered to our house by Dale. Thank you so much guys for your effort. It was awesome and we feel so priveledged to have friends that would do this for us.

Oh, my friend Samm is doing a project called "Snug as a bug" for all the children of CHOC (Children with Cancer). She's collecting pajamas this year so that the children could have something comfortable to wear while they are in hospital. If anybody would like to donate some pajamas or money to this cause, please let me know.

Anyway, we don't have a lot of other news but I hope you enjoy the pics and video. You can see how much Caden has grown!

Lots of love

Elriza

Back from the doc!

Hi All,

Yesterday's visit with dr. Vermaak went very well. He's happy with Caden's progress and his feeds. Caden's weighing 2.3kg now so it looks like he's averaging about 20grams a day. We're going to try and get him off the gin on the 20th of May. Hopefully he'll give us this gift for his 3 month birthday! We're so excited!!! I can't wait to take Caden outside and show him off to the rest of the world! I worked out that he should weigh around 2.7kg on the 20th. Hie-hie, how many 3 month old babies weigh 2.7kg! Otherwise all is well here, Wes is working hard so that we can buy Caden a sports-car and I'm enjoying the time at home,becoming a lady of leisure!

Anyway, hope everybody has a great long weekend. Get plenty of rest because now it's a long stretch to Christmas again!

Lots of Love
Elriza & Wes