Oscar Update

Oscar is a week old today. Each day he progresses at Children's Hospital. He may get upgraded to a real crib tomorrow. Feedings are coming along and we are praying he comes home really soon. He is so very alert when he is awake. He looked at me and when Nina spoke he looked up to see who was there. He pulled out his nose tube for the third time while we were there as if to say "I don't need this thing anymore". The nurses didn't agree so he got another feeding tube. He may need mits if he doesn't leave it along. I am amazed such a tiny baby knows so much about what is going on around him. Some pictures.

Bruno's Favorite Food

I cut the lawn this afternoon and gathered up a tall kitchen bag of grass clippings. I could have gathered many bags as the lawn was neglected after little Oscar arrived. Bruno's favorite food is fresh grass so he will be thrilled for the next few days. I will gather more tomorrow. All the calves will be weaned soon and Bruno will join the herd of calves. My sister has pasture at her house and no animals so we bring a few over each summer. Bruno and the gang will go this year. He has grown into such a handsome young calf. My sister always enjoys having them - she feels the farm is still alive and busy.

Our Precious Oscar came a little early

Last Saturday, April 17, our grand baby, Oscar Andrew, arrived about five weeks early. I was about an hour away from home going through my Aunt's house. She passed away last November and we were dividing up her things. I got a phone call, Heather, my daughter-in-law, was going to have an emergency C-section. My only thought was to get home as soon as possible. We used common sense and stopped to eat a quick lunch and then made a bee-line to the hospital. Oscar arrived about an hour before we got there and his daddy; Dan, was telling his dad the news. Both were crying when we entered the room. Emotions were running a little high.

Oscar was 3 lbs 3 ozs and 16 inches long when he arrived. He was so tiny but was doing a great job breathing on his own and his heart was so strong they didn't need to even monitor it the second day. The staff at our little hospital don't usually keep little ones so they were unsure about things. Children's Hospital in St. Louis sent their staff and ambulance to get him to address feeding problems. They adjusted tubes and got things straightened out. He would do better at their facility so off he went. Mom was released and she and dad were on their way to Children's, followed by Oscar's aunt and grandma.

He is doing well, taking food and even nursing from mom. Everything is OK and he just needs to grow a little before he comes home. We are so happy and blessed. We thank God for sending us such a precious little boy.

Oscar and his daddy, Dan

More work in the garden

Nina came over last evening and we picked up the last of the branches. I cut most of the yard on Tuesday except where the remaining branches were. I put in a few new perennials, I don't remember the names as I was in a hurry, but they look like daisies. I put in the violas and cleaned some of the beds. We were exhausted so the blue berry bush will go in later.

We then worked on the kitties ears. They have been scratching them lately and I was worried about mites. I held kitties as Nina cleaned ears. She worked in a vet's office when she was in college and is my source of help when I need to do things with kitties. Pinkie was the last to be caught, he is a little skittish and after watching the event with the others decided it wasn't for him. We had all the doors closed except for the living room and kitchen because there is no door between them. He went from under one couch to another - he can be pretty fast if he wants to be. Finally we couldn't find him anywhere and I got a flashlight. He was under a curio cabinet - way back. I fetched him out and he curled himself in a ball, burying his head. He was the easiest to work with and we were finished in no time. Great News! no ear mites. All ears are clean and just to be safe we put in drops to prevent mites.

I am working on two quilts at a time. I need to get a quilt top done really soon from clothing from the brides grandmas. She had a destination wedding already and they will be back this week. Her mother will do the quilting. It is turning out very nice, although some fabrics are really difficult to work.

The T-shirt quilt is working up very nicely. I am afraid I will not make the deadline, but they are OK with that. I need to spend much time on it each day.

Pruning trees, planning a new bed .....so much to do!

Last Wednesday night I took out a bush that was too big and just in the way. Thursday Nina came over and we pruned the trees, cleaned out the blackberries, cutting down a few unwanted trees, and cut back one of the big (too big) bushes to put in a new bed. We worked so hard we both slept well that night. Friday I started picking up branches. John came home and helped me put the biggest ones on the truck to take away. Tomorrow evening I will make a trip through the yard getting what he missed and put them on the truck. Mowing is much needed and I will do that tomorrow if time allows or Tuesday.

I bought some plants last Thursday and have started putting them in. A new Hosta, some violas, two perennials and a blueberry bush. I am excited about the blueberry bush. I love blueberries and hope I can grow this one here. I live in the open country and the winds are strong and it gets a little colder than in town. I think I have the location figured out, now to dig the hole and get it planted.

The quilt is moving along, more slowly than I want. I get tired when the house gets warm and I sleep the afternoon away. I don't want to turn the air on so early, so I will have to start quilting at night I guess. I have much more energy then. This one has a deadline so I can't mess around too much.

Happy Easter!

Nina and I worked very hard the past two weeks removing the old wall paper and painting and repapering the kitchen. It looks beautiful. I put up new decorations and the kitchen is finished. The pies are made, the house is clean, an Easter basket is ready for Peyton and plastic eggs are ready to be scattered in the yard. I will prepare the meal tomorrow. I am ready for Easter Bunny to come!

This is the first Easter with a little one in the house. She doesn't walk yet so mommy will help her find eggs. I am only scattering then in a small area in the yard. No hiding them behind things. She is too little for that, but Grandma and Grandpa will have all the fun watching her discover eggs for the first time.