Big Boy!

I took Warner in for his 2 month checkup just a day shy of his 1o week birthday. He was 15lbs 3oz and was 25". He's holding his head up very steady for long periods. The best part is how he completely lights up when he recognizes Mommy, Daddy or Jordan. He give a big smiles and pulls his forehead back with eyes wide open. Just precious!

Playdates, running and chitty chat!

Well here's a quick update of the last few weeks. First, we've had several terrific playdates with a new neighbor, Crystal, and her beautiful daughters Aubrey (3.5yrs) and Kaitlyn (16mos). Jordan shared well with just a few tears and Warner just rolled with things being his usual happy self!

Second, I've been walking the paved and very hilly trail at Edwin Warner Park just a few miles from our home while pushing the kids in our new double stroller. Jordan loves talking about the trees and bugs constantly asking, "What's that?" She also LOVES to get out and run with occassionally walking. I'll try to post some video. Warner mostly sleeps and occassionally wakes up to take it all in.

Jordan's language has just exploded over the last Month. She attempts almost every word she hears and does really well. She still eats like a champ and uses her fork and spoon 75% of the time and does really well! It's amazing how clearly she speaks now!

Daddy + Book = Good Life

Bill was watching the kids when I went to tell him dinner was ready and had to take this picture! It was so sweet to seem them both in Daddy's arms. Can you tell Jordan loves books?? Warner is off to a good start on the same path!

Playground!

After weeks of searching on Craig's List, going to consignment sales and checking online, we finally scored a playground for the backyard! This is terrific b/c Jordan and I can play outside (in the 90 degree weather no less!) and listen to the monitor for Warner to wake up. Our neighborhood has a playground but it's just too hot for Warner and Jordan LOVES being outside. It was a huge blessing to find such a deal! Jordan took right to it and was flying down the big slide in minutes! The other side has a small slide just perfect for Warner in about a year. Plus I think it will be a hit with our neighbors children (4,3,2 and newborn!) Jordan already enjoys playing with Helen (4yrs) so we'll have to have a play date soon! (Thanks to JT for helping Bill move it off the trailer!)

Babies Everywhere!

What a blessings to have our dear friends, Ed & Samantha, visit us in Nashville with their 11 wk old son, Parker Finley! We had a wonderful time (after Warner came home from the hospital!) and loved catching up and taking pics of the little ones! We even had a night out on the town! Ok, we went to dinner and we left Jordan and Warner at home with our friend and wonderful nanny Brandi and her daughter Skylar. Pictured: Samantha w/Parker, Ed w/ Warner and Brandi w/Skylar.

Viral Meningitis

On Wednesday, July 23rd, just a day short of 6wks old, Warner took his first trip to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital with a fever of 100.5. Fevers (100.4 or more) are very serious in babies under 8wks old b/c their immune systems aren't fully developed. The big question is whether the infection is bacterial or viral. Bacterial infections are treated with 3 weeks of antibiotics in the hospital and viral infections are treated with children's tylenol @ home. The problem is that it takes 48 to 72 hours to make the determination but in babies that young you can't afford to wait so the infection is treated as bacterial.

Everything seemed so surreal to us. The "protocol" (blood tests, spinal tap, chest xray, etc.) seemed aggressive given that he barely had what they considered a fever and no other symptoms. Maybe we were just in denial that something could possibly be life threatening with a child we'd only held for 6wks. Bill and I felt in our hearts it was the virus Jordan had experienced just days earlier with fever being her only symptom (which passed after two days) but there was no way to tell for sure without going through their protocol.

The preliminary test results showed he had an infection in his lungs (pneumonia) and his spinal fluid (meningitis.) They admitted Warner and started him on antibiotics while we waited to see if the cultures would grow bacteria. Warner spent the first 16 hrs recovering from 2 IVs and spinal taps (they missed on their 1st attempts) a chest xray and evaluations from several doctors. With tylenol managing his fever and him getting some rest he seemed to perk up. He's smiling here on Thursday evening.

Thankfully, by Friday morning no bacteria had grown and he was diagnosed with viral meningitis. And we were told he never had pnuemonia but instead that the chest xray was misread. We are so thankful it wasn't any more serious. And we're so grateful that Ed & Samantha had arrived just in time to watch Jordan while we took Warner to the hospital. What blessed timing!

Finally a Blog!

Welcome to all things Hamm! Well all things regarding us "Country Hamms." I love this URL for several reasons. First, I tried many different versions..."The Hamm Family, The Family Hamm," etc. and all were taken. I asked Bill for his suggestion and it was his first suggestion and it was available! Go figure this man's luck! I also love it because it instantly makes me feel peaceful. I have a vision of sitting on a front porch swing beside my husband, holding hands while we watch our children playing with dandelions and laughter resonating all around. I hope you'll enjoy reading these posts as I attempt to describe the adventures or misadventures as they sometimes are of our family.