Svea's Visit to Children's Hospital in Minneapolis

Svea had to be strapped down for 51 minutes. Here she looks peaceful but for the last 35 minutes she cried so hard and was so sad. Hard on this mommy and Svea's Grandma!

She had an IV placed in her arm and she was cathed for her VCUG and Renogram. Here Svea is coughing in that way that babies do to be sure we are aware of their plea. Oh, Little Svea, I know!

Exhaustion had set in for both of us at this point. I had a vest on because the renogram exposed her to rather high levels of radition. Hopefully they won't have to repeat this particular test.

Svea has bilateral grade 4 vesicoureteral reflux which means her urine travels backwards, back up into the ureters and kidneys placing her at high risk for kidney infections. Basically, the valves that allow urine to flow one-way (down into her bladder) did not develop and are not functioning as they should. The level of severity is graded on a scale of 1-5 and Svea's is severe being a 4 on both sides. She will be on antibiotics for this first year and then we will return to Children's Hospital in Minneapolis to determine when she will have surgery to correct this problem. (There is a 4.5% chance she will outgrow it.) If she gets a fever we have to go to the ER and have her cathed to determine whether or not she has a kidney infection. So we are praying for good health for this baby and her sisters who have a hard time keeping their fingers out of her mouth, nose, eyes, etc! Svea is a charger, as my friend Renny says. And we are thankful to know what is wrong and what to do about it.

The Babies Meet

Cousins Ivar and Svea are just 6 weeks apart. They will have so much fun together in future days! They were even baptized together on November 27th by Grandpa Paul.

I can't describe how wonderful our time was together. Mara and Sonna drove with Jedd and I got to fly in a few days early with Svea. What a gift to share some quiet mornings and evenings together with Becca and our babies.

We walked down to the creek near Becca and Rory's house. Ivar was all snuggly with Becca in his Baby Bjorn.

Proud Grandma Margaret!

Sleeping Beauties.

Captured Smiles

This week I turned 35 years old, Mara turned 5 1/2, Sonna turned 3 1/2, and Svea turned 7 weeks old. Svea is generous with her smiles; she even smiles at her sometimes tormenting sister Sonna. Svea seems to be very content in this world. She's such a sweetheart.

Svea at 1 week

These pictures were taken when Svea was a week old. Mara and Sonna were asleep in bed and Jedd and I enjoyed a quiet evening with Svea. Our camera is not so good; the flash is weak and at least half the pictures come out blurry so we have to work hard to get good pictures. But here the weak flash made for a nice 'effect'.

Svea is such a little bundle. She loves to cuddle on our chests and be cozy. It's the best feeling.

Svea's Nursery

Svea's nursery came together the week before and after she was born. I was inspired by my sister's creative and colorful ideas for her baby's nursery. I never did get that nesting instinct that is supposed to come before the baby arrives but I do have a lovely nursery to show for my 'waiting days'.

It was a collaborative effort! Jedd's cousin's wife, Melissa Sather, quilted this gorgeous quilt for Sonna when she was born. Jedd mounted it on the wall and I love having it there to enjoy! I found the curtain and Grandma Joan sewed the room darkening curtain into it. The owl canvas print is from Target. I had been admiring it for a long time. And my friend, Renny, gave me the bright pink crib sheet to match. And Sonna's contribution was coloring a picture for Svea that we taped above her changing table. I love the bright, airy feel to Svea's room.

Happy Halloween 2010

We had a wonderful Halloween! We went to Renny and Greg's for supper at 5PM and a few other families from preschool were there too (Dicey, Libby, Ivy, Teah, and Nate). Trick or Treating started at 6PM and lasted 40 minutes. Just right for this 3 1/2 and 5 1/2 year old (maybe just right for their mom and dad!) The girls counted 33 pieces of candy each when they got home and they were pleased. :)

Mara put these googly eye glasses on Svea and it reminded me of Mat dressing up Becca when she was a baby. Fun memories!

Jedd shaved part of his beard to look like an Amish man for Halloween. So here he looks like the scary Amish Joker.