My mom and dad were here for my 9:00am feeding. I messed up mama's shirt again - oops, sorry! But I don't think she minds too much.

In photos of me you'll notice a feeding tube that Gretchen and Heather put in yesterday. This is because I get a little drowsy half-way through my bottle, so the feeding tube helps me finish.

Gretchen took some nice pictures this morning. Thanks Gretchen!

Mama and Dad and me


Me and my dad

Great folks at Swedish ISCU

My mom and dad really appreciate the great people at Swedish Special Care Unit. Today my nurses are Gretchen and Heather, really terrific people. My other nurses have included Eileen, Kim and Avery, all great.

The secretaries are an important part of the place, making sure that the people that come in are supposed to be there by checking wristbands and such. And Dr. Belenti has a great way of inspecting me, and also making mom and dad feel better.

Here is a photo of me and Heather!

Back and forth to see each other

No momentous occasions today, except the removal of my IV. Feels good to have that off. Funny though, cause I've never known life without it.

Dad visited at 9:00am with his buddy Dave. Mom, Grandma Barb, and Jackie visited at noon. Dad was back at 3:00. Mama, Grandma Barb, and Dad back at 6:00pm. Then, (whew!) Grandma Barb and Dad back at 9:00pm - Mama had to stay home and rest. A lot of back and forth, but worth it!

No photos today - sorry!

Infant Special Care Unit, #12

My home away from home is Swedish Hospital Infant Special Care Unit, located on the second floor of the South Wing (2 South). There are 12 units with room for 4 babies in each. My unit, #12, is full. My roomies are Bridger, Charlyn, and Dallas. My dad met Bridger's parents yesterday, and they were nice. When Bridger cries, I perk up and listen, but mama and dad tell me Bridger is fine.

My little corner of the world


GranTom and GranGlo sent me my first bear, Samuel. I got to meet Samuel last night, and Samuel stays in my incubator now. Someone gave Samuel a hat last night - thanks!

Seth visit

Dad's good buddy Seth came by today. Dad neglected to get a picture of Seth, sorry! Seth brought his camera and got some nice pictures. Thanks Seth!

Aunt Barb and Uncle Bob visit

Aunt Barb and Uncle Bob came for a visit, and brought mama some beautiful hydranges. Dad didn't get a photo of them; things were a little hectic I guess. Mom and Dad are so bad!

Eat early and often

During my first 24 hours they didn't let me eat anything. They said that my insides weren't ready for it yet. Now I'm eating four times a day, mostly formula but also milk from my mama. I also nursed right from mama a little bit - that was really exciting!

Here Dad feeds me. Yum yum!

Carm visit

Family friend Carmelita visited me today. She knows how to hold me just right. Thanks for coming Carm!

Ahhhh, Mama!

A picture says a thousand words. Mama is as content as I am.

Visit from Dr. Gopalani

The doctor that performed our C Section visited Mama today. We all love Dr. Gopalani. He and the staff here at Swedish have been so great. They all made mama feel welcome, and they kept her informed of the plan. And anyone that knows mama knows she likes to have a plan.

Thank you Dr. Gopalani!

Flowers from GranGlo and GranTom

GranGlo and GranTom, plus Uncle Dave and Uncle Kip, sent some beautiful flowers to mama. She said they smell beautiful, and they certainly look nice in her room. Thanks folks!

Great news, great progress!

I did so well yesterday that the good folks in Neonatal ICU booted me out and sent me to Special Care Unit - quite an upgrade! Respiratory system is a-okay now, and this afternoon I got to eat from a bottle. Hopefully nurse from mom tomorrow.

Me checking out Grandma Barb


Dad seems to like me fairly well. Here is another photo he took.


p.s. Dad says:

That thing on his hand is an IV splint. The IV goes in his hand, and the little foam splint keeps him from bending that wrist.

More birthday pictures

Slumber time, oh yeah!


Mama and Grandma Barb, and my baby book


Me and Grandma Barb


Me and Dad

Happy Birthday to me!!!

Happy Birthday to Elliott, Happy Birthday to me!

My name is Elliott Lewis Kemp.

Mama visits me, yay mama!


Born July 6, 2006, 9:22am. 4lbs, 13oz. 18 inches long.

More news later. Shhh! Mama and baby are resting.

The Plan

All my nurses have been bragging about my heartbeat. Nurse Lorraine said that I am "textbook perfect". Pretty good, eh?

Today Mama had an amnio test. The results were fine - we're lookin' good. I'm afraid mama and dad were a little disappointed in the status of my lungs. Everything will be okay but I'll need some special attention for a week or so.

The C-Section is scheduled for tomorrow morning, July 6, at 9:00am. We'll update the blog again sometime tomorrow afternoon. Wish us luck!

Nurse Cammie

Mama and Dad have enjoyed all the staff here at Swedish Hospital. They have all been great. Our favorite nurse has been Cammie. She's been really helpful and friendly and honest.

Visit from Carmelita

Hey, our bud Carmelita visited today, and brought the most beautiful flowers. It was great to see Carm. She told us about the Fourth of July party and fireworks, and seeing the gang there.

Thanks Carm!

Safety Kit from Diantha

Yesterday Mama received a package from her pal Diantha, a baby safety kit! Mama says it'll help keep me safe and sound. Thanks Diantha!

Heart monitor print out

Dad is quite impressed by my heartbeat. First 120pbm, then up to 160bpm, all in a minute! Ho hum, its normal for me.

Dad says,

Check it out! This is a print out from a recent fetal heart monitor.

The bold vertical red lines are spaced one minute apart. The black squiggly line depicts the rate at any given moment. You can see that in one minute, his heartrate was at 119bpm, then nearly 170bpm just seconds later! His heartbeat hovers around 140bpm, but its always accelerating and decelerating. Crazy!

The bottom graph shows contractions... well, it shows that she is not having any.

Day 15! But who's counting...

Lil Giuseppe here, turning over the blog to mama for a bit.

Being on bed rest really makes you appreciate the little things in life-going outside, standing and most of all the phone calls, thoughts and posts from everyone! It's really fun to read all of the posts that people have placed on the website. We're hoping that Lil Giuseppe will decide to stay in until July 6th. I have an amnio scheduled for Wed, July 5th when the doctors will check Lil G's development. That day also marks the start of the 35th week!

Lil G again here! Hey, we're famous! We got a mention on Carm's blog, Cozzie's Corner. Have a look! :)

p.s. Dad says,

None of the photos came out today. Lots of sunshine but somehow bad light. Go figure. We'll try again tomorrow.

Flowers on the window sill

Mama has received lots of pretty flowers. There are flowers from Todd, Carol Anne, Dad's sunflowers, Jackie's orchids, and a bouquet that Dad got at Pike Place Market. Aunt Barb's roses didnt make it into the photo as they sit on a table elsewhere.

Here is a picture of the window sill with the flowers.

Photo of Grandma Barb

Dad took a photo of Grandma Barb yesterday. I think its a good one!

Jon and Allison sent me clothes

Mama's cousin and his wife, sent me a great outfit. Thanks Jon and Allie!

No news is good news

The nurses come, check on me and mama, and then they leave. Then they come back... then they leave again. The doctors come... then they leave. Then they come back... then they leave again.

Yesterday mama went for an ultra sound. They say all is well.

I get my heart rate monitored three times a day. My heart speeds along, rates of 130-160 bpm are normal.

So, no news today. No photos yet, maybe later.

Visit from Uncle Paul!

We had a nice visit from Uncle Paul (Cynthia's brother). He is working on a ship called Lady Washington, a replica Tall Ship plying the waters of the Washington coast. They take general public passengers as well as groups. Paul is purser, and does other duties. To learn more about the ship, visit the Lady Washington website. Paul had the day off, so he took the opportunity to visit.

Family at the hospital fountain


Uncle Paul

New baby bucket

Our friends at Dad's work got us a baby bucket, er, baby restraint system. We love it! Grandma Barb brought it to the hospital to show mama.

Dad strapped Samuel in there.


Then he gave it a little test. I hope he never tests it when I'm in there!

Flowers! and update

The doctor visited this morning. He said everything is great. He said the latest I would be born is July 6 or 7. The longer I stay in mama the better - he said 1 day in mama = 3 days in the nursery. The doc said that at this rate I might get to go home with my mom and dad!

Dad brought mama some flowers. Wow, pretty! And the flowers are nice too!

Another visit to the garden

Mama says I'm at least 34 weeks, which is really good. Mama is done with the antibiotics. They measure my heart rate three times a day. Dad is always impressed with the fluctuation in rate - it varies from 120 to 165 bpm! Normal for me, but Dad says I'm a Speed Racer!

We took another trip to the hospital garden this evening. Here are a couple of photos.

Mama with Samuel the Bear


Grandma Barb and mama

Visit from Dana!

Mama's buddy Dana visited this afternoon. Yay!

Mom is waiting, dad is painting

We're still waiting! I don't know when to come out! Doctors says it might be anytime, but definitely sometime this week.

Dad met Grandma Barb at home this morning and they put a coat of paint on my room.

Mama and Grandma Barb in the hospital garden

Mama has been inside since Sunday morning. The weather is great - early summer in Seattle is splendid - so the doctors suggested mama go outside. Dad drove the wheelchair and Grandma Barb opened the doors.

Crabby and Duck sat in mama's lap, GranBarb accomplished some knitting and Dad was goofball photographer. We all had a nice visit in the garden.

Mama and Grandma Barb in the hospital garden

Swedish Medical Center

All is well, we are in a holding pattern. Dad took some photos of the hospital - enjoy!

Swedish Medical Center, in Seattle's First Hill neighborhood


Model of Swedish in the main lobby


Swedish Southwest Wing - the window on our room is above the tree on the left


Madison Street, where we get Jamba Juice, Bluewater Tacos, and Starbucks!

The Waiting Game

Well the water broke but I'm not going anywhere yet. Doctor says I can stay in here as long as next Sunday, but I might make other plans and come out sooner.

Dad just went to the fourth floor to see Michaelanne's new daughter Gaida - dad said she was cute!

Here are a couple of photos. Enjoy!


Cynthia and her mom in the hospital room:


Our support staff:

Wow! What a development!

Mom and Dad are recovering from a big shock. Mom's water broke Sunday morning, so now we're at the hospital with mom on her back. The doctors say that I'll be born in a few days, a little early but no problem.

My room is coming along

Here's a picture of mama in my room. Mama and Dad chose the colors - they are Straw Hat and Cornflower Blue. They painted just a little bit to see if it's right - what do you think?

Sunday!

Busy weekend - went to Chris and Melissa's wedding yesterday - it was fun and everyone was talking about me! Later Dad is going to pack for a trip and make a lasagna.

Mama and Dad finished baby class Thursday night and they are getting ready for my arrival. Both are painting my room today - photos of that soon!

Mama looking at the redleaf lettuce:


Mama and Lil Giuseppe's Sunday portrait:

Happy Birthday GranTom!

Happy Birthday GranTom!!!

Mama on her way to work

Dad was out hiking yesterday so we didn't have time to take the picture. So we got the picture done Monday morning as mama started to work. Here we are !