Spring has Sprung!

 

Spring has sprung and the Ames household has started it’s annual process of change.

During Tim’s Paternity Leave from work, he took on a lot of tasks.  He installed a couple of cabinets in the kitchen to store food. He also installed a couple of racks in the kitchen and a couple of them in the back room.

He also enlarged the garden with the help of Alex, Chris, a couple of Sister Missionaries, and Pete! We are looking forward to the abundance of vegetables throughout the season. We also picked up a “few” more blueberry bushes and will be enjoying those next year ! 

With the help of some AWESOME ward family members, Tim was able to extend my flower garden out front!  I am looking forward to the many different colors of perennials, ranging from Sunflowers to Lupines to Poppies to Butterfly Weed!

Tim is back at work and us girls sure do miss him

JohannaDean has arrived!

 

April 4th Sam went into the hospital with contractions that did not stop and increased in pain levels…but the doctors could not reach the cervix to gauge the dilation.  Ultimately it was decided that the baby should come out, even though it was two weeks early, due to medical issues with Sam. JohannaDean was born on April 5th at 11:35am, via C-Section.  She weighed 8lbs 9.6 oz., and was measured 20 inches long and had a 14 inch head circumference.

During the C-Section, Sam had a tubal ligation performed and there was an attempt to repair the hernia.  Within two days after the surgery, it was apparent that the hernia repair did not hold up and that Sam was going to need another surgery. She will get more information as to when the next surgery will be when she sees her General Surgeon on May 12th.

While in the hospital for 5 days, JohannaDean had lost 12 oz. It took her a whole month to get back up to birth weight.  Many may say so what… but the doctors all stated that she should have regained the weight within two weeks.  There were a few problems that stood in the way of her gaining the weight back.  She was discharged from the hospital with 40% jaundice, without receiving treatment (it is believed it was because Sam’s milk was already in). Due to the jaundice she was a VERY sleepy baby. She also had and still has a difficulty latching. We have been working with Riverbend’s lactation consultant in teaching her to latch and getting her to consume more milk and will continue to do so until the doctor feels she is no longer in danger of failing to thrive.

On a happy note, JohannaDean has started smiling while awake.  We have yet to capture it on film.