Well, the time has come for Desmond’s two month old pictures.

He is starting to smile and coo a little. Weighing it at almost 14 pounds, he is really starting to fill out as you can see below.

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On August 10, 2008, we baptized Desmond Erik Koen into the Catholic faith. Many friends and family joined with Cara and I to welcome Desmond in to the Church. Our close friends, Dan and Kasey Healy, are his godparents. Desmond is fortunate enough to have been baptized by his Paw Paw Bill, who is a Deacon at St. Rose.

Great-Grandma Honey made the trip in from Springfield, MO to witness this blessed event. She is very proud of our newest little guy.

Enjoy the pictures below…

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Tags: baptism, desmond erik koen

Well Desmond’s first week at home is complete. So, what happened?

• Paw Paw Gary visited
• Daddy went for a stress test
• Desmond had his first appoint with the Doc. (He is gaining weight rather nicely.)

The results of the stress test were good. My heart is doing well and doesn’t appear to be the cause of the funny feeling in my chest. It must just be stress and anxiety. Cara is convinced that I can’t let her be the patient for once. The frequency of the symptoms is decreasing for now.

I have had a little bit of time to do pick up the genealogy for a little bit. I hope to start posted more on the family history shortly. I am trying to determine what format makes the most sense. In the past, I have looked at using a Wiki. I am not convinced that this will be easier, but it would allow me to track research notes pretty easy. We shall see.

Here are some pics below:

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Tags: desmond erik koen

Desmond’s seventh day was a lazy lay around day. The home health nurse came by for a blood draw and to check his general health. The bili levels were down in the low 10s, so we able to take him off of the bili-bed. This is great news.

Last night, the family brought dinner over. After my softball game, we spent time together. It was great, after a long exhausting week.

Today, we have an appointment with his pediatrician just to make sure that everything is going well. We shall see.

Yes, I do have more pictures and will get them up later today. I am back to work after a week off, but wanted to get an update out.

Tags: desmond erik koen

Today, we brought Desmond home. His bili levels have come down to a reasonable level and the Docs have discharged him from the hospital. His jaundice is not a noticable as it was. He seems to be doing ok.

Tomorrow, we will have a visit from a home care nurse to take another blood sample to check his levels. But we seem to have turned the corner.

He is eating well and enjoying his new surroundings so far. Ethan and Spencer can’t stop fawning over him.

Mom and Dad will continue to feed him on a strict 3 hour schedule until further notice. Yes, I will get to participate in the feedings as well. Cara is nursing, but I get to do a supplemental bottle of formula.

It is very nice to see him more and more alert as the hours pass. Thanks for your prayers and support. (You know who you are!)

Yes, we do have some pictures:

Tags: desmond erik koen, jaundice

Today was supposed to be the day that Desmond came home. However, on Wednesday, he developed some jaundice that just wouldn’t clear up. He has been on bili lights since yesterday evening and he has been moved into the special care nursery. His levels do appear to be improving, but we are staying the night just to be sure.

The staff at Missouri Baptist Medical Center has been incredible. They have been so helpful during this time. I can’t say enough about how the nurses have taken care of Cara and Desmond. Hats off to the Mother-Baby unit!!!

No pictures today because when I left this morning, I was fully planning to bring Mom and Des home.

Please pray for Desmond.

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Day Four finds Desmond becoming a little more alert. Although, his bilirubin levels have been increasing since yesterday. The pediatrician decided to put him on a light bed to lower these levels. Apparently, this is a very common condition. Mom and Dad are doing their best to not be alarmed.

Since Mom’s milk has come in, he has be feverish eating when he is awake. This should help the bili levels as well. We will see want tomorrow brings.

Our good friend, Jeff Davis paid a visit today and hung out with us for a little while. Mrs. Davis was out on Tuesday. Jeff really has a way with the babies.

Cara’s high school friend, Christine Bischof, brought her month-old daughter Katelyn out as well. She said that everything is going well for her.

Finally, Maw Maw and Doobda brought Spencer out for a visit with the little brother. I really enjoyed watching how he reacts to his baby brother.

Depending on what all the Doctors say tomorrow, Mom and Desmond should be coming home. So we are making the last few arrangements to get ready for their arrival. I will take Ethan and Spencer to pick Mom up in the morning.

Here are today’s pics:

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Here are the few pictures from day three.

Tags: desmond erik koen

This has been a nice quiet day for Mom, Dad, and Desmond. We have had just a couple of visitors today. Cousin Jessica, Aunt Linda, and Doobda’s friend Sue Rhodes.

The staff has been encouraging us to take a few walks around the floor to get Cara moving. The number of babies on the floor has been steadily increasing since we have arrived. Still more boys than girls from what we have seen.

Cara is still doing well and seems to enjoy the walks around. Although, she keeps reminding me that it isn’t a race.

Ethan is attending the Royals-Cardinals baseball game tonight with Maw Maw. They were planning to see some of downtown, including the flooding on the Mississippi River. Our prayers are with those living in Iowa and points North.

Spencer has been spending today with Doobda swimming and just having fun.

Pictures to come later tonight when I get home from the hospital.

Tags: desmond erik koen