Corn and Cheese Chowder

This week we tried a new recipe. It was really good!

Corn and Cheese Chowder

4tbs butter
1/2 onion, diced
3 slices bacon, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 can corn, drained
1 can creamed corn
1/4c flour
3c chicken broth
2c half and half
2c shredded monterey jack or cheddar cheese
1/4c green onion

In a large pot, melt butter over medium-high heat. Cook onions for a few minutes, then add in bacon and diced bell peppers. Cook until soft. Add in corn and simmer a couple more minutes.

Sprinkle flour over mixture, and stir. Then add in broth and simmer for 3-4 minutes.

Reduce heat to low, then stir in half-and-half, and cover to thicken. Simmer about 15 minutes.

Stir in cheese and green onion. Once cheese is melted, salt and pepper to taste.



We didn't have any green onion so I left that out. It was very flavorful!!!

Kanaan's Kronicles...1 Month Old!

Kanaan is 1 month old! At his check up on 10/7/13 he weighed 8lbs 13oz, 1 pound 1 ounce bigger than when he was born. He's 20 3/4" long. He wears size 1 diapers and newborn clothes. His umbilical cord fell off when he was 3 weeks old, and he had his first tub bath on 9/28/13. He LOVES his bath even when I wash his hair. The only time he cries is when we take him out. He rolled from his tummy to his back on 9/26/13 during tummy time. He transitioned from Enfamil Enfacare to Enfamil Newborn formula and he gets a combo of formula and breastmilk. He only cries when he's hungry or I'm putting lotion on him. He loves to get lotion on his back, but screams when I put it on his tummy. He's gotten much better about getting his diaper changed, he only cries about 50% of the time and that's usually because he just got out of the bath or is hungry. He eats every 3 hours during the day and will go anywhere from 3-5 hours at night.

His schedule is:

8:30am - wake up time/eat/get dressed
9:30am - nap
11:30am - eat
12:30pm - nap
2:30pm - eat
3:30pm - nap
5:30pm - eat
8:30pm - eat

His last scheduled nap is 3:30pm, he does nap between 5:30 and 8:30pm but we try to distract him and keep him awake as much as possible. We also try to give him his bath and get his pjs on between the last 2 scheduled feedings. His last scheduled feeding is 8:30pm. After his 8:30pm feeding we let him sleep until he wakes up on his own and he usually goes at 3-5 hours between feedings at night. I'm going to start trying to stretch it to a schedule starting at 9am so that when the time change happens he'll be on an 8am schedule.

Here are some pictures from his 1 month photo shoot!

Kanaan's Newborn Photos

Here are some of the newborn photos we had taken of Kanaan. He was 3 weeks in these.

Kanaan's Kidney Update

On September 25th we went back to Springfield for Kanaan's nephrology appointment. His appointment went really well. He weighed 8lbs 6oz and was 20 1/2inches long. His labs look good. They were a little better overall than when we left the hospital. His creatinine level was down to 2.0, which is still very elevated, but is an improvement! His calcium level was slightly elevated, but nothing that was too high. However, since he is gaining weight well, the doctor decided we can discontinue fortifying his breastmilk and he can get the formula made as directed instead of extra concentrated. He also said once we run out of the Enfacare formula we can give him Enfamil Newborn. That is a relief because Enfacare is much more expensive than the regular newborn formula and you can only get it with a doctors order. That should help his calcium level because he is getting less calcium in each bottle. He also said instead of the sodium chloride, we can just give him 1/8th tsp of table salt per day. Which is so much easier, in order to give him the correct amount of sodium chloride we would take a 1 gram tablet of sodium chloride and crush it and dissolve it in 10ml of water. Then we would draw up 0.88ml in a syringe to give to him. Now we can just put the salt in one of his bottles each day. He said that we can get a weight check and labs drawn in Quincy once a week and have the labs sent to him and he would call with any changes to his care.

Dr. Seifert's nurse called on 10/10/13 saying that Kanaan's latest labwork looks great! Everything is better than it was the last time, and his Creatinine level is at 1.5 now! She said that since his levels have been so stable that we can skip labwork next week and just do them every other week now! Yay! I hate seeing them stick Kanaan's little arm trying to get blood. This week they had to stick both arms because they couldn't get it in the first arm. :( She said that if his level stay stable/improving for a month we could drop to monthly labs. We go back to Dr. Seifert on October 30th for a follow up.

Kanaan's Kronicles...Newborn!

I wanted to do a newborn post on Kanaan before I post his 1 month post, so this is like a flashback post. Kanaan came home from the hospital on September 15th at 11 days old. He had gotten down to 7lbs 3oz at his smallest and was 7lbs 6oz when we came home. He was on a great schedule from being in the NICU, once we were at home he has been pretty consistant on staying on it and sleeps pretty well at night. He will wake up every 3-4 hours and go right back to sleep. He hardly every cries unless he's hungry or just wants to be left alone. He likes his pacifier when he is going to sleep or is hungry and waiting for his milk to heat up.  He gets breastmilk fortified with Enfamil Enfacare or Enfacare made concentrated to make it 24 calories to help him gain weight. We really have to work with him to keep him awake to eat his whole bottle, of course once the bottle is gone he's wide awake. He gets 3.5ml of BiCitra twice a day and .88ml of Sodium Chloride every 6 hours in his milk. We put the medicine in a bottle with a little bit of milk. We give him that bottle first, while he's really hungry because he is so hungry that he doesn't notice the taste as much. If we put it in his whole bottle he won't eat the whole thing and then doesn't get the whole dose. Even with giving him the medicine bottle first he will still fight it at times and we have have to give him a few sucks of regular milk and then swap the bottle back to the medicine and back and forth. He wears newborn clothes and is in size newborn diapers, he drinks about 70ml of milk in each bottle.

Kanaan's Kidneys

On September 5th Kanaan had an ultrasound on his kidneys to determine what exactly was going on. It turned out that he did not have the horseshoe kidney, instead he has 2 kidneys, but they are about 50% smaller than they should be and the adrenal glands are larger, making it appear to be a horseshoe kidney. Also he has bright spots on his kidneys that aren't where they should be. His actual diagnosis is Kidney Displasia, but that is kind of broad general term. His blood work showed that his creatinine level was elevated, but since his electrolyte levels were normal, it isn't a concern. The creatinine isn't a toxin, it won't hurt him being high, it just tells the kidney function level. If it stays high and other levels start getting out of whack then we will start to be more concerned. At some point Kanaan may need dialysis and a kidney transplant, but right now we are trying to keep his kidneys working as well as possible for as long as possible. The doctor said that some babies with kidneys like his need dialysis immediately, Kanaan's are functioning the way they need to be for now, we just don't know for how long. Eventually we may need to add certain medications to his milk that condition the milk to make it the easiest for his kidneys to process. That process would be adding the meds to the milk, letting it sit for a certain period of time. The "bad" things would fall to the bottem and then we'd scoop off conditioned milk from the top to give to him. At this point though we don't need to do that. Once he starts eating baby food, we'll meet with a dietician to discuss what he can and can't eat to keep everything in balance. To help keep his electrolytes in balance he is on a sodium supplement, and a medicine to control the acid in his blood. We also add a special high calorie formula powder to his breast milk to help him gain weight. In the hospital he had a little trouble gaining weight, which is common for his condition. Since we have to fortify his milk and also mix his meds in it, I am pumping exclusively and we give him the milk in a bottle. We have to keep track of how much he is eating verses peeing out and it is impossible to know how much he gets by nursing. The important thing is that he gets the breast milk, if it's better for him to get it in a bottle than that's what we're going to do. It actually makes it a little less stressful, just because we know he's getting what he needs. He is gaining weight well, on the fortifier. The doctors said he looks and acts just like any other normal baby, he's just a regular baby with a kidney condition. We just have to keep a close eye on any changes in his eating habits, or if he starts to swell. Also if he gets sick we have to take him to the pediatrician immediately to have his blood levels checked to make sure his kidneys are doing ok. We really like the nephrologist, Dr. Seifert and his pediatrician Dr. Raad. They both are very knowledgeable and very easy to talk to. We feel that we can ask them any question without feeling like it's a dumb question and they are very reassuring, yet truthful with their answers. At this point we really are not sure what the future holds, but we are just taking it one day at a time. We meet with Dr. Seifert on Wednesday for lab work and a follow up. His creatinine level was starting to drop a bit as we were leaving, and I'm curious to see if it continues in that direction. The normal creatinine level in a newborn is 0.3-0.6 and Kanaan's was 3.1 and then dropped to 2.5 before we left. It's good that it's going in that direction, but a change from 0.3 to 0.6 is more drastic than a change from 3.1 to 2.5. The higher the level, the more change is necessary to make much difference. We're praying that his levels remain stable or improve, that his kidneys will continue functioning as well, if not better than they currently are, and that he continues to gain weight and thrive.

Kanaan is Here!!!

We arrived at the hospital around 3:30pm on 9/3/13. They did another size check and measured Kanaan to be about 7lbs 5oz and they started the cervadil around 5 I wasn't allowed to eat or drink, only ice chips and popsicles. I was 1cm dilated and 50% thinned out.  Cervadil is a medication to soften the cervix to help it open in labor. It can sometimes start contractions and in about 10% of women will put them into labor, but it is mainly to get the body ready for the pitocin later on in labor. Pitocin is the medication that starts/strengthens the contractions. The goal was to put the cervadil in, let it sit for 12 hours and then take it out and start the pitocin.

 I started having mild cramps/contractions right away when they put the cervadil in. They gradually got a little stronger throughout the evening and by 3:30a.m. they were so strong I had to breath through them. They were also back to back the whole time. Three minutes apart was the most spaced out ones, they usually came in threes. I'd have 3 30 seconds to 1 minute apart and then a 3 minute stretch. They went ahead and took the cervadil out at 4am instead of 5 because my contractions were so close together. They were hoping that they would settle down a bit once the cervadil was out. The contractions didn't lighten up at all once the cervadil was out and I had dilated to 3cm and 70% thinned out. Since the cervadil had put me into labor they did not start the pitocin. Earlier they had said that once the cervadil was out that I would be able to eat some breakfast and drink something, also that I'd be able to walk around. However, since the contractions were right on top of each other they wanted me to stay hooked to the monitor in the bed and I couldn't eat or drink.

At 9am they came in and broke my water to try to make the contractions stronger and more effective. It did make them stronger, but they stayed at about the same pattern.

At about 11am I got an epidural and was almost 4 cm dilated. I really wanted to go without the epidural, but the contractions were so back to back there was no break in between and Kanaan was positioned so that I was having a lot of back labor as well. The doctor wanted to give me pitocin, because even though my contractions were strong they wanted them to be more evenly spaced and into a better pattern. They started the pitocin after the epidural was placed. Since I had only gotten about 2 hours of sleep, Andy, Kayla and I all napped after the epidural for a bit.

They checked me again at about 4:30pm and I was still basically 4cm but they could stretch me to a 5. At this point it had been 24 hours since the contractions started and I had only changed 4 centimeters, the doctor thought maybe Kanaan was turned wrong or he was too big to fit in my pelvis because I was still not progressing. Dr A said that we could try a few more hours if I wanted or we could go ahead and do a c section. I decided just to do a c-section while Kanaan was still tolerating things well instead of waiting until he was in distress. I was ready for it to be over at this point. Since I already had the epidural they were able to start fairly quickly.

Kanaan Lee King was born at 5:14pm on 9/4/13 and weighed 7lbs 12oz 20in. He took just a few seconds that seemed like hours then we heard his squeally high pitched cry. He was put on 50% oxygen but was breathing on his own. They took him off to the NICU and Andy went to tell Kayla, Mary and Alan he was here.

An hour and a half or so after he was born the Neonatologist came in and told me that Kanaan was doing well and that he was now on 30% oxygen and otherwise doing well. Andy was able to take Mary and Alan up to the NICU around 8ish and at around 9:30pm Kayla and I went to see him for the first time. By that time he was off all oxygen and they let me hold him. It was so nice to be able to hold and see him.

Kanaan Week 35 and 36 Update and Induction Date Is Set!

Week 35 Updates:

On 8/19/13 Kanaan got a 10/10 on the BPP/NST. The fluid level was 7cm and he was still head down.

On 8/22/13 Kanaan got a 10/10 on the BPP/NST. The fluid level was 9.2cm and he was still head down.

Week 36 Updates:

On 8/26/13 Kanaan got a 10/10 on the BPP/NST. The fluid level was at 12cm and he was still head down. This was my last visit with the regular OB.

On 8/29/13 I had my appointment with Dr. A the specialist. Kanaan's fluid was at 15.6cm! Dr. A said "You have a miracle baby!". They measured Kanaan and he weighs approximately 6lbs 13oz. He checked to see if I was starting to dilate at all, he said I was less than 1cm dilated but more than a 0. Since I wasn't really dilated much, we will go in to the hospital on Tuesday 9/3/13 in the afternoon. They will start the cervadil, a medicine to help the cervix soften and dilate that night and then the next morning they will start the pitocin to get contractions and labor going. He said Kanaan should be here by Wednesday night!  About 10% of women will go into labor with just the cervadil and not need the pitocin, I hope that happens with me. I'd really like everything to go as naturally as possible. He said that as long as Kanaan is crying and breathing and looks good I will be able to hold him right away and nurse him as soon as possible. The NICU doctors will be in the room when he's born as well so that if he does need any help they are right there.

Even though the fluid has gone up and he's done fantastically, he was still without fluid during the crucial time when his lungs were developing. This means we won't know if he will have enough lung tissue to support him once he's born. If this is the case there is nothing they can do to help him breath and he won't make it.  Please pray that Kanaan is able to pass over this last hurdle and amaze the doctors once again with how well he's doing. I believe God is using Kanaan's story as a testimony to what He can do!!

Kanaan 34ish Week Update

On 8/12/13 Kanaan got a 10/10 on his BPP/NST. The fluid was at 6.5cm. That doesn't mean that the fluid has  necessarily gone down, it could have been the way he was laying. Otherwise he was doing fine. The infected milk duct has come back and my OB Dr. K referred me to a general surgeon to have it looked at.

On 8/13/13 I met with the general surgeon Dr. P. He tried to remove the infection with a syringe, but that wasn't working, so he ended up having to cut it out. I was glad Andy was off work so he could take me and stay with. It was pretty painful, but is on the mend now. I go back next Tuesday for a follow up. Hopefully it's healing as it should and will not be an ongoing problem.

0n 8/15/13 Kanaan once again got a 10/10 on his BPP/NST. The fluid was at 10.3! If it's lower next Monday I won't be surprised, because he was curled up in a tight little ball so he wasn't really covering any of the pockets up.

Crock-pot Turkey

Around Thanksgiving, a local store had a coupon stating: Buy 1 ham and get 1 free turkey. We went ahead and took advantage of the deal even though we weren't hosting any holiday meal. I froze the turkey right away, and decided to go ahead and make it now to freeze and have on hand for after Kanaan is born. I don't have a roaster pan or a pan big enough for a turkey that goes in the oven, so I made it in the crock pot. I had an 11 pound turkey and used a 7qt crock pot.

Crock-Pot Turkey
Carrots
Celery
Onion
Vegetable bouillon base
Chicken bouillon base
Olive oil
Water
Turkey
Poultry Seasoning

I didn't use any measurements and you can do this with what you have on hand. That just happened to be what I had on hand.

First I put enough water in the bottom of the crock pot to barely cover the bottom. Then added 1 teaspoon of vegetable broth base and 1 teaspoon of chicken broth base. Added some baby carrots, celery, and 1 onion cut into large pieces. I rinsed the turkey and removed the giblets and neck. Then rubbed olive oil and sprinkled and rubbed my poultry seasoning all over that side of the turkey. I put the breast side down on top of the veggies in the crock pot while I oiled and seasoned the other side. Then I put the lid on and let it cook on low 10-12 hours. Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of the cooked turkey. The skin did not get crispy like if you had cooked it in the oven, but I don't like the skin anyway so it didn't really matter to me. Also it doesn't hold together for a fancy presentation if you are going for that. For our family holidays we always take the meat off the bones before dinner so people can just grab the meat and go through the line, we have a big family. We ate some for supper, and I had some for lunch the next day, but I was still able to have 13 cups of shredded meat to freeze. I probably would have had more if I hadn't munched on it while I was measuring it out to freeze.

Chicken Bouillon I used

Vegetable Bouillon I used

veggies and liquid before I added turkey

Make Your Own...Poultry Seasoning

Making your own poultry seasoning is a great way to cater the flavors and spices to your taste. Also you will know exactly what's going in to it. This is the recipe I used for Poultry Seasoning.


Poultry Seasoning
4 tbsp Sage
2 tbsp Thyme
2 tbsp Marjoram
1 tbsp Rosemary
1 tbsp Ground White Pepper
Pinch of Allspice
Pinch of Nutmeg

Mix all together. If desired, mix in blender or food processor for finer texture. (I did not blend/process). Store in airtight container.

Uses:
- Rub on surface of poultry before cooking.
- Season chicken or turkey soups.
- Season stuffing/dressing: add 1/2 to 1 tsp for 4 cups of stuffing/dressing

These are all dried spices/herbs.

Kanaan 33 Week Updates

On Monday 8/5/13 at our BPP/NST Kanaan earned 10/10. His fluid was at 9.4 and he was still head down. My infected milk duct, was a lot better, still there but not red and much less painful. The ultrasound tech said she had never seen the fluid go up like this before, I mentioned that to Dr K and she said she's never seen anything like that either.

On Thursday 8/8/13 I met with Dr. A the MFM/specialist again. Kanaan's fluid was at 8.5, the doctor was not concerned about that as it could just be how he was lying. As long as his fluid is above 5 they aren't too concerned. Kanaan weighed 5lbs! I was born at 35 weeks and weighed 4lbs 10oz, he's already bigger than I was at 2 weeks later in the pregnancy. Dr A said "I'm really impressed with this kid". I will see Dr A on 8/29/13 for another growth check and he will check me at that time to see if I'm starting to dilate at all and schedule the induction for 37 weeks. He said if I'm my cervix is not favorable then I will go in 9/2/13 in the evening to get that ready before the induction on 9/3/13. If it is favorable then I won't have to be at the hospital until 9/3/13. He said he'd rather do a slow induction over a few days than try to rush it and need a c section. That makes me feel a lot better, I'd prefer to avoid a c section as much as possible. The induction dates are tentative at this point we will know an exact plan after the 29th.