My First Halloween

I went trick-or-treating with my Mom today to my Grandma T's work. I was a pirate, but it was windy and cold outside so my Mom put my pumpkin suit on me. It was really warm. Grandma took me around to meet some of the patients she takes care of. One of them was a patient my Mom had in therapy where she works. Everyone thought I was so cute. Later on, Mom, Dad and I went down to Grandma & Grandpa T's house. Mom thought she forgot her camera so Grandma took pictures. But when we got home and Mom wanted to put pictures on here, she couldn't find the camera. She ended up finding it in my diaper bag which did go with us to Grandma's. Sometimes I think my Mom would lose her head if it wasn't attached.

I also went to the doctor's on Monday. I grew A LOT!! Mom thought I was going to be around 10 lbs, but I fooled her. I weighed in at 11 lbs 4.8 oz and 22 3/4" long. I am growing like a weed! I do have some baby acne on my cheeks, possibly heat rash on the back of my neck, and the doctor says cradle cap on my eyebrows. So Mom is putting all kinds of stuff on me. Something should help. I am still cute though.

Check out my latest pics. Squirt is my buddy. He likes to lay next to me on Mom and Dad's bed and also drink my bath water. He is a weird cat but he is nice to me.

My First Trip

Well I was able to go on my first trip yesterday. My dad had to go to Duluth, MN to get his fingerprints taken by the Coast Guard for work. We left yesterday at around noon or so and it took us about four hours to get to the hotel. We stayed at the Holiday Inn. They were nice and lots of people told me I was cute and stuff. I don't remember too much of the ride, Mommy rode in the back with me most of the time and Dad drove.

That is the bridge going into Duluth, MN

My dad says that those are where ore boats load at.

That's the sign that says we got to Duluth.

Here is me and Dad in the Hotel.

Here is me acting surprised at mom taking a picture.

This is one of my Halloween outfits.

I was tired here, didn't even know my picture was taken.

The hotel was pretty neat, we stayed on the 15th floor of a 16 floor building. There were two queen size beds, so mom and dad got to have their own beds and I was able to get a crib from the hotel staff. We had pizza and watched some TV.

In the morning my dad had to go early to the Coast Guard, I missed him so I was fussy for mom. Then we went shopping at the Miller Hill Mall. I got a pumpkin outfit, and a book. My mom got some jammy pants, and a book. Dad got a book too. My mom also got her rings cleaned at a jewelry store

The ride home was pretty uneventful. I slept for most of the way, and so did mom. Dad tried to sing along to country music song, but I don't think he should quit his day job. More to come later.

More pics of Me

Hello, My Mom had a difficult time getting these pictures to post. For some reason, the blogger site isn't working very good and she couldn't get the pictures to line up. Oh well. I lost my umbilical cord last week and so I was able to have my first real bath. I wasn't sure of it at first, but it was ok in the end. I still have been giving my Mom a hard time with breastfeeding, but she is supposed to be calling someone to come help. So that means I am going to have to change my habits, boo hoo. My Mom or Dad will post some more pics of me as soon as they can. Hopefully the site will work better then. I wanted to say one last thing and that is to welcome my new friend into the world. Her name is Audrey Ella and she was born on Oct 5. Her Mom and my Mom have been friends since they were kids. Welcome Audrey and I hope we can meet soon and play together.



Pete making a bottle













Hangin' in my bouncy seat (8 days old)













I like my bouncy seat, but it gives me hiccups sometimes











Relaxing in the boppy pillow, Mom had to use a towel to hold my head up









Taking a snooze

9 days old and my Mom thinks I can reach those toys already












13 days old, smiling up at Mom

Another smile for Mom

Me and Uncle Jared

My first bath, not too sure about this yet (15 days old)







I like my frog towel that was a gift from Darci, Mike, Lindsay, and Audrey ( she is a newborn too)

Doctor Visit #2

Jacob had a doctor appointment yesterday and he has grown to 8 lbs 9 oz. That's almost 1 pound more since birth, and over 1 pound from his coming home weight. He is doing really well. The only problem right now is breastfeeding. It's been a huge challenge for me. I am trying to stay calm and relaxed when trying, but it does get frustrating. My milk has come in but not in large quantities and I don't know if Jacob is always comfortable. So we are working on positioning and using a syringe of formula to try to keep him latched until he can do it consistently on his own. I know others who had a difficult time and made it, so I hope I can stay strong and keep trying. I am just glad he is gaining weight and the jaundice has decreased dramatically, almost completely gone. That's good so he didn't have to have another bilirubin test.
Pete has been great. I let him sleep at night so at least one of us gets sleep. Plus, I have to stay downstairs for a few more days due to the surgery, and Jacob does too so I can nurse/feed him. Luckily, he sleeps a good 2 1/2 to 3 hours at one time most of the time. I try to nap during the day as much as I can. Well, that's it for now. I don't have any new pictures on the computer yet, but will get those posted asap. Take care all.

Fountain of Youth

Well, it's been very interesting the first few days home, especially diaper changing time. We will get Jacob all cleaned up and about to strap down the clean diaper -put ointment on his little pee-pee to keep it moist after his circumcision- and then the fountain of youth comes alive!! It's quite powerful, as he was able to aim and hit himself in the head lol. I have been fortunate to dodge the fountain, but it's been fun watching him try. I had my 1 week checkup yesterday, and had my staples removed. The doctor was kind of confused why the on-call doctor didn't take them out before we left on Sunday, but oh well. She took them out and gave me a prescription just in case I have a superficial infection. I guess the skin was a little pink from either the staples being in too long, or possible infection. So to be on the safe side, she prescribed some antibiotics. She also informed me that my placenta had an infection. That was surprising and she was shocked that I didn't show any clinical signs like fever, chills or shaking because that normally would show up. Delivery is the cure for that infection. But anyway, I am fine and weigh 3 lbs less than before I got pregnant, so that was fabulous news!! Anyway, that's all for now. I have attached some more pics of Jacob over the last few days. Enjoy!

10 hrs old








9/28/07 Jacob and Grandma Bradley, only 11 hrs old.








Jacob and Grandpa Tormala, 20 hrs old








Great Aunt Mary Tormala holding Jacob, 9/29/07-1 day old








Great Uncle Ken Tormala, Dad, and Jacob - the oldest and youngest Tormala 9-29-07







Great Aunt Joyce and Jacob 9-29-07












Jacob, Mom and Dad 9-29-07





Krystal, Uncle Jared's girlfriend, and Jacob 9-29-07









Getting ready to leave the hospital 9-30-07 (2 days old)








Jacob's first car ride, ready to go home









Jacob and Dad, 1st night at home 9-30-07









Grandma Bradley and Jacob, 3 days old (10-1-07)








Jacob making faces, he actually did smile today for me and he's only 3 days old







Jacob trying out his bouncing seat









Jackie being curious









5 days old in my cradle









In my bouncy again, I like the vibrations









Grandma Tormala and Jacob 10-3-07









Bath time








All clean and smelling good








I can fold my hands all by myself - 6 days old


















A close up, What are you doin' mom?








Trying to smile for mom








Just chillin' in my bassinet

First Dr. Visit

Well Jake had his first Dr. visit today. He had a good car ride over to the hospital, no fussing at all. The nurse had me get him ready while Sara rested and answered questions. He was doing just fine until they took his temp... rectally... He kinda had a look of "what the heck was that" and then proceeded to cry.

We left the hospital with Jake weighing 7lbs 6oz. He weighed in at 7lbs 11oz which is almost back up to birth weight. He also stretched out a bit, he is now 20.5" long. All his vitals were good and his jaundice is fine. We have another visit on Tuesday of next week.

After that we had to pick up some groceries so Jake went shopping. I asked Sara to stay in the car but she thought she could use some exercise.

Later on at home Sara had a loss of sensation and numbing in her left leg from her hip down to her toes. She called her Dr. and they said to go to the ER in case it is blood clot. Once we got checked in and settled in the exam room her numbness had subsided. They checked her out and figured it must be shifting of fluids which caused it. I think she was on her feet too much but I am not a Dr. She is home again and feeling fine now. Next time she will stay in the car when I go get the groceries... More later.

Baby Is Home Now

Well Sara and Jacob came home yesterday afternoon during a wicked rain and lightning storm. Once we got home, the cats were introduced to Jacob. Squirt the male cat seems to like him just fine. Jackie the girl kitty seems to me to be a bit jealous but has not bothered the baby at all.

Once we got that out of the way, we introduced the dogs, Toivo is a German Shepard and Zed is an Alaskan Husky. They were both real excited and still are. They want to smell the baby and I think they want to know if they can play with it. We are going to take it slow with the big oaf's. I had them sleep in the garage last night. They saw it fitting to chew off some insulation from the garage wall. Ha.

Onto the baby's first night. Well I can say that Sara and I are both tired. She tended to Jacob more than I did, though we were both up. I kept saying to let me take care of him but she wanted me to get some rest too. I don't know why, I did not just have a C-section.

So, Jacob was up pretty much every two hours or sooner. He fed well all night long, and did not fuss too much. I did get the pleasure of having a blast of poo come out at me right after I had moved the dirty diaper out of the way, I think I heard him laugh at me. So other than having very little sleep our selves we are doing good and Jacob is well. It was nice to finally be in our home rather than a tiny hospital room with only three options for sitting. We will keep you updated as best we can. That's all for now.