Zoe: The Most Popular Baby in the Hospital

Our life over the past couple of weeks has been up and down for all of us. Zoe made her first trip to the hospital. On Tuesday night, June 3, Zoe had a high fever. Our pediatrician told us to take her to a clinic. After waiting at the clinic for a while, we were sent to the hospital for tests. Now, I was already pretty scared and upset on the way to the hospital. We were told when we left the clinic that there would be a room waiting for us and we would be admitted. We would just have to talk to Erica. We went into the ER because admitting was closed. We handed the man at reception our papers and ask to speak with Erica about getting a room. The man goes over to Erica and talks to her and what I deciphered from their conversation was, "I don't know anything about these people, take it to the other ladies." The man from reception comes back out and tells us to take a seat. There is a good deal of sick adults there and so I ask how long is this going to take? I was promised a room. He is like well, all of these emergency cases are before you. He walks away and I say my child is 12 weeks old with a fever, IT IS AN EMERGENCY. Poor Nate should get a medal because the crazy was only starting at this point. I then decided that I was not going to wait for Zoe to catch anything else from the people around her so I went to talk to the admitting ladies.

This is the part of the story where I went pretty crazy. My middle school students would always tell me that their moms were crazy. They would say things like, "My mom said I won't be able to drive anywhere when I am sixteen." I would always tell them that there is a switch that flips when their moms had them that made them crazy and that I was sure that I would have it happen to me too. I. Was. Right. I was, Sally Field in Steel Magnolias, level of emotional at this point. It's one of those moments where you realize how crazy you sound and you don't care at all. I went over to admitting and said that I was promised a room and I needed one because my baby didn't need to be around all the germs. I was almost yelling. They directed us to an empty waiting room where one other couple with an infant joined us. After a WHILE, we were shown to a room. I thought everything took a long time that night, I have no idea if it actually did. We were finally taken to our room. The worst part of the whole night was next, Zoe started getting the chills. Nate had to hold her because I was so worried and upset, I thought I was going to throw up. I went out to the nurse and interrupted his phone conversation to get him to give her something. I was beside myself. I couldn't see her suffer like that. They gave her Tylenol and she calmed down. I kept asking when we would see a doctor. The name of the hospital we were at was Doctor's Hospital at Renaissance. I said to Nate, "Don't hospitals employ doctors? Why are we waiting for the doctor to come? The name of the hospital is 'Doctor's Hospital'." Again, Nate should get a medal.

The doctor came and ordered the tests to be run. The nurses took us to a place called the "Procedure Room". The “Procedure Room" sucks. I don't like to use the word sucks, but I will make an exception for this one time. They do any procedure that causes pain in this room. In Zoe's case, they took blood, catheterized her, and started an IV. Zoe hates this room, Mommy hates this room, I imagine all people on Earth hate this room. At one point, she had to have her IV redone. That was the worst part of our stay. I was crying because I couldn't bear the pain they were putting her through. Put the IV in me! If you poke her one more time, I am stealing all of the needles and holding them hostage. The "Procedure Room" sucks.

At about 1:30 am, they informed us she had a urinary tract infection. There was a relief that came over me at this point because I knew what she had and how it could be treated. Before that, she could have had anything. We must have been on the floor with pediatric oncology because the scale they weighed her on when we first got there said "pediatric oncology" and one of the nurses' ID cards said it too. In my mind I am not thinking, "Oh my goodness, they think she has cancer!" Yes, I was a crazy mess. Anyway, they started her on antibiotics right away. We had to wait two days for a urine culture to return to determine what kind of bacteria was creating the infection.

Zoe was also diagnosed with bladder reflux. It has a fancier name, but it is hard to say and spell. If you Google bladder reflux it will come up. It starts with the letter V. This basically means her urine is traveling back up to her kidneys and collecting bacteria and coming back down, creating infections. She has a severe case of this. The most common treatment is to keep her on antibiotics and see if she grows out of it. The other option is surgery. We have been referred to a see a pediatric urologist to determine the course of treatment. We may have to travel as far away as Houston to see the doctor because the Valley doesn't have a pediatric urologist. Please keep Zoe, Nate and I in your prayers as we wait to see the doctor. Waiting makes the mind wander.

Even though my little girl was put through so much, she kept smiling. I love her. She really is the best baby. The nurses kept saying how good of a baby she is. I naturally agree. Here are some pics of her in the hospital.


Look at my IV


Her smile that she flashed at all the nurses and doctors. She loves to make friends.


They put this diaper with warm water on her arm because her IV blew. She is ready to box. She watched all five Rocky movies in her first month of life.


Sitting by our window.


Baby Hospital Gown

Now when you are in undesirable situations, like being in the hospital, it is always good to look for a silver lining. My silver lining was the large window right next to the hospital bed I spent all of my time in during our s. Our apartment has no windows in the living room. I noticed when I started staying home with Zoe that I craved sunlight. There is no natural light in the room that I spend most of my time in. (I would go outside if I didn't live on the surface of the sun.) This window not only provided sunshine, it was a source of entertainment. Our room overlooked the parking lot closest to the ER. While Zoe was sleeping or while I held her, I would watch people in this parking lot. It was like the mall at Christmas time. People were constantly in a Wild West type show down over parking spots.

In our stay, we were blessed with good doctors and nurses. We were also blessed with friends who brought us food and other items. Our very good friend, Alan, even went to our apartment at 1 am that first night to get our phone chargers and Zoe's teddy bear. Alan is the man. God puts the right people in place at the right times. Thank you for all of your prayers for Zoe, Nate and I. We appreciate all of the love and support.

This week Nate is busy leading VBS. Zobug and I are taking pictures. I will post about that next time because this has turned into a novel.

That is all for now. God is good.


Zoe is 3 Months!

Zobug is 3 months old!

Today our Zobug turned 3 months old. She had a very rough week in the hospital. (I will write more on that later.) Even with all of that she is growing so fast and is the best little thing ever.

Zoe loves:
  • Jesus
  • Mommy and Daddy
  • Her grandparents
  • Snuggling with Aunt Victoria
  • Her Uncle Andrew and Uncle Alex
  • Her Godmother, Katie Lane
  • Mommy and Daddy's friends
  • Snuggling
  • Touching Grandpa Cox’s Beard
  • Hamming it up with anyone who smiles at her
  • Grabbing Daddy’s Face
  • Those Blankets with a Stuffed Animal Attached (I think they are called Lovies.)
  • Big happy smiles
  • Soft Lighting at Night
  • Ceiling Fans
  • Pulling Bows Off of Her Baptismal Gown
  • Hymn of Praise - "This is the Feast"
  • Formula
  • Her teddy bear
  • The Rock N Play
  • Blankets
  • To wake up when Mommy is washing bottles
  • To smile
  • To chat with Mommy
  • Bath time!!
  • Laying in her Boppy
  • Rides on Mommy’s lap in a Wheel Chair
  • The Beach
  • Popular Songs that Mommy and Daddy insert her name into for example: 
    • My Little Zobug for My Little Deuce Coupe by The Beach Boys
    •  Millions of Zoes for Peaches by the Presidents of the United States of America   
    • The Zoe-Bug Talk Show for The Barry Gibb Talk Show which is a Saturday Night Live skit that uses the tune of Nights on Broadway by the BeeGees


Zoe doesn't like:
  • Getting an IV
  • Fevers
  • Getting an IV
  • Hospitals
  • Getting an IV
  • Taking Grape Flavored Medicine
  • Getting out of the Bath
  • When people aren't paying attention to her
  • Being hungry (just like her mommy)
  • Wet diapers!!


Zoe is undecided on:
  • The Beach
  • Long Car Rides
  • Daddy’s Old Spice Spray
  • Gas Drops


What people say about Zoe:

  • “She looks so much like her daddy.”
  •  
  • “She looks so much like her mommy.”
  •  
  • “She’s such a good baby.”
  •  
  • “She’s (insert synonym for cute here).”
  •  
  • “She has beautiful eyes.”
  •  
  • “She has her daddy’s hair.”


Mommy and Daddy's Nicknames for Zoe:
  •  Zobug
  • Bug
  • Baby Bug
  • Bugaboo
  • Little Bug
  • Little Baby
  • Mommy's Girl
  • Daddy's Girl
  • Little Snuggler
  • ZoZoBee

 The nicknames will only get worse.

Basically, the obsession with my child continues. 








"Oh Mom, you crack me up." 



"Hey, Buddy."


"Come over here."




"What??"


Yep. I am one of those people who says things now like, "They grow up so fast." They do.


We are so blessed to have such an amazing baby. These have been the best three months of our lives. We are completely in love with her and wouldn't have it any other way.

Zoe gets Baptized and Meets New People! (Beware there are A LOT of pictures.)

Beware this post has a great deal of pictures. As usual, the mamarazzi was at it again.

The past week and a half was a very busy one. Zoe was baptized a week ago yesterday. With her baptism came many guests. We love guests! Our first guest was Katie Lane. Katie is one of my best friends from college. She was chosen to be one of Zoe's godparents. Marcus and Vanessa Lane are also her godparents. Katie arrived in the Valley on Thursday, May 22nd. It was all we could do to keep from screaming at security at the airport. Yes, people did stare. Sometimes you have to be the people who the other people watch. It was a wonderful evening. On Friday, we all decided to show Katie and Zoe, South Padre Island for the first time. Nate introduced both Katie and I to the famous Taco Laredo Company breakfast tacos. These are sold in gas stations. I know this sounds strange, but everyone lives by them down here. Katie was very excited that she was able to use her Spanish while ordering. Omaha, surprisingly, isn't as bilingual as the Valley. This was Zoe's first trip to any beach. She thought it was hot. I could tell because I was carrying her and she was sweating on me. Nate, Katie and I all received a little love from the sun in the form of sunburn, northerner hazard (any US citizen north of here is considered a northerner.) We took Katie to the Whataburger for the first time while we were on the island. Whataburger is in fact one of the most redeeming qualities of Texas. Believe me on this one.  We then headed back to McAllen to give Katie a tour of St. Paul. My parents arrived in town around that time and met us at church. Nate's parents arrived on Saturday.



Here is a picture of Katie, Zoe and I on the beach.


She clearly liked her first trip to the beach.


Katie and I spent most of the day teaching Zoe how to be silly. That is what we do best. We needed to pass on this gift to her.

Sunday was the big day! We were so blessed to share Zoe's special day with our parents and Katie. She was baptized at the 8 am service by her daddy. The selection of hymns was great (there are perks to being the pastor's wife). We then had a baptism party/ family fun night that evening. It was a great day.


Katie and Zoe. I love them.


Two of my favorite people.


Her great Aunt Jennifer Zalaski made the bow and the dress I found on eBay.


Daddy baptizing Zoe like a pro!





With Grandma and Grandpa Wollenberg


With Grandma and Grandpa Cox



Nate's mom embroidered and made this cute little after party onesie for her.


I love her.


Hamming it up with Aunt Katie.


Aunt Katie is teaching her Spanish.


Gina and Zobug


We're one of those families that takes pictures of cakes before we cut them.


With Miss Becker


With Mrs. Oerther



There was sand volleyball!

Katie headed back to Omaha on Monday morning. We were sad to see her leave, but so happy she was able to come down. We can't wait to see her again at her wedding in November! 

Nate's parents were the next to leave on Monday afternoon and my parents were able to stay until Thursday. It was so nice to have everyone here. Zoe hadn't met her Grandpas. It was a very nice visit for all! Here are some pics of Zoe and her grandparents.


With Grandpa Wollenberg


With Grams


Grandpa Cox is making sure she gets her veggies.



My daddy and my girl.


With Grandma Cox


Sleepy. I love these two.


I just like this picture. They are mine.


Love them!


Oops! How did these adorable pictures get in here? 

If you were wondering, yes, I was blessed with the cutest child ever. I can't believe she is mine. She is getting dangerously close to laughing. Katie Lane did her best to try to get a laugh out of her before she left, but was unsuccessful. She is turning 3 months on Sunday. Where does the time go? 

That's all for now. God is good.