Road Trip around Wisconsin!

I hope you don’t mind more baby pictures?

You know there are going to be several in the next few months.

Last week was an excellent time for grand babies to enter the world. Steve and I were both free to go visiting at the weekend. We set off Friday evening and stayed the night in Oconomowoc. (name was derived from Coo-no-mo-wauk, the Potawatomi term for “waterfall”, thanks Wikipedia!)

We were just half an hour from John and Joanne’s home so we arrived in time for coffee and a cuddle.We even went for a brief walk after lunch. We all wrapped up warm,and off we set!
Yes, that was snow on the driveway 🙁

Time to move on.

Christopher John arrived on Thursday. We knew he would probably come early but maybe not five weeks early! Here’s our first view via the wonders of instant messaging.

Sarah posted a lovely message on Facebook. Here’s some of it…

“Incredibly blessed to welcome our son, Christopher John born 3/8/18 at 12:14pm. He weighed in at 5lbs 8oz and is 19in long!

It’s been a ride bringing this guy into the world. A check up on Tuesday turned into an admission to the hospital for observations which then quickly became an induction at 34 weeks. Many of you may know the joy and struggle associated with this pregnancy but this week has been the hardest for my family.

Please, listen to your doctors. I was diagnosed with severe preeclampsia and was not well. I couldn’t believe it because I felt fine. When James & I arrived at the hospital I was immediately given meds to slow down my nervous system to prevent a seizure or stroke. I was not able to see my baby until yesterday when I was taken off these meds. FaceTime is an incredible invention. He spent his time making fantastic recoveries in the NICU. He did not even need oxygen & still does not. Christopher is my tough guy!

Christopher was born with a cleft lip and an amniotic band that caused some entrapment of his gum line. Surgery will correct these issues. He is perfect  “

Christopher and Sarah were at Marshfield Hospital which is the larger regional hospital in Northern Wisconsin. We washed our hands and arms as instructed before visiting Christopher…

He’s getting UV treatment for jaundice  but we were able to hold him.The three generations of Redford boys!Christopher already knows his mom?We stayed in Marshfield overnight so we were able to pop in for a second visit before we drove home Sunday. Sarah was discharged later that day but she’s going to stay in town until Christopher is able to go home. He’s feeding well and has begun to put on weight so it might not be too long?

It’s quite a few miles to the further reaches of Wisconsin but I’m guessing I might be making the trip again this spring. Perhaps I’ll even check out the direct flight from Chicago to Chippewa Falls.

Meanwhile in Quiltie-land…

There was a nice article by Brenna on The Quilting Company website today. Click  “What’s the Best Thread for Quilting?” to read it. It’s based on the thread segment from my new Walking Foot course.

I tried clearing up and reorganizing my sewing room this morning. I moved the furniture around but I didn’t like where I put it so it’s all back where it was before. I did manage to clean the floor but I can’t make up my mind what to put in the drawers and what can be taken downstairs… I’ll give it another go tomorrow. I want everything clean and tidy before I introduce my new machine!