Family Growth, Drama, and Life in these Somewhat Turbulent United States.

It's been the busiest of times in a Moogie's World lately!

My bestest Mother's Day gift arrived early --  Meet Clayton Patrick ("Clay"), Grandbaby #6, born April 12th at 7 lbs 14 oz, and 21" long!

He not only arrived a little early, he also gave us quite a scare.

His Mama is Rh Negative, and he's Rh Positive. You may recall that Elder Daughter had a problem after the birth of her first son and it ultimately took two DNCs, a month and a half apart, to give her the relief she needed. This time around, even though she had undergone massive RhoGam therapy, and delivered by Cesarean section to avoid the retained placenta issue, the problems with blood landed in Baby Clay instead of ED.

He was "Coombs Direct positive," and, at the advanced age of 1 day, he was diagnosed with anemia, Hemolytic Disease, RH Autoimmunization, and Hyperbilirubinemia. Essentially, his little red blood cells were being destroyed by his own immune system, and his little liver was having trouble disposing of them. After a consult with a Neonatologist he was whisked away to the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), before the eyes of his terrified big brother and bawling mother, where he was expected to remain from 7 - 10 days. They immediately began phototherapy (imagine all the lights on an airport runway being crammed into a plexiglass incubator), Gammaglobulin to block the antibodies, and lots of IV and oral fluids to flush out the compromised red blood cells.  After her discharge, either SiL#1 or I drove ED to the hospital every four hours so she could feed the baby. Every little bit of fluid mattered.

And, by golly, he showed them!  The little guy improved so dramatically and consistently that he was moved to the step-down NICU in two days and discharged in three more! Elder Daughter had a much happier Mother's Day than we feared a month ago.

The dogs are doing well, even though Moogie's Manor has been invaded by active grandchildren on a regular basis. Sometimes Yap's littermates come for a visit, too, and they play so hard and so long that they wear themselves out. That's not necessarily a bad thing.

I love this pic of Bouie. It looks like he has a handlebar milk mustache, but that's really just his dignified graying snout.

I'm trying something different this spring-- a raised veggie and herb garden in the side yard:

So far, so good!

And, it's time for popsicles! Here are Numbers Four and Five on the day Baby Clay came home from the hospital. Younger Daughter thought ahead -- she lured them outside to eat their Popsicles and took off their shirts. Clever Younger Daughter.

Number Three performed in her Dance Recital last night -- "Ye Olde Toy Shoppe." She danced the roles of "Rainbow Looms" (I'm a little behind -- what is a Rainbow Loom?) and "American Girl Dolls." DiL says that #3 has a love-hate relationship with dance. Heh. She definitely has sass!

Number Two will celebrate his 9th birthday on Saturday!! Nine?!?! Seriously?!?!

Oh well, there are tulips and an orchid in the kitchen and life is good at Moogie's Manor, despite the fact that the Little Rock Police Department is investing in riot gear for every officer. Do you suppose they know something that we don't?

Seriously, do you suppose they know something that we don't?