What? It's time to feed again...

I can't beleive how fast the days go by...Travis is doing great! Another blessing that he came home with from the hospital was a pretty predictable schedule- at least for last week :). He is eating every 2.5 - 3 hours consistently and really getting the hang of things. We went to his first pediatrician visit last Thursday, and were excited to learn that he had gained weight and is now up to 6 lbs, 2 oz. As my mom said earlier in the week...you start to wonder what you ever did before he got here? I couldn't agree more... :).

First bath at home.

Sweet baby.

Hanging out with Grandy in my Tech gear!

Mollie checking things out as Travis relaxes in the beautiful handmade crib from Grandfather Dawkins.

Welcome Home, Travis!

Hi there! What an exciting week so far! Travis was released from the hospital on Sunday! We are so thrilled to have him home with us. His week in the hospital was tough on us, but there were so many blessings, a few I would love to share:

- The NICU nurses and staff were absolutley amazing...sometimes I felt as though they were just as much my nurse as Travis'. They were able to coach me on feeding and guide me through the process.

- Ken and I were able to get "hands on" coaching allowing us to feel so at ease with Travis.

- Having the support system from Ken and my mom that allowed me to be up there vitually all day with Travis as we got feeding down. What a relief...I am so thankful that he came home a successful eater- we already think he has his dad's appetite...OH NO!

Here are a few new pictures...can't wait for you all to meet him!

love, jenn

His last "look-over" by the doctor before leaving.

All clean and ready to go...we gave him his first bath before leaving.

Resting peacefuly at home!

Update on Baby Travis

Hi there everyone. First, thank you all for your prayers, calls, texts, etc. Again, we feel so blessed being surrounded by such an amazing group of friends and family. I apologize if I have not called or texted you back, my phone's display screen went out yesterday...so, I have no way of seeing who has called, texted etc. I will hopefully be getting a replacement today :). Travis is doing great...however, they are going to keep him until Sunday at the earliest. We know he is getting stronger and stronger with each day, and pray that he will indeed come home to us on Sunday. He is still being fed through a tube in his nose because his breathing is too fast. He is doing a good job of maintaining his weight...last night he was 5 lbs, 10 oz. The doctors and nurses have been absolutley amazing in the NICU...they allow us to be as hands on as we want. We both have been able to change his diaper, and as he moves to feeding by mouth, they will allow us to feed him and allow me to try breastfeeding. I will keep you updated as the week progresses- so thankful that it is already Wednesday!

Early Pics of Baby Travis

Travis Wesley Dawkins

Hi there everyone! Our world completely changed on June 14th! Travis Wesley Dawkins arrived at 7:34 pm weighing in at 5lbs 12 ounces and 19.5 inches long. He looks to be very healthy, however, because he is a little early and he might have injested some fluids (because we are not sure how long my water had been broken- which we found out Friday afternoon), he is going to spend a couple of days in the NICU to make sure his lungs are funtioning and to make sure that he is infection free. Please keep him in your prayers that all of the tests will come back favorable and he will not be in the NICU very long. More pics to come...here is our first family photo!

The Roper twins preparing Mollie and Aspen...

We had a fun visit from Chris, Nan and the twins yesterday. Mollie and Aspen have always been very good around babies and usually do alot of smelling, etc. They were pretty interested in Seth and Sienna (about 7 1/2 months). Mollie kept licking Sienna's feet and Aspen lived up to his gentle nature when Sienna went to town pulling his tail :) pretty cute! Seth, Sienna and Travis are going to have a ball in the years to come!

Sienna playing with Aspen.

Seth just kicking back and taking it all in...

Resting Comfortably

Hi there- well, I have been home since Monday evening and I am trying to adjust to this "low-activity/bed rest" thing. Quite a struggle...I am really trying to be a good a patient though. :) Ken has been wonderful through all of this and is getting very good at being ordered around by a frustrated pregnant wife. I have also grown quite a bit, as you will notice in the picture. Here I am at 35 weeks! My fluid levels are still staying up and stable- we had them checked yesterday. Our next appointment is Tuesday afternoon.

Thankful for our friends...

Here are some pictures from my baby showers...my mom's sweet friends hosted one in Amarillo and my dear friends had one for us here in Dallas. The showers made everything seem very "real"...we are so thankful to you all for your generosity and thoughtfulness. Little Travis has everything he needs!

Jenn and her grandmothers

Travis' darling clothesline of onsies in Dallas.

What a weekend...

Hi there- first, thank you all for your prayers, calls and concern. We truly feel so blessed to be surrounded by such amazing family and friends. All of the tests have come back very normal and the baby is still doing great! I was discharged last night and sent home on bed rest. This is all a little overwhelming for me...it is much easier to give up control in a hospital setting than at home- I know there is a BIG lesson in all of this for me. I will be seeing my doctor twice a week from here on- she will check fluids and keep a close watch overall. Again, thank you to everyone- we appreciate and love you all.

jenn

Update on Baby Dawkins

Well, we have had an interesting weekend to say the least! Friday night I was admitted to the hospital with pre-term labor, contractions, etc. We are still here and don't know exactly when we will be headed home. The baby is doing great...we have had 3 sonos since Friday night- he is measuring about 5.5 pounds give or take and all of his measurements are in alignment with where he should be at 34 weeks. I am feeling fine...a little anxious and still in disbelief that such a smooth pregnancy has taken this little turn. Some blessings in all of this...1) my parents were in town this weekend and have been able to be with us- they are staying until Tuesday and plan on working in our very "unfinished" nursery tomorrow :) 2) My dear friend, Julie's sister -in- law, who has become a dear friend of mine as well, is an OB/GYN, and was on-call for my OB this weekend- we have had the VERY best care and know that everything is going to be okay. A few prayer requests...

1. That we would rest in Him and trust that everything is going to be okay with the health of our baby.

2. That we would all remain strong and rested for all the changes that are going on.

3. That we would "not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell our requests to God." Philippians 4:6



We cannot thank you enough for all the prayers, support and concern you all have given us. I will try to update this daily as we progress through the next few days!



much love,

jenn and ken