Savannah's Four Year Checkup

Savannah had her four year check up on Wednesday afternoon. We were fortunate to have Poe (our friend Carol) come over and volunteer to rock Vince while we both took Savannah. She got a clean bill of health; she is 42 inches tall and weighs 45 lbs and is in the 90th percentile for height and weight. She had to get her finger pricked and she didn't even wimper at that. She did have to get 4 shots, two in each leg. Savannah did GREAT!!! We told her that if she did well at the appt that we would get her some ice cream from Dairy Queen, so even between her dozes in the car on the way home she insisted that we still go by and get the ice cream sandwich. She fell asleep around 5:45 and we woke her up for dinner about 7pm; she didn't want to eat much, so she put herself to bed shortly after that and didn't get up this morning until 6:00.

Vince is sleeping better in the day than he does at night, but we are going to try a few new tactics to see how those go. Thankfully a Starbucks is nearby and I can get a caffeine fix mid-morning that gets me through the day!

Nana and Grandaddy Visit

Nana and Grandaddy Stewart came to visit soon after Vince and LA got home from the hospital and were in town to help with Savannah's birthday party on Saturday, Feb 23. Nana cooked lots of great meals for everyone and Grandaddy helped with some projects around the house. Savannah loved having them both in town to visit and was excited to show them "the surprise" (Baby Vince). Nana has planned to come back to visit at the beginning of March to help with Savannah and Vince while Laura works the MOPS consignment sale.

Birthday Party Pictures

For a slide-show of more pictures, click HERE

Savannah's 4th Birthday Party Videos

Savannah and 14 of her friends had a wonderful time at her party this morning. Here are two videos from the party. Enjoy!

Vince's First Doctor's Appt

Vince had his first doctor's appt Tuesday, February 19 at 8:45am and he is gaining back some of the weight he lost in the hospital. He is eating and sleeping well and we are hoping to get a pretty good schedule this week. Last night he went to sleep at 9:30 and woke up around 2am to eat, then again at 6am. So far so good! Vince is more alert and really likes to focus on faces. Looking back at pictures of Savannah when she was born, we see that they have a lot of the same traits. We hope that he will be as good a baby as she was!

Savannah Turns Four!

Savannah has had a big week with Vince's arrival and her birthday on the 19th. She was out of school on Monday for President's Day, and stayed home on Tuesday (the 19th) because she was running a little fever. By dinnertime she was feeling much better and wanted her birthday dinner from S&S, the local cafeteria.

She opened presents from Mom and Dad, Honey and Uncle Harold, and G-Mama and loved all of her gifts! Savannah went back to school today and is looking forward to her Nana and Granddaddy's visit this weekend and her birthday party at Sports Quest. Check back for more updates!

Pictures!

Here are some of our favorite pictures from the hospital. You can see them in a slideshow by clicking here. You can also click on an individual picture to see it in a larger format.

On the way into the hospital! This one was taken after Vince was cleaned up while Mom was still in the Operating Room
Mom snuck down to the hospital and left this Alabama outfit with the nursery so that Dad would be surprised when he came out dressed and ready with the hat, booties, and gown. Roll Tide!
Just before being discharged (evicted!) from the hospital. Mom wanted to stay another day!

Savannah loved "riding" the bed at the hospital Jeff III and Jeff IV

G-Mama and Vince

G-Mama and the kids

Barbara and Mark Fuller stopped by to say hello

.Vince in his "going home" outfit

Over 2 dozen roses for Mom for Valentines Day! We received many, many compliments on the arrangement that Jeff gave LA and it smells wonderful!

Home at last!

Laura and Vince arrive home today around 11:15 am. Both are doing well. Vince seemed to enjoy his first ride as he slept the entire way. Once he got home, he continued napping for another 2 hours then got up and ate about 3 oz. Laura is doing well and is looking forward to getting some time to return emails and post some pictures to the blog, so please check back soon!

2-14-08

It is Valentine's Day! Laura Ann and Vince are doing well. Laura has been able to get up and take a shower so she feels much better today than the past couple of days. Vince has been eating and sleeping well and G-Mama has been a trooper staying with Laura in the hospital.

Please know that Laura has not had internet access since she went to the hospital. So that is why she has not responded to any of the emails that have been sent. In fact the initial email announcing Vince was prearranged (with details filled in later) and I sent it from her account.

Vince and Laura are scheduled to come hope on Saturday! So you should be hearing from her soon after that. I am planning to set her up with a laptop until she feels like sitting at the computer.

Thanks for all the calls and visits. Vince just loves meeting everyone. But I know they are looking forward to getting home very soon!

YES! We will be posting lots more picutres in the next couple of days, so please keep checking back.

02-13-08

Some reflections from Dad...What an awesome day yesterday! Truly a gift from the Lord. Laura Ann and Vince both did great. Things were a bit delayed at the hospital yesterday so things did not get started until around 12:35 or so. Laura was a trooper although she got really nervous, which is easy to understand. I was in the OR with Laura and stayed after they took Vince to the nursery. Where he was visited by our friends Bobby Pope and Jay Stroman. Laura and I were still in the OR so we missed their visit, but they were able to see Vince through the window.

After recovery, Laura was brought to the room and we had our first visitor, our friend Roger Murphey, who was the first visitor when Savannah was born as well! They brought Baby Vince into the room in his full Alabama attire, hat, outfit and booties…ROLL TIDE! That was an unexpected surprise that Laura Ann cooked up with Dr. Pridgen’s help before yesterday. He was wonderful in the room, sleeping a lot but he was wide awake when his big sister Savannah came to meet him for the first time. That time was truly another awesome time. G-Mama took some video and Aunt Katie took some pictures, so we are looking forward to seeing and posting more of those.

Right now there is no internet connection at the hospital at all for patients, so we have to use our phones for pictures to get posted quickly. I am going to see if can get something worked out today with our cell phone working with the computer, if so, Laura Ann will be able to check email and post some pictures and information to the blog today. The plan is for Laura and Vince to be in the hospital through Friday or Saturday.

Thank you for all of the calls, emails, thoughts, and prayers. It is great to have a network of support of family and friends that we have. More updates very soon, please keep checking back.

Jeffrey Vincent Stewart, IV

Jeffrey Vincent Stewart, IV

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

12:59 PM

7 pounds, 13 ounces

Savannah meets Vince

Getting Ready...

Today Laura and Jeff went to Dr. Pridgen's office for the final check up and all was fine. Tomorrow's activities are scheduled to begin around 10 am when we report to the hospital and then Dr. Pridgen is scheduled to begin around Noon.

The last couple of days Laura is ready to not to be pregnant. Savannah is still going around without a care in the world. G-Mama is here helping everyone to get ready for the big day.

We seem not to be as anxious as we were when Savannah was about to arrive but we think we have gotten everything done that is needed. We are looking forward to posting pictures of the new arrival.

Earlier this evening Jarred Hammett, the Senior Pastor at Northminster Presbyterian, came by to visit and for a prayer for everyone. Savannah is always excited to see "Preacher-Man", especially when he comes to her house! We appreciate all of the calls, prayers, and well wishes from everyone. We trust that all will go well in the morning-please continue to keep all of us, our doctors, staff, etc in your prayers throughout the week.

Macon State Baby Shower

Today the school of Education at Macon State hosted a baby shower for us. It was supposed to be a surprise, but with Jeff's schedule as hectic as it is, the beans had to be spilled so that he could get away from a couple of meetings. We had a wonderful time and appreciate the Target gift card and basket full of goodies including a Spanish/English cell phone, sunglasses, diapers, and wipes. There was wonderful food that Vince especially enjoyed!

The countdown is on...less than 2 weeks until he makes his grand appearance!