We Fitz Together: Jasper's Newborn Pics & Hospital Visit

I'm back! After an unexpected hiatus, due in part to a Macbook that went on the fritz, and in part to serious sleep deprivation, I'm finally sitting down to get in some long overdue blogging. I'll be filling in posts from earlier events in the next few days too.

Okay, let's get to the good stuff. First, I was thrilled with how Jasper's newborn photos turned out! Big thanks to Lindsey Murphy who took some beautiful shots of our newest addition. Little JR (we're trying out nicknames to see what fits the little guy, so don't be surprised if you see several different references to him in the next few posts) was 12 days old when we took these pics. So sweet!

He was a perfect model, sleeping through the entire session. Unfortunately we realized the next day that he might have been sleeping so much because he was getting sick :( The day after these were taken, JR woke up with a fever and was readmitted to the hospital with viral meningitis - no idea how he picked that up in less than 2 weeks of being in this world! He had a very high fever coupled with a severe headache, rapid breathing, and an elevated heart rate, so he was tested and monitored closely in the hospital for a few days. Poor thing! Since it was a virus, they basically just treated him with Tylenol and extra fluids and let it run its course, but our sweet, normally easy-going baby was not a happy camper while we were there.

Thank you to all the friends and family members who were praying, visiting, and checking in on us. We appreciate you so much! I'm just so thankful that we were already scheduled to visit the pediatrician the day Jasper's fever showed up (for his 2 week well baby visit). I knew a fever in newborns could be a big deal, but I also tend to be a wait it out, don't call the doctor unless you really need to kind of parent. I like to think I would have known to call the doctor this time, but our Lord wasn't leaving room for my inadequacies.

Isn't it amazing to see how He lays out the path of provision before we even know we need it? He has been so faithful to provide us with skilled doctors and well-timed appointments for both of our boys in their early weeks of life, when they've needed extra medical attention. Some of you might remember that Griff was also hospitalized when he was a few days old for significant weight loss and jaundice. That time we were scheduled a day early for a routine weight check when we found out he needed another stay at the hospital. Our loving Father knew that Griff would need to be seen and treated without waiting that extra day - He is so good!

We had a few more medical concerns for J, like possible heart and genetic issues that, praise the Lord, were cleared up by running some additional tests. I guess that's the way it goes with little ones, and thankfully, he seems to be the picture of health these days. Gaining weight like a champ and even starting to smile, coo and gurgle at us.