Hi Ho..Hi Ho...Its back to work I go

First morning back to work



This past week I headed back to work part-time at Metro Health Hospital as an R.N. working in the special care newborn nursery and postpartum. I am working two 12 hour days a week. Ryan and I found out that the days that I am working are going to be early and long for both of us. I have to be at work at 6:45am so I am usually out of the house by 6am meaning Ryan and I both have to be up at around 5:30am to get ready and to get Levi ready so that Ryan can drop him off at Grandma's and then head to school. I usually get home at 8pm so when I get home it is bath time for Levi/suppertime/catchup with Ryan time/and then bedtime for all of us. This past week I worked Friday, Saturday and Sunday(this will happen every 3 weeks). So, Ryan and Levi spent alot of time together this weekend.I am so proud of Ryan and how he is taking care of Levi on these 12 hour days.He is such a great dad.Levi did spend time at both Grandma's houses too so that Ryan could work on some school work for his masters class. On Sunday, Ryan took Levi to church and as a special surprise brought Levi up to the hospital to visit with Mom for awhile. We spent some time meeting my coworkers and then headed to the cafeteria for lunch...what a good time to spend with both my boys. Of course, on Sunday afternoon Ryan and Levi watched the Lions...lose again. I am glad to be back working. I feel like it is a good fit for me...spending time helping others and with friends at work, and being home and raising our son. I am grateful for the balance of work and home that my job provides. We are blessed.

Surprise visit at work from Dad and Levi

Camping at Ludington State Park

A Labor Day tradition for the Roedema family is to go camping at Ludington State Park. Ryan and I introduced Levi to all the joys of camping. We went on nature walks, had camp fires, went swimming and slept all together in our tent. Ryan and I enjoyed taking bike rides, spending time at the beach and talking and catching up with our family. We had perfect weather. The first night in the tent Levi got cold...we thought we dressed him warm enough but he woke up and spent the rest of the night with Ryan in his sleeping bag. The next night Levi woke up at about 5 am and we fed him a bottle and he was a little fussy he did not want to go right back to sleep. He was crying and the campground was dark and all the other campers were sleeping so I took Levi into our car and spent about 20 minutes rocking him to sleep there; then back into the tent we went. We both learned to make bottles during night with a flashlight and to change diapers ...fast so the campers next door would not be woken up with Levi's crying. Levi adapted well to his new environment....we even brought his bathtub for his bath and all the aunts and uncles got a chance to give him his bath on the picnic table. Grandma and Grandpa Roedema were also a big help with Levi. They played with him and loved to spend time with their grandson. We can not wait for next year where Levi can experience more camping fun.

Asleep in the tent
The Koopmans Family
Levi after a walk in the woods
Uncle Steve and Aunt Al giving bath
Me and Levi

First Trip to the Beach

Future Levi Phelps?

Levi loves his thumb
Ryan found shells for "accessories" for Levi



This past week Ryan and I took Levi to the Lake Michigan.We both love the beach...Ryan loves spending time in the water. It was a beautiful day. It is always an interesting trip with Levi but we managed to have a pretty good day. We picked up some subs for lunch and unpacked and set up our little "camp" for the afternoon. One thing we have learned is that you have so much more to bring with a baby than before. We had chairs, umbrella, baby basket, towels, sunscreen, diaper bag, thermos with water for formula...however one thing that we did not bring was bug spray. After we got settled in Levi needed a bottle and then we ate lunch. Then the black flies came and started biting...BAD. They surrounded Ryan and I's ankles and legs. It was a good thing that they did not like Levi though. He surprisingly slept part of the afternoon. Ryan did get a chance to go swimming a couple of times and I spent some time in the sun. It was a good family outing that we will not forget! .

2 months old

Levi has so many faces that can change in an instant!

Here are some recent pictures of Levi. He is doing so much better the last couple of weeks. Sleeping alot better and through the night from around 9 pm to 5:45am or so..yeah! His fussiness is much improved. Ryan and I took him to the doctor on Monday for his 2 month check up and he is in the 90th % for height and 50% for weight. His current weight is 11lbs 110z. He also got his vaccinations...it was nice because Ryan was able to come and help out afterwards. We are still working on rolling over...he does not like his tummy time. I am enjoying these last couple of weeks of maternity leave. I will be starting back to work part-time the first week of September.

First Tube Ride

Here is Levi's first tube ride up at Half Moon Lake. Mom was a little nervous putting him inside but dad was close by. Levi is tolerating his lactofree formula. However, I still had some concerns some days are good with him and other not. Yesterday,he took at total time of 1 hour and half nap during the day and was so fussy crying most of the day..which makes mom cry too. Anyways, I described all the symptoms that Levi has...poor sleep habits during the day, fussy times for no reason, acting gassy or in pain to the Dr and he had colic symtoms. There is nothing that we can do for him at those times..,he will outgrow his average time is 31/2 to 4 months and there is no other complications later for him. It can be very frustrating and stressful for Ryan and I when he cries and cries.Levi has gotten alot better since the formula change so we are thankful for that. He loves to interact more with mom and dad and would rather be awake than asleep. Family has been really helpful in watching him while we run errands or go on our weekly date night.

Weekend up North

Ryan and Keith hiking the "big cliff dune" at Sleeping Bear
Alpine Slide...it was alot of fun
Ryan and Levi...somewhat happy
Levi in his beach hat...too big
Me, Kris and Al at Sleeping Bear
Ryan and I
Ryan and Steve ready for climbing wall:)

We spent some time up at Crystal Mountain with Mom and Dad Roedema, Allison and Steve, Kristin and Keith and Brian and of course Wilson the pug. We went spent time at Sleeping Bear Dunes, went kayaking, the guys went golfing while the girls spent time at the pool. We also played games and had a campfire. We ate alot of good food and drinks..thanks to mom. Ryan and I also get to spend some time together while Grandma and Grandpa watched Levi. Levi had his own experiences up north....he had really bad diarrhea and diaper rash that we did not put diapers on him that much. I ended up calling the doctor on Sunday and he recommended we switch Levi's formula to soy...we did that and the diarrhea lasted till Tuesday. I then called the doctor and he wanted to see Levi in the office the next day...our trip got cut a little short. We went into the office on Wednesday and Dr. Salhadar (a doctor I work with at Metro) suggested we change the formula again this time to a lactose free type. So hopefully this works...Levi remains a "high maintenance child" :)...he has episodes of crying for one to three hours each evening. He loves to be held and loves walking around with mom or dad. He calms with a bath too. Here are some pictures from this weekend.

1 month old

Levi is now a month old and is changing so much. He weighs 9lbs 130z now and is losing his hair mostly in the front. He is reconizing mom and dads faces and is smiling alot more. Ryan usually gives Levi his bath and they both love it. Good bonding time. Ryan will spray Levi with the kitchen sprayer all over his head and no complaints from him...we think this means that he will love swimming and the water just as much as his dad. This past weekend we spent time up north and can tell that Levi loves the outdoors..he sleeps really well. Levi is sleeping better during the day and longer at night. We are enjoying him alot.

Bath time...notice the peeing:)
Mom and Levi
1 month picture
Outside at the lake..Happy boy.