- BACK TO WORK I GO

It was good to be back at work today - and into my normal routine. It was No Cavity Club Day at work today. Below is the photo that appears in the Mountain Democrat Newspaper every month listing kids who had no cavities. (I was the photographer for this one).

Front (left to right) Alice, Judy, Tami
Back (left to right) Brooke, Karen, Dr. Kiholm, Kathy and Peggy

- ON THE ROAD AGAIN

Alyssa and I left Utah at about 9:00 am Utah time. It was hard to leave. I'm going to miss everyone so much. I drove Alyssa to her apartment in Sacramento and then headed home to Placerville. I got home at about 8:00 p.m. California is still pretty smokey. Gas prices are still insane, and I can no longer use my cell phone while driving unless I use my Bluetooth (new California law that went into effect while I was in Utah). I'm still glad I live where I live. There's no place like home!

Abbey and Kelsey waving goodbye when we left this morning :(

We topped off the gas tank in Layton before we left. I figured this price was as good as it would get. I was right.

$4.279 per gallon in Winnemucca, Nevada.

It started getting smokey just after we passed Reno.

Still not as bad as when I drove through here 10 days ago. We even saw Utah firetrucks heading for California to help out.

Welcome to Placerville, California!

- LAST DAY IN UTAH

Our last day in Utah was spent holding Jack and playing with the girls. I loved this photo of Kelsey holding her little brother. We leave in the morning and I can hardly stand the thought of being so far away. I can't wait to come back for the blessing!

- FOURTH OF JULY FUN

This morning we all got up early and got dressed in our red, white and blue (even Jack).

We went to a pancake breakfast, put on by the Boy Scouts, at Layton Park.

We went to the Layton City parade. Abbey and Kelsey enjoyed all of the candy that was thrown and the "pretty princesses" on the floats.

Jack slept through the whole thing, including loud sirens, marching bands and the parade announcer right across the street.

We played at the park for awhile after the parade. Kelsey kept asking me to "do the underdog."

Greg cooked hamburgers and hotdogs on the grill. We had fresh fruit and yummy Utah corn-on-the-cob (there's nothing like Utah corn!)

It was such a sight to see a U.S. flag displayed in front of most every house on Angie's street.

Grandma bought some fireworks for fun after dark.

The girls loved the sparklers best.

Even aunt Alyssa joined in the fun!

- JACK'S BUSY DAY

Jack had a busy day today. We took him to his pediatrician's office in the morning to make sure he was gaining weight. He had gained 3.5 ounces in 2 days. We were shooting for 2 ounces so we were VERY happy.

Later in the afternoon we headed back to the hospital for another bilirubin test. Dr. Owen called later to say that his levels had gone down. YAY!!! Good news all around! Dr. Owen still wants him to sleep under the lights for another day or so.

Jack also got to meet his Aunt Alyssa for the first time today. She took Amtrak from Sacramento to SLC (17 hours) and then Front Runner from SLC to the Layton Station (1 hour). She arrived at 5:00 am this morning.

Alyssa was dying to hold Jack but he had to be under the lights as much as possible so every time Angie fed him she got a few minutes with him.

- JAUNDICE

This morning Angie and I took Jack to Davis Hospital for more blood tests. His little heals are so full of holes the lab technician had to search for a new spot to draw from. The pediatrician called this afternoon to say that the bilirubin levels had gone up again. He started with a reading of 11 when he was discharged from the hospital 4 days ago. It was 16.5 yesterday and 17.1 today. Dr. Owen ordered a home health company to deliver photo therapy lights this afternoon and wants us to keep Jack under them overnight. This is such a flashback for me from when Angie was born. I remember taking her to Primary Children's Hospital for blood work and coming home with just her little clothes. She had to stay there for 2 days under the lights. Things sure have changed. It's so nice that we'll be able to take care of this at home. We'll take Jack back to the hospital tomorrow to see if things have improved. I'll update then.

- DOCTOR'S APPT -

Today Jack had his first ride in Grandma's car since coming home from the hospital. He had a follow-up appt. with his pediatrician. He's lost almost 1 lb. since coming home, so we'll be going back every few days to have him weighed. Dr. would like him to gain at least an ounce per day. He also had blood drawn from his heels again (poor baby) to test his bilirubin levels. They were elevated. Dr. would like us to take him to the hospital tomorrow for more blood work. Despite all of this, he was such a good baby today - happy, content and sweeter than ever. He is SO loved!!!