Weight Check #2

Zachary went to see Dr. Steele today. He's our muy favorito doctor. We weren't scheduled for our weight check until tomorrow, but our Synagis shot came in. Zachary only gained 2 oz from the last weight check, but we now weigh a whopping 6 lbs. Dr. Steele was very impressed with his progress and wasn't concerned he hadn't gained more weight. He's eating the appropriate amount and everything appears to be running smoothly.

In other news... Big Z hasn't pooped in 4 days. Dr. Steele recommended a fix. Stay tuned to see if it works. Big Z isn't a happy camper these days. I'm sure you can imagine why.

Heartbeat

The reason my heart beats...







Thank you Heather for these pictures.

3rd Annual Pumpkin Patch

We went to the pumpkin patch on Sunday with the Lauffer family for the 3rd year in a row. I believe this year tops them all. We had a wonderful time with the Lauffers and the boys played non-stop. We made a whole day of it at Hillridge Farms in Youngsville. We didn't leave until 6:00pm. I can't wait to go next year!

After the pumpkin patch we ate dinner at Texas Roadhouse. I am happy to report both boys (Hayden and Andrew) ate like champs. It could have been Heather playing her smart tricks on them to get them to eat. Whatever it was... it worked! Happy plate for both of them!

Enjoy the slideshow.

Eye Check

I took Zachary for his weekly eye exam on Friday. Dr. Magolan said things are progressing nicely, but we aren't out of the woods yet. Zachary's left eye is better than his right eye. The popcorn lesions in his right eye are now gone. We go back a week from today to have his eyes examined again. Hopefully we'll see more progress since we've officially passed our due date and are technically supposed to be born now.

We have our weekly weight check on Wednesday. Last time he gained 9 oz. Wonder how much he's gained this week?? Stay tuned.

Weekly Weigh In

It's been a long time since I've posted Zachary's stats. We go to the ped's office each week for his weight check. My boy knows how to pack on the pounds! I guess I should say ounces. Since our discharge Zachary has gained 10 ounces. We are now up to 5 lbs 14 ounces. He is averaging an ounce a day. We still have plenty of room in the preemie clothes, but before too long we're going to be moving our way up in size. I'm looking forward to his leg rolls becoming chunkier. I'm sure with the holiday season upon us he'll gain weight at an exponential rate.

Here's to getting fat and loving it!

Sleep

This is what cuddling with Daddy will do. Watch the progression.

Ok, this is nice and cushy.

Yawn for the camera.

Smile for the camera.

I'm out.

Double Date

Last Thursday Zachary had a double date with Auntie Meredith and Auntie Hoolie (Julie). We met up with them for lunch. Zachary did what he does best. Sleep. Other than pictures, this was the first time either had seen Zachary. One word: smitten

He loves his Aunties (so does his mama).

First Day Out

Zachary had his first official day out on Tuesday after he came home. It was complete with a stroller ride and everything. We went to eat lunch at Moe's, sat outside and enjoyed the 80 plus degree weather, strolled down the sidewalk to Babies R Us and Best Buy. He was an absolute angel and did what he does best right now... sleep. He slept the whole time. It's rare we catch him with his eyes open.

"Look Ma, my eyes are open. I dig this stroller thing."

Told you. Didn't take long for those eyes to shut. The hand by the head action is something he did in my tummy. All of our ultrasound pics have him with his hand by his head.

Look at those skies. Lovely lovely day. Other than the sky, there is nothing of real significance in this pic.

Last but not least, our final destination - Best Buy. Zachary and I didn't stay long. We're not much on gadgets and such.

Homecoming

These are the only 2 pictures I got before the battery on my camera died. Arghh! Thankfully and gratefully Nonnie was there to hook us up. Andrew LOVES, loves, LOVES his little brother. I can tell when the little green monster hops on his shoulder, but all in all he wants to hold, kiss, touch and love on Zachary. He calls him his little knucklehead (You can thank Robbie for that one). No, my children aren't knuckleheads, but Robbie said it one day and now it has stuck.

Friends, it makes me want to cry every time I am around my boys. My heart is about to explode it's so happy and full. I've said it before and I'll continue to say it until I take my last breath. God is GOOD! Good like a scoop of Rocky Road ice cream, good like a sunny day at the beach, good like winning a million dollars tax free. Woo hoo! Revival tents will be set up immediately following this post.

Mini-Me and his twin, Itty Bitty Mini-Me

Already sick of the paparazzi

At the Playground Ya Know

So we aren't really at the playground, but it is a swing. I took these pics of Zachary while he was at WMC. I came in one day and lo and behold my little bugger was swinging. Of course I had to take a picture with my cell phone. Wanna know the #1 response I got back? Is that a car seat? Dangit! No, it's not a car seat! Little did I know a couple of days later Zachary would finally get the green light to adios WMC.

Yo Ho Yo Ho a Pirate's Life for Me

This is what happens when you leave your boys in the care of their father. Robbie got a new laptop for work and the tinkering around commenced.

Due Date

Today is our due date. Can't help but wonder what I could have done differently. The doctors have no idea and neither do I. At least I have a beautiful, healthy baby. Prayers answered.

Zachary is doing well. He's polar opposite of Andrew (for now at least). He sleeps well, travels well and for the most part is a calm and peaceful baby. I guess the NICU has humbled him greatly. As I write he's sleeping in his car seat. He's been asleep in it since 7:00pm. He's due to eat soon. Hopefully he'll wake up in a good mood.

I've got a ton of pictures to post, but I guess downloading them would be a start. He's met a lot of folks this week. Strangers stop to admire and gaze, which I can completely understand. It's not every day you see an incredibly cute preemie like Big Z. The first question is "How old is he?" and I know they are expecting me to say a couple of days to a couple of weeks. They don't quite know how to react when I say, "11 weeks." One day he's going to surprise us all when he's 6 feet tall and a star b-ball player for Duke.

Things Are...

So far, so good. Zachary appears to be on the same schedule he was on at WMC. He's a good eater (we still have our brady moments) and takes his time enjoying the nice, refreshing bottle we give him. He's still getting a few extra calories in his milk and Iron (with vitamins). That Poly Vi-Sol (Iron with Vitamins) is NASTY. It makes me want to yak. He must be immune to the taste because he takes it down. Poor guy.

We went to the doctor on Monday and he gained an ounce from Sunday, which is his usual weight gain per day. Maybe by Christmas we'll be up to a full term newborn weight. We'll have to go weekly for weight checks for a while. We have an eye appointment this morning at 9:30. Say a prayer that his eyes are getting better. The ped's office has ordered his Synagis (RSV) shot. He'll get one of those every 28 days. RSV season is upon us. The doctors and nurses could not stress the importance of hand washing/cleanliness and keeping anyone away that "may" be sick.

Nonnie stayed with us last night so we could get some solid sleep. It was nice to have consecutive hours of shut eye. Of course I still have to get up to pump, so consecutive for me isn't all that long, but I'll take what I can get. Zachary loves his Nonnie. She has a way with babies. We heart Nonnie!

Andrew loves his little brother. He constantly asks if he can "touch" him. He's getting used to washing his hands every time he feels the urge to "touch" Zachary. He also loves to kiss him on the head. He's had his moments of whining and pitching fits, but overall he's done quite nicely with the Big Brother role.

We had our first trip out in the nice, fresh air yesterday. I'll make that a whole new post. Zachary had a blast. He slept the whole time. Oh the life of a baby!

You've Come A Long Way Baby

Week One

Week 10

H.O.M.E

We are officially a family under one roof. Zachary was discharged at noon today and we've been relishing in the fun of being Mommy, Daddy and Big Brother to him. I'll post pictures of his homecoming tomorrow. For now I'm trying to get my mess together and get organized. Robbie and I are a little out of sorts since we've been parenting remotely for 10 weeks. Thankfully we remember how to change a diaper and actually have diapers and wipes.

Zachary is on a pretty good schedule. He eats every 4 hours (sometimes a little sooner) and goes to sleep shortly after eating. We have to give him extra calories in his milk so for now we'll be bottle feeding and I'll continue my love/hate relationship with the pump. I'm not ready to have him solely depend on me for all of his caloric intake. I don't want him to start losing what we've worked so hard to gain. Little man left WMC weighing 5 lbs 4 oz. Have I mentioned he is unbelievably cute and looks just like his big brother?!? God is so stinkin' good I can hardly stand it!

I'll post more of our homecoming. I'm trying to get things done that can't be done while 2 boys are awake.

Home Sweet Home

If all goes according to plan, Zachary will be leaving WMC on Sunday, October 12th and coming Home Sweet Home (his earthly one that is). My excitement is really hard to contain at this point.

We met with the DS yesterday. She confirmed what many of us already know... he's perfect, has great coordination and with a little time his eating will be perfect as well. She was impressed with his ability to lift his head and move it (side to side). As she put it, "He's a preemie and he's doing what preemies do. His swallowing and his sucking reflexes will catch up with e.o". She also informed us since Zachary was born under 1,000 grams we are eligible to have a DS follow up with us and provide services after we leave the hospital (maybe for a couple of years? I'll have to find out the terms). It will be nice to have an extra set of eyes on him and make sure he's progressing like he should.

Here's my favorite part of yesterday. Steve, the NP (love him!), came in to catch me up on the rounds that morning and the game plan. I asked him to please give me some good news. At first I thought I was going to get the same song and dance, but I didn't. He and Dr. Young felt that Zachary's bradys weren't too alarming. They could directly relate the bradys to the feeds and were confident I knew what to do and could tell when they were happening. They were also happy that the bradys were not occurring during sleep or completely random times with no connection to anything. We are thankful we don't fall into the completely random brady category. That being said, Steve said we could look to go home this weekend. Today (Friday) Zachary will endure a little more torture. He'll get the ol' circ. Ouch! Saturday Robbie and I get to room in with him at the hospital. Saturday will mark the day Zachary is free of ALL lines, cords, and machines that bonk and ding. Wanna do the math with me? On Saturday he will have been hooked to some sort of apparatus for 10 weeks 3 days = 74 days = 1,776 hours = 106,560 minutes = 6,393,600 seconds. He's not going to know what to do with himself. We can take him from side of the room to the next without pulling on anything. Pray things go smoothly. Steve said on Sunday we have 2 options: 1) Get up, sign papers and out the door we go in the a.m. or 2) Get up around 8:00ish, bring him back to the nursery, go home get showers, get things in order, rest up and come back in the afternoon to take him home. While part of me wants to get up at 6:00am and bolt the other part wants to get everything done before he comes home so that we have NO interruptions. I still need to get a few things in order.

I forgot to mention earlier this week Uncle Chris came back to see little man. His nurse, Andrea, had tears in her eyes when she told me about it. She said Uncle Chris has the touch and got Zachary to calm down and go to sleep. She said it was very obvious Zachary loves his Uncle Chris and that his Uncle Chris loves him. I already knew this, but it was nice for her to share and see for herself. I don't think Zachary knows just how much he is loved and how much he's been prayed for. It would blow his little mind!

I've got a lot to do between now and Sunday. Pray we have low key days before Sunday and nothing will keep us from going Home Sweet Home.

5 is the Magic Number

We need to be brady free for 5 days. Five.whole.days. We've made it one out of the 5 days. If we manage to make it 5 complete days with no bradys that will put us on Sunday. Is it possible that we'll come home this weekend or the latest Monday? I do hope so. I pray so.

Your homework: Pray for no bradys. We're going to claim it in the name of Jesus (right Arvella?)

Stats update

Wednesday, October 8th
Weight: 4 lbs 15 oz (one more oz and we're 5 whopping lbs)
Feeds: Bottle and Nursing
Bradys: None today - PTL
Desats: Couldn't tell ya... they removed the 02 sensor a couple of days ago

The DS was sick yesterday, but called today. She wants to make sure she's 100% better before coming in to see Zachary. Zachary's nurse today said meeting with the DS should not keep us from going home. Hopefully I'll catch up with the doc and NP tomorrow to go over the game plan. I brought the car seat down from the attic today. I'm using that as my good luck charm. I figure if I clean it up it only means Zachary will come home.

Shower Pics

I forgot to post these pictures. Here are some from my shower a few weeks ago. I know other folks took some. I'll try to wrangle the pics from them.

Another beautiful creation from Cinda.

Andrew peeking in on Zachary sleeping.

Diapers with peanuts

Transformed bassinet. My MIL made the bedding for it.

For Meredith

Puts it All in Perspective

Warning: This will make you cry. If you are very sensitive DO NOT read this blog.

Just when I think I've got it bad, I hear or read about someone else's struggles.

He Will Carry Me

Pray for this family. Pray.

Status Updates

I forgot to post Saturday, Sunday and Monday's statuses.

Saturday, October 4th
Weight: 4 lbs 12.5 oz
Feeds: Tube, Bottle, Nursing
Bradys: Guaranteed with the bottle
Desats: Very few

Sunday, October 5th
Weight: 4 lbs 13 oz
Feeds: See ya tube! Bottle or Nursing
Bradys: That blasted bottle!
Desats: Always with the bradys. They go in conjunction with e.o.

Monday, October 6th
Weight: 4 lbs 13 oz (well technically 4 lbs 12.8 oz, but I'm on the rounding up frame of mind)
Feeds: Tube (once), Bottle, Nursing
Bradys: None for me
Desats: Who knows??? They removed the O2 monitor!! YIPPEE!

I spoke to Zachary's nurse and little man did fine after I left with the remainder of his bottle AND he took a bottle for her with no problems. Wanna take a guess at how much he ate?? 90 mLs! That's almost 2 feedings worth at one time. She said she gave him his normal amount and he wasn't satisfied so she gave him 20 more at each time. He took it all and had NO problems taking it from a bottle. We need to see a DS why? Pish posh! My boy is a SUPASTAR!

Today started off as a good day. I called to check on Zachary and his nurse told me they removed the feeding tube last night. I was completely shocked since yesterday he was having a hard time with his feeds yesterday. Imagine my suprise and excitement when I learned he was tube free and had been for 24 hours. Imagine my disappointment today when I arrived at the hospital to find my precious buddy with a feeding tube. The NP greeted me at the door, told me about the feeding tube and then added that they wanted a Developmental Specialist to check him out this week. The DS is over at big Wake and will come over either Tuesday or Wednesday to see Zachary. She wants me to be there. I can honestly tell you I didn't hear anything after the words Developmental Specialist. Many scenarios ran through my mind. We've got the PT at Duke telling us Zachary is advanced and then we've got the NP at WMC wanting to have him evaluated for delays.

Zachary nursed today like a champ with no bradys. He also took a bottle from me and had no bradys. He did swallow a little too fast and coughed a bit, but he didn't lose his cool and brady. The nipple they had on his bottle is too big. I switched it out for the nipple they were using at Duke and he took his bottle with no spillage. I told his nurse and she was very surprised and proud of him. I asked her to make sure the next shift uses the same nipple for all feeds. I believe they've been trying to feed Zachary with a nipple that's not a good fit for him, which is causing him to choke, brady and work way too hard at eating thus leading to his poor feeding attempts.

I've given up hope for a homecoming this week. It makes me sad. I'm not sure how much more I can take. I know there are other families who have endured longer hospital stays. I'm not in any way trying to short their situations. One day to multiple days of ICN, TCN, SCN can bring a person to their knees. Wednesday marks 15 weeks of being in/visiting a hospital for me and 10 weeks for Zachary. It's time. I'm ready to go. Put a fork in me, I'm done.

Zachary's No Good, Terrible, Rotten Day, Part 2

Friday was a repeat of Thursday. I hate shots. I loathe them. Zachary received 2 more today and has one more to go tomorrow. His preemie thighs are having a hard time handling the needles. I'll be glad when tomorrow is over and he can recoop from the trauma. It looks like our homecoming might be delayed a few days too. We have to be tube free for at least 24 hours and as of now that doesn't look like it will happen any time soon.

Friday, October 3rd
Weight: 4 lbs 13.5 oz
Feeds: More tube feeding than I'd like
Bradys: Each feeding it seems - if not feed via tube
Desats: One here and there

Minivan Mama

I am proud to announce I am now a Minivan Mama. We traded in the Pilot on an Odyssey. I am a happy, happy girl.

Zachary's No Good, Terrible, Rotten Day

Boo those dern shots! My sweet litle guy got 2 of his 5 shots last night. He developed a fever as a result and was restless and cranky today. I hate seeing him in pain. He also hasn't pooped in over 24 hours, so you know his tummy is feeling just fantastic. I hope they fix that tonight. At least he's on Tylenol for the pain.

He did nurse today when I went to the hospital, which is good. His tube went back in this morning at 5:00am. I so hate those tubes!

I hope tomorrow is a better day for Zachary. Five more days until Tuesday. Will that be the magic day or will we be forced to stay a little longer?

Thursday, October 2nd
Weight: 4 lbs 11 oz
Feeds: I'd rather not talk about it
Bradys: At least one with each feed
Desats: Same as bradys

Don't Tease

Master Zachary Ryan Perry tentatively announces his graduation from the SCN on Tuesday, October 7, 2008.

I could cry I'm so happy!

The doctor came in to do rounds while we were visiting. Zachary being the lil bugger he is pulled his tube out again today. So far he's been tube free all day. Hopefully he'll continue to do well with his feeds and they won't need to put it back in. The doctor is ok with the tube being out AND said if he continues down the right path we could be heading out of here by Tuesday (I'm even happy with Wednesday). Quote, "If you have any redecorating to do you might want to go ahead and get it done." Dr. Young, I love you!

We also have an eye exam on Tuesday. Pray for progress.

On tap for the week: Shots, shots and shots

Tuesday, September 3oth
Weight: 2069 grams (4 lbs 9 oz) - we are gaining an ounce a night
Feeds: Nursing, Bottle, NG tube - we are 50% NG tube and 50% Bottle/Breast
Bradys: Couple
Desats: None