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Happy Memorial Day and thanks to the many who have served our country so faithfully with valor and courage. We had a nice day visiting with family at the lake. It was warm, but the shade provided some comfort along with a fan. We hope that you all had a great weekend, and enjoyed some time to yourself or with some family and/or friends.

Bloggin' @ 2am...

Okay, so I am officially fed up with APRIA home infant monitors. It is 2 am and I am awake not because my child is crying and upset due to hunger pains, a wet/dirty diaper, but his monitor has gone off about 10 or so times in the last 15 minutes. So, while I am waiting for a technician to call me back within the hour or so I am venting my frustration about this goofy machine. I know I keep complaining and really I probably should be grateful to have it, but seriously...can a girl and her guy get some relief? Are we expecting too much to want to just sleep 3 hours straight while our child does? I hope the tech has some help for me or I feel sorry for them, because I have potential to be crazy with lack of sleep and no relief in sight. I guess I could have a bigger problem and I should count the blessings...I suppose that since I am capable of realizing that then I am sane enough to not lash out at the tech when they call. Maybe I should spend the next few minutes praying for the tech who calls. Wow, it is amazing what a little typing can do for one's soul. I feel somewhat calmed down after this blogging release. Thanks for the help. Maybe after the trip to the lake today we will post some pics of the "baby boy."

My Snuggle bugs

Oh what a night...

So last night was one of those "two steps forward and 3 steps back" kind of nights. We had a few good nights in a row and then last night was not so great! Truth be told, Taft isn't the problem...the feedings are not the problem...it is the stupid and obnoxious apnea monitor that goes off for no reason. Well, I guess it has a reason, but not for the right reason. It is LOUD and seems to go off right when we finally get the little guy still and peaceful. I hope for the monitor's sake that Taft only has to wear it for a few more weeks, because if not then I fear I will throw it across the room and break it. I haven't taken very many pics, but probably will have some excuses this weekend, but here is a picture of Eric and Taft that I snagged the other night. Eric sure loves this "baby boy" and enjoys a good snuggle.

A month ago Today

One month ago today I was in labor and delivering Taft who is affectionately known as "baby boy" around our house. I have decided over and over again that I do not miss being pregnant and I am glad that the labor and stuff is over. Taft has been home for a little over two weeks and I think that we are starting to get into a routine. It may be a while before he cuts out a middle of the night feeding, but if he cont. to sleep for 3 hours at a time then I am content with that for a little longer. He is really a bright eyed baby when he is awake, but still sleeps a whole lot. It is so fun for me to watch Eric with Taft. I knew that Eric would be a great dad, but wasn't quite sure how he would do while Taft was/is an infant. He has definitely done well and he loves the infant stage more than he even thought he would. We (Taft and I) do a lot of snuggling during the day and I absolutely love it. Well, at one month I don't think that they are expected to have accomplished anything, but the fact that they have lived for a month, but happy one month of living to you Taft. We sure love you!

Can one become?

So, this post is going to be a question that I need an answer to. I do not want to be one of those paranoid mom's, but I also want to be informed and know what the possibilities are before I start dialing the pediatrician's office. So, I ask...what makes a baby scream its head off when it isn't hungry, wet or looking like they are sleepy? The obvious reason...GAS. So, I gave him some mylicon drops, but they were not quite the "miracle" or "live saver" I thought they would be. Any ideas to what I can do to calm my child when it is late, I am tired, I think he is tired and he is apparently in pain? Is he all of a sudden allergic to my milk? He doesn't seem to want to stop eating. Do babies know when a certain thing (like milk) is causing them discomfort and then respond appropriately as to not desire that particular thing? well, I hope you all have some answers, advice, etc for me, because I can't seem to figure out how to comfort Taft and he seems to be having this issue a little bit more each day.

Who knew?

Wow! I guess everyone but me....
I knew that I would not get as much sleep as I was used to, well, not even close to what I am "used" to, but to not sleep but in 15-45 minutes increments for two nights in a row...well Taft is going to kill me or send me into a serious sleep deprived hysteria. I think that he is not sure when night and day are because he spent so long in the NICU. Eric was very helpful in trying to get Taft as comfortable as possible. In the ICU they had his cribette at a slant and usually had him nestled inside a long skinny U-shaped bean bag to keep him from rolling over. So, Eric propped his bassinet (pack and play) up on two can of vegetables and used a towel to create the bean bag effect. I think it worked because last night Taft slept a lot better. He was still up a bit, but not like the night before. Yesterday was his 1st Dr.'s appt with Dr. Worley. Of course it was scheduled at the convenient time of 11 a.m. when he was supposed to nurse. So, after the appt and the wait for a bmp (basic metabolic panel) to check his sodium levels I was seriously wondering if I would make it anywhere to nurse or pump fast enough for everyone to not wonder why I had two wet spots on my shirt. I have learned that I need to wear the lightest colors possible and to schedule appts for times other than feeding time. Taft's appt went well and he is now 8 lbs. 5 oz and 21 1/2 in long. He has grown 1/2 and inch and gained 13 ounces. Well, I guess he has gained more than that because he lost down to 7lbs. 4 oz. Anyways, the point is...he is growing although I am not sure where he is packing his weight, because he is so skinny to me. He is nursing well and I am thankful for that. So, I am sure in due time he will fatten up. Dr. Worley said that Taft will probably be on his apnea monitor for at least a month and maybe two. I would have never believed that one person would need so much luggage. You should have seen me trying to get Taft into the Dr.'s office by myself. It was ridiculous...He was in his infant carrier, then comes the monitor, my purse and the folder with his information from the hospital. I didn't even bring in the diaper bag because I was too overcome with bags and such. Well, Taft is a joy and I feel so fortunate to have him home! Thanks again for all the prayers, love and support!

Home At Last.....

Taft made it home yesterday afternoon! He was discharged with an apnea monitor to help us know if his lungs are functioning to a high enough capacity. Last night was a night with no alarms. I realized for the first time what pure exhaustion is from the night before. The neonatologist required that I room in with Taft one night before he came home. I stayed at the hospital in a L& D room with Taft in his crib next to me. He was hooked up to the hospital monitors and the apnea monitor that I was going to bring him home with. Well, the hospital monitor for whatever reason kept going off saying that his heart rate was really low or non existent. But, his oxygen saturation and respirations were great! It was so strange, and I probably don't have to say that it woke me up every time it went off. I think 15 minutes was the most amount of sleep I got consecutively that night and not just because of the alarms. I didn't pump before I came to the hospital thinking that I would nurse him when I got there, but the nurse had fed him just about 45 min. or so before, so needless to say without my pump there I got so engorged I couldn't get comfortable at all. WOW...I would have never guessed a few hours would make someone so miserable. Last night was good though, because I got like 4 1/2 hours of sleep between feedings one time. YEA! Well, I know I am supposed to sleep when he does, so I am off for a nap, but I wanted you all to know that we appreciate your prayers on his behalf and the love, concern and support you all have given and give you an update on his progress.

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FINALLY.......PICTURES!

Here are the long awaited pictures for you all to see. I apologize for not being very dependable in getting these on here. Hope you enjoy him from afar as we are...

Day of Disappointment

Today has been one disappointment after another....
We woke up to rain....not a real problem because it hasn't rained in weeks here, but it was to us because we were supposed to have a guy spread some dirt and grade out some of our property to make it mowable. However, we were still really pumped up about today because Taft was scheduled to come home. I called the hospital at 10 am to check and see if his labs were all good and it was a go. YEA!!! Got to the hospital at 12:30 and he couldn't come home, because his oxygen saturation dropped to the 80's. UGH!!! are you kidding me? I lost it...how was I supposed to call my husband and tell him that his son was still not coming home? Well, I couldn't...my mom had to do it for me. Dr. Raval ordered another chest x-ray to check and see why it was still dropping...his lungs look so much better but there is still some atelectasis (collapsing of the lungs) on the right and left side. So, when he goes into a deep sleep and breathes shallow it doesn't allow for enough oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange causing his oxygen saturation to drop. So, they are upping the dosage of his diuretic and they did a barium swallow to check for reflux. Reflux apparently can cause some issues. We will have to see what it tells us, but at any rate his is not coming home without an apnea (breathing) monitor when he gets to come home. Sorry for not posting pictures...time got away from me....I will eventually get them on here!

mmm....Room Air

Yesterday we arrived to the NICU to find that Taft was Oxygen free. He was rid of the nasal cannula and breathing true room air. Dr. Raval said that if his saturations stayed up then he could come home tomorrow (Monday). What sweet music to our ears. He will be coming home on some medicine (a mild diuretic) to continue to excrete fluid, but I am up for the challenge of dispensing a medication, or at least I am ignorant enough about motherhood that I think I am ready! His lungs are still somewhat inflamed and so I will not be taking him places for a while just to make sure he isn't subjected to too many things. My understanding is that he is more susceptible to RSV and other upper respiratory infections for a little while, so if you see us and I bluntly ask you to bathe is purell, wash your hands and/or other requests that might seem unreasonable it is the mother hen in me that is protecting her chick. It is funny the things that you start to decide you are not going to do and what you don't want others to do...for example, NO kissing his mouth or hands. Sounds awfully restrictive, huh? Well, his mouth to other people's mouths...well, since I work in the oral field I have seen way too much to want anyone kissing my child on the mouth...family or not! And, the reason for the hands? Because he loves his hands in his mouth already and that defeats the whole purpose of not kissing him on the mouth to begin with...I officially realize that I am a crazy new mom and I am so okay with it!:) For those of you expecting pictures with this post....I will post again after church okay!? He is even cuter without the nasal cannula...Stay tuned....

Something new and something old

I know that the phrase really goes something new, something blue and something borrowed and that it is for weddings, but.....
Since Taft is of the male gender we have our blue by nature...but yesterday he did something new and gave us something "used"...
When we got there at feeding time as we try to do daily since we don't get to have him at home, the nurse was checking all his vitals, giving meds, etc. She was a new nurse that we hadn't seen before, but had heard her name mentioned from one of the other nurses as a nurse that was working on her lactation specialist certification. Anyways, she was great, but did exactly what I feared most...."Since it is feeding time, would you like to put him to breast?" AGHHH!!! I really wanted to attempt that in the privacy of my own home so that I wouldn't be embarrassed if Taft didn't latch on the first time. I have just been feeding him my breast milk from a bottle this whole time and was somewhat concerned that he might be used to the bottle and not be interested in the actual thing that produces the goods for him. The nurse said that he absolutely loves the breast milk, because it only takes him about 2 minutes to down it from the bottle and about 6 or so with the formula. Yea Taft....okay so back to the something new. After a privacy shade was put up the nurse helped me get Taft into position and guess what....the boy latched on and through snores managed to get some nutrition from his mother. I was definitely excited to see that he can latch on and appears that he will manage to do so even when we get him home. So, on to the something used....Before I fed him we were just watching the nurse do her thing and all of a sudden there was some serious noise and wind and yes....Taft ripped a man size fart and I thought it was hilarious. As most of you know....I laugh almost anytime someone farts out loud and most of the time uncontrollably. I am not sure if you call gas used but to me it is kind of used Or old:)! We got a few new pictures, too and as soon as I can force myself to search for my USB port/cable I will download them to my computer and post them....Eric has some favorites he is ready for me to post! Sorry for the delay in pictures....we are working on it!