Everyone is doing GREAT!

Myles and Elliott are adjusting fine to the new addition. Actually, Myles was a little sad yesterday morning because the baby wasn't up in the morning to see him off to school. And he made a comment to Elliott that she is lucky because she gets to see the baby all day and he only gets to see him in the morning and evening after school. Elliott of course is all over the baby all day. So it's been quite a challenge teaching Elliott the etiquette of holding, touching, seeing, and playing with a new baby! She really likes to touch him and hold him! And Myles is starting to come around - at first he just wanted to see the baby, but now he wants to touch and talk to the baby. Last night Myles even read the baby a book. As for Dane his is so alert when he's awake, his eyes get so big and he just looks around! And thankfully he is staying on the NICU schedule so he's eating fairly regulary at every three hours (I guess one positive about being in NICU is bringing home a baby on a schedule, of course I know this can change at any moment). And he's a good eater. I remember bringing my other two home and having absolutely NO schedule, they'd eat every hour and at inconsistent times. We are just so happy to be home!

Oh what a great day!!! Dane is HOME!!!!!

Yesterday, we got word Dane might come home today..... however, I didn't want to get my hopes ups until I actually signed the discharge papers! Which did happen just a few hours ago.... so excited. We are now all home and happy! The kids were beside themselves with joy, Elliott has not taken her hands off him! And surprisingly the baby is still sleeping after an hour of poking and prodding of the kiddos! I for sure feel much relief knowing he is home with us and we can now be our NEW family. And he is on an Apnea monitor for at least two weeks when he is sleeping/napping, so we do have that extra sense of security! So thank you for all your prayers and support. I cannot wait to share this precious boy with each and every one of you, he is simply beautiful and the perfect addition to our home!

Another day! Danes has gone 48 hours without any 'episodes.' So hopefully news will be good in the morning for discharge. I am full of fear each morning as I drivet o the hospital that I something will happen overnight. I am so ready (only if he is truly ready, too) for baby Dane to come home. Today was a great day for Seth and the kids - they spent most of the day outsdide hunting frogs and jumping on the trampoline. Seth is such a great distraction for the kids, he is a kid himself and enjoys the frog hunting and jumping just as much as the do.

On a side note.... I have been able to work on a few things for Project Scrapbook, your newsletter is coming soon with lots of updates! Also, I do have a couple new layouts I hope to post soon.

Baby Dane is such a handsome guy!

Saturday, March 21st. Dane is making such great progress, let's hope he stays on the upswing. He is not longer on the billy blanket (for jaundice). He was born at 6 lbs 12oz and went down to 6lbs 4oz, however, he is now over 6lbs 5 oz. He is eating well - better than either child of mine during the first few weeks of breastfeeding. The nurses have him (as they do all the other babies in the NICU) on a tight schedule where he eats every three hours - I so hope he stays on this schedule when he comes home! As for coming home, still up in the air. He has gone 24 hours without any 'episodes' or alarms. So that is a good thing! According to the nurses, they like to have them 'episode' free for 3-5 days! It is quite challenging juggling the back n forth between home and the hospital for feedings and quality time with Dane. I was thrilled today when I went and he was up for an entire hour!!! He was so alert and his eyes wide open - I ws a little bummend I had no one to share this moment with, so I got out my camera and snapped a quick little video, so it's almost like everyone was there with me! Enjoy! I must share this quick story, yesterday I shared a video with the kids of baby Dane, and Myles made the comment 'so he's not dead.' I was jaw dropping amazed at the comment. I never realized that this type of thought might be in him little head! I was so thankful to share the movie with the kids just for this reason, to share that he is a real being! Both kids were in complete awe of the movie with huge smiles on their faces and wide eyes looking at the video.

I guess it's time to be realistic...

It may be next week before baby gets to come home... as sad as it makes me it's truly what is best for baby. They now say his irregular breathing is signs of immaturity... so luckily he'll grow out of hit. But unlucky for us, he still needs to be in the NICU. And when he is fortunate enough to come home, they will send us home with a monitor. And we did get some quality time today with the eyes open and lots of snuggling. Actually I have been with him a full 24 hrs now, and it's been great. However, there are the other two hooligans at home that miss me and I miss them! Thankfully my parents have been a tremendous help and Seth has been with me quite a bit at the hospital. He's eating like a champ, so I can relax a little bit. The nurses now have a freezer full of milk supply for Dane in case I miss a feeding! Let's just hope that each day Dane gets stronger in his breathing patterns and will get to come early next week (this weekend by pure miracle).

Another night...

This morning I woke up actually feeling like a new mom - tired ands sleep deprived! Dane had to spend another night in NICU, but this time I got to stay, too. They have a private room off the unit and he was even able to room in with me! It almost felt like having a real baby in a real home (minus the wires I have to fight with each time I feed him and change his diaper). And since he has monitors for his breathing, heart and oxygen, the night was full of beeps - nothing major - and of course each time he made a sound I leaped up to his side. Total, I think I got about 3 hours of sleep! Oh well, at least I did get to spend the night with him! We should have an update this morning on his status.

It may be another day.

Dane has been doing great since his arrival in NICU... and of course I leave last night with the nurses/dr.s saying as long as he has a good night he'll get to come home today. Well to our luck, he had an 'episode' as they like to call it and may have to stay another night for monitoring. He has a low breathing/heart rate when he's sleeping and at one point last night his oxygen dropped, so that was his 'episode' as the nurses call it. And so they may choose to keep him another day or two for monitoring. Will keep you posted on any new details.