The things we have realized...

Beyond realizing how cute Weston is and how wonderful it truly is to have him home, we have realized that our experience in the NICU has many silver linings:
(1) We gained a lot of knowledge from being around doctors and nurses for 27 days.  We learned tricks as far as eating, burping, and general behavior.  At one point when Weston was learning how to eat from a bottle we met with a speech therapist and she taught us how to recognize when Weston needs to burp and whether or not he still has a burp left to push out.
(2) Our "newborn" came home on a set schedule for eating.  Due to the fact that nurses have more than one baby, they have to feed the babies on a schedule and essentially that was every 3 hours.  SO, when Weston came home we continued that 3 hour schedule and have since moved him to every 4 hours--can you say awesome for us?  It's really quite nice because I think we are getting way more sleep than most new parents who bring home a newborn. (We are reminding ourselves constantly that this isn't normal.)
(3) Overall, we just feel more comfortable as parents because we were able to practice so much in front of people who could give us advice.

As far as Weston is doing--he's doing great!  We have seen the doctor twice since bringing him home and he continues to grow and do well.  As of February 16th, he was 7 lbs and 2 ounces and 20 inches long!  It's hard to believe that he was 2.5 lbs smaller when he was born.  It's even harder to believe that he was born almost 6 weeks ago!  We know that he is small for his age (heck, he's the size of a regular newborn) but he is making such great progress and that's all that matters!  :)

Here are some photos from the past week:

Here's KJ getting as close as she's allowed to Weston one afternoon.  We are still working through some jealousy issues but she's doing pretty good with him.

Jealousy in full effect here.  I guess it's a good thing that the activity mat gets love even when Weston isn't on it!  :)

Here's Weston sporting some more propaganda for dad.  This great onesie and blanket were gifts (Thanks Dawn and Blend'r!) and Weston looks quite good in the onesie (from Peanut Gallery Girls on Etsy).

Here's Weston being "palmed" by Uncle Sig--check out his hand wrapped around Weston's head! 

Andrew captured this and I have to say these are some of my favorite moments.  I am soaking them in as I know they won't last for long.  I felt guilty the first few days about doing this rather than taking advantage of his sleeping time but now I have said "screw the house work" and enjoy the sweetness!

Birthday shout out to Grandma Stolee

It's a busy birthday week for Weston--he has been recovering from that other lady (Hey You) and here it is Grandma Stolee's birthday!  Here are some photos of him sharing his birthday wishes, Grandma.  He can't wait to meet you and share his quality "gifts" with you in less than 2 weeks!

It's kind of hard to read Weston's shirt, but it says, "I heart G-mom!" :)  

Here's your first born and our furry child (who also can't wait to meet you)--they are excited to celebrate your birthday as well!  KJ was jumping for joy and Andrew just happened to catch her!

This is how your oldest "child" and first grandson are celebrating now after a long night of ringing in your birthday!  Weston started partying shortly after the clock rolled to February 16th as he knew it was a party day!

Andrew says, "Congratulations on turning 95--the actual age of a grandma!"  

Happy, happy birthday Mom/Becky/Grandma!

Happy Birthday Lady Who Can't Come Up with a Name!

Today is Kendra's Mom's birthday and it is a celebration of the XX anniversary of her 39th birthday (as Kendra was brain-washed to say).  We are pretty sure that if we gave the right anniversary, we might be mean-mugged all the way from Seattle and gray skies would be sent our way!  SO, Happy Birthday Mom/Gay/Name you have yet to decide*!
Weston wanted to send some special photos your way to celebrate:

Oh no!  What do I say to you?  How do I wish you Happy Birthday?  I have to learn this skill!

Oops, looks like I just wished you a happy birthday in the only way I know how---it's kind of smelly!  :)

*So, as my mom can't come up with a name, we don't know what to call her.  Now, even though she can't come up with a name, it doesn't mean she hasn't attempted some names.  In October she was trying out the name "Empress" with my best friend's kids.  Now, they thought it was all fun and Claire even adopted the title Princess to help the Empress out, but somehow, I don't think that will stick.  As well, I suggested GG, but nothing has stuck and so we might just train Weston on calling her "Hey You!" :)

Here's Weston and Hey You when she just happened to have a plane ticket to visit Andrew and I but Weston made his surprise arrival (he wanted to join the party).  He was still under the tanning lights and we only got to hold him for a few minutes as we were being stingy (or maybe it was just me) with our time to hold him!

Weston is ONE Month today

Today marks Weston's one month "birth" day.  Strange that this is still 19 days before his due date!  We think he's doing pretty good and we are just happy to have him in our lives!

KJ Trying to Find Her Place

So, as was expected, we have had to try and slowly introduce Weston to KJ.  Afterall, she has been our sole "child" since we brought her home at the end of October.  For the first few weeks while we were house training her, ALL of our attention was on her as we jumped up and down trying to make sure she didn't have any accidents in the house.  We sort of expected her to be at least another month old before having to deal with these introductions, but we are so proud (as doggy parents, of course) of how patient she is being.  She has her moments but mostly she is being very good and just wants to kiss him.  She does not quite know how to control her paws and wants to get those on him but otherwise just seems interested. (Is this anything like it is with a toddler at home when you bring another baby home?)
Here are some photos of KJ trying to find her place from the last few days though.  We have hopes of truly trying to get their photo together one day soon!

I think that KJ here is auditioning for her role as a Boppy.  If you will notice the pillow-thing that Weston is reclining in below, you will see that KJ has taken great care in mimicking that and is obviously volunteering her duties as replacement Boppy! 

We are not quite sure if we caught KJ being a protector or a predator?  The first night we brought Weston home, I woke up to KJ staring IN at Weston through the mesh-siding of the pack'n'play which Andrew thinks means that she was sizing him up for eating.  I choose to think she is just being his protector!  Let's hope so!

Finally, this is KJ's most pitiful pose to date.  We had just finished playing with Weston on his mat (he loves this, by the way--Thanks Nonny!) and as soon as we picked him up, KJ was there.  Notice how she was playing to the camera to make all of you feel sorry for her?  She just wants to be involved in the action, I guess.  One day she and Weston can hang here together hopefully!  

Weston Comes Home!!!!

Sorry for the long delay between posts, but times have been hectic and busy lately.  See below...

Weston finished his countdown week of monitoring fantastically.    He has been eating plenty and continues to put on the weight.

During our last week of observation we learned how to give Weston a bath.  When his hair is squeeky clean it is very blonde, as you can see here while Kendra is burping him.

Not only is his hair blonde, but his cheeks are getting chubby!

He still has a soft side for his mommy.

Here's another picture to showcase his blonde hair.  He's yawning not crying here (thank goodness).

Prior to being discharged, we spent the night in the hospital to "room-in" and allow the nurses to monitor our ability to provide for Weston prior to coming home.  As soon as they hinted that we would be discharged Monday morning we got everything ready to leave.  Here's a picture of Weston dressed up in real baby clothes with NO WIRES and ready to go home in the balmy 50 degree Vegas weather.

By the time we were discharged it had warmed up to 65 degrees and we found out Weston doesn't mind his car seat or riding in the car.  

Dad is still a little suspicious of his new roommate.  This new guy doesn't even pay rent!

Here's Weston in his new G-diapers on a new blanket marking his first day with some new blocks.  Thanks!

Weston has adjusted well to his new home.  KJ is still learning to adjust to her new roommate.   She is accustomed to being the center of attention, as displayed here when trying to take a picture of Weston playing.  She has gotten better every day and has learned to share the spotlight with her new sibling.

Weston's arrival meant Dad immediately began spreading propaganda through clothing.    In case you can't tell from the picture, Weston's "Daddy Rocks" and Weston's first words will be "Skol Vikings!"

Working his way to be the next 6 million dollar man!

We got the first set of hospital statements for Weston yesterday and enjoyed reading through how much the hospital is charging our insurance (may we please take a moment and say "Thank goodness for Mr./Mrs. Insurance!") and Weston has racked up a $15,000 bill through January 24th! So, we figure he might be somewhere around a $30,000 baby when his stay is all said and done--who said you don't put prices on loved ones?!? Actually, we know there is no price that we could place on the care that Weston has gotten over the last (almost) 4 weeks. If that bill covers the nurses and doctors, then we are fully supportive of the price (and more)!
Until his discharge, we will just cheer him on as the government continues to pay for him to be the next 6 million dollar man!
(Hallelujah for not having to pay these expenses!)