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!)

Tube Free, 5 lb Baby!

We hit some milestones in the past week--Weston became a real looking baby when his tube was taken out on Thursday AND he has packed on the pounds and is now above the 5 lb mark!  He is currently gaining about 2 oz a day and on full feeds plus some extra!

Here's what Weston's board looked like last Thursday--wahoo for 5 lbs, 1 oz!  

Ahh, we can now see both sides of his face!  Those red marks went away within a day.

Rocking the bottles!  He was told that he had to take a minimum of 46 mL each feeding and he has crushed that by taking an average of 50-55 each feeding and today took 70 mL three feedings in a row--can we say growth spurt?  

Happy Mom with a real baby!  :)

Funny-faced Weston!

See, BA Chalker, I do cry every now and then!

Proud Dad!

"What?!? You taking MY picture?"

Ugh!  Sleeping is such a rough way to spend most of my day!

Crib pictures

Here is Weston's new digs.  He was able to maintain his body temperature inside his old isolete without any help from the incubator portion on Friday, 20 January, and upgraded to a crib on Saturday.  He is still hooked up to the monitor for heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation.  

He seems to enjoy his new situation and sleeps quite soundly.

Here Weston is sporting a lovely outfit that was a gift from the 433rd.  Thanks!  The snaps work great to help keep the cords in place and provide easy access in case his leads move.

Weston has been doing well on his nipple feeds when he is awake.   I think it might have something to do with his sweet hat!

 Here Andrew is burping little Wes.  He is continuing to improve in his belch vocalization in training for going to the cabin soon.

The typical bottle feeding view.  The last couple days he has been nipple feeding twice in a row for us while we visit.  He has been dominating the first feeding, but takes a little coaxing to finish the second.  As he continues to eat, grow, and develop, he will have more stamina in reserve to crush all of his feedings.

When it rains, it pours!

Okay, that might be a little dramatic but we are seeing signs that KJ may be a little jealous of Weston. After going to the vet on Friday for her eye, her symptoms grew into swollen ears, bright red, splotchy skin and middle of the night vomiting sessions! Really?!? Truly, we feel bad for her and although she tries to warn us if she can, our carpets are getting a fresh cleaning before Weston comes home for sure now! They are doing X-rays (I am currently in the vet's office) to make sure that she hasn't ingested anything foreign. If not, then they will give her an antihistamine in her muscle along with anti-nausea meds to protect the carpet. I sure hope something helps because she looks so disappointed in herself when she makes a mess in the house--it is pitiful.
In Weston news, he is out of the incubator and controlling his own body heat like a champ! They are no longer limiting his food intake so now he can eat as much as he wants but as we are still battling to keep him awake to eat from a bottle; we are just happy for him to get the 42 mL that he has to get to "pass." They have scaled back to bottle feeding every other feed as he just seemed to be exhausting himself trying them all along with getting moved into a crib. Along with getting moved into a crib, he did have an "A" incident yesterday where he forgot to breathe while sleeping and the nurse had to jiggle him to remind him. Although we want Weston to eventually earn A's, doing so in the NICU is not ideal. This unfortunately means that at a minimum he will be camped out in there for another 7 days from yesterday. Andrew said he expected something like this, I did not and had to put my big girl panties on and deal. I logically get that his body is more taxed being out of the incubator, but I hate that it automatically means 7 more days for sure. He still has to bottle feed all feeds for 48 hours and although I know that was going to take some time, the 7 days just sticks in my mind--as I told Andrew, I can always hope that we will get the phone call telling us a day in the next week. The weekend has given us a turn as we can hold him whenever we want and for as long as we want now that he is in the crib and that makes our stays with him much more exciting than just being in contact with him at feeding time.
More later with pictures to show off Weston and probably KJ. I am just now leaving the vet without a puppy as they need to give her fluids and take more X-rays to be sure. Let's hope her medical day lets her know that she really doesn't need to compete with Weston on hospital stays!

Weston is wearing clothes

Weston has been progressing with his feeds and is now digesting his full amount.    Digesting more food has started to wear out little Weston, and so he doesn't nipple feed as often as he was before.  This is an expected outcome and not necessarily a set back.  The more food he digests, the quicker he'll grow, and the quicker he'll have the energy to nipple feed all the time.

Here's Weston cashing out after a feeding.  The tape across his face is there because he keeps trying to pull his feeding tuve off his face.  Kendra wanted to draw a mustache on it, but it's pretty thin tape and I didn't think we wanted him to start off his life sniffing markers.  He's wearing a hospital dinosaur outfit, but is sporting a sweet beanie-cap made especially for him by Echo (Thanks!)

The nurses are trying to ween Weston off the incubator in the isolete and prepare him to move to a crib.  This means he gets to wear clothes and gets wrapped up while still hooked up to all the monitors.  As long as he is maintaining his temperature without any additional heat from the isolete, he should be in a crib by the end of the weekend.

In the meantime, KJ has been jealous of us spending so much time at the hospital and decided her right eye should swell up and she should start itching much more than normal.  We took her to the veterinarian Friday evening and it turns out she has some sort of allergic conjunctivitis in her eyes.  Now she gets to take a benadryl and get gel drops in her eyes every 12 hours for a week to feel better.

The Good Stuff (Pictures of Weston)

Here are a few shots of Weston: 

We took this right as we were leaving on Sunday.  I think he was showing us how relaxed and ready he was for a nice nap under the tanning bed.  That, or he was making sure to evenly tan his armpits!

 

Here he is sweetly sleeping.  We think it's funny that he has already figured out how to use his hands as pillows.  Even funnier is that his dad sleeps very much like this.  Either he has figured out the pillow thing or, like his dad, he realizes this drowns out mom and her nagging!  :)

Here he is on Tuesday (1/17/12) actively paying attention to being spoken to.  When he is awake (fully awake, that is) he is very good at tracking our faces and voices. 

Still Making Progress

Weston is still making progress and is headed in the right direction.  They have been steadily increasing his food amount (he is receiving breast milk that I am pumping and keeping in the NICU) and they have also increased his nippling attempts to all feeds if he is awake.  He did very well the first few days and was taking almost every other meal through the bottle but then as his body is working to digest and do more, he is tuckering out a little more and even though he is taking more food, they are sometimes electing to feed him through the tube.  They have told us that babies at Week 34 (which he hit yesterday) tend to sleep a lot more and they become more alert and have longer wake periods when they hit Week 35 so we are anxiously awaiting that so that he will hopefully take all his food through the bottle.  We may see it before Week 35 as Weston has been described as being more "mature" than most babies his age (he obviously gets that from his mom--err, maybe a distant relative?) but we will just be happy when he hits that point!  Yesterday his IV was removed and it was so nice to see all four major limbs without a needle through them!  He has no needles just leads that measure his vitals now!  Wahoo!

Although we are used to seeing him in there, it is getting harder for us to leave him at all.  We know he is getting good care, but my impatience is certainly beginning to show and Andrew has been a wonderful rock through it all.  For those who know me well, emotions are not my best as I don't tend to show them--well, at least not the sappy emotions so Weston is certainly giving me a taste of what I have been missing at times.  I just keep reminding myself that it's not here to stay and it's probably the hormones anyways!  :)  I told Andrew the other day that I couldn't wait to have the experience of meeting him at the door with a crying baby and handing Weston off to Andrew and saying "Here!  You try!"  Sort of crazy, I know, but at least he would be home, right?

Here's a checklist of what is posted by Weston's bedside showing what he has to do:

For now, we know that we have 2 of these checked off.  He is gaining weight; he was 11 grams away from being at the "discharge weight" on Tuesday night.  And, of course, we are ready for him!  We are thinking we may see the crib stage soon as his temperature has been quite good the last few days and as he is digesting more food, he is able to work on keeping his own temperature up and thus can be in a crib and out of that hot house they have him in.  Fingers crossed that we see that soon!

I have more pictures to post but for now the computer isn't cooperating so hopefully I will get those up soon as I know you want to see more than a checklist!  :)