April 11, 2009

Photoshoot Progressive Meltdown...

April 10, 2009

Braden teaching his brother all about airplanes and cars!

Blake's first trip outside. It was pretty beautiful so I tried out my new wrap and we went out to watch the boys hit some balls!

Braden is in a t-ball league this summer so Chris is teaching him the ropes! Looks like we have a lefty hitter on our hands!

Getting ready for his first bath at home - he can't believe his eyes :)

He is so calm during bath time - he really likes it!

April 09, 2009

Ok, so for those of you who don't know - this Elmo is one of Braden's must haves (along with Mizzou Pillow and Mater Blankie) it is one of his most prized possessions (no matter how ugly it might be!). Today Blake was fussing in his chair and Braden voluntarily let Blake use Elmo because he was upset - it was just about the cutest thing!!

I guess I have to mention that today is my Birthday too...

The big 30! I have to say that I had the best birthday a girl could ask for! ALL of my boys home with me...morning coffee, flowers, big hugs and loves and getting kidnapped by some great friends for manicures, pedicures and a margarita! Thank you guys - and thank you Chris for a wonderful day and letting me go (and sleep through most of the nights feedings!!)

April 08, 2009 - Oh Happy Day!!!

GRADUATION DAY!!!

After 68 days in the NICU and over 3 months (including bedrest) of going to the hospital EVERY single day...

They finally kicked us out!!!

Blake graduated weighing 4 lbs 2 oz and measuring 14.5 inches long!!

He came home with NO oxygen or monitors - and only medication for his Hypothyroidism and vitamins.

Braden finally got to see AND touch his little brother, no glass barrier today!, - it was priceless!

Daddy carried him outside for the very first time!!

Mommy and her boys together at last!!!

I finally got my FAMILY picture!! (and no we didn't plan on coordinating quite so nicely!)

On the way home! Braden kept teaching Blake all kinds of things... "Blake, that is called a hotel. This is called a road. That is a truck." This continued at home too - it was too darn cute!

Jill couldn't stay away too long - she stopped over tonight to make sure we were settling in! She's not quite sure what she's going to do at work without Blake!
We are so lucky to have so many who love our little guy!

April 07, 2009

Meena C brought up the 'L' for Blake's name this weekend and Braden was excited to get to paint it! Hopefully we'll get all of them hung up in his room soon!!

April 06, 2009

PopPop Joe finally got his turn to hold Blake! Blake put on a show for him and smiled continuously while he held him!!

I brought my new Moby wrap up to the NICU tonight and Jill and Kahala decided to try it out! Here Kahala is modeling it with Blake's stuffed bunny! Blake's favorite position is being held on our chests - so I'm hoping this will free up my hands throughout the day! Hopefully he'll like it! I seriously never thought I'd be one to 'wear' my baby - but I'm ready to try!

April 05, 2009

Just chilling in my bed. I like having this fuzzy blanet on the top of my head when I sleep -- so soft!

April 04, 2009

"Look ma, No Tubes!!"
He yanked out his feeding tube all by himself last night - and since he's doing so well with his bottles they just decided to leave it out! Look at that cute little face with no tubes or tape for the first time in 64 days!! And the whole holding his head up - yep, that's all him! He is one strong little boy and loves to do this and look all around!!

April 03, 2009

I kind of think he was politely telling me to knock it off with all the picture taking ;)

April 02, 2009

**Picture of Braden's nice bruised face coming soon**

April 01, 2009

One day after surgery and already oxygen free again!!! He is such a little rockstar - and that's no April Fool's joke :)

March 31, 2009 - Surgery Day

Chris and I doing our best to keep him calm before surgery. He didn't get to eat after his 3 am feeding - so by the time he went into surgery at 12:30 pm he was pretty hungry. He did better than I thought though, we were able to keep him pretty calm as long as we were holding him :)

We finally got into surgery 2 hours late - but it was success. The surgeon repaired hernias on both sides and he also got his circumcision done. He did come back to his room on the ventilator but was extubated 30 minutes later. He had a hard time keeping his sats up so he was placed on 1L of oxygen on nasal cannula to help him out. He is still on this now and doing good with it. He is still very groggy and sleepy (4 hours later) and it is hard to watch him just lay there passed out - but he's doing good.

Braden got him that little blue elephant yesterday for his 2 month birthday and "good luck" on his surgery - so he's watching over him :)

March 30, 2009 - 2 months old!!

Saying my prayers before surgery tomorrow - please say some for me if you get a chance!

Oh man, this kid has no idea what he's in for when he comes home!!!

March 29, 2009

I just love the look on Braden's face in this picture! He was trying to hide from the camera and thought it was a pretty fun game!

Then he wanted to take a picture with my big camera - this is a little difficult b/c you have to look in the viewfinder like the "old school" cameras that he knows nothing about - but he took this picture and was pretty proud of it!

As you can see - still no oxygen!! This was after his 4th FULL bottle in a row (a record)
"Hmmm..I think I'm a big boy"

And this was after his 5th FULL bottle in a row - still wide awake and wanting more food!!!