Pics of Sid That I Took Today...

Home Nearly 3 Weeks Now...

Well, Sidney's been home for nearly three weeks now. Sorry it's taken me ages to post, but it's been a whirlwind lately. It's definitely a lifestyle change when you have a baby. Your whole daily routine gets thrown out the window. We now live on Sidney's schedule: sleep very little during the day, totally awake at night. He's a handful only because he seems to be hungry 24/7, ravenously hungry. He really only cries when he wants a bottle, but it seems like he always wants a bottle. He's an eater, that's for sure.

So far he's seen three doctors: pediatrician, eye doctor, and pulmonologist. His eyes are stable (great to hear) and he's steadily gaining weight. As of last Wednesday, our little man is 8lbs 3oz and 19 3/4 inches in length. In a week, he had put on an additional 10oz and grown an astonishing inch and a quarter. He's definitely going thru the growth spurt that the nurses in the NICU told us about. Being at home in a quiet and loving environment is really doing him wonders.

Speaking of the NICU, for those of you that didn't know...Celine Dion had her twins in the hospital that I had Sid in, St Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach, FL. Her two boys were delivered early via C-Section. We've read that they were in incubators and now suddenly they were released only a few days later? I find that hard to believe...they would have been in the NICU for longer than that just for light therapy for jaundice. Jeremy and I think that she probably has her own staff of doctors and nurses at her home in Jupiter, FL taking care of the babies.

Ok, that was a little off subject, back to the main man Sidney. :)

We went to the Pulmonologist this past week. We've been closely monitoring Sid's oxygen levels via monitors and such since he's come home. If his saturation levels were high, we would turn his O2 down and vice versa. Well, there were times where his levels were steadily high enough that we would just shut off the O2 tank entirely. We mentioned this to the doctor and he suggested that we continue to try to ween him off the oxygen and just "spot check" him with the monitors. Jer and I didn't like the "spot checking" idea, so we've kept him on the monitors, just in case. Well, Sid went over two whole days with his O2 off, so yesterday we decided to take off his nasal cannulla entirely. What a big step. :) We were finally able to actually see our baby's face. You get accustomed to seeing him with the cannulla, it becomes part of him and to now have it off, it's like we had a totally different baby. He's absolutely adorable. It's such a relief and a great feeling to know that we're almost there. Almost to the point where Sidney can be a normal baby.

Vaccines on Monday...oi! It's going to be a very scary day. :(

First Pediatrician Visit

Sidney's first pediatrician visit was this afternoon. We were highly anticipating what his weight gain would be. When he left the NICU, he weighed 6lbs 9oz. One week later he weighs...*drumroll please*...7lbs 9oz!! Wow, he gained a whole pound in only one week. He also grew an inch in length. He seriously never ceases to amaze me and his daddy. He's doing so well since he's come home. Being able to sleep in complete silence and for as long as he wants has really done wonders for him. He's really thriving. The nurses in the NICU told us this would happen...the atmosphere of the hospital isn't conducive to growing naturally, it's too noisy and he consistantly had bright flourescent lighting on him.

Next Wednesday, Sidney goes in for his first set of immunizations...it's gonna be scary. He's still on oxygen, so I hope it doesn't cause him to have breathing issues. Keep him in your thoughts.

Sidney has a little friend, Taylor, who is still in the NICU. It's possible that she may be having surgery soon to help her breathe better. She's been in the NICU since the day after Sid was born. Her wonderful parents want her to come home so badly, this surgery should be the ticket to get her there. Please keep this little angel and her family in your thoughts and prayers during this tough next week.

One Week Down...The Rest of Our Lives to Go :)

It's officially been one week since we brought Sid home. He's adjusting so well. Although, he HATES his bassinet. Refuses to sleep in it, I'm thinking it's because he can't see out and feels too confined in there. So after many attempts at getting him to sleep in there, we resorted to letting him sleep where he sleeps best...the changing pad. LOL Yeah, crazy I know, but it seemed like every time we put him on there for a diaper change, he would fall fast asleep. So we decided to take the changing pad off of the changing table and put it on the floor. He seems to really like it. Here's to hoping he'll sleep in his crib one day. *fingers crossed*

We're still having lots of sleepy days because of his monitors...but on a good note, he seems to be doing really well with us lowering his oxygen levels. We've even taken him off of the oxygen entirely for 15 mins at a time. I'm hoping this is a sign that he will be coming off of it soon and will be able to be hose and wire free. Oh to have a baby that can leave the confines of his bedroom! :) Soon...

Sidney's Home: Days 1 - 4

It's now officially been 4 days since he's come home. It's been a rough few days...not because of Sidney, but because of the equipment that we're using for the oxygen. Ugh...the first pulse oxymeter that we received was a portable hand-held device...no alarm. Jeremy and I had to be awake at all times to keep an eye on the little bud. After many phone calls and hours of waiting, we finally got the permanent device with an alarm...here's the problem: the alarm is practically silent and we still have to stay awake to watch him. We're taking shifts and barely sleeping. BUT...it's all worth it. He's an angel. He's such a good baby. We couldn't have asked for more...he's the love of our lives.

being wheeled out of the NICU for the last time :)

enjoying some time with daddy

he's seriously the cutest baby ever

close-up of our little man



.: best week ever :.



HE'S FINALLY HOME!

Sidney is officially home! I can't believe this day has finally come...it's been a LONG 3 1/2 months, but the final outcome is so worth it. He's amazing...

More to come, gotta get adjusted to this new life! :)

Fingers Crossed...

If all goes well, tomorrow Sidney will be finally coming home!!

We're all set for his discharge to be tomorrow, but we're still waiting on two pieces of equipment that the medical supply company forgot to give us (that's a nightmare in itself). If we can manage to get those things tomorrow morning, then our little bug will be coming home in the afternoon!

Wow, next comes a new set of anxieties...will I manage with little to no sleep, will we be able to work his equipment correctly, and most importantly...will we be good enough parents? I just have to stay positive and know that we'll do just fine.

my daddy sure does love me

look at that sweet face

his onsie says 'Mommy's New Man'

sleeping like an angel