NICU Diaries

          I forgot to post about this, but a couple weeks ago, I wrote a guest post on my sister in law Anna's blog, Knit One, Yarn Over, as part of a series she started called NICU Diaries.  Anna and my brother Alex's son, Johnny, spent nine days in the NICU when he was born, so when he and EJ meet in person this summer, they'll have lots to talk about. 

          Here's a TBT picture from EJ's NICU days...  

  

TBT

          Throwback Thursday.  I can't believe the chunky little baby in my arms started out as this scrawny, ribs-showing preemie!  He's come a long way!

Mini Adventures - 1/25

          Everything else EJ did last week...

Bouncing!  Sometimes all EJ wants to do is bounce on the yoga ball.  This never gets old for us.  Especially not at 3 am.

To celebrate EJ turning three months old, we made cupcakes for the NICU nurses and staff.

While we were dropping them off, we got to see EJ's neonatologist, Dr. Suri!  We were very happy to see him because he wasn't working the day EJ got discharged, so we never got to say goodbye and thank him for taking such good care of our boy.  He was thrilled to see how much EJ had grown! 

More tummy time.

I was not responsible for this outfit.

The Tiny Footprints Project

            While EJ was in the NICU, I read about the Tiny Footprints Project, a group of professional photographers all across the country who donate their services to families with babies in the NICU.  I contacted them, and Ashleigh from Dreaming Tree Photography came and took pictures of EJ.  He was five weeks old and 3 lbs 13 ounces.

Life in the NICU, Part 2

There's that little face!

EJ was just over three weeks old when we walked in one night to see him in clothes! Babies have to be more stable to wear clothes because it means that the nurses can't quickly and  easily see their chests if they stop breathing or something.  Plus they have to have minimal cords and tubes attached to them just to get clothes on easily.  That day he also took his whole feeding through a bottle from me for the first time! 

One day shy of four weeks old, EJ was moved to a crib! This meant he was able to maintain his body temperature and didn't need to be in an isolette anymore.  Another milestone to check off the going home list!

Aunt Courtney makes the best hats!  We got tons of compliments from the nurses.  

One month old!!  He was 3 lbs 10 oz.

He was starting to get more expressive.

The force is strong with this one.

Day 39.  Welcome home, baby boy!  We love you!

EJ came home without medications or monitors and we were told to treat him like a normal baby.  He was 4 lbs exactly, which was handy because that was the weight minimum for his car seat.  It was the happiest day of our lives!