HOMECOMING 3/22/12

AUSTIN MADE IT HOME!!!!!!

I haven't had the time to get on here...  Austin made it home on Thursday!!  What a journey!  So a recap of the past few days...  I finally finished everything around the house!  Spring cleaning at its finest!  Austin's room turned out EXACTLY as I in visioned it!  (I will post pictures soon).  Wednesday evening, Scotty and I did our CPR class and our "sleep in" with Austin.  The two of them slept great, I, on the other hand- not so much.  We did well with Austin in room.  Thursday morning, we sat in on rounds, where they let us know that we do not have to stick to a strict feeding schedule.  He is an older baby now, and we should let him eat when he is hungry, at any length of time.  (We had been not letting him go longer than 4 hours-even at night)  Austins length and circumference are proportionate with one another, his weight is much higher than his length average.  With that being said, if he goes through a little bit of an adjustment period and doesn't eat really well when first home, not to worry, as long as he is still having a good urine out put.  I am glad they told me that!!!  Austin has not been eating well, until this evening.  He was only taking about 1/2-1 oz each feeding.  He had terrible gas cramps.  I finally worked him through the gas and he began to eat better!!!

When we brought home Austin, Thursday, we had a lot of oxygen "training".  It was a long morning learning the travel tank at the hospital and then about 1 hour after we made it home, it was about three hours of more info on the back up tank, the main system, the fill up system and all the "bells and whistles" (tubing, etc).  On Friday the home health care nurse came over and did an evaluation on Austin.  She said she only anticipates the one visit, since we really have a grasp on his health issues.  They will come out one other time for his synagis shot (RSV) in April, and then that should be it, unless we request a visit.  I have a binder full of information about his oxygen therapy... I am also keeping a binder myself, all of important information from discharge, and I will continue to put in the continued information on his medical history.  I am keeping a log of his medicines (dose and times) so that I do not forget anything.  I am keeping a log, for now, of his feeds and diapers.  I am trying to sleep well.  My husband has been great about having me go lay down.  Luckily, Austin is older so he sleeps a good 5 + hours stretch... and yes its at night!!!  (usually just after 1:00am - 6:00am or so).

I was pretty stressed today about him not taking in much volume of his milk.  (He is on my breast milk with fortified powder)  I called the doctor from the NICU who reassured me that as long as he is not "acting like a sick baby" and still putting out urine, to hang in there.  Scotty reminded me to go with my instincts as a mother, and forget being the Nurse Mom.  He is strong and doing well, otherwise he would not be home.  He is right.  Once I was able to take a step back, I realized I was trying to make him eat every 3-4hours and when he was fussy just immediately thought, he needs to eat.  I went ahead and rubbed his belly and did the "bicycle" with his legs and helped him release the gas.  He then ate excellent, and in turn, made me feel better!!!

All and all, we are doing very well!

DREW MEETS AUSTIN!!!!   Oh my gosh!  I never knew the happiness, joy and heart warming feeling that that moment could bring!  It was amazing!  Drew arrived home from school with the biggest, warmest smile EVER!  He was so enchanted with the moment!   Drew walked in and looked and smiled and said "I am going to change my clothes and wash my hands, then can I hold him?"   ABSOLUTELY!!!!  It was then that I realized, not only had this moment been one I have so longed for.... but Drew was longing for this moment too.  He, too, was more than elated to meet his brother!!! 

Drew held him and said over and over again... "his eyes are so blue... like mine".  Drew asked if we had shown him around the house, which we had not because we were waiting for Drew to get home (and dealing with the oxygen RT setting up and explaining everything to us).  Drew asked that I carry Austin and he will tell him each room.  It was very sweet.  As we were walking back into the family room, I said to Scotty, "lets put him down so we can get this stuff all organized" and Drew immediately said, "how about I can hold Austin, we can put on cartoons. I will watch a baby one, like Elmo or something with him".  ((Awe, my heart melts again as I am writing this!!)) 

We have sat down and explained the equipment with Drew and have practiced calling 911 with our pedimed number, etc.  He lays next to Austin and interacts with him often.  He does have his periods of time when he's "had enough" and just wants to do his own thing, too.  He's 7!!  Last night Drew did give Austin a finger puppet show!  Too cute!  We all sat in Austin's room last night with the lights off and the Twilight Turtle on (sprays lights of stars and the moon on the ceiling and walls) and we sang twinkle twinkle little star!  I can honestly say I never imagined in a million years that my heart could be filled with love to this magnitude.  I really really have so much love in my heart.  Pure joy and happiness. 

PICTURE TIME!!!!!!!!!!  (i am posting a lot... i am a very proud momma!!)




Austin is READY to leave the NICU!

ANGEL

Happy Baby

Too Cool!!!

Nakey boy!

Oh, gosh he is soooo cute!

Peace!

Drew meets his baby brother!

Brothers, just hanging out!

Finger Puppet Show

L.O.V.E



zonked from tummy time

YAWN!!!!




Thank you to all of you for your love and support!!  This is the best life I could have ever imagined!  Although for Austins sake, and his sake alone, I wish he could have had more time in utero and I wish he didn't have some of the problems he has, and I wish some of the scary moments didn't have to happen....  I am so very happy with where we all are in our lives as a wonderful family of four!  I wouldn't change my today for anything!


"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" -Romans 15:13