Sam Is Home!

Could we be any more excited?! Our little man is home! He arrived home last night at about 8:30 and had an amazing night of sleep. Unfortunately, the internet is down this morning after a storm during the night, so I'm posting this one photo from my phone. Many more to come. And videos. Thank you so much for all of your prayers to bring our Sammy home. We're absolutely thrilled!

A Wee Bare Face

My boy has tossed the oxygen! He went off yesterday at 2ish in the afternoon and has been doing well ever since. If he can stay off for an entire 24 hours, he'll be crazy close to coming home. I'm afraid to even think about the possibility of him coming home in case something changes, but I can't help but think there is a glimmer of hope! Just look at that face. No tubes. No little stickers to hold things in place. It's just Sam in all his beauty! I must stop typing away on my iPhone and go cuddle him. He's completely irresistible!

Oh?!

Back of the Bus

Today when I walked to Sammy's bed, I found an empty isolette and no sign of my boy. I asked the nurses where he had been moved and was escorted to te back row of baby beds. Our morning nurse, Jan, informed us that Sam had been moved 'to the back of the bus.' Apparently, that's a sign that he's doing really well! He's in a regular infant bed (just like the ones babies sleep in in their mom's room before going home) and isn't taking any feedings through a tube. Yay!

A New Bed!

I had a wonderful surprise today in the NICU. Goodbye, isolette. Our little man is now in a crib! When I changed his diaper and got him dressed, I sort of felt like I might be doing such things on his own changing table at home. Oh, it was so good for my heart to see such a step forward. He was still a little on the chilly side (we take his temp often) but after just a few minutes of skin-to-skin time, he was sweating. I liked knowing I could do that for my boy.

a new bed!

 What's missing in the photo below? Sam's bright orange feeding tube! He pulled it out again this afternoon, but they didn't bother replacing it since all of his feedings today have been through a bottle. I'm really hoping that when I return tomorrow, he still won't have it in.

satisfied with a nuk & mama's finger

If it sounds like we're getting closer to bringing Sam home, it's because we are. Much closer. We still can't speculate on a date, though, since things can plateau or change at the drop of a hat. I've been praying specifically for Tuesday. Will you please pray that, too? I know there's a chance it may not happen, but I like specific prayers.

Sammy's Weekend Update

Little Sammy is making great strides in getting home to his big sister. Today he was switched to a regular oxygen cannula. Since his birth, he's been on a high flow cannula to keep up with his oxygen needs. The switch is something to celebrate! He also took whole bottles during three consecutive feedings this morning. That's an enormous step! We're still working on nursing, but we can continue to do that after he gets home. For now, he just has to prove he doesn't need his feeding tube. He's made it pretty clear that he doesn't want it any more after pulling it out of his nose twice yesterday and once today. Atta boy.

nine days old - held by Nana Scott

 This waiting has not been easy. Not that anyone expected it would be, but I just have to say it. I didn't imagine Sam would still be in the NICU nine days after his birth. I so long for him to be home with us. It gets very tiring and long being at the hospital alone. (Pete made a very good decision to go back to work for the week to regain a bit of his regular routine. Next week he'll begin his paternity rotation, which includes half days of clinic each day and nothing more. Ahh, that will be lovely.) Just about every day for the last week, I've been with Sam from his 8am feeding until his 5pm feeding and then have returned for the one at 8pm on a couple days. By yesterday I was feeling emotionally exhausted, so I decided to stay home for the morning to be with Ella. The time together helped me tremendously. We cuddled in bed, watched Sesame Street, did some laundry, and played outside. Today my mom arrived and will stay with us until Thursday. So, so nice.

I realize this post is a bit all over the place. I can only sort of think of what I would like to say and the order of how I would like it written. It's far too late for me to still be up writing, but I wanted to update you on Sam's progress before more time passed. I do hope to write some more articulate very soon. Thanks for understanding. And thank you a ton for your continued prayers. Really...THANK YOU.

Mommy & Me Photos

A few weeks ago, before the arrival of our little Sammy, Ella & I had a very special date for a Mommy & Me photo session. Lindsay of Lindsay Brisbin Photography met us at a nearby nature center where Ella and I played and played while the photos were taken. I'll treasure these pictures as our time just as "Mommy & Me" was about to change. My Ella is an incredibly special girl. I'm am beyond blessed to be her mama.

Family: If you'd like prints, please let me know over email!

SAMMY UPDATE:

Sam continues his stay in the NICU though he is improving every day. Today he took two bottles during feedings and didn't need to get anything through his tube for those meals. I was incredibly proud of him! His oxygen is getting better. Those are the two factors keeping him in the hospital - feedings and oxygen. Once we've got those covered, he'll be able to come home. We try not to guess when that will be since it can be quite a disappointment to reach a hoped-for day and not get to take him home. Please continue to pray that he will be able to leave the NICU very soon. This mama is having a hard time not cuddling her two kiddos in the same place.