at last

what? you're really gonna let them take me home?

7 days ago on 12/22 (which happened to be his 1 month birthday and 35-week gestation age), Nealon was discharged from the nursery and made the trip home.  it was a busy week consumed with figuring out what it was like to take care of the little guy full-time rather than part-time (and having doctors and nurses and every piece of equipment readily at our disposal).  it’s been a week full of fear and exhaustion, but also delight in having him home.

arriving home

looking cute on the couch

it was also a busy week with Grammie and Grandpa Brodine and Aunt Rebecca visiting for Christmas over the long weekend, getting to meet them face-to-face for the first time.  he received lots of wonderful presents that we had the pleasure of opening for him this year.

Brodine family

on Monday, he had a checkup with the pediatrician, and she said his progress is going great.  he weighed in at 5lbs 9.7oz, more than 4oz increase over his discharge weight.  we learned more about what the coming year holds as he plays catch up with other babies, including shots, early intervention evaluations for preemies, and the prospect of not being able to move to full breastfeeding for 8-10 months.

measuring up

through it all, we’ve been reminded that Nealon is a gift from God.  He’s brought him along this far, and will continue to do so.

cuddle

Tomorrow, tomorrow, we love ya, tomorrow…

Look, ma, no wires!

Tomorrow (Tuesday) morning, if all goes well, Nealon will be coming home to the Bro Chateau!

We spent Sunday afternoon and night in the hospital with Nealon, in a private room.  When we arrived, his NG tube (feeding tube in his nose) had been removed.  What a sight after almost a month!!  The nurse said he gave a sigh when the tube came out of his nose.  They then removed all of this leads and ever since, he’s been a free man!

The nurses will spend tonight monitoring his temperature and making sure that he gains weight and if all goes well, he’ll head home with us!

It has been amazing to see the work and change that has taken place in Nealon’s life over the past month (and ours, as well).  We have been tremendously blessed!

squeaky clean

Nealon hit 5lbs and hasn’t looked back.  Still don’t know when for sure he’s going home, but the nurses have started going through the check list for us to be able to take him home.  He passed his car seat test, we watched an infant CPR video, and Sarah got to bathe him.  He’s eating great and looking great, and we can’t wait to bring him home without all those wires!

Yay for baths!

And a little grooming...

Care seat. Check.

Fun faces

getting into the Christmas spirit

Wide awake

Nealon keeps inching closer to the 5lb mark every day.  Last night he had a great feeding time with Sarah, and was alert during most of our visit.  He then had his hearing tested, and passed with flying colors.  The transition to Redwood City continues to go well, though we’re still figuring out the best schedule for being with him in the noisier nursery.  We’ve also had a chance to try out some new outfits.

Enjoying time with mom

First song? Any guesses?

Our Christmas Elf

my how much you’ve grown

Birthday

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Happy 3 Week Birthday, Nealon!

Today, the big guy weighed in at 4lb 12oz, putting on nearly a full pound in 3 weeks.  If you or I were to weigh in 25% heavier in 3 weeks, that would be astonishing.  Amazing how little bodies work this way.

One step closer to home!

On Thursday, we got fabulous news – Nealon was doing well and a bed had opened up for him in an Intermediate Nursery in Redwood City!  When he reached the point of having his PICC line removed and they suggested that a transfer to Redwood City was possible, we didn’t get our hopes up too much (they had been trying for 2 weeks to transfer him to the NICU at Santa Clara).  At the same time, we had been growing more and more weary and a move seemed ideal.

The move has been wonderful!  A small nursery, very nice nurses and doctors, a more laid back environment, and only 15 minutes from home!  There is also a room that Sarah can use for pumping, naps, and eventually to stay in overnight when Nealon progresses further with breastfeeding.  As well, we are now within walking distance to good options for taking breaks.

Things going on in Nealon’s life in the past few days:

PICC line removed!

Move to an open crib!

Wearing clothing!  Shirts at least!

'I like being naked'

A ride in a fancy isolette.  A trip across the San Francisco Bay.

No more nasal cannula!

Still practicing breastfeeding and will start working on taking a bottle soon!

When we moved, they told us to expect a few steps back.  Nealon’s steps back have only been minor.  The nurses are impressed – both by his progress and amazing good looks!

Please continue to pray for Nealon’s growth and progress.  Pray for good health and stamina for us!

'Getting dressed makes me tired'

transfer!!

Called up an hour ago to find out that Nealon can be transferred today to the hospital in Redwood City! This is the hospital that Sarah would have delivered in if there hadn’t been complications. We are so thankful that Nealon continues to make good progress. We are also thankful for the care that he has received in Hayward. Please pray for a safe transfer.

a little PICC me up

Blowing kisses?

Nealon hit 4 and a half pounds today!  sometimes he looks SO big and sometimes he looks SO small!

Last shot with the PICC

in other news, his PICC line was taken out today.  20+ cm of a tiny tube that ran through a vein starting in his ankle and ending in this chest.  Sarah was able to watch one of our favorite nurses remove the line.  Nealon did a great job (as did the nurse)!  since he is now off of IV nutrition, they will add a small amount of fortifier to the breastmilk to provide him with extra calories. at 8:30 this evening he was up to 35 ml per feeding.  the goal is 40 ml.  as long as things progress, he’ll be there in 5 more feedings.

milk. it does a body good.

Nealon is starting to get a little chubby.  In his two weeks, he has added a half a pound to his birth weight, now at 4lbs 5oz.  He continues to have steady progress in the other departments, and he is continuing to be more alert to his surroundings.  In the above picture, he is working on focusing on a photograph of the 3 of us that we taped to the side of his isolette.

“raisin!”

when she was 15 months old, Sarah pulled off her brother’s umbilical cord and exclaimed, “raisin!”  today, Nealon’s raisin fell off (without Sarah’s help).

today, Nealon weighed in at 4lb 3oz, so he keeps moving in the right direction.  this gain is attributed to his improving digestion and increase in feeding amounts.  and the practice breast feeding probably hasn’t hurt either.  the doctor hopes to have him off of the IV by the end of the weekend, and is starting to reduce O2 again.

the doctor has also encouraged us to not wait to get things ready at home.  in that spirit, Luke installed the car seat today.  the doctor also suggested that we go see our final movie together, so we think that we might take advantage of the expensive baby sitter sooner than later.  there is still not a time frame for his homecoming, but it still seems like it will be by Christmas.

we’ve been extremely encouraged by the thoughtfulness of our church, family, and friends.  so many, many big and small needs are being met!  amazing!