7/17/2008
Christopher-
I got to feed you your first bottle yesterday and you did such a good job eating. But your dad didn't have as much luck last night when he tried to feed you.
This morning you did a lot better. Then I fed you at noon and while I was feeding you, Elizabeth showed up and started talking my ear off. Once I was finished feeding you, or you were finished eating I should say, I tried to burp you but I couldn't tell if you actually burped. I held you for a minute and then I so kindly offered to let Elizabeth hold you. She hadn't had a chance yet. Shortly after she started holding you, you threw up on her. I can't believe you did that, but it was really funny. I couldn't stop laughing, you are so cute and funny.
I love you so much!
-Mom
7/15/2008
Christopher-
I finally got to hold you today for the first time in several days, almost a week. You are so cute! We are just getting ready to go to the hospital to see you so your dad can hold you too. I feel bad that I have to wake him up, he just crashed on the love sack. Our schedules are all messed up since you came into the world. I'm not complaining, just stating a fact. We are getting so excited to get to bring you home. You are doing so good. They took out your arterial line today and they are going to try to feed you tonight at 12:30a. We haven't decided yet if we are going to bo back to the hospital for that. We'll see if we can stay awake that long.
I love you!
-Mom
7/12/2008
Christopher -
I was so excited when we went to see you this morning and your lights were off. It was kind of a big thing, I felt like we made progress. They had a towel over your face/head because of the noise. But we kept sneaking a peek at your face. Your eyes were a little puffy but you were just as cute as ever. We had your baby shower today and I got to talk about you all day and show everyone your pictures. I was anxious to see you tonight. I was hoping that your lights were still off and they were, and I was happy to see that they had the towel off your face. I'm not sure when I actually noticed that the ventilator was off. I actually made it through the whole visit without crying. I just had a huge smile on my face the whole time. What a great day for you! They said they would probably take out your art-line in our belly button tomorrow morning and maybe move you into the other room and hopefully we'll be able to hold you!
I can't wait to see you tomorrow, but I'm going to try not to get my hopes up since you had such a good day, I don't want to expect too much.
We love you!
- Mom
7/7/08
- Frank V first to arrive during labor
- Stephanie
- Mom
- Kristi: brought diaper bag with lots of gifts and washed clothes to take you home in.
- Blair and Jamie
- Granny and Aunt Toodie
7/8/08
- Kristi: brought picture frames that were part of shower game
- Blair
- Jeff
- Jamie Fletcher: brought yummy Great Harvest treat bag. She got to see you through the window in NICU.
- FOX friends: Karen, Janet, Mel, Renai - sent flowers in duck flower pot
- Anna Marie: brought card
- Donna: brought flowers
- all the grandparents, of course
- Lynn and Sherrie: brought new born clothes
7/9/08
Frank and I went home, Stephanie brought us dinner
7/10/08
- Kristi brought us soup and snack basket and also gave us a special little guy to put in the "tanning bed" at the hospital.
- Partnet: sent baby goodie basket
- Curly and Helga: sent flowers
7/12/2008
- Local TV (my new bosses): sent flowers
Baby Shower by Kristi 7/12/2008
- Liz: homemade cards, November picture frame
- Jane: baby gap clothes, April picture frame
- Sherrie, Sami, Cassie: khaki outfits, Christopher picture frame
- Jamie Fletcher: swim diapers, camo shorts, hat, swaddle me, January picture frame
- Heather Olsen: hawaiian outfit, books, October picture frame
- Irene Pelton: cream colored onesies w/striped pants, wash cloths, bib, sleeperbag, hooded towel, onesies, musical bear
- Kristi: onesie, dr. seuss books, nikes, crib bedding set
- Veronica: changing pad cover, bottles, cowboy outfit, June picture frame
- Kelly: bottles, bibs, giraffe stuffed animal, March picture frame
- Missy: cuddly puppy pj's, peter rabbit outfit, robe, August picture frame
- Heather Aoyagi: papason chair, July picture frame
Grandma Helga: turquoise bag, purple afghan, yellow afghan, soft blue blanket, bibs, winnie the pooh tank top onesie, receiving blankets, choo choo train outfit with hat, socks
7/10/08
Christopher -
Wow! What a crazy few days we've had. You were born on Monday, 7/7 at 8:59 pm. I'll never forget when they placed you on my chest and you were naked and slimy and perfect. I remember touching your skin in disbelief that you were actually here. Your dad and I were so happy. Even though you were 4 weeks early you seemed perfectly healthy. Your dad went with you to the nursery while they moved me to the recovery room, but later that night they had to move you to the NICU. You were breathing too fast. It seems like there are actually a bunch of things all tied together, You are jaundiced, have pneumonia and/or some other infection, you have a slight tear in one of your lungs...
We got to hold you on Tuesday and part of Wednesday but then they needed to put you on a ventilator. I'm having such a hard time seeing you with all the tubes. But I'm pumping so that you will have plenty to eat as soon as you are ready. When we go, I just cry. Yesterday was a really rough day for me and your dad. We feel so helpless. But we're getting stronger and so are you. Tonight you were kind of wild when we got there. You were kicking your legs all over the place, I think you really don't like having all that stuff on your feet. But the nurse let us touch you and hold your hand and your head to try to get you to calm down. I think we helped a little. I didn't cry nearly as much as I normally do because I felt like I was actually helping. Your dad has been so strong through all of this. I don't know what I would do without him. I hope you are just like him. He is truly an amazing person.
Everyone has been so supportive. You have a wonderful family that loves you very much and we are anxious, but trying to be patient, waiting for you to come home.
We love you!
-Mom
