We're Going Home

Well, it's not "official" official...we're still waiting for the neonatalogist to arrive and discharge us, but there's not a good reason it won't happen today. Wesley passed his carseat test, he's been doing "demand" feeding for 24 hours AND he gained weight. 5lb 9.3 oz compared to his 5lb 1.8 oz at birth!

I thought I'd share a before and after photo of myself. I had Jeff take a photo of me the morning of the Gough Family Shower...I had no idea it would be the last pregnant photo I had of myself outside of the hospital!



Here's little Wes in his carseat...such a wee thing, but he passed with flying colors. Come on doctor...get here so we can go home!


I'm nervous AND excited!!!

Feeling Lucky?

Guess what? Wes has taken 7 bottles in a row! Yesterday while changing the little man he started to pull out his gavage tube and then when I put a new onesie on my hand accidentally got caught and pulled it out some more. The nurse decided to take it all the way out and leave it out until he needs it. Well, he hasn't needed it yet. Looks like the little bubba was ready for it to come out. We're not completely there yet, but we're getting close. We'll see how he does at the next feeding (8 in a row would be 24 hours and I think that means the switch will have flipped) and what the neonatalogist has to say. Exciting!

I love all his baby parts!

Fresh from his 3rd bath- no gavage tube! Look at our baby!

Oh, it's such a rough life...getting bathed like a Roman senator, having to suck and swallow all your meals...

Daddy's Forehead

I told you there is a resemblance!



Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving! We were able to make it to the dinner festivities since our family so sweetly moved the event closer to the hospital. A big thank you to all for changing plans and working around our little family. We LOVED spending time with you and just can't wait until Wes is able to join us.

Wesley has had more great progress with the bottle- we're pluggin' right along and hoping for a Wednesday discharge- fingers crossed!

Words from Wesley

That little stinker seems to be sneaking into our room when no one's looking (I'll have to speak to the nurses about that).

He may have Daddy's forehead (hopefully I'll be able to capture a comparison photo soon) but it looks like he has Mommy's handwriting ;)

Doesn't Shauna call her cat Sir Wesley? Oh well. Meme DID really help Mama out- thanks Mom!

Grandma AND Grandpa came this day...a surprise for Wesley while Daddy was getting 5 teeth filled at the dentist. Grandma got to hold him during his gavage feeding- a treat for all, I think! Oh, and on another note...this is also the day (yesterday) that I found out my incision is infected and I've started taking antibiotics. The good news is that I'm no longer spiking a fever every night- something I attributed to "hormones." It was kind of a rough day for our little family but everyone seems to be doing well now!

And that brings us to today...Wes was feeling confident, as he should be...he's already finished 2 whole bottles and was rooting at the last feeding when he was supposed to be gavage fed- so we followed his cues and let him bottle feed, he only finished 36 mls (46 is his obligatory amount), but it was a great effort!

The nurses are always talking about a "switch" that gets "flipped"- one day he'll wake up and just want to eat. I think we're looking at more of a dimmer switch and the room just got a little bit brighter ;)

The neonatalogist said he's being a "typical white male," apparently african female preemies do the best at thriving and having the drive to eat. I wonder what this says about society- have white males become too privileged? Just a thought. I even joked before the c-section that we'd be hoping for an african female but that I was pretty sure we were having a white male ;) I love our little white male, I wouldn't have it any other way.

And he's coming home...eventually. Until then, we'll enjoy our stay here, especially since we won't have heat or water at our house until Wednesday (we're getting a new furnace and tankless water heater). See? God always has a plan. Cross you fingers for Wednesday everyone!

God bless you tonight and Happy Thanksgiving in advance!

Big Boy Crib!

This lovingly colored sketch was a gift from Simon, who himself was a preemie and has a special place in his heart for Wes. It hangs above his big boy bed. Yep, that's right...Wesley is out of the isolette and into a crib. AND maintaining his temperature nicely, might I add.

Here is his little bed...he sleeps with Alfred, a horse that Uncle Chris G. picked out- thanks Chrissy.

Daddy with the gavage tube. Gavage is French for "cram" or "stuff". It goes through his nose into his little stomach. Wesley doesn't mind much...but we're hoping he'll figure out eating orally soon- that's kind of the final puzzle piece before he can go home.

The little smiler. He's been smiling a ton lately. I tried to capture the big open-mouth grin but this was as close as I got.

And if you haven't been to the blog in awhile, don't forget to check out the video below.

Bath time with li'l Wes

Home is Where the Wesley is...

Jeff and I have gone "off-campus" together twice now. We've been able to run home between feedings and get a couple of things done around the house- mail, laundry, watering plants, getting more supplies, etc. The first time we returned to Northwest I said, "We're home!" and then I asked Jeff if he knew why I said that...and we both agreed...Home is where the Wesley is- our heart.

We feel very blessed to be able to have a room here at the hospital. It's not what we expected when we found out we were expecting, but it has its advantages. Here are a few of the things that are wonderful about being here:

- We get to be as near to Wesley as possible and can visit the little bud whenever we please. (Beyond our 3 hour feeding schedule that usually takes a little over an hour each time)
- Jeff and I have been able to spend a lot of time together- we feel a great sense of "we-ness"- we're in this together and we're both responsible for our son's care.
- There's a sense of community with the nurses that I didn't think would exist- they are all great; helpful, friendly, experienced- the best kind of babysitters ;)
- Friends and family have been so generous with offering to run errands and bring us meals and NW has a great policy of endless visiting hours.
- NW does the laundry (not our clothes, but a clean towel every shower sure is nice).
- We feel like we're in college again and that this is some sort of dorm- in fact, when Katie and Mark had the great Isaiah we were in the nursery and got to go see him right away and visit throughout the day. It was great to be just down the hall!
- By the time we leave here we'll feel very confident taking care of our son...and we know they won't let us leave until he's ready- we're so anxious for that day!
- Recovering from a C-Section seems much easier in the hospital, WITHOUT stairs. I hope to be nearly healed, as well, before we head home.

See? It's not so bad!

Here are some photos of our room. BTW, Jeff is working on editing a video of Wesley's latest bath...stay tuned!

Through the Looking Glass

First off, thank you everyone for being so supportive and encouraging. Reading your comments have made our family's hearts overflow with love and happiness. We appreciate your prayers most of all, our little boy still has a way to go before he's sent home so please continue to keep him in your thoughts and prayers. We just love him so!

My friend, Jaymie, took these photos the other day when she stopped by for a visit (thanks Jaymie) I think they're adorable (he's adorable) but I might be biased. Wes had to stay in his isolette, as we opened the portal and peaked in, but it looks like he didn't mind. Also, the little bubba has been doing a great job of maintaining his body temp (largely due to the swaddeling sleep sacks from Grandma and Aunt Rhoda- thank you!) so it shouldn't be much longer (maybe a day and a half) before he's out of the isolette and into a crib- still in the nursery, but it's a step in the right direction!

Wesley James!

Saturday after a baby shower, we headed into the hospital as my contractions were getting worse. Come to find out, I was 6-7cm dilated!

We were going to have the baby soon....but the ultrasound revealed he was breech (I knew it!). 2 hours after checking in, the C-section was complete and Wesley James was born! 5 pounds 2 ounces.

Since he's 5 1/2 weeks early - he hasn't developed the drive to eat as much as he would if he were a couple of weeks further along. So a feeding tube was recently put in to supplement any nutrional needs he doesn't get during breast/bottle feeding. He's doing great though and we're hopeful he'll be out of the Special Care Nursery within a week or two.

On the operating table

Our baby boy with his little breech legs/hips...they've since calmed down a lot.

Our precious family- thank you Lord for a safe delivery of our son, I'm overcome with love for this sweet little boy, our little Wes.

Grandma Gough

Meme Penaranda

Liquid gold- my first 50 ml pump!

Wesley's first bath- 11/19/08, today he also got his IV out, only mother's milk to nurture him from now on (until he starts solids, of course)

Who's With Me?

The waiting is almost over....and I'm hoping to see a matinee to avoid the crowds.  Anyone interested in going next Friday? I can look up more details, like when and where if there's enough interest. Let me know!  You can come even if you haven't read it, but what are you waiting for?  

10 on 10 :: November :: Eastside