Mr. Personality

Hi folks!

It's been a great couple of weeks. Zachary has been introduced to more family and friends.

This is Crystal. Notice Zachary just staring at her...he loved being held by her. When she fed him, he burped very easily...that's rare these days.

Here is Crystal with her husband, cousin James. They drove four hours to come meet Zachary. They surprised Mommy in the hospital with a visit back when she was on bedrest before Zachary was born. When we go visit Daddy's relatives in the country, we stay at their house.

Here are Summer and Mandi.
Mommy used to work with both of them, and they stayed in touch.

Summer's a natural - look at her cuddling sweet Zachary!

Mandi loves her some Zachary!

Zachary spit up on his boppy cover so he's just enjoying it bare.
He's so cute!

Shhh!! Don't tell that we shared this...
but we call this the "Franken-Baby" sleep pose.

Snuggle time...
Mommy snuggling with Zachary and
Zachary snuggling with his bear.
We hope you enjoyed the pictures. Love to all!

Zachary is brilliant and handsome!

We got such great news yesterday and today!

Yesterday Early Childhood Intervention came out to see how Zachary is doing developmentally. As we have explained earlier, Zachary is four months old, but developmentally is recognized as being one month old, corrected. The corrected age is based on his due date and not his actual birthday. He will have a corrected age until he is about two years old and then he should be caught up to his actual birth-age.

Anyway, ECI came out and after assessing him and watching him interact with both the ECI personnel and with us they have determined he is at or above where he should be for his one month developmental age. In some things he is doing what a one-month old should be doing and in some things he is doing what a two-month old should be doing. He's brilliant, but we aren't surprised! He currently does not qualify for ECI as he is where or beyond where he should be (and is not delayed), but they will monitor his progress and should he develop any special needs, they will be there for us. This is such great news!! It was so neat watching him interact with strangers and then interact with us. He definitely knows who his Mommy and Daddy are. While he'll allow anyone to hold him, with us he cuddles us while we hold him, which he doesn't do for just anyone. He was very alert for his exam and they did make a specific mention to that even with his original Grade III brain bleed, he does not favor one side over the other. Again, this is such wonderful news!

Today Zachary went to the pediatrician. He now weighs seven pounds 15 ounces and measures 18 and 3/4 inches. We are so proud of him, as is Dr. Gray. He is growing and gaining as he should be, even with his problem with reflux. Dr. Gray suggested that we add a little bit of rice cereal to his milk to see if that help with his spitting up (that darn reflux keeps acting up!). He received his four-month vaccinations today and overall is just doing wonderfully!

We dressed him up special for his appointment. Thanks to Auntie Devin and Uncle Paul for the onesie that states the obvious..."handsome"! Ha ha!

It's exhausting being so handsome!

Snuggling with Daddy.

Sleeping on Mommy.

Anyway, we just had to share the good news. Love to all!

The NICU Mommies

Hi folks!

Over the weekend Kim went to Lisa's (Brinson's Mommy) baby shower. It was a lot of fun and Kim says she felt like a celebrity...she walked in and most people recognized her from this blog...they said "hey, it's Zachary's mom!". It was a special moment for her. Kim enjoyed seeing Lisa and celebrating Brinson.

Here's a picture of the NICU Mommies...
Top Row: Kim, Lisa (Brinson's Mommy) and Nancy (James' Mommy)
Bottom Row: Jessica (Aubrey's Mommy) and Laura (Noah's Mommy)

And that's Brinson on the TV behind us!

In other news, Zachary is four months old today! Tomorrow Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) is coming out to see how Zachary is developing and to determine if he has any special needs at this time (i.e., to see if he has any eating issues that an occupational therapist may be able to help with - only an example) and then on Wednesday he has his four month check-up with Dr. Gray, his pediatrician. He did very well this weekend without his cannula. Yay Zachary! He also got to meet his cousins James and Crystal who live in Rockdale in Central Texas and with whom we stay every time we go to the country. Pictures of their visit with Zachary are coming...

Here are a couple of pictures that Mommy snapped with her cell phone over the weekend.

The "Milk-Drunk" look.

Sleepy Baby!

Please keep Brinson in your prayers, she continues to have a bunch of issues that the doctors are trying to figure out and correct medically (instead of surgically). We are praying that any additional medical issues are not serious and are easily corrected without further surgery. As for the other NICU babies, Noah is off his cannula and weighs over 7 pounds and is at level 2 status (unofficially) and Aubrey is loving life at home with her Mommy and Daddy, she now weighs 7 pounds 9 ounces. Both Noah and Aubrey were born at 27 weeks, just like Zachary!

Thanks for remembering us and the other NICU babies in your thoughts and prayers and thanks for all the comments, we really enjoy reading them.

Love to all!

No More Cannula!

We got great news this morning, Zachary no longer needs additional oxygen via the nasal cannula! Whoo hoo!!



Here are a couple pictures we took with our cell phones this week...







And here are a couple Stephen took after he took off the nasal cannula!





We are super excited about this news. We hope all of you have a wonderful weekend.
Love to all!!

More Pictures and a Video too!!

Working that pacifier!

He even sleeps cute!

What am I supposed to do with this?

Our friend Marsha got to meet Zachary.

Naaa, naaa, naaa, naaa, naaa, naah!

Play time for Zachary!

We hope you enjoyed the pictures and the video. Love to all!

Zachary's Baby Blues and New Pictures!

We got great news about Zachary's baby blue eyes...no more ROP!

This means that Zachary's vision should be fine and he doesn't have to go back to the eye doctor for another six to eight months. The next doctor's appointment will be just a check-up without the icky process they have to do to determine ROP. Whoo hoo!

...And now for pictures!!!

Showing that belly!

Meeting Uncle Paul and Auntie Devin

Love to all!

Our big boy!

Hi folks!

Zachary went to see his pediatrician yesterday. He now weighs 7 pounds, 6 ounces and measures 18 and a half inches. Dr. Gray was very impressed with the weight he has gained in two weeks. He's also losing that beautiful strawberry blond hair he has. We'll see what is going to grow in next!

Tomorrow Zachary goes back to the eye doctor to check on his ROP. Two weeks ago the doctor told us he thought Zachary's ROP was resolving and this may be one of our last appointments. Whoo hoo!

Some tidbits about Zachary...he loves being held, it doesn't matter who is holding him. He likes looking at faces and loves his daily tummy time. He also is really good at turning towards the tv when he gets his diaper changed. He is a night owl and likes to stay up late. He continues to be the reigning Prince Poops A Lot!

Last weekend Uncle Paul and Auntie Devin came out to meet him. We had a great time and they spent lots and lots of time holding and even some time feeding Zachary. We'll post the pictures soon.

It's been a tough week for a couple of our NICU friends. Brinson has had a rough week and is back on the CPAP and trying to stay warm (the NICU has been surprisingly cold over the past few days). Also, Monday was a very sad day as after months of fighting, sweet little James passed away. Please remember these families in your prayers. We really bonded with these and other families and their struggles are our struggles and their joys are our joys. We believe we are all life-long friends because of our NICU experiences. In other news, babies Noah and Aubrey are doing well and we are so glad to hear it!

As always, thanks for the comments, love and prayers! Love to all.

More Pictures!

A happy baby.

Spending time with Daddy.

Yay! A finger to hold!

Sleeping in Mommy's arms.


Enjoying some time on the floor mat.


Daddy giving me some tummy time!


Sooooo sleepy!


Wearing the shirt made especially for me!


Grandma Marla serving lunch.


A smiling Zachary and a sleepy Mommy.


Brinson's Parents, Ned and Lisa


Brinson's Grandma, MeMe


BFFs!


Kisses from Grandma Marla!


Tummy time!


We hope you have enjoyed the pictures. Love to all!