The Giraffe

Jared and I have started a new tradition for Christmas... We get a new ornament that represented something that happened throughout that year.
OBVIOUSLY we decided to go with something for Zack this year! We could have chosen the traditional "Baby's 1st Christmas" ornament, but we figured that a giraffe ornament would symbolize much more.
It reminds us of his first bed (the name of the incubator that he was in was called a Giraffe), his room has giraffe's in the decor, and the thing we compared his size to from week one up to now is a giraffe. So needless to say, this ornament not only represents our little baby's first Christmas with us, but it also represents where he has come... from his little tiny body, from the NICU, up to now!

Just some pics!

I have taken so many pictures the past 5 1/2 months, but have had the most fun with them since Zack came home... so I thought I would post a few recent favorites. Sorry, this is more for my enjoyment than anything!

Great Grandparents

We went and visited with my grandpa and grandma this past weekend. Since we don't get to see them much because of the season, it was really fun for them to get to see Zack. It was even more special because Zack was named after my grandpa, William (Zackary William) and he was well enough to hold him for a few minutes for these pictures...

The number 7

The number seven is a significant number in our home. Jared's birthday is on the 7th of April, while mine is exactly 6 months apart on the 7th of October. Our wedding day is the 7th day of the 7th month (which is exactly 3 months between our birthdays!). Then Zack was born in the 7th month (unexpectedly!). Right now, we can add one more thing to that list. Zack's weight has hit the 7 pound mark!!! While visiting the NICU this past week, the nurses weighed him and sure enough, his Thanksgiving dinner pushed him over the line to 7 pounds 1 ounce!!

No more...

Well, we went to the eye doctor again this week, and for the first time the doctor said we are done!!!!!!! Zack's eye's have matured and he no longer has ROP. This was such great news for us. It made it seem like one step closer to having a "normal" baby! And, on top of Zack not having to go through that yucky exam every other week, that is just one less doctor's appointment we need to do now. WHEW!

The swing

So Zack is one of those babies who loves the swing! We got this amazing deal (thanks to my sister!) on a swing that goes side to side, and front to back, it plays music/sounds, and has a little mirror for him to look up to... and everyday he seems to love it more! Yesterday for example, he was in it and started to get a little fussy, so I took him out and he started screaming bloody murder!! That happened two different times too! You would think I would learn my lesson.
Anyway, as you can see in this picture, he seems to think he is on a roller coaster or something because he puts his arms up! So funny!!

4 month update

Today we went in for Zack's 4 month check-up, and that means shots! I think I am having a harder time dealing with them than he is. But if any of you have had kids, you know what this feeling is like when they stick that needle in their little body. Ouch is right!
Other than that, this check-up went well. I am happy to say that he is now weighing in at 6 pounds 1 ounce!! Now obviously for a 4 month old, that isn't very good, but considering we have come from 1 pound 4 ounces, I will take it!
Also, yesterday we went to the eye doctor (yes, we still aren't done with that one!) and things are looking really great now. Half of his eyes are "matured" now, but there is the other half that is slowly catching up. So we are "progressing out of stage 3" but still considered 'stage 3' at this point. I am hoping another 2 weeks will do the trick... but again, I have said that before!
Just for fun, I thought I would also add this in... since we came home on October 3rd, we have been to 10 doctor appointments!! Normal people don't go to the doctor that many times in ONE YEAR, let alone ONE MONTH! Good times...

1st Halloween

For Halloween this year, Zack was a football! He made a very good one too! Then Jared was a football player and I was the cheerleader. It was really nice to have him home for Halloween... I like dressing him up everyday anyway, but having a real holiday to dress him up... I'll take it!
Special thanks to my sister Bitty and my mom for their help in making the costume!!! We appreciate it so much.

NICU Visit

Well it's been 3 weeks since Zack has been home, so we thought, why not go visit the NICU?! We just loved those nurses so much, so it was time to see a few of them again! It was really weird to be back, yet it felt so normal to be there at the same time. Even as we were there talking, the nurses, RT's, and the doctor were still concerned for Zack's health and wanted to make sure we had everything we needed. So once again, we are so thankful to them for everything! It was nice to be back... and even nicer to just be visiting!!!

I'm a shepard

If any of you have met Zack, you know what his cry sounds like. For those of you who have not heard it yet, this is for you! I have a little lambie!! It is the cutest cry ever, and I am afraid that he is starting to grow out of it a little. So, here is a video from when he was in the NICU of what it sounded like. Enjoy!!

Hair color

So Zack's hair is changing color... or so it seems. It now looks more red every day. He went from blond to brown, back to blond, and now it's more of a strawberry-blond! Let me just say that neither Jared or myself have red hair, nor does anyone on either side of the family... so where does he get it?!
Also, you tell me, does his hair look like it will have some curls to it?? This time, Jared and I both have natural curly hair, so will Zack??

Doctor Appointment's

Yesterday Zack had his first visit to the pediatrician's office. Without going into too many details, we didn't really care for the pediatrician, so as I got home, Jared had made some calls and we had another appointment with a different doctor... but for the same day, and it was in the SLC area. No big deal, right?! Well if any of you have had a newborn, they like to sleep. Let's just say, Zack wasn't able to get very much sleep yesterday, and as a result, we got to deal with a VERY unhappy baby! However, the 2nd doctor we went to, we liked much better and things are looking good with Zack.

Today was the dreaded eye doctor visit. It looks like he is still in Stage 3, but it also looks like it's improved a little from last week's check. So we may be heading in the right direction now. We have another visit next week, so we'll see how it's looking then. (Does this topic seem to just repeat itself every week or so now?!)

Well, since bringing Zack home on Friday, we have not slept!! Everyone told us to take advantage of sleeping through the night before he came home, and I thought we did, but nothing can prepare you for it until you just see for yourself! The biggest problem is Zack has his days and nights mixed up. The nurses warned us about that, but unfortunately, they didn't fix it before he came home. :>
I also have had so much fun taking pictures... not like I wasn't doing that everyday already, but somehow, having all the tubes off his face and body, makes a difference. And I love playing 'dress up' with him!! Jared makes fun of me, but I like to set his clothes out the night before (like he has somewhere to go or something!). It is just so much fun to have him home. We still miss being with everyone at the NICU... especially the fact that we didn't have to worry about getting up in the middle of the night then!

We're home!!!!!

ZACK - DAY ONE:

ZACK - DAY NINETY-FIVE:

Today is October 3rd, 2008. The time is 4:30 PM and I am sitting here with Zack in my arms at home!!!
Zack has had his ups and downs in the NICU, and the nurses would all say that one day things would just "click", and sure enough it did. He has done so amazing the past 3 months and 3 days, that I couldn't be happier!
This week was a little rough, though. Zack had his eye test on Wednesday and his eyes got a little worse. He is now in stage 3 so we are far from out of the woods yet, but all things considered, we still got to take him home. He will have to have a follow up appointment next Thursday, so we will wait one more week!
Now the new adjustment of being home, during RSV season. We were told to basically stay home, limit taking Zack out, limit how many people are around him at one time, and disinfect/wash hands constantly... to name a few! I am sure we won't mind. Heck, we have lost time to make up for!!
Now if you don't mind, I am going to go cuddle up to my little boy!!!

Bittersweet Tears

I never thought that I would be crying the happy/sad tears when we got to this point! We are taking our car seat into the NICU today... and if you know anything about the NICU, once you bring your car seat in, your time is just about up (providing Zack passes his eye test today...)!
I am crying happy tears because 3 months ago, Zack was born, and I finally will get to take him home. I am crying happy tears because we get to resume a "normal" life again... OK, that won't happen until RSV season is over :> I am crying happy tears because of all of the wonderful support we have had the past 3 months has been overwhelming. I am crying happy tears because I will be able to hold my baby without asking permission!
But there are sad tears today because we know our time is short in the NICU now, and we have a whole new family in there. Our nurses, doctors, respiratory therapists, and all the other staff at St. Mark's have really become our family through this whole ordeal. They have literally saved Zack's life, and for that alone, we are forever thankful. We can't even express how much we are going to miss them!
I am crying sad tears because I have seen a new little family come into the NICU with premature twins, and one of them has passed away. I am sad that we won't be there to help them through their long journey in the NICU. I am crying sad tears because we won't be seeing our dear friends, the Hansen's, everyday now.
I do not handle change very well, so with all that is going on for us this week, I am kind of a mess! I just need to thank everyone for their love and support! I truly believe that Zack has done so well because of all of the prayers that have been said for him, and for us. One day when we tell him stories about this experience, and he will look at the hundreds of pictures we have of him, and he won't be able to even understand the love and kindness that we have felt. So thank you everyone who has been apart of his life so far, we will never forget this!

MRI

Zack had an MRI done yesterday to see if there were any developmental issues, and I am happy to say that everything looks just fine!!! What a relief! And to help, they didn't have to sedate him or give him anything... he just cooperated!
Also, I don't want to jinx myself here, but Zack has been breathing room air for almost 2 days now! This is the longest he has gone now, so I am trying not to let him know he's doing it, or he may go back to 'wanting' the extra oxygen flow!!

AND, he also had his hearing test done, and he passed with flying colors. So just one more thing to be thankful for today.
And I am just throwing these pictures in for fun... on Sunday we had another bath day, and the nurses were fantastic!! They made a little jacuzzi for Zack and even took all the tubes off of his face. I think he really enjoyed it :>

The rivalry continues...

A little while ago I posted about the Blue vs. Red in the NICU. I also mentioned we had something else up our sleeve! Well, we made this cute little sign that had the nurse's picture on it and it said, "NICU nurse by day, Cougar fan by night". We got to the NICU and then innocently, hung them all around so everyone could enjoy them! No harm there, right?!

The next day, we get to the hospital, and there is our sweet little Zack, all dressed in red, with little "U's" taped on him! Apparently, there was also a little photo shoot that day with him all "dressed up" too! Notice he didn't have the oxygen or feeding tubes connected. Although he was in red, the pictures turned out SO cute!!!
I really don't know what was more funny... seeing Zack laying there not knowing what was going on, or Jared's reaction to it all!! Since that day, we don't hear the end of it with the Cougars vs. the Utes. However, yesterday's score for the Cougars, was another victory of 44-0...

Well I suppose I should let everyone know what has been happening this past week. First, let's get the eye exam stuff out of the way! He has had 3 weeks of staying in Stage 2 and Zone 2 now, which means he hasn't gotten worse, but he hasn't gotten better either. So the eye doctor is going to wait this week to do an exam, and then he will check again next week to see what, if any, progress was made. So we aren't out of the woods yet!
Then, the bottle feeding! This has been the biggest roller coaster we have been on since we were admitted on July 1st! At the beginning, Zack didn't like the bottle too much, then he started to pick it up and do about every other one, then he went back to doing them, and now we are slowing going back down the hill again of not doing them! We have tried feeding him when he is awake, when he is sleeping, with different nipples on the bottle, with lowering the calories and timing on the feedings, and even with a variety of people trying to feed him, and just when we think he is going to catch on, he doesn't!! Maybe someday...

2 1/2 months later...

2 1/2 months have gone by and we are making progress. Zack is now weighing in at an even 4 pounds!! Last night we were there when he was getting weighed, and we had an audience to see if he would hit the 4 pound mark. It was the funniest thing to see the excitement in the room when the nurse said he made it to 4 pounds! Ya' gotta love the little things. Zack also had his length measured last night, and he has grown to 16 inches long now... which is 4 inches longer than when he was born! Another one of those little things!

Jared and I have been talking a lot about our stay in the NICU the past couple of days, and since we are pro's now :>, we have to say that things could be a lot worse for us. We decided last night while driving home that there are really 2 main things that have made this experience go so fast, as well as an actual pleasant experience (all things considered!).
The first is the friends that we have made in the NICU. Having the friendship, support, someone to share things with that know EXACTLY what it feels like to have a baby in the NICU, having the shoulder to cry on, laughing when things can be so down, and just the connection you immediately get when you are placed in these kinds of situations... is exactly what we have at St. Mark's. So thanks for everything Steph, Ryan, & Avery! We love you guys!

The second is the nurses/respiratory therapists/staff at St. Mark's. We have really grown to love these people. From playing jokes on the nurses, to the sound of "moo" coming from the other room... from being able to just hold our baby without being wrapped up in a hundred blankets, to just giving us a hard time for liking BYU and not Utah!! They have made this experience so much easier than we ever imagined. So thanks to all of them for taking care of our baby! We KNOW we couldn't do this without you!!!

September 11

This is a weird day for me this year... I have always been a very patriotic person and absolutely love the 4th of July! Heck, one of my favorite songs is "God Bless the USA" by Lee Greenwood, and I even won concert tickets once singing that song on the radio! Anyway, September 11th is no exception to the patriotism. I have no ties to anyone who was killed, but the stories and experiences that I hear every year are heart breaking and it is hard not to be touched.
Well, it was also a year ago today that I went for my first doctor appointment when I was pregnant. I had thought I was almost 11 weeks along, but when the doctor did the ultrasound, the baby only measured at 7 weeks, 3 days. There was also no heartbeat. I didn't understand what the doctor had meant when she said the word "miscarriage". I kept thinking that since my body hadn't recognized that the baby didn't make it, maybe she was wrong! Not so lucky... Up to that point in my life, I never felt the true pain of losing something or someone.
My due date for that baby was right around the first part of April 2008. 3 months later, July 1st, I had a baby in this world and couldn't believe the difference in time! Although not the ideal circumstances for Zack to be coming so early, I have to smile and say "I am so blessed!"
So today as we remember those who were so brave 7 years ago, I am also thinking of my little one who didn't make it in this world, but how lucky I am to have my baby Zack to hold.

We moved again

Zack has now been moved into an open crib!!! YEAH! That is one of the requirements for him to be able to come home, that and being able to hold his own temperature while in there, so check this one off the list! The reason why he got moved into the crib is because he was being so fussy for a few days, so one of the nurses tried bundling him up, and he loved it. So they did a trial run in the crib, and so far so good! Also since Zack is in the crib now, we get to hold him at every feeding, which is every 3 hours. That is the best ever. But you better believe that when he gets home, I will be holding him much more than that!

Also, they added more calories to his milk, as well as added more cc's for him to eat, so he is bulking up! He now weighs 3 pounds 10 ounces!!! I can't believe he is gaining to fast. You can definitely see the difference in the pictures now.

Zack's Room

We've been trying to work on Zack's room for a while now... but now that we are getting close, we decided we better get movin! OK, not like he's coming home this week or anything, but we are hoping about another month or so.
Anyway, here are some pics of what his room is looking like. I made his name block, and for some reason, I struggled with it! All of the crafty, scrapbook things are all cute for a girl... so I did the best I could!!
We still need to fill up some of the shelf space, so if you have any fun ideas for me, I would love to hear them!