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!