Henry is ONE Month Old!

It's hard to believe Henry was born a month ago today, because we feel like we just got him home!  The month of April has been kind of a blur for us but we couldn't be happier now. 

Henry yesterday getting ready for his 'newborn' photo shoot!  Can't wait to share those precious photos! 

We just got back from our one month appointment at the pedi and Henry has gained 1.5 lbs just this last week!  Yup, the boy likes to eat. 

On the way to the Pedi today. 

Here are his stats: 

Weight:  8lbs 5oz  (14th %ile)

Height:  20-1/4in.  (9%ile)

Head:  14in.  (7%ile)  

He's a little bit on the small end probably because he got a slow start in the NICU, but we figure he's going to be naturally competitive with his big brother and try to be just as chubby as he was.  As you can see above, he's already working on the chubby cheeks and the double chin!

In case you've all forgotten...



What Henry has to compete with- Charlie at 3 mo.  What a CHUB!


Otherwise Henry is doing GREAT!  He is a very alert baby when he is awake and wants to be held constantly.  Seeing that we didn't get to hold him for over 2 weeks, we don't mind!  He doesn't cry very often but is a grunter.  It's hilarious!

We are enjoying him very much and can't wait to see how he changes in the next month! 

Sweet Friends

Our good friends Kyle & Brittany were in town from Austin the last week Henry was in the NICU and wanted to meet up to see him and for our kids to play.  Charlie and their precious daughter Campbell are only a week apart!  Until recently they were living in Bakersfield, CA and so the last time the kids were together they were just learning to crawl. 

Campbell & Charlie- 1st meeting at 7 months old

We had them over one evening and Charlie & Campbell were adorable playing together!  It was so fun seeing them interact- it was like watching twins!  Charlie isn't always the greatest at sharing HIS toys at HIS house, but he loved her so much that he didn't mind sharing with her. 

They played in the fort together...

Sweet Friends!

They took turns going down the slide...

Cute Charlie



Cute Campbell

They swung together...

They played in the sandbox together...

They ate fajitas and ICE CREAM together...

They blew bubbles together...

They colored and played together.

One thing about that precious Campbell is she is a Lover!  I adore her.. she is so sweet and is always willing to pass out hugs and kisses to Charlie.  I always try to *make* Charlie be affectionate but he's just not interested... It probably doesn't help that I smother him with kisses constantly!

He definitely didn't mind Campbell love though. 

These are my favorite... Look at these two!  I plan to embarrass them with these in the future.  :)

Precious!

He loves it.

Thanks for coming McQuire's!  We love you and can't wait to hang out again!  xoxoxoxo

Day 21: Monday, April 18th- Henry's last day in the NICU

We are HOME!  

Sunday night we were able to stay in a Care by Parent room in the Ronald McDonald house.  It was great to be able to have Henry stay in the room with us and just US!  We had no oxygen, cords or monitors connected to him!  He was a good baby- woke up a few times to eat and then slept the rest of the time.  We are ready to take him home! 

Henry & Mama waiting for Daddy to come spend the night at Ronald McDonald house.

Monday morning Dr. Kahn made his last rounds with the nurses and said Henry is now fully recovered and will have no long term effects from his NICU stay or respiratory distress.  Praise God! 
He said to move forward treating Henry like any other newborn baby- screening visitors for illness, etc. 

The nurses came and did our discharge paperwork and we were ready to go!   Since Henry couldn't eat for the 1st week of his life, I was able to get a milk bank started for him.  I had NO idea how much had accumulated in the NICU freezer.  We may end up donating some of it, but at least Henry won't go hungry!  We are ready to get him fattened up like his big brother. 

Charlie came home from school and finally met his Baby Henry!  It was a very sweet moment.

He was very curious and wanted to help us feed him or give him his pacifier.  He also was very sweet at bedtime and gave him a hug and a kiss.  I think he's going to be the best big brother! 




Henry napping in his swing. 


I have to keep reminding myself that he is 3 weeks old and not a newborn.  It is so wonderful having him home.  We want to thank everyone again for the support, sweet emails & calls, and prayers! 

God is good. 

Day 20: Sunday, April 17th Update

We are THRILLED to announce that our Henry is coming home tomorrow!!!

He was able to come off of his cannula last night & is now breathing room air!

Heyyyyy YA!  Take that nasal cannula! 



We are so happy to see his sweet face without any equipment!


Henry had a big morning- he was circumcised, he passed his hearing test on the 2nd try, and also passed his 1 hour car seat test.

Charlie spent the afternoon with Daddy playing and swimming in the beautiful weather.

Couldn't resist!

Tonight we are transitioning in caring for Henry by staying in a Care by Parent room at the Ronald McDonald house while Grammy stays with Charlie.  Thank you Grammy!  It'll be so nice to be able to care for our baby on our own. 

If all goes smoothly we should be home with Henry by tomorrow afternoon! 

Praise God for answered prayers!

Day 18 and 19: Friday and Saturday, April 15th and 16th, 2011 Update

Today was the first day that the nurses felt comfortable enough to mention the 4 letter "H" word,

"Home!"

 Everything has been going as good as it possibly could and Henry is making remarkable progress.

Henry has been off of CPAP for two days now and is on a very low flow of oxygen (0.5L) at 21% oxygen which is the same percentage we breathe.  Tomorrow morning they plan to take him off all oxygen! 

Friday we started feeding through a bottle and he did so well that Becki was able to nurse him as well.  Today he had his direct feeding tube removed and is now taking all 8 feeds/day through nursing or the bottle.  It was great to see him & minus the nasal cannula, he looks and acts just like Charlie did when he was a baby.

Once again, the nurses and doctors are very happy with his progress and we know it must be good when they are comfortable about talking about going home with us.

He only has a couple of hurdles left and they include:

-Prove that he can breathe steady without any oxygen help. 
-Continue to take all feeds through nursing/bottle feeding & having enough wet diapers throughout the day.

-Car seat test. They just want to see how he responds & breaths when sitting upright in a car seat and will sit him in it for about an hour.

-Circumcision tomorrow morning. Ouch!

-Hearing test. His first hearing test today was a little off in his left ear, so they are going to retest tomorrow.  They suspect that he was too active during the test which resulted in unclear results.



Tia Jessica and Tio David, came to see me. Dad forgot to take a picture of Tio David.



As for Charlie... 

Dad dresses me like I'm 80 years old



Mom came home and we played. I'm ready to share my toys with my little brother.



Day 17: Thursday, April 14th, 2011 Update

Today was our due date for our Henry, and turned out to be a great day!  It's hard to understand why my body decided to go into labor before Henry's lungs were ready.  I can't help but wonder how things would be different if he was born today.  However, everything happens for a reason and we have had 17 days to know, love and pray for our sweet son!  His due date proved to be a lucky day. 

Dr. Kahn came in for rounds and was pleased with Henry's progress at low pressure & oxygen on the CPAP, so decided to give him his 3rd try on the nasal cannula today- a day earlier than planned.  So far, 3rd time is a charm!  He was able to transition over to the nasal cannula and his breathing stayed fairly consistent all day long.  It was a huge improvement from just Monday when we tried last.  It looks like we may be off the CPAP for good this time.  Hopefully! 

Do I get to keep the CPAP mask off this time? 

Yawwwwwn!

Tomorrow our plan is to possibly go down to a slower flow of oxygen AND to try feeding for the first time!  Since he has been fed his milk through his stomach tube, he'll have to learn how to suck, swallow, and breathe at the same time.  He really likes sucking on his pacifier, so we are hoping he adjusts easily.  We are going to try a bottle at first to see how he does and so we can monitor how much he eats, then will hopefully get to try nursing soon afterwards.  Wish us luck! 

Trey's Uncle Eric and Aunt Beth drove in from Brenham to visit with us and meet Henry.  We had a good time updating them on Henry and Charlie enjoyed another trip to Hermann park. 

Uncle Eric playing with Charlie

Uncle Eric, Trey, Charlie, Aunt Beth

Day 15 and Day 16: Tuesday and Wednesday, April 12-13, 2011

Memorial Hermann has a constant number of babies coming in and out and they are also upgrading some of their monitors, so we have moved pods. We are no longer in Cat and are now in Giraffe. Giraffes have always been Becki's favorite animal, so that has to be a good sign. Unfortunately with the switch, I have not been able to make it in time for rounds as they visit the Giraffe pod long before my work lunch break. Becki does a good job of taking notes but Dr. Kahn did ask today where was "Dad and his Pad?"

Henry is still holding steady. He is still on CPAP but at normal oxygen levels of 21%, the same percentage that we breathe in the air. He really just needs the pressure that the CPAP gives to keep his lungs open.

Dr. Kahn talked to Becki yesterday and used an analogy to explain the possible reason why Henry still requires the positive pressure from the CPAP. He said that lungs act a bit like a tube filled with air. Initially Henry's lungs were stiff like a tire tube- it'd take quite a bit of effort to inflate as they were not very elastic. As time progresses and his lungs develop, his lungs will transition to become more like a beach ball then finally to the consistency of a balloon.  Right now Henry is between the beach ball and balloon phase.

Dr. Kahn assured us it will get better, it is just a matter of time. Henry is going to stay on CPAP until Friday when they will try the Nasal Cannula again. Hopefully his lungs will be ready to make the jump!

He is now completely off all sedation meds and as a result is more alert! 

Taking a short break from his CPAP for a picture and a head massage!

Becky & Suzie came to visit Becki & Henry today.  Henry was wide awake for their whole visit and was even able to be off CPAP for a short while so they could see his cute face.

Day 13 and Day 14: Sunday and Monday April 10-11, 2011

We apologize that we didn't do a blog yesterday, but we have found other things to do while at the hospital and that is to hold our little boy.

Once again he is steady. Saying that he is making a ton of progress would be a little misleading because every time that we think that he is ready to come off of CPAP his little lungs get exhausted and we have to put him back on it.

It has been a little frustrating, but his tiny body knows what it needs and is just waiting for the right time. We are learning this is all at Henry's pace, no matter how eager we are to have him home.


Off CPAP (nasal cannula)



On CPAP

I think that he just trying to develop the right "look" and is trying out each one carefully before he decides.

Here is a youtube video of Henry and his progress this afternoon. I think that he looks pretty strong.

Henry is eating really well and in fact has officially gained weight. His has gained exactly one once and is weighing in at 6lbs 7oz.

Grammy Holding Henry for the first time on Sunday

"Become a possibilitarian. No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see possibilities - always see them, for they are always there" - Norman Vincent Peale

Day 12: Saturday, April 9 Update

Henry is once again holding steady.  He was having a little bit of trouble staying at a good oxygen saturation level just on the nasal cannula so they switched him back to CPAP.  It is not really a setback, just a sign that he still needs the oxygen help.  We are letting Henry set his own pace and telling us what he needs.  He's a little more relaxed on the CPAP, and doesn't have to work as hard.

The main difference between the Nasal Cannula verses the CPAP is the actual fitting on the nose. The CPAP has a better seal and doesn't allow air to escape before entering the body as compared to Nasal Cannula where air can escape out the mouth or just not make it throu the nose. A good analogy is to compare SCUBA diving to CPAP and Snorkling to Nasal Cannula; bottom line is that both are a good way to get to see some amazing fish!



Learning to enjoy his paci.

Charlie and I hung out for most of the day while Becki stayed with Henry.  She got to hold him the whole day! 


I was able to wear Charlie out by getting his help with the mowing the yard and help with the compost.  It was nice to have a couple of hours to catch up on the house in the nice weather.

Here is a picture of him falling asleep on the floor of his room with his pillow pet. Notice the unfinished carbs (bread)!

While it was my turn to visit Henry, Becki & Charlie ran to Target for a few things.  Charlie got a little carried away with his snacks... here is a cute video of him.  Such a MESS!  (Not sure if you can tell by the video quality, but he has stuff allllllllll over his face)

We are looking forward to another day spent with our boys tomorrow!  It'll be nice when we can all be together at home.  Each day is one step closer!