L is for Leavin

YEAH! Landon is home! Like a friend said on facebook, "Out first, home first, only fair"! Rooming in at the hospital was good in that we had the nursing staff available and we got to feed Grant in the middle of the night but bad in that the hallway was louder than loud and I of course couldn't sleep. Brian on the other hand slept like a champ! Tuesday we decided to stay and feed Grant again and run a few errands before making the trip home. Plus then we got to leave during my favorite shift of nurses, the evening shift:). We got him all bundled up and ready to go with all our goodies to make the trip home. Landon didn't seem to mind that it was freezing and snowing out, he was busy sucking his pacifier the whole way home.

Roomin' in with Landon

Getting ready to leave

All bundled up...no hands please!:)

First feeding at home

Bailey came up to help

The first couple of nights were a little rough, getting him used to sleeping in a new bed, finding out what works best, etc. but we're starting to get more of a routine now and being a teacher, of course I love routines/schedules! Friday was his first trip to the Doctor's Office. It went very well and they thought he was doing great so far! Current weight is up to 4lbs 10oz! He's taking his entire feeding at each feeding and sometimes acting like he wants even more! We'll have to wait a few more days though to increase that.

They even let us feed Landon before we left

 He's already had visits from Grandma & Grandpa Siegrist, Grandma Nancy is here for another week to help out and Uncle Ryan is visiting as well.

Got the first bath over with today, already getting too small for the hospital tub, going to have to bust out the whale tub for the next bath!

 Let's not forget about our little peanut Grant. He had a rough couple of days with his bottle feedings. Wasn't really taking much at all before getting really tired and had some alarms (bradys). I think it was him telling us he missed his brother! Good news though, he has taken the last four FULL bottles so we think we finally found a nipple that he likes!
Some oldies:

Grant & Landon

Grant

Landon

Grant & Landon

Grant

12 week Bday pics! Grant & Landon

Grant-wanting his gavage tube out NOW

Landon and his Elvis smile

Rooming in!

After a very long and emotionally exhausting week we are finally ready to "room in" tonight with Landon in a luxurious suite in the NICU, ok, not very luxurious but it'll do:). Yup, LANDON IS COMING HOME!!! Ok, soooo NOT going to jinx this but if all goes well he's due to come home tomorrow! More to come.....

Worldless Wednesday

SNIP!

Yup, Landon has joined the club of millions of boys and men....the big day was Sunday and it literally took 10 minutes from the time he left the nursery to the time he returned. Of course I was a nervous wreck and felt awful but the nurses promised me he won't remember:). All I could think of is it being like cruel people cutting off a kitten's tail. OUCH!

Landon resting quietly

 He also passed his car seat test which means he had to seat in his car seat for an hour with monitors on to make sure he can sit in it without any difficulties, whew. These are all steps that need to be done as he gets closer and closer to coming home. We're talking days now. In fact, we keep going in every day wondering if it'll be his last night in the NICU. Right now the Dr. needs to see a more stable weight gain from him (about 20-30 grams a night) and that he can maintain his temperature. They've added Neosure to his feedings (2 a day) to help to increase his calories since he's off of the human milk fortifier. We're getting really nervous and exciting for his homecoming. Lots of preparations the last couple of days! I'm guessing Grant is about 2 weeks behind or so. He just went to three feedings by bottle yesterday out of eight and is still weaning off the temperature from the isolette. Just needs to gain a little more weight to come out to an open crib like his brother.

Landon saying, "I'm all good"

Grant-ready to eat!

Overall both boys have been doing well this week. Still working on increasing the feeding sessions/gaining weight. They got their two month vaccinations over with and another eye exam that again just showed immature vessels. They'll be tested again in another two weeks.

Grant (L) & Landon (R) I wonder why Landon is holding his nose?!

Landon is up to 3lb14.8oz and Grant is 3lb10oz. Their cheeks are finally starting to fill out a little and I have to ward off the nurses from wanting to squeeze them! Looks like Landon's hair is continuing to be a "copper" color and I'm wondering if it's starting to get a curl to it even; with cute little strawberry blond eyelashes and Grant still has the spikey blond hair and blond long lashes.

Grant

Grant

Landon

Landon