Happy Halloween!

As most of you know, Halloween has always been one of my favorite Holidays. I love dressing up and all of the decorations that go with the event. Plus, it's usually the first crisp cool air and is the epitome of the Fall Season. Since we are in "RSV Hibernation", I thought we would have the days of Halloween at home with the little guy. We had a different outfit for the last 3 days this week, and I wanted to share some of the pictures. ENJOY!

With my Mommy- and she still looks really tired!

"Boo!"

This is my "scary" face

One of his favorite NICU nurses, Kelly, gave him this onesie. It says "This is My Costume"

The socks are from one of my co-workers, Lisa

Looking up at his Nana

This outfit came from his primary NICU nurse, Crys. The socks are from his "Aunt Melissa in NYC"

Happy Halloween Everybody!

How Big Am I?

Rob had his f/u appointments last week with the eye doctor and his pediatrician. His ROP has completely corrected itself and we don't have to see the Opthamologist for 6 months! We are so very excited and feel so blessed for that wonderful miracle.

His pediatrician appt. went well; he had gained 6 ounces and was up to 5 pounds and gained a 1/2 inch and was 18 inches. The doctor was very impressed by these numbers and wants us to increase his food so that he is up to 2 ounces by the end of the week- no problem for Robinson, he LOVES to eat. We just increased slowly, b/c his reflux has been very manageable compared to most preemies, and we don't want him to have to go on medicine.

Here are some recent pictures that I thought you all would enjoy...

This is his "hoodie" outfit that Miss Rosemary bought for him

He is starting to love looking at brightly colored objects

This is a bear that his Grandma Peggy bought for him. I thought it would be neat to take a picture of him beside it each week so that you could get an idea of how big he is.

RSV

For all of our Family and Friends:

RSV. For those of you who plan to visit us over the next few months, and even if you are not, please read this information.

We want to start by saying thank you for the outpouring of support we have received from everyone. So many people have done so much for us, and every bit of help we have received truly is appreciated. We are experiencing the biggest challenge of our lives, and we’re lucky to be surrounded by so many family members and friends who have shown us so much love and support. Our pediatrician and NICU physicians and nurses have asked us to educate you about RSV.

If you are not aware of RSV, respiratory syncytial virus, you are among the majority. Most people have not heard of RSV, even though nearly every child has had the virus by age two. For full-term babies, RSV typically is not any worse than a common cold, but for preemies, the virus can be quite different.

Babies born earlier than 36 weeks are at the highest risk for serious complications like pneumonia, bronchiolitis, and other sometimes fatal complications. Robinson was born at 26 weeks, had IUGR (low birth weight due to pre-e) and was on the ventilator for a month; these are among the highest risk factors for contracting RSV and developing serious complications. This virus can be life threatening for micro preemies.

This website offers a great visual comparison of a preemie’s lungs compared to the lungs of a full-term baby: http://www.preemiecare.org/LungsTrees03-4.pdf

Preventing the spread of RSV is very difficult. Thus, we may seem a little "crazy or obsessive" about keeping Robinson safe during RSV season (October through April). The virus is spread through physical contact, in the air via a cough or sneeze, or by touching an infected object. The virus can live as long as six hours on hands and up to twelve hours on objects, and it spreads very easily, especially from child to child. Studies have also shown that infants pose an even higher risk of spreading RSV to others.

You may ask, “Can’t he fight it off and build up his immune system? Kids need to get sick, right?” The simple answer is NO. Since Robinson was born before the 3rd trimester, he did not acquire the necessary immunities to fight off infection- in fact, he didn't have time to receive any immunities from me- he was basically born without an immune system. If he contracts RSV, he could be hospitalized and develop serious complications- it is very likely he would have to go on a ventilator again- which would cause further long term damage to his lungs.

We’ll be asking our visitors to follow a few guidelines to help prevent our little man from contracting RSV or any other illness.

We ask that all visitors do the following:

1. When you arrive, please wash your hands- for AT LEAST 1 MINUTE and use hand-sanitizer as needed before touching Robinson.

2. Please, if it is possible, get a flu shot.

3. Please refrain from coming over if you are currently sick and have not been symptom-free for at least 5 days, if you live with someone who is sick, or have been in close contact with someone who is sick.

4. If you smoke, we ask that you change your clothing and refrain from smoking prior to visiting, as a preemie’s lungs are very sensitive to smoke. Most RSV sites recommend against passive smoke exposure.

5. If you are parents to a baby or toddler, please refrain from bringing them to our house during RSV season.

Unfortunately we will not be attending many events during RSV season- this includes Thanksgiving and Christmas family/friends get togethers. Our goal is to make it through this and the next RSV seasons without Rob contracting RSV or any other serious illness. His lungs are still very fragile until he is 2-years-old.

Please understand that this post is not meant to offend anyone, just simply to provide an explanation. And we know that you all want to see our little miracle and "oooh" and "awww"...just like Rian and I do every day, but it is simply not a good idea this year and we must put Robinson's health as a top priority. We hope you understand, and we appreciate your help in keeping Robinson illness free this year.

We are also providing several resources with additional information about RSV below.
http://www.preemiecare.org/rsv_resourceshtm.htm
http://www.preemiecare.org/rsvfaq.htm
http://www.preemiecare.org/rsv2.htm
http://www.mostonline.org/preemieBB/viewforum.php?f=82

Please keep Robinson in your continued prayers and that his immune system will continue to develop and he can stay far away from illness and the hospital!

THANK YOU!

There's No Place Like Home

He did it! Robinson came home from the NICU on October 17, 2008- which, ironically, was his original due date. Here are some pictures from his last morning ..

His Primary Nurse- Crys- she has been with him since the first day he was born- we will miss her so much

In the carseat, getting ready to leave (we left in a cute little outfit that our friends Rebecca and Chad sent to him from Memphis)
His Nana (my mom) holding him when we get home - no hospital gowns!
This is how Rian found Robinson and I the next morning at 7:30 am - it was a rough first night (and yes, I KNOW I look hideous- that's what staying up all night will do for ya)!.
This was taken today- napping in his pack n play- if you are wondering about the blankets...we are trying to keep him elevated for his reflux

All in all, I think he's done really well coming home. We are sticking to the NICU schedule of eating every 3 hours, then we try to keep him awake for about 30 minutes or so, and then he sleeps until his next feeding...we are trying to keep a routine with him, so that his world isn't totally upside down. We have a f/u with the opthamologist for his ROP check up tomorrow afternoon and then we will go to the pediatrician for his NICU f/u on Friday.

I have to say that it IS exhausting...I never knew how much I liked sleep, but somehow you find the energy to do it- ask me in a week, though, and I might be singing a different tune. ;-)

The Nursery- Complete

The nursery looked a little bare in the last post, so I wanted to show pictures of it completed with all of Rob's wonderful 'stuff'!

Anchor on Closet Door

The packed out closet...

Dresser with Changing Table and Wipes Warmer

Door- The Cross has the Scripture Reading Matthew 17:20, "If you have Faith, nothing shall be impossible for you."
THE Sailboat (it's like 4 ft tall), star and recliner His books and toys
Another pic of books, cd's and toys with the diaper bags

His Welcome Home sign that one of my wonderful coworkers- DeDe, made for him
View of the room with his Boppy Swing
Wall Art
The Crib
More stars and the Diaper Genie

We can't wait to have our little man home...

Last Night in the NICU...hopefully

Tonight was potentially our last night in the NICU. The discharge papers are ready, we just need to finish up the paperwork, and Robinson can come home tomorrow- hopefully. In the rollercoaster of the NICU, I've learned that it's never a sure thing until that moment arrives. :)

It is bittersweet. Although we are so thrilled to have him home and thank GOD every single day for our little miracle, we will miss the nurses that have become our friends these last 3 months. They will always have a special place in our hearts and we hope that they continue to be a part of Robinson's life in the days, months, and years to come. We love them and will truly miss our daily visits and phone calls with them.

Here are some pictures of some of our favorite Night Shift Nurses from tonight..

Nurse Katie- Pod 2

Nurse Kelly- Pod 2
Nurse Lee- Progressive Care

Here is a video from tonight

Videos and Pictures

He has on a Halloween onesie and pumpkin hat that one of our favorite nurses, Crys, gave to him.

VIDEOS!! The first one is from last weekend, and the other is from last night. Enjoy.

The Nursery

First, a cutie picture of the little guy from this weekend. Rian and I call it his mafia pose- we picture this little voice saying "you lookin at me?!"

We still need some little things, like a changing pad, a toy/book shelf and hamper. We are hoping to finish everything up this weekend so that when the little man comes home, everything will be done.