Plans for Christmas

So we're trying to squeeze in a few days to visit CA while Julie is out. Literally a few days. We'll leave Christmas day after the boys open presents and we clean up the aftermath. We'll come back home Thursday evening, as I have to work Friday. But at least we'll get to visit during the holidays. Tonight we're trying to get the decorations up for Christmas, but it's slow going!

Owen in November & Noah's 6th Birthday

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Baker Boys

Our First Family Outing

Owen has now been home for 8 days. He has only had to live with his brothers for the last 24 hours. Quite an adjustment for them, we're always telling them to quiet down. Owen sleeps through it all. I let Noah hold his new brother first, he was thrilled and loves his littlest bro so much. Then Nicholas, who whined why do we favor Noah and let him hold Owen first. Of course, Nick wanted to hog him up. Evan just planted lots of kisses on his baby brother's head, hands, and feet.
Today, all the big brothers are driving me crazy, fighting over who can hold Owen, who can cuddle next to him, can they feed him, etc. I know I was anxious for them to come home from CA, but now I miss the peace & quiet!
Tonight we are going to be brave & take all the kids to the drive-in in Scottsdale with the Raders. Six little boys!!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAAAGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH! Hope it's not total chaos with Owen along. If today is any indicator of the other boys' behaviour, this could be a horrible night .

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First trip to Dr. Kipp's

Owen had a follow-up appointment with his pediatrician Dr. Kipp today. He said Owen is doing great, his heart & lungs sound great, breathing normal. He hasn't gained any weight since he came home Monday night. Poor baby had to go have his 2nd PKU test done, more pokes, he did not appreciate it at all. Owen will go back to the Dr next Friday for another check up. He's been such a good baby so far. His appetite is growing too! I've been enjoying our time alone without big brothers, and giving Owen lots of cuddling, and getting in lots of naps!

Owen's Home 10-1

Yay!!! Owen came home tonight at 7:30pm!!!! We are so excited!!! We can hardly believe we have our new baby in our house, and he's all ours! He had a rough last day in the nursery, poor little guy. When I came in this a.m., he had lost iv access again, and had to get his antibiotics as IM injections (shots). So at 9am he got 3 shots, and 1 again right before we left. Then before lunch time he got circumcised (this time we had an informed consent and we signed it before the doctor did the procedure; which everyone at Mercy Gilbert couldn't believe Evan's story), and was not too happy about that. He's been pretty tuckered out today. He did great on the way home in his carseat, not a peep.
We called Angel & Papa to let them know we were taking Owen home, called the Raders to let them know we were on our way. When we pulled in the driveway, to our surprise, The Raders were waiting for us in the yard and balloons tied on to the tree! I showed baby Cash his new cousin and he smiled SO big and started cracking up laughing, it was so adorable!!!!! Jack said Owen was so tiny, patted his head, and then played with toys, typical boy.
We can't thank everyone enough for all the well wishes, thoughtfulness and kindness!!! Thanks for keeping us in your thoughts & prayers, we are truly grateful for all the wonderful friends and family in our life!

Saturday 9/29

Not much to update on. Owen is eating well, a little jaundiced, but doesn't need treatment. He had to get another IV this am. Luckily it was in before I got there and I didn't have to witness. The pediatrician this weekend is Dr. Ekua Cobbina, who did her residency at Loma Linda, so it's nice to see a familiar face and person directing Owen's care. What a small world! He looks SO much better than the first 2 days. He does have days and nights mixed up, I'm sure Ryan will be thrilled to deal with that once I go back to work! So for now, Owen's hanging out in the nursery getting antibiotics until Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning. All the nurses there love him and have been so super nice. This has been a much better experience than Evan's NICU stay (granted Evan was so much sicker than Owen). So we're coping okay with this.

Owen Update

I spoke with the pedatrician this afternoon and she wants Owen to continue IV antibiotics for 7 days, and said she would discharge him Monday afternoon. He has a small pneumonia in both bases of the lungs, but much improved. His breathing has slowed down and is not as labored. He took his first feedings today of breastmilk and did great. He had to get a new IV today, but he had a great vein in his right arm and his nurse got it the first time (the NNP was teasing me that I should do it, I told him no thanks, I'm not good at neonates), and I took out his old iv since it was leaking blood around where it was inserted. He got to move into a regular little newborn bed today and he loves to be swaddled up. So I'm still running back & forth between here & the hospital, it's tiring, but I hate being away from the baby. Thanks everyone for calling, e-mailing, texting to check on us and for keeping us in your thoughts.

Announcing Owen Alexander Gray

He's here.... September 24, 2007 at 10:36 pm. 7lbs, 14 oz, 20 inches. Sorry just the short version since he's still in the nursery, doing much better. Don't know when he'll be coming home.

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