Charlie meets Momo & Popo

We would be remiss if...

...we didn't give a special shout out to all those who cared for our family at Baptist South hospital. While we are so happy to be home, and really hope we never have to see the inside of the NICU again, it is very clear that we could not have received better care. We must especially thank the NICU nurses who cared for Charlie and comforted his mom and dad, and our very special L & D nurse Libby who helped bring Charlie into the world (and also comforted his mom and dad). We thank you all so very much!

Charlie is home!

Happy, proud day for Mom and Dad.

Encouraging news!

Charlie's biliruben count has returned to normal and he is off of the light therapy. He has to maintain his body temperature without the assistance of the NICU bed and remain stable for 90 minutes in the comfort of his carseat. Charlie may be coming home as early as Monday! Oh, Charlie had a bath today...it was quite fun, about as much fun as you can have in the NICU.

Aimee and I were thankful for the assistance of Grandman and Geedee, we were able to get a few pictures before they left for Texas.

Everyone mentions that we should cherish these times as Charlie will grow fast and right in front of our eyes. These pics accentuate his small scale and the few special moments Aimee and I captured this morning. He is pretty cute...Aimee and I can't wait to get him home!

Charlie is doing so well, we thought we'd add a note about how funny he is. Before he joined us in the outside world, he was VERY active all day long. That has not stopped! The nurses in the NICU laugh with us about how it looks like he's dancing in his bed with his arms and legs moving all over. You can see him from across the room!

In other news, they have taken him off one of the phototherapy lights so he's only on one now. He's still eating really well (no surprise there given his genes), and we are so thankful for his progress.

Nothing to it!

Two good things

Aimee feels better that she is in street clothes and will be coming home this evening. It will be tough to leave Charlie here in the NICU, but she is looking forward to being at home. We visited with the Neonatologist this morning and quote "all good things" on his progress.

Daddy's turn

A proud Daddy finally got to hold little Charlie man! He is completely off of his IV and is very stable and progressing nicely.

Happy times with Mom.

Tuesday

We're excited to report that Charlie's bilirubin (is that how you spell it?) count is down, but they're going to keep him on the phototherapy for a couple more days to be safe. His blood cultures look good too, and he'll slowly be weaned off his antibiotics. He is really taking after his parents in that he seems to REALLY enjoy eating, so we're hoping the supplemental nutrition (TPN and lipids) he's getting will be decreased soon too.

Charlie no longer needs his feeding tube! He is now taking milk-formula by a bottle. Charlie, Mom and Dad were able to get a great first family photo.

Charlie's first dance move? What is that...the "sprinkler?"

Mom and Charlie

Charlie is doing great! He is off assisted oxygen (21%) and breathing 100% on his own. He is taking in a mixture of colostrum and formula. He has a slight case of jaundice and is being treated by light therapy. He looks kinda cool with his sunglasses!

Aimee is recovering well and on her feet, she is very tired and sore from her surgery. Charlie is just so peaceful when she has a chance to hold him.