Max Attack

Hollller! Guess what I did this week? I hit the 7's! Yup, I'm 7lbs, 4 oz and 20 inches long, according to my pediatrician. I'm pretty excited that I'm weighing in at a 'normal baby' size. I am fitting in my clothes better and almost fill out my newborn attire. I'm more alert these days, grunting and "cooing" a bit more and letting mom and dad know I have some lungs on me when I'm really upset. That doesn't happen often unless I'm cold, hungry or uncomfortable though.

(Bath time)

Besides taking a few more walks and having a few baths, I have just been getting used to my surroundings and continuing to eat, sleep, poop and grow. I have met a lot of new people recently and am very excited about how beautiful and nice all of my aunts are. Aunt Sarah and Uncle Andy visited me and told me about my older cousins who I can't wait to meet after mom isn't such a germ-a-phobe. I met Aunt Courtney, Aunt Vanessa, Aunt Katie and Aunt Amy as well. They aren't mom's "real" sisters but she says I'll call them my Aunts because they are like family. I can tell family and friends are really important to Mom and Dad. I think I will be loved a lot by all of these people and that's pretty cool.

(Aunt Amy)

Anyway, that's about it from this end. I'm going to take my 3rd nap of the day now but I'm sure I'll report back on other exciting things that are upcoming, like my other Grandma and Grandpa and Uncle Brian coming to visit in a week. I can't wait! Adios!

Week one!

It's me again. It's been a week since I've been home. The days are blurring together a bit but I'm growing every day. Today, at my 2nd doctor appointment, I weighed in at 6 pounds, 10 ounces! As you can see in this recent pic, I think several of those ounces might be in my cheeks! I also got evaluated by Early Intervention and I found out that I qualify for some services so that will be an added bonus to help me grow and thrive.

I've been on a few more walks, went to Grammy's house for Easter dinner, cheered on my Aunt Vicky who ran the marathon (from home) and have been working on trying to sleep less during the day and more at night. And since a picture is worth a thousand words, here are some that show what else I've been up to...

("Watching" the Sox!)

(Books with Dad)

(Bonding with my bro)

Mom says it's time to eat so I'm going to sign off now. Thanks to all those who have checked in with us. Mom and Dad can't wait to see more of all of you once they have this "baby at home" thing down!

Love, MJS

Sleep, eat, poop.

Hey hey homies! It's day 4 home from the NICU and I'm getting used to it. Yesterday was my first follow up appointment at the doctors and I weighed in at 6 pounds, 1 ounce and 19 1/2 inches. I also showed them who was boss because I pooped and peed all over the scale. Mom was embarrassed because she didn't pack any diapers. Man, she still has a lot to learn. The pediatrician said I'm looking good, but she'll continue to check me every week for a while. I slept better my 2nd night and 3rd night home too. I sleep A LOT during the day. Sleep, eat, poop, sleep, eat, poop/pee. Ahhh...this is the life.

Today, Mom and Dad got out and about to Starbucks! Those crazy cats. It took them about 40 minutes to prepare my stroller but that's because they are still paranoid about everything.  It was nice to feel this sunshine mom keeps talking about. Spring is in the air. Finally.

 (Trip to the doctors. Dad said this is my touchdown pose)

(Aunt Courtney gave me this outfit. She has good taste)

(My first coffee run)

The Real World; Southie

I'm home! I live in a town called Southie in a small apartment. My room looks pretty nice especially since my Dad installed some new shelves in our closet so that we can store all of my baby supplies. I survived the car ride home even though it was bumpy. Mom kept checking if I was breathing. She needs to chill out. I think eventually she will. We got home and I was introduced to my big brother, Dunkin.  He's furry and almost 11 years old. He wasn't so thrilled when I got home and was rather confused. I hope he gets used to me because I think we could have a lot of fun together!

I was wide eyed and bushy tailed for a while because of all the lights and things around me. In the NICU, I had no window and everything was white and quiet so I think this will be an adjustment. Mom and Dad fed me and I took a nap and then we tried tummy time. Dunkin tried to hump me during this so that was interesting. We will have to work on that. So most of our day was eat, sleep, poop, eat, sleep, poop. You know the baby drill.

Night time was an adventure for Mom and Dad! I wasn't very used to my bassinet and had a hard time settling down but I think once I become more adjusted, I will get a better routine. Mom and Dad are tired today but they love me so much so it doesn't matter. Parenthood will be an adventure!

Headed home!

Rock and play

My one month marker!

Happiest of Birthdays

Yesterday, Mom and I celebrated our birthdays together in the NICU. She turned 33 and I turned one month old! We didn't have cake or anything but she had a smoothie and I had some milk. Who cares about cake though because mom says she got the best gift ever when the NICU nurses told her I'd be going home today! Yup, you heard it right...TODAY!

Ever since my last spell on April 10th, they say I have turned a corner and my feeding has improved, I passed my car seat test (twice!) and I am officially a 6 pounder! Mom and Dad are so proud of me for all my hard work. They can't wait to take me home and hold me whenever they want and never sleep again! I'm worth it though.

Even though I'm going home today, I will still update you on some of my milestones and to show you cute pictures of me. Thanks to everyone who has helped Mom and Dad through this process. They said a lot of people want to meet me (I'm popular already!) so hopefully I can see people little by little so I'm not overstimulated and I'm not by too many germs. Us preemies are a bit high maintenance for the first few months. ;) And lastly, a big shout out to my NICU nurses for helping me grow and feel safe.

Real world, here I come!

 The best stickers say "Bringing Baby Home!"

Thrilled to have passed my car seat test!

One month old

Tick Tock

My 5th Sunday here....29 days in the NICU. Mom says it seems like more than that. I thought I was going to pack my bag and hit the road sometime this week but, unfortunately, it will be a bit longer. On April 10th, I had a sleep apnea spell which means I stopped breathing for a few seconds when I was sleeping.  I got myself out of it and it's fairly common here in the NICU but, each time this happens to me, I get stuck with 5 more days here at BIDMC. It's a bummer! My Mom and Dad also signed me up for a "car seat test." This is a test where I'm put in my car seat for 90 minutes to make sure my breathing is ok when I'm upright since I'll be in my car seat a lot. I did pretty good on my first one and have 2 more this week. Besides that, I'm working on increasing my endurance with my feedings. I am doing really well with my bottle feedings but I do get pooped out every now and then. The nurses want to make sure I can handle all my feedings orally before I go home so I don't lose all this good weight I've put on recently. Have I told you? I'm a big, bad 5 pounds and 10 ounces now.

In other news, I had a few more visitors this week and one special one even got to hold me! I also got another bath today. Mom loves giving me a bath because all my wires come off and the beeping from those annoying machines get turned to silent and we just pretend we're out of the hospital for a bit. Today she was about to put me in my bath and I pooped in her hand! I'd say it was a pretty good catch and she found it funny. I sure hope she has a lot of diapers at home. We're going to need them! After that we snuggled, read some books and she showed me some pictures of all the people who love me. I can't wait until my first Sunday in Southie.

Enjoy your week everyone. Love, Max

Grammy Shen

(After my bath)

Rebelling

I'm a rebel. A rebel without a cause. Yesterday I pulled out my own feeding tube because, frankly, I'm just sick of that annoying thing in my nose. Plus, I obviously think I'm ready to get out into this big, bad world Mom and Dad keep talking about. The nurse told Dad that maybe I could keep it out but then I accidentally fell asleep during one of my feedings so they had to put it back in to make sure I got enough food that day. However, I'm still doing pretty good with my bottle feedings. I usually get through at least 2 full bottles a day and do pretty well on the other ones. I'm getting the hang of breast feeding too but it's more work than I like to exert so I often fall asleep during that. Either way, milk (and rest and love) is doing my baby body good so I'm hopeful to be a NICU graduate in the next few weeks.

I would have been 36 weeks in Mom's belly today. Some people tell her "everything happens for a reason" but she still wishes she had an actual reason why I came out early. I think that's because she never wants to see a NICU again. I mean, I don't find it so bad because it's quiet and cute nurses are at my beck and call but I think she has another view of it. But, it is what it is and all Mom and Dad care about now is that I'm "feeding and growing."

I don't have much news other than that. It's all a waiting game now. I did overhear Mom and Dad say they are putting the finishing touches on my room and getting my car seat installed this week. I'm still waiting to meet this furry brother they keep talking about too. I think we might have some stuff in common.

Love,
Rebel Max

    

(and rebel Dunkin!)

Dear Max (#3)

Dear Max,

Your Grandma Metz always taught me the importance of thank you notes. There is something special about someone receiving a hand written note that demonstrates how genuinely grateful a person is for someone elses thoughtfulness. From the day you were born, people that are special to Mom and Dad have been beyond thoughtful and kind. I wish I could write a thank you note for each kind thing that has been said to us, gift or hug that has been given or email or text that has been sent. One of your mom's flaws is that she is not great at asking for help but, since you've arrived in the world, people have just been outpouring their love and it has truly touched us. Whether it was a care package sent from a long distance friend, meals made and delivered by friends, family and our new Mom's group, baby clothes donated in abundance for your tiny little body, dog walks for Dunkin or facebook friends reaching out to tell us their story of the NICU or to send us some "cyber strength," each kind act has made this stressful process much easier. It has helped Dad and I feel like we are never alone in our struggles and that, sometimes, its important to lean on others and accept help.

I can't wait for you to meet all of the special people in our lives. We are blessed to have such supportive friends and family. They will make your little heart strong and full, just as you make ours.

Love, Mom

Multitasking

I know it's been a few days since I've updated you all but sometimes I need help with these blogs and my mom has been working part time this week. I keep hearing her say she has a whole new level of respect for working moms after just a week back at work! She was talking to Dad about how she was pumping in a closet while talking to a case manager on the phone. I can empathize with how it can be difficult to multitask because it's been hard for me to suck, swallow and breathe for long periods of time when it's feeding time. I have the breathing part down but I get tired after a while with my feedings. I have been taking about half a bottle at each feeding or doing about 15 minutes of breast feeding. However, I get pretty tired and it's hard for me to keep my eyes open with all that "cardio." The nurses say I have to take all of my feedings orally until I can leave. I'm trying my best!

In other news, I've had gained some weight and am 0.3 ounces away from a hefty 5 pounds! My Aunt EWood and Aunt Lyn sent me some really cute preemie clothes and it's nice to finally fit into an outfit. I also got another bath from Mom again this week and we discovered my hair is a bit curly. Dad said I might be the UPS man's baby because of that but I'm a spitting image of him so he shouldn't fret. I am opening my eyes more and more especially around feeding time but I'm still pretty mellow. I figure Mom and Dad worry enough about me so I'm just gonna keep Maxn' and relaxin.' Happy 3 weeks to me!

Time to Eat!

Things in the NICU are going pretty well.  I went up another few ounces and am now 4lbs 10 oz! Mom says my knees don't have so much saggy skin anymore and that my elephant butt is getting rounder. I don't know how she pays attention to that when I'm pooping all over her but whatever makes her happy!

This week, I've tried to both breast feed and bottle feed. This is usually the last step before preemies like me can go home because it means I can suck/swallow/breathe without having any problems with my lungs or heart. I'll spare you the details about the breast feeding but I overheard the nurse say it went really well. Then today, Dad got to bottle feed me and that also went better than expected. Mom thinks I'm "advanced" but, really, I just like to eat. Maybe I'll be in the 99th percentile like my cousin Luka one day.

(first bottle!)

(milk coma)

Mom read me a book about Spring today. She keeps talking about flowers and sunshine and long walks with  Dad and my big brother, Dunkin. Here's hoping April makes me bloom!