Jacob's 1st Thanksgiving!

My first Thanksgiving! Where's the turkey?

Cousin Smith...learning how to walk...

Cousin Ariel, Cousin Anthony, and Aunt Tevy likes to visit as much as they can

Aunt Amy, Uncle Brent, and Cousin Michael drove all the way from Idaho

Uncle Ben and Aunt Mauvia flew from Washington to be with us

Cousin Isaac and Cousin Michael boxing with the WII...Michael is really into it...

Cousin Zoe Pearl...looking for the turkey and ham

Cousin Isaac with his charming smile

Cousin Matthew with his cute smile

Aunt Amy's funny face

Grandma Sorensen carving the turkey

Uncle Adam and Aunt Tevy preparing the ham...Uncle Sam is a special one...

Aunt Maricia and Counsin Smith...he has his mom's smile

Aunt Mauvia and Cousin Eliza...what beautiful smiles they have

Cousin Brandon and his followers...Matt and Isaac

Cousin Ellie...she likes to make funny faces...she's soooo cute!

Cousin Tate...he is so adorable...

Cousin Eliza talking on the phone...

Cousin Michael looks a lot like his dad, Brent

Grandma and Grandpa Sorensen's gift giving...EVERYONE got something!

More presents...

Beautiful Zoe Pearl...she's going to get baptized soon!

Today is was a lot of fun. It's great being around family and feeling their love and joy. We are so happy to know that families are forever! We are so grateful on this Thanksgiving day for the opportunity we have to be parents. It is a great blessing and we can't wait to raise Jacob in the gospel and be surrounded by our loving families. As a matter of fact, today would have been Jacob's original due date.

"Grandma Sorensen made this beautiful quilt all for me! I love it! It's so soft...I fell asleep on it after my mommy and daddy gave me a bath!"
I'm so happy!

"I love taking a bath...it makes me smell good!"

"I love it when my daddy sings and reads to me, but my mommy...she usually makes me cry when she sings!" =)

"Life is good."

Growing...growing...and GROWING!

Jacob is growing out of his newborn clothes! I just pulled out a few newborn onesies to wash a day or two ago and now it's getting tight! I can't believe it...he's growing so fast. I guess we're moving up to 0-3 months. =)

Jacob is doing very well. We're trying to transition to feeding on demand...it's kinda hard, especially with his medications. We'll see how it works. The update on his blood work is that Dr. Millar will have his blood test repeated again this Wednesday. If the numbers stay the same, then hopefully Jacob will work on bringing them up on his own in the course of a few weeks. If the numbers decreases, then he will most likely need to be transfused.

Anyway, Jacob is really excited because his grandma, grandpa, aunts, uncles, and cousins are coming from Idaho, Washington, Utah, and here in California to visit (Sorensen Fam). He's getting all ready and packing on the weight so they won't be able to tell that he was once a preemie! THEN...for Christmas, he'll meet the other side of the family (Horn Fam). Jacob has already made a sign to put on the door for everyone to wash their hands thoroughly before touching him and for those who are under the weather to wait until they get better. Jacob told me he didn't want to get RSV (virus that attacks the preemies respiratory system...worse case scenario would be intubation!) and go back to the hospital...he'd rather sleep in his own bed at home! =)

Chipmunk Cheeks

Jeremiah likes to call those cute cheeks, "chipmunk cheeks." He uses them to store his milk or medication. As soon as we think he swallows and we walk away, he spits it right out! It makes us laugh all the time (it's funny now b/c he's so darn cute, but we know it's not going to be later when he's older). He's just getting really sneaky...

As of yesterday, he is 7 lbs. 10 oz. and probably still 18 1/2 inches long. We had a really good appointment with his pediatrician. He answered all of our questions and more! He was really good...he knew Jacob's medical history very well. We really like him.

Today was an exciting day for me. My sister came to visit (we're watching Twilight tomorrow!). I also had the NICU support meeting and then my Relief Society sisters threw me a baby shower...since I didn't get a chance to have one. It was a lot of fun. BUT, the best part of today was when I came home to my family...Jeremiah and Jacob.

It's 3:45 am...just called the advice nurse, the NICU, and emailed Jacob's pediatrician. We're worried because the color of his stool was green. It was a smear, but definitely different from what we've seen. In addition to that, we checked his blood work results and it appears that his hemoglobin and hematocrit levels are below the normal range. I have a feeling he's going to need a blood transfusion. I'll keep everyone posted. Please continue to pray for him.

...fell asleep on the changing pad with his wubbie...
...he woke up when I moved him to the bassinet...I should have known better...he's still awake right now...=/

Jacob is awake because he's still hungry. I gave him his 70 mL feed as usual, but he had a big dirty diaper after he finished his bottle. He was still hungry so he took another 30 mL. I was already afraid to give him that much, but he kept crying. I'm going to have him wait until 3 am for more milk. *sigh*

Tomorrow we're going to see his pediatrician. We have lots and lots of questions to ask. We didn't realize the big difference between the NICU care and the routine care here so we decided to make another appointment. Two months from last week is a little bit too long without enough instructions about feeding, reflux, meds, etc. Hopefully, it'll go well.

After taking a nice warm bath...

He was so alert after the bath...we had to take this picture to show you how big he's gotten!

He likes to move his head around a lot, especially during burping time. It's quite the challenge!

Sleeping peacefully...nothing could wake him up...he was so tired from staying up all night last night!

His first real tub bath at home.

He finally went to sleep!!!

It's 4 am in the morning and he finally went to sleep! He wasn't very happy with his midnight feeding...it was the formula neosure. He didn't like it very much. He kept using his tongue to push out the nipple. So...I woke up Jeremy to get some breastmilk. Jacob took 15 mLs of that and was still hungry. He had already taken 80 mLs all together, so I didn't want to give him more and worsen his reflux. I tried putting on music, swaying and rocking him back and forth, and even putting him down, but nothing worked. He was just too hungry to sleep. I gave up and fed him early for his next feeding. He took 65 mLs and was content. Now he's asleep! I was worried about his feeding time and amount because of his reflux, but after talking to Nurse Sharon today, Jer and I feel so much better. (We miss our NICU family!) We're going to make an appt. to see his pediatricain next week. Nurse Sharon also told us that his alert periods are good, he's supposed to do that right now. Apparently, Jacob heard the conversation over the phone and decided to pull an all nighter with me today!

Today went by really fast. Jeremy made breakfast in bed and took care of Jacob for almost the whole day. He gave me some time to go out and shop. Isn't it sweet? He wanted me to take a break and actually told me to "take my time..." those are sweet words coming from him...he usually hates it when I take forever when I go to the stores so that was really nice. When I got home, I decided to organize my pantry (it's so empty now) and clean the kitchen...then I fed Jacob. He did the cutest thing today. While I was feeding him (he was so hungry...he makes it seem like we don't feed him), he took both of his hands and placed it on the bottle as if he was going to hold it. He is the cutest little baby ever!! Watching him grow little by little each day is such a blessing. All that waiting for him to arrive was worth it...now I can enjoy all of the itty bitty things he does. Parenthood is amazing! (It's only that great because I have the best husband and sweetest baby in the world.)

One of his alert periods.

Sleeping in his bassinet.

We are all doing very well. Jacob is keeping us busy. He feeds every 3 hours and in between, he gets his medications. Lately it seems as if he has a period during the day where he is completely alert and DOES NOT want to go to sleep. It lasts about 3-4 hours. Other than that , he pretty much sleeps very well. With that, Jeremiah and I are trying to figure out our sleeping time ourselves! We are both up from 9am-9pm. From 9pm-3am, Jer naps...from 3 am-9am, I nap. Jer hardly naps b/c he wakes up to Jacob's cry or makes sure he's okay...even though I'm up watching him. He's such a good dad. He is absolutely amazing with Jacob. I'm going to be sad when he has to return to work in 2 weeks!

Right now, we're struggling with how much to increase his feedings. He gets pretty fussy after he eats or right before his scheduled eating time. He left the hospital drinking 60 mLs and we've been slowly increasing it by 5 mLs. He's now at 75. I think we might stay there for a while. We don't want his reflux to get really bad. I think I will call the NICU tomorrow to find out if that's okay. All of my NICU mommies will be able to help...I'm sure of that. =)

Big blowout!

This is Jacob's feeding time before his doctor's appointment. He was given a bath and dressed in coordinated clothing. After Jeremiah fed him, he asked me to smell Jacob's diaper. We were so relieved it happened at home before going to the hospital because it was the "BIG BLOWOUT!" I mean it was everywhere! It got on all over his clothes and as we were trying to get the clothes off, it rubbed against his back all the way up to his neck. We had to give him another bath...I felt like I needed one too after that! *whew*

This is at the doctor's office after he was examined. Whenever he has his wubba...it means he's NOT happy. We learned that Jacob is 6lbs. 11 oz. and 18 1/2 inches long. He also has something called cradle cap on his head, but she said it's nothing to worry about. She also sent an email to his eye doctor for a follow up exam as well as the Nurse coordinator for his his synagis shots each month. Before we saw the doctor, we got a chance to chat with the nurse and we found out that she had a preemie herself. Her son was born premature at 29 weeks at 2 lbs. 2 oz and 14 inches long. She told me that her son had almost 100 A's and B's in one single day....that was about 20 years ago. Now, her son is 6'1" and 250 lbs...a football player. Isn't that great?!

Okay...Jeremiah was outside working on the lawn, so I thought I could sneak in some time to play dress up with Jacob. I love the moccassins Aunt Monica (E-Ca) bought for him. It fits him just right.

Another one...I tried to get him to put his hands behind his head, but he didn't want too. He was about to cry because he was so hungry (feeding time) so I had to put the camera away!

A special occassion...11/10/08

I'm dressed up for a very special occassion...don't I look handsome!??!You see...today (11/10/08) happens to be a very special day because I get to go home!!!!!

I'm in my new car seat and I'm looking like a big boy! This is a good look for me.

My mom kept making funny noises on the way home...she's so weird! I give up! I can't entertain my mom anymore...I need a nap!

Aha! I'm finally home. Home Sweet Home.

Okay...let me explain...I know some of you have been so anxious and worried about why I haven't been posting on the blog. First, when I had heard that we might be coming home on Monday from Dr. Simko last week, I didn't want to tell anyone...especially Jacob because he'll make his own plans. So...I kept it a secret! And my plan worked...WE ARE FINALLY HOME! =) If someone were ask me two weeks ago if I was ready, I would have said no because I was scared to death bringing him home. Now, I feel prepared as ever and am loving every minute of it...I looooooove my little family!!!!!!! I'd like to think of my time in the NICU as a time I received training on parenting 101 with an elite group of nurses, who by far, are the most incredible people I've ever met! Not only did I learn how to be a great parent, but I also developed long lasting relationships with them. I enjoyed learning about them and their family and to see how much passion and love they have for their job. They are amazing. I'm going to miss them! I wanted to call them several times today to let them know we're okay b/c I'm sure they are wondering!!! They loved Jacob so much and I can't be thankful enough for the great care they provided Jacob with the last 3 months.

Okay...so Jacob is now home...I love saying that...*sigh*....okay, so he's home and he has been such a good boy! We're trying to simulate his open crib in the NICU to help him get comfortable and he loves it. (Don't worry NICU nurses...he's not sleeping on his tummy) I made a little nest for him for security. Sometimes he likes to be swaddled and sometimes he doesn't. He's really good with letting me know...trust me...those lungs of his...developed very well over that last 3 months! =) He's outgrown his preemie clothes and now wearing newborn sizes. How do I know this? Well...we can't get his arm through the sleeves...his toe is sticking out of his super soft socks...and his collar is tugged and pulled down from his neck when he stretches his legs. So...I guess we're moving up on the sizes now. He also loves listening to music...it soothes and puts him to sleep. I think it has to do with our time in the NICU (thanks Virgie!). He sleeps in our room in a bassinet. Over the last 24 hours, we've turned our master bedroom into a studio apartmart...or at least we tried. It's hard going up and down the stairs. I think Jeremiah went up and down more than 20 times in a one hour period when we first got home. I felt bad, but he is such a GREAT dad. He is amazing with Jacob. When I took my nap today (we have shifts), I heard him talking and cradling Jacob. It was so beautiful.

Some basic info...Jacob is still on reglan, pepcid, and iron. His weight on Sunday was 6 lbs. 8 oz. He's taking breastmilk with rice cereal and neosure (formula with 22 calories/oz) twice a day. He has his first appointment with a pediatrician tomorrow. His pediatrician, Dr. Millar, is on vacation. Talking about his appt. reminds me of something hilarious that happened today. I went to pick up his pepcid at the Tracy pharmacy and had to be counseled by the pharmacist. Well...she called out the name "Mah-lay Sorensen." I looked around and was like, who is she calling...I mean I have a Jacob, but not a 'Mah-lay.' Anyway, I go to the counter to check and she says, "Are you Sorensen?...I've never seen this name before...how do you pronounce it?" I was like..."OH!!,(giggling inside) they never changed the MALE Sorensen to Jacob Sorensen..." Get it????? LOL...it was funny.

I hope I made up for not posting the last few days! I love all of you! Thank you for E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G! I have to attend to my little peanut now. =)