First Bow

Sarah likes her first bow. Unfortunately, her hair started falling out this morning so she may have to wait awhile before she wears the bow again. Yup, looks like we're going to have another bald kid in our family.

Crazy / Skeptical

Normally, he's the cutest kid in the world.  But, I like these photos better.

Static Electricity:

The Joker:

Put a little comb on his hair, and he cleans up nicely:

Haircut #2

He enjoyed just as much as haircut #1

Ginger

Seriously, two redheaded kids. Where does that come from?
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Sleeping Hard

4 years

Wow...4 years, 2 kids, and countless other amazing events. Its been a crazy ride, yet we wouldn't change a thing. We had dinner tonight at the same incredible restaurant we ate at the night we were engaged (and each of our anniversary nights). Probably the best restaurant in chicago. Here's to the next four years (and the 40 after that)!

Tenenbaum

Arm Up Part Duex

It runs in the family...

Painting

Playground

A few pictures and a quick video from some trips to the park over the past couple of days.

So focused and so serious.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaKvYPK0S2M&context=C4eb3234ADvjVQa1PpcFP8G8zSKoNixbkZl1OwZDErhhJRS2fZwXA=

Hanging out in the Closet

Evan's new favorite place to hang out.

Hanging in the Closet

Nice Weather

We're gonna need a bigger car

Crazy Hair

Sarah's Hiccups

She's getting bigger, but her hiccups and squeaks are still tiny sounding

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dlrh3JWVn-M&sns=em

Fearless

We're pretty confident there are stitches in Evan's near future.

Daredevil Evan at Daycare

Chicago History Museum

175th anniversary of Chicago = free admission to the history museum.  Once we read the museum was going to have a balloon guy, this trip became a no-brainer.  The only problem was the balloon guy apparently doesn't like kids and refused to give Evan a balloon.  The museum was open until 5, but he stopped giving out balloons at 3:45, about 1 minute after we arrived and stood in line.  Seriously, if she had a knife...Jen would have cut the guy.

Jen still steaming about the balloon denial.

Evan loved the locomotive.  Almost as much as he loved the map they handed out at the door of the museum. He wouldn't put it down and screamed "MINE" when I tried (unsuccessfully) to take it from him.

Of course, the real attraction of the museum was this car.  Seriously.  It was an actual display (not far from the 200 year old locomotive and 100 year old "EL" train car) celebrating Chicago's Mexican population and their contribution to accessorizing automobiles.  Seriously.

Still Growing

Sarah eclipsed the 5 lbs mark a few days back, and isn't stopping to look back.  We left a camera at the NICU and a few of the nurses are snapping pictures when we're not around (including Sarah's first bath, which we're told she loved).  They also made a few new signs for Sarah and a Valentine's Day card.  I can't stress how incredible the nurses are.

Regular crib.  No more isolet

Growing

Despite a small set back (stupid infections) and going back to only IV fluids, Sarah gained a little weight and grew 1/2 inch. Her feedings resume today, so we're hoping for some continued weight gain. 18 days in the NICU, and she hasn't slowed down the fight.

1/22/12

Weight is up to 3 lbs 12 oz!!!  If weight gain keeps at this pace, they will start weening  her from inside the incubator full time.  That's very exciting for us.   She was in a great mood tonight and very alert.

Joy

Our nieces and nephew were excited to hear that Sarah and mom are doing great the last few days.

Smiles

All smiles. Actually, it's probably just gas...but what's the difference.

Bright Eyes

Sarah was alert today. We may have another skeptical kid on our hands.

Small baby...Gigantic feet!

1/20/12

Another great day. Sarah stepped up her feedings to 24 mL and the doctors removed her pcvc line (long term IV that ran through her body). That means no more IV fluids, just milk. They did remove her nasal cannula (oxygen thing sitting I. Her nostrils) but she didn't like that, so they put it back in place. A very small sidestep (not even considered a step back). They'll try to remove the cannula again in a few days and see how her breathing is without it.

On a very high note, I (Paul) was able to hold Sarah yesterday for the first time. It's crazy how much of a tough guy I try to act like, but once my newborn daughter was asleep on my chest for the first time ever...no such thing as tough guys anymore. I was crying like Rudy was on tv.

Today, again, was a good day.

The Monster

Of course, we haven't forgotten about #1.  Finally over his sickness, he's back in daycare and loving his routine of friends and eating foods he won't touch at home.  Although he obviously doesn't understand what's going on and he won't be able to meet Sarah until she comes home...Evan was a bit out of sorts while his mom was in the hospital and his dad was running back and forth.  He's glad things are calming down (a little).

1/18/12 - Day 6

Besides getting a fancy new hat today, Sarah was given the order to step down her oxygen flow rate to level 2 today.  Her feedings have increased (5 mL on day 2,  now 20 mL) and she has responded incredibly.  Now that the bilirubin lights are gone, she's sleeping better and doesn't have to wear the special goggles any longer.  I changed her diaper for the second time today and was able to help with her feedings (still via her feeding tube, but she's making progress...that's all we want at this point).  She even squeaked a little today while Jen was holding her.  I'm sure one day we'll roll our eyes and cover our ears when she cries, however today, we both melted and reached for the tissues.

1/17/12 - Day 5

Another good day.  Jen was able to hold Sarah for the first time.  Since she's a preemie, they emphasize skin to skin contact as this is very soothing and relaxing for the baby.  Even through it was only for a few short minutes, it was well worth the wait.  Sarah loved the time with her mom, she was so comfortable and slept soundly.  Jen was glowing with excitement.

A few additional positives on the day were the elimination of the bilirubin lights and the decrease in the flow rate of her supplemental oxygen.  There are essentially 4 levels of oxygen flow (4 being the highest, or strongest flow)...she has responded great, so they stepped her down to level 3 today.

1/16/12 - Day 4

Breathing tube came out today, and Sarah is responding great.  I was able to snap a picture of her right after the tube came out...and I swear she was smiling for the camera.  Great...we already have a DIVA in the family.  We've found out in just a few short hours that she LOVES sleeping on her belly, which wasn't possible with the breathing tube.  Maybe that's all she needed...a little tummy time.