What could our little Riley be thinking about?
Monday, August 31, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
6lbs 6oz of pure baby loving
The big weigh-in was today... 6lbs 6oz (congratulations on your perfect guess Kim K.)
Aug 12, 5lbs 2oz - Aug 28, 6lbs 6oz
1lb 4oz in 16 days
1.25 oz per day
18lbs by Christmas
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
our baby is getting chubby
We are really beginning to notice Riley Grace getting bigger. Her tiny outfits no longer fit and look... well really tiny. She hasn't been to the doctor for two weeks but is going this Friday. We are looking forward to the weigh in.
Who wants to guess on her exact weight? (We always play Price Is Right rules; closest without going over).
July 13 - BIrthday
3lbs 4oz
Aug 3 - Last day in the hospital
4lbs 6oz
Aug 12 - Pediatrician Office visit
5lbs 2oz
Monday, August 24, 2009
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Frog Feet
Another fantastic Saturday Daddy Day. Capped with a new outfit; frog feet pjs.
Riley's view of her froggies.
Riley's view of her froggies.
Seriously,who comes up with this stuff? Brilliant!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
sleeping in the big crib
Since she came home Riley has been sleeping in her own room down the hall from ours. Today she moved from her mini crib into the big crib. Sweet dreams little darling.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
morning photo shoot
This morning Riley Grace has been fed, bathed, and finished her first photo shoot of the day.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
first week home
We have been home with Riley Grace a full week now. We are not experienced parents quite yet but we have picked up a few things along the way that help the days and nights go smoothly. Here are just a few observations we have made....
Sleeping. We all get good sleep every night. This is one really mellow baby and we know that these things do change and we expect them to change. But for now we are thankful that she is a sleeper. She is out like a light at night and we wake her every three hours to eat. I stay up for the midnight shift and Sheri handles 3:00 and 6:00. It is 10:30 now and Sheri has been asleep for almost an hour. By 3 she will have her normal night's sleep of six hours.
Eating. Riley Grace eats every three hours around the clock. Sheri and Riley are an amazing eating team and they have a great system. Just before midnight Riley will start to stir, I'll make a bottle, change her and feed her, She will be asleep and I will be in bed by 12:35.
Noise is not a big deal.
Riley Grace spent the first three weeks of her life in the NICU where there are alarms sounding, nurses talking and machines running 24/7. This kid sleeps through it all. Our concern that the work we do during the day would disturb her was unfounded. It appears that she is the one causing the disturbance. It can be a real challenge working so close to such cuteness.
This kid loves to look around.
From the very first day Riley Grace has loved to check out her environment. Her big beautiful eyes follow sounds around the room. She loves to stretch her neck and do her best to lift her head and check everything out, especially when she first wakes up. When her eyes lock onto yours it's like being caught in a spotlight.
Two things she loves that I never even knew existed...
This boppy thing (thank you Aunt Jen and Jen's Mom)
and this bath thing (thank you Aunt Janet)
It has been so much fun watching her grow and change over the past four weeks. We are loving every moment with our Riley Grace.
Sleeping. We all get good sleep every night. This is one really mellow baby and we know that these things do change and we expect them to change. But for now we are thankful that she is a sleeper. She is out like a light at night and we wake her every three hours to eat. I stay up for the midnight shift and Sheri handles 3:00 and 6:00. It is 10:30 now and Sheri has been asleep for almost an hour. By 3 she will have her normal night's sleep of six hours.
Eating. Riley Grace eats every three hours around the clock. Sheri and Riley are an amazing eating team and they have a great system. Just before midnight Riley will start to stir, I'll make a bottle, change her and feed her, She will be asleep and I will be in bed by 12:35.
Noise is not a big deal. Riley Grace spent the first three weeks of her life in the NICU where there are alarms sounding, nurses talking and machines running 24/7. This kid sleeps through it all. Our concern that the work we do during the day would disturb her was unfounded. It appears that she is the one causing the disturbance. It can be a real challenge working so close to such cuteness.
This kid loves to look around.From the very first day Riley Grace has loved to check out her environment. Her big beautiful eyes follow sounds around the room. She loves to stretch her neck and do her best to lift her head and check everything out, especially when she first wakes up. When her eyes lock onto yours it's like being caught in a spotlight.
Two things she loves that I never even knew existed...
This boppy thing (thank you Aunt Jen and Jen's Mom)
and this bath thing (thank you Aunt Janet)It has been so much fun watching her grow and change over the past four weeks. We are loving every moment with our Riley Grace.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
good to be home
Bath day for Riley Grace today. Since coming home she has been sleeping, eating, and pooping like a champ.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
adjusting
"Meet the new boss, Same as the old boss" - The Who, Won't Get Fooled Again
What was new three weeks ago is now the new normal. We have adjusted to new life with our baby Riley Grace. Now that we are home the only thing new is responsibility for the late feeds. Last night was smooth with only a small bump in an otherwise perfect night. The bump turned out to be a bump in her diaper around 4am.
I just finished the midnight feeding and it was awesome. 40+ ccs in 15 minutes and she never once opened her eyes. Sheri is on for the 3 and 6. Right now the house is quiet and both baby and mom are soundly asleep.
Our first pediatrician office visit today was a blast. Just introductions mostly and a little medical history (22 days worth - a short story). Dr Sudah is a hoot. I think we are really going to like her. Our peanut weighed in at 4lb 6oz - Wow!
Tomorrow we have more of the same planned; Eating, sleeping and gaining weight for Riley Grace.
What was new three weeks ago is now the new normal. We have adjusted to new life with our baby Riley Grace. Now that we are home the only thing new is responsibility for the late feeds. Last night was smooth with only a small bump in an otherwise perfect night. The bump turned out to be a bump in her diaper around 4am.
I just finished the midnight feeding and it was awesome. 40+ ccs in 15 minutes and she never once opened her eyes. Sheri is on for the 3 and 6. Right now the house is quiet and both baby and mom are soundly asleep.
Our first pediatrician office visit today was a blast. Just introductions mostly and a little medical history (22 days worth - a short story). Dr Sudah is a hoot. I think we are really going to like her. Our peanut weighed in at 4lb 6oz - Wow!
Tomorrow we have more of the same planned; Eating, sleeping and gaining weight for Riley Grace.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
leaving the nicu
After 21 days Riley Grace left the NICU at Chandler Regional Hospital today. It will be difficult to properly recognize everyone in the NICU that had a significant impact on us these past two weeks, but here goes.
Thank you to everyone that prayed for Riley Grace. God answered your prayers and sent a host of angels to protect her. He also sent a whole bunch of caring, loving, people. His people.
Thank you Dr. Zozobrado our advocate and fellow adoptive dad. We will remember forever what you said to us the night of her birth and everything that you did for her.
Thank you Dr. Stola our dear friend and fellow adoptive mom. We will never forget the tears that we cried together. You are amazing.
Thank you Joan, Deb, Laura and Tracy our nurse practitioners. How you do all you do is still a mystery to us.
Thank you to all of Riley's nurses. Thank you Sepna for teaching Riley Grace (and her parents) how to be feisty. You were there in a big way on Cry Thursday and Emotional Breakdown Friday. Thanks to Dawn for being so kind and understanding. Thank you Erin for sharing so many milestones that I can't remember them all. You always seemed to be there when a tube or hose was removed. Thank you Cennille for all the bows. Thank you Allie, even though you were never Riley's nurse. How was it that you were still always there for us? Thank you Vicki, Pat, Sandi, Karen, Theresa, Kathy, Jean, Kelly, Ashley and Holly.
Now get back to work.
Thank you to everyone that prayed for Riley Grace. God answered your prayers and sent a host of angels to protect her. He also sent a whole bunch of caring, loving, people. His people.
Thank you Dr. Zozobrado our advocate and fellow adoptive dad. We will remember forever what you said to us the night of her birth and everything that you did for her.
Thank you Dr. Stola our dear friend and fellow adoptive mom. We will never forget the tears that we cried together. You are amazing.
Thank you Joan, Deb, Laura and Tracy our nurse practitioners. How you do all you do is still a mystery to us.
Thank you to all of Riley's nurses. Thank you Sepna for teaching Riley Grace (and her parents) how to be feisty. You were there in a big way on Cry Thursday and Emotional Breakdown Friday. Thanks to Dawn for being so kind and understanding. Thank you Erin for sharing so many milestones that I can't remember them all. You always seemed to be there when a tube or hose was removed. Thank you Cennille for all the bows. Thank you Allie, even though you were never Riley's nurse. How was it that you were still always there for us? Thank you Vicki, Pat, Sandi, Karen, Theresa, Kathy, Jean, Kelly, Ashley and Holly.
Now get back to work.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
going home
"we have run out of excuses to keep Riley Grace here." - Dr. Zozobrand, Medical Director, NICU Chandler Regional Hospital
Riley Grace comes home with us on Monday. What is it about this kid and Mondays?
Monday July 13, born at 4:57pm
Monday July 27, becomes our daughter
Monday Aug 3, Comes home to her new home
We love you with everything we have Riley Grace. Love, your Daddy and Mommy
Riley Grace comes home with us on Monday. What is it about this kid and Mondays?
Monday July 13, born at 4:57pm
Monday July 27, becomes our daughter
Monday Aug 3, Comes home to her new home
We love you with everything we have Riley Grace. Love, your Daddy and Mommy
getting ready
We praise God and thank him for great news. Riley Grace is getting ready to go home. It is looking like early this week. Woo-hoo!
Saturday, August 1, 2009
life in the nicu
We have spent the last 19 days in the Chandler Regional Hospital NICU. In that time we have grown very close with people that are there: The patients, nurses, doctors and staff. We have celebrated victories together and encouraged one another through the challenges. Our family in the NICU has shared every one of the milestones in Riley Grace's life.
One of the babies that has been in room #2 with Riley Grace developed complications over the past few days. He received a blood transfusion yesterday and was transported by helicopter to Banner Desert today. Despite the heroic efforts to save him, he died on the way.
Tonight I am writing this because I hope that Riley Grace will one day read this story and understand what this day was like.
Every night since you were born I hold you and thank God for his amazing gift. This week we spent some special quiet late nights together and we prayed for each of the babies that are in the NICU. Tonight we thanked God for one baby boy in particular.
I know that God loves you Riley Grace because he sent his own son to die for you (John 3:16). No matter what happens God makes it all work for good for everyone that loves him (Romans 8:28) and there is nothing that can separate you from his love (Romans 8:37-38).
One of the babies that has been in room #2 with Riley Grace developed complications over the past few days. He received a blood transfusion yesterday and was transported by helicopter to Banner Desert today. Despite the heroic efforts to save him, he died on the way.
Tonight I am writing this because I hope that Riley Grace will one day read this story and understand what this day was like.
Every night since you were born I hold you and thank God for his amazing gift. This week we spent some special quiet late nights together and we prayed for each of the babies that are in the NICU. Tonight we thanked God for one baby boy in particular.
I know that God loves you Riley Grace because he sent his own son to die for you (John 3:16). No matter what happens God makes it all work for good for everyone that loves him (Romans 8:28) and there is nothing that can separate you from his love (Romans 8:37-38).
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