One Month and Counting!!

At last check 6 lbs. 6 oz. and 19 1/2 in...

And still growing...

Yeah Right!

AWWWW....

Happy First Halloween

He was Daddy's Little Monster for Halloween.

Mom didn't think it was much of a strech since she hasn't been getting very much sleep lately.

Looks like he sleeps pretty well to me!!

First Bath

Today Thomas had his first real bath, with no more cord and his circ. healing he could finally be immersed. And what do you know.. he loved it!! Happy and content, we feared a struggle, but he didn't squirm or fuss, the only thing he didn't like was getting out!

The sad part is as you can see he is starting to break out in the baby acne, his beautiful baby smooth and soft skin is dissapearing before our eyes.

He loves his Mom

We know because he won't sleep any other way!!

Just Plain Cute!!

Asleep or Awake...

At least we think so....

And look no more belly button!!!

Getting to know you...

Play Time

Grandma Time

Daddy Time

Welcome Home!!

Thomas Paul Shepherd

PERFECT!!


Obviously!

I like my new cradle!

My changing table is fun too!

Coming HOME!!

The best day ever... So glad we got to bring Thomas home today. I couldn't believe it was happening, they really discharged him home. Needless to say there were definitely tears shed when daddy found out. We had a long drive to Prescott ahead of us, but we were actually going home. We are so very grateful for this day.

Thomas is happy to be home too.

But nobody is happier than daddy, to hold his boy, on his own couch, no wires, no alarms, just quality time with his little tough guy. We are going to keep him here for a while, and hope and pray for another miracle on his heart, that it heals on its own and he doesn't need the surgery they have planned for his heart in 3 months.

Our Miracle...

This afternoon Thomas had his echo to confirm the aorta was narrowing which meant surgery. Just before his daddy gave him a little blessing in a crowded NICU. Moments later you could see the smile on the face of the ultrasound technicians face, and acouple hours later we got the official word. The fetal valves are closed and the coarct (problem with the aorta) is gone. Thomas can come HOME!!!
No more three minute scrubs in the NICU for mom!
No more for dad... his hands were getting pretty raw.
And Thomas started making preparations to be discharged, including a hearing test -PASS, an hour and a half in a car seat because he is a cardiac patient - PASS, his nice nurses put together his gift basket, mom and dad will be up late watching premature discharge videos, because come tomorrow both mom and baby will be going home!!

Hello World

Thomas was suprised this morning by visitors. His Grandma Shepherd, Aunt Jill, And Aunt Kelly, drove the 12 hours from Salt Lake to Phoenix through the night because they couldn't wait to see him.
He is still in the NICU and we are still waiting for the repeat echo that will tell us whether he gets to come home or will have to stay and have surgery, we are scared, but are still hoping for the best.

We are getting better at hiding his cords when we bundle him up. Thomas gets to start wearing pajamas today, and is healthy enough to have his own clothes and sheets (the one on the bottom of the crib is from Grandma Shepherd). He is still eating well, and his alarms go off occasionally but it is usually because he is active and they can't get a good reading. He has good muscle tone, his cone head from the 24 hours of labor is diminishing, and mom and dad still miss him and wish he could come stay with them.

The NICU

Our baby boy is in the NICU, looking around he is probably one of the biggest and healthiest babies in here. Mom is recovering very well from her C-Section and is already up walking around, getting dressed, and enjoying the pain medicine. She still gets tired quickly and can't be out of bed too long, but Thomas will be able to spend more time with her as soon as they are both better.

Dad spends a lot of time in the NICU feeding, changing, holding, and playing with his new buddy. He is there till the wee hours of the morning, when he's not checking on mom. It is hard to have two people you care about on different floors and only being able to see one at a time. Thomas already recognizes daddy's voice and falls asleep in his arms. It is tough to see him with all the cords and monitors on him, but Thomas is doing well, he is feeding on demand from a bottle and will not require a feeding tube, he is holding his own temperature and is off the warmer, hasn't had to be in a incubator, and his blood pressure is still doing well as they continue to watch him closely. So far no signs of trouble or heart failure, the echo will be repeated tomorrow and we are all hoping and praying for the best.