Happy Halloween

We decided to forgo carving pumpkins this year since Arden isn't much help with that, but it was not an option to skip trick or treating since it involves getting candy.

Reed did not get an official costume this year, but he got dressed up in orange (including a pumpkin hat that grandma made for him):

Week one at home

We have all been home as a family of four for just over a week now, so I thought I should get around to a post about what we've been up to.

First here are some photos from the hospital that show how happy and cute Reed was once he got unhooked from most of the machines:

Here are pictures of Reed getting ready to come home from the hospital:

Big brother Arden was excited to welcome home little brother Reed (even though the first photo below doesn't appear so):

Arden loves to help do things for Reed (including feeding and changing diapers).

Such skinny little legs, but based on Reed's weight gain so far he won't be super skinny for long.

Even the cat thinks he has the responsibility of watching over Reed.

First of many college football Saturdays for daddy and Reed.

I love watching babies sleep, especially Reed who gets a wide variety of facial expressions when he's dreaming.  If you watch closely you can even see Reed's dimple in his right cheek when he smiles.  Arden has a dimple in only his left cheek, so between the two of them they have a complete set (how cute!).

Here's a list of random things that Arden has said/done this past week:
- calls Reed "my baby".

- when leaving to go to the store Arden asked, "why do we have to take Reed with us?"

- constantly checks on Reed himself or when he was not allowed to be near him he asks how Reed is doing.

- tells us what Reed is doing (leaking milk out his mouth, spitting up, etc) even though we never taught him to watch for those things.

- tells us where Reed is ("he's not upstairs", "he is in his bed downstairs")

- helps with changing diapers and loves when it is a BM since he gets to use the diaper genie (which he refers to by name)

I think you'll agree that Arden thoroughly enjoyed his special treat (pudding cup).

Future executive in training? 

Final week of soccer...the kids got medals.

And now for some highlights on Reed's behavior this past week:
- Reed is a very happy baby, he seems to just sleep and eat not fuss much for any reason (yes we realize that could change any day but in the meantime we are counting our blessings).

- He did make up his own schedule one day (wanted to eat every two hours instead of three hours) but we have increased the amount of formula we are offering so we are back to where mom and dad make the schedule. We just stick to a 3 hour rotation of diaper changes and feedings since he doesn't act like he ever really wants something. We think that a lot of the time he would just lay contently or with a pacifier rather than eating.

- We wonder if the doctor will want to take Reed off the preemie discharge formula sooner than the estimated 9 months they gave us last week since he is gaining weight very quickly (at least an ounce a day but sometimes multiple ounces a day).

- We have been reminded several times why being able to get a new diaper on quickly is important (especially with boys!)

- We survived the first family sickness (Arden had bronchitis) without Reed getting sick.

We are thankful every day that Arden is still interested in Reed and is not acting jealous (yet).

Family Time In The NICU

Car seat test means almost ready to come home

Reed Is A "Big Boy"

Reed has recently
1) moved to a big boy bed
2) gained a little bit of weight (not back up to his birth weight yet)
3) been allowed to increase his feedings more drastically (will be based on his demand)

His feeding tube should be removed by this evening, unless he pulls it out himself first.