We are HOME

Just a few pics of Braden and Grayson. We are home now and so happy to be back. Braden showed no signs of jealousy and seems to like his little brother. :-)

Grayson Update

Sorry for the delay in posting but this week has been a wild one. Braden had his procedures on Monday morning. His throat looked a little better but it will still require surgery to correct it. We will be meeting with his ENT soon to determine the details of the surgery. Along with his throat being scoped, they scoped his lungs to make sure there weren't any infections and make sure everything looks ok. He did have a slight bacterial infection which isn't anything to worry about - something they see in kids with trachs but he did start an antibiotic today to take care of the infection.

As we were pulling out of Vandy from Braden's long morning - Stephanie received a call back from her Doctor telling her it would be a good idea to go and get checked out at Baptist just to make sure Grayson was ok. Well, a few tests later and we were told her water broke and Grayson would be here that day. So, we start making calls to have people come and help with Braden while making sure Stephanie is as comfortable as possible for the delivery. 8 hours later it was time to push - things were going well then Grayson's heart rate started to drop and they couldn't keep it up. It went from 2 people in the room with us to 8 nurses rushing in and rolling Stephanie to the OR. Luckily she was drugged up and didn't know things were getting serious - unfortunately I was well aware. Lucky for us our NICU friend Vickie (one of Braden's respiratory therapists) was working that night and she walked with me to the OR letting me know everything was ok and he would be fine. Long story short they did a very quick C-section and Grayson looked good - no issues at all.

It has been a wild week but one we were anxiously awaiting. Braden has done very well considering he went through so much on Monday and being carted around between home and the hospital. He hasn't seen his little brother much but I am sure we will have some interesting pictures when they do get to meet again. Stephanie and Grayson are scheduled to come home tomorrow. Here are some new pictures of Grayson and one of Braden getting into trouble at home - the smile on his face lets you know he knows what he is doing!

Grayson Paul Harris

Grayson Paul Harris was born at 8:28 p.m. on 5/24/10. He weighed 7 lbs 9 ozs and was 20 inches long. It is late so I am going to keep it brief. Braden's procedures went well at Vandy this morning and of course Grayson had to make his arrival in style on the very same day. Mom and baby are doing great - I will update more tomorrow.

Weekend pics

Just a few pics from this weekend. Braden has been exploring and climbing on everything. It's been so fun to watch. Monday early is Braden's scope. We will let you know what happens.

Braden standing on his own

It's a miracle I even got this on video. It's not the best video but at least y'all can see that Braden is able to stand on his own. Unfortunately, he decided to come after my phone instead of holding his position. But I am just happy to have captured this moment on video. Now if I could only catch him taking steps with his walker.

Baby update

Well the good news is Grayson doesn't want to come out. So therefore his arrival won't be interfering with Braden's scope on Monday. That is a HUGE relief. The bad news is Grayson doesn't want to come out. :-( I want him to stay in as long as he needs too. However, it is very stressful not knowing since last time around everything went so horribly wrong. I have fears of not making it to the hospital to deliver. So the Doctor said today he cannot induce next week because I haven't dilated passed a 1. I am scheduled next Wed. for another ultrasound to check my amniotic fluid. It will be interesting to find out how much bigger Grayson has gotten. After the ultrasound we will find out what's next. Or maybe it'll be another just wait and see day. Not really sure... so now we WAIT.

I also have to say being off bedrest has really helped me. I feel much better now than before. I am not in nearly as much pain unless I over due then I pay like today. Yesterday we went to Baby's R US and shopped for some much needed items. Like a few sturdy gates, an additional monitor and boppy pillow. We also visited a few friends at the NICU. I was finally ready to donate the preemie clothes and blankets now that Grayson is full term. :-) Braden did really well and I am so disappointed because I brought my camera and then forgot to take photos.

This week...

Sooo since I am so close to possibly going into labor any day now I have constant help. Today my sister came to help with Braden and she took some cute photos. So I decided to share. We are now on week 38. Today I actually went to Bed Bath & Beyond and the grocery. It was so nice to get out of the house. Braden seemed to enjoy it too. Tomorrow he has a routine Urology appt.. He also has two therapies and Stephen finally found some missing 0-3 month and 3 month clothes for Grayson. So I will need to wash and get those put up. The rearranging is almost finished and it is so great to have the house in good order.

Braden has now pretty much gotten thru every barrier I have tried to use to restrain him. lol Good thing I am off bedrest. He has been escaping and taking over the house. He even cries now when I put him in his pack n play. He gets so mad at me. I still have to use it since he knocks over my water and tries to get at everything he shouldn't... I'm not sure what I will do when he learns to crawl out of it. But for now it works. We are still battling, as you can see in the photos, Braden taking off his HME. He finally learned how to get the O2 mask off so that little trick doesn't work anymore. :-( Oh well hopefully once Grayson gets here I will be more mobile and it won't matter anymore. I can get this baby weight off from chasing him and putting his HME back on. I'm just happy to see him progressing so much.

Just a few new pics..

Update on Braden & Grayson

Braden is doing great. He just got a new picture book from his Speech Therapist. He really likes it and is showing a huge interest. He is actually picking which toy he wants to play with using the pics. He is off to a great start. He is eating pretty good for Nana which is wonderful. It is nice to know he can be taken care of by someone else while Stephen and I are at the hospital. Also, Pop John has changed Braden's trach twice now. He is pretty comfortable with it so that is a huge relief as well. Braden has also been having huge spirts of energy. He is hilarious... He is climbing the footstool and sliding head first off of it. We really have to watch him. He climbs all over us when trying to hold him and he throws things all over the place. Such a typical BOY. He seems more focused during his therapy sessions unless he gets overly excited then he tends to wander a bit. But overall he is happy, energetic and progressing. We are anxiously awaiting the day he finally decides to walk. But for right now he is content with crawling, climbing, and standing. His therapist said he is doing well and developing his skills before trying to walk too soon. He should do very well with balance and coordination developing these other skills first before trying to walk too soon.

Today I saw my OB and he said I have dilated 1 cm. You have to be at 4 to be admitted for delivery. Grayson is due any time now and can come now if he wants... he is considered full term. YAHOO!!! So I am not worrying about doing too much anymore. I have been having alot of pain and trouble walking but nothing out of the ordinary. Apparently, the last few weeks of pregnancy are tough for everyone. Just no one seems to say much about it. So those that are pregnant for the first time just know its very tiring at the end. But with that said it is soooo worth it. Everyone wants their baby to be full term and this short term discomfort is soon forgotten once that baby gets in your hands. :-) Like my Doctor said this time around for us the short term pain is nothing compared to how much easier it'll be to take care of Grayson when he comes home. Braden had so much that Grayson won't... I mean really I can't imagine having a baby that doesn't have wires attached to him. Not to mention how big Grayson will be... he is estimated at about 7 pounds right now. Seems sooo unreal. I am so overwhelmed and anxious and ready. I can't wait to see Braden and his baby brother together. That first pic will be so joyful. I tear up just thinking about it. :-)

Organization

I can't even describe how complicated it is to be organized in the midst of all that has gone on over the past three years. Our house has literally been in complete shambles. Not to say that we haven't had loads of help with cleaning and laundry but no one can throw away and put away for you. That's just something that is too hard to dictate. Sooo this week Pop John has been helping us. I came up with a master plan of action to try and create more space despite more items needing to come down from the attic. Yes Grayson will add to the piles of stuff we already trip over on a daily basis. But thanks to Pop Johns heavy lifting we have really made a huge dent today in all the mess and clutter. I can actually see the floor again. I am more than thrilled. I really think we have made HUGE progress in a very short amount of time. I love when a good plan comes together. Not to mention I haven't really done anything but bark orders. lol I feel bad about that but Pop John has assured me he does not mind. :-) I think he really likes the changes and is proud to see it coming together.

I finally got the results back on Braden's Impedance probe. The Dr. says the results look GREAT.. :-) Hopefully that means Braden's airway will actually look good next scoping on May 24th. That is if Grayson doesn't decide to be born that day or around it. I had an appt. to see Dr. Wingo today but went yesterday instead. Apparently, Grayson has dropped and is super low in my belly. I can hardly walk at times. I still haven't dilated any but Dr. Wingo did say Grayson was lower than he should be for this week of pregnancy. I take that to mean he may come sooner rather than later. Which wouldn't bother me a bit. Just along as he waits till 37 weeks or after when he is considered full term. Officially 37 weeks is next Thursday and that is also the day I have my next OB appt..

Rescheduled

Well much to my disappointment Vandy had to reschedule Braden's scoping for May 24th. I suppose it's due to the flooding in Nashville. I know they had water on the first floor for at least a day. But I am so frustrated anyway because that will be my 39th week of pregnancy. Grayson could be here that week for all we know. I really wanted to get that done and over with before Grayson arrived. I know Stephen can take care of Braden but I have been with Braden for every hospital stay and every appt.. I can't imagine having him go into a procedure and not be there. :-( Hopefully, I can do both and not feel like I have to choose between my babies.