November 29, 2008

Our first bad day


Well.. yesterday Samuel had a really bad day. It turned out that his Thanksgiving bath ended up being too much for his little body to handle. After many dips in his breathing the NICU doctor decided to move Samuel back to the Intensive Care room. As you remember, he was moved to the step down room b/c he was really stable. After being taken off his oxygen, moved to an open crib and then his bath it proved to be way too much too soon.

One of the major struggles for preemies is for them to stay warm once they are in open cribs. This uses up a lot of energy and when they use too much energy it starts to effect their breathing. So, being cold to begin with, taking a bath and the room was also cold.. he was unable to concentrate on his breathing. They also struggle with anemia. He is slightly anemic but that can be cured.

Having to take a major step backwards is extremely draining on us as parents. We went from being able to hold him, change his diaper and love on him to being afraid to touch him in fear that he will be over stimulated and stop breathing.

They did several blood tests to rule out any infections. So far so good. He is back on oxygen again and will most likely be put back in an isolette until he gets some more meat on his bones.

He has had so many good days that you forget that he is still so, so tiny and that every move he makes literally drains him of his energy. I have never felt so helpless in my life. We won't be able to relax until he his finally home.. and then I'm sure we'll be sleeping with at least one eye open.

On an even sadder note, my Uncle Kevin passed away today. He died suddenly at my parents house. Please keep my mom in your prayers as well. She is very upset to have lost her big brother, whom she has had to take care of since he was left handicapped as a child.

November 28, 2008

Samuel's First Thanksgiving

Sammy after his Turkey Day bath. Unfortunately, he took a step backwards today. He had to be put back on a little bit of oxygen b/c he stopped breathing several times during our visit. He's gone through a lot of big changes the past few days and that's his way of telling the nurses.. hey guys, slow down. I'm just a little fella trying to do too much at once. Needless to say, I left crying. It is heart wrenching to watch your tiny child fighting to breathe. Talk about feeling helpless. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.. we still have a very long road ahead of us.

Gobble, Gobble from the Welshs!


Even preemie clothes are too big on our handsome little man.

November 26, 2008

Sammy in a Big Boy Bed

My new bed!
Our little Sammy got moved into an open crib today. He was also taken off his extra oxygen completely. YEAH. He is 3 pounds 10 ounces now and gets to where his own little outfits and feel the warmth of his blankets.

Last pictures of Samuel in his Isolette

During his outfit change, we were able to get a good picture of Samuel with no feeding tube or oxygen tubes. What a handsome guy!
Ohhh I love, love, love my hands!

Big yaaaawwwwnnn!!!!


Samuel Stretching



November 25, 2008

Sammy's First Day in Clothes


Thank you Aunty Monica for my first outfit. So Cozy!

Sammy in his first clothes. A lovely hospital shirt.

Ready for slopes mom!

Me cozy with dad.

November 24, 2008

Our happy family

Mama, Daddy and Samuel

Our days with Samuel

Once a day we get to do "Kangaroo Care" with Samuel. This is when we get to hold him skin to skin. This is very therapeutic for Samuel and us. Mike and I trade off getting to hold him like this.
We love it when he is awake and looking around. The nurses are surprised at how alert he is at his age. Although, I don't like it when he is looking right at us when we leave. I feel very guilty and it definitely tugs at your heart to leave him behind.

November 23, 2008

Samuel Loves Visitors

I love my Aunty Desiree! Her first visit to see me at the hospital.
I love it when daddy rocks.. not too fast daddy!!
Another blissful day of holding my son.

November 20, 2008

Sammy in the Big Boy Nursery

Sammy is usually awake when we first start holding him
but he soon drifts off to sleep. What a cutie!
Speaking of sleeping... he has the most peculiar positions he finds comfy.
The nurses say he starts off with his feet tucked in but soon busts out... I can't say I blame him. He does have his daddy's genes.
Samuel is 3 pounds 8.4 ounces.. yeah! He is eating an ounce every 4 hours and they are weaning him off his oxygen. They also removed his IV since he is getting enough fluid and nutrients through his feedings.
Go Sammy!
I just love his Big Toe... It's definitely a Welsh characteristic. He might just give Mike a run for his money.. who wears a size 16. WOW!

Moving Up

What a cute smile!
Today Samuel got moved to the Big Boy Nursery because he is more stable now. He is eating every 3 hours and has gained 4 ounces! Yeah Samuel! Hopefully, he will be home by Christmas.
Getting to rock Samuel every day makes it all worthwhile.
Mama's little boy!

Little Sammy

My boys!
All stretched out!

Samuel always tries to pull his wires out when he has a chance.

Samuel's bed in the NICU!

November 16, 2008

Samuel's Bath

Daddy's Big Day

Today was the day that Mike has been waiting for.. the day he gets to hold his son for the first time.
Samuel slept the entire two hours Mike held him.

Daddy and his Baby Boy!!!

Video of Samuel

November 14, 2008

Welcome Cousin Andrew Ronald Telling



This is Emily and Antony's new son, Andrew, "Andy"! He was born on November 10 and is absolutely beautiful. We can't wait for Samuel to meet him. We will post a better picture of Andy soon. Love you Aunt Emily, Uncle Antony and Cousins Siena and Andrew.

One week old... 29 1/2 weeks gestation

After his bath, Samuel got to just relax without his CPAP machine.
What a beautiful face!
Samuel loves to hold his daddy's fingers!

The most peaceful part of my day...my one hour with Samuel!


The Greatest Day Ever







Today was the best day so far since little Samuel was born. I was able to hold him for an hour. What an amazing feeling to feel his warmth and touch his tiny little body. He is so perfect. Because he did well with being held today we will continue to hold him once a day and build up to more. We are really looking forward to Mike being able to hold him too.. of course he might have to shave his chest! hahaha
Mike put his Tiger Woods hat on Samuel (notice those are also my initials.. Tara Welsh) to jumpstart his love of playing golf with his daddy, granddad and uncles when he gets older.
We also got to take our very first family picture together... taken by Mike of course. Thank goodness for his long arms.
Samuel is eating now via a tube through his mouth to his stomach. They are giving him 1/2tsp every 6 hours to start.
The doctors say he is doing extremely well!

November 13, 2008

Our little Angel

I got to hold Samuel briefly while they moved him to another isolette. Very exciting! He is doing well and breathing on his own very easily. He hasn't had any major issues with his breathing since he was born! YEAH