Bryce Update

I am grateful that John-David has done a great job keeping everyone updated on what has been happening in our life this past week. It's hard to put into words what this past week has been for us but I think he has done it wonderfully. In case you missed the last blog update, John-David announced our baby's name as Bryce Robert. I know I had talked to a few of you about some name options and you'll probably recall that Bryce was never one of the candidates. The day I was admitted to the hospital, I started thinking of some names. Randomly the name Bryce came to me and I wrote is down. Over the next few days we added to the list and came up with about 13 various names. I had John-David go to his office and look up the meanings of the different names just to see what they meant. The website John-David used said that the name Bryce meant strength. That stuck out to both of us and in the end I think that was one the main reasons we chose it. This boy is going to need some strength and hopefully with a names that means will help. We like to give our kids middle names with family ties so his middle name, Robert, is after my father. We felt that this was a solid combination.

My recovery from the surgery has gone really well and I feel like I have been able to move around a lot better than after my first c-section with Jocelyn. I have decided after this past pregnancy my dreams of being a bikini model are official a thing of the past. The varicose veins I acquired and now the new railroad looking c-section incision just aren't going to look that great in a bikini. Oh well, I'll find a new dream.

I was able to come home today which was bitter-sweet. Wonderful because I don't like staying in the hospital but hard because I had to leave my little buddy there. Even though he is doing really well, I know that this is where he needs to be right now. The common question we get these days is "When does Bryce get to come home?" Good question that we would all like to know the answer to. What we do know is that the NICU at St. Luke's doesn't let babies go home before 35 weeks which that is at least 2 more weeks for him in that aspect. He has to be breathing on his own, eating on his own and regulating his own temperature in order for him to get released. Although the nurses won't really give you an estimate, one did say that she thought that 3 weeks was probably a safe guesstimate. I am saying 3-4 weeks just so I won't get my hopes up but I don't want him to come any sooner than when he is ready to because I don't want to have to bring him back. Here are some pictures of him over the past few days. I know there is a lot but this is what I get to look at for now and when you can only hold your son once a day you would take 900 picture as well.

Bryce has been a mover from the first time I felt him.

He never stayed still. This is what he is suppose

to look like all bundles but he is always

pulling things off or moving down.

Kelsey saying hi to baby Bryce.

Jocelyn looking in on her baby brother.

Mom holding hands (or fingers) with Bryce.

Holding the little guy off while we get ready

to feed him.He does generally take the

bottle but sometimes he gets worn

out and we have to give it through the feeding tube.

Bet you didn't think that a 4 lb baby could have a

double chin and some meat on the cheeks? Guess again.

Feeding Bryce during his time out of his "cage".

That's what Jackson refers to it as.

I just love these pictures of him sleeping on his belly.

Notice the leg out of the blankets?

This is how the wild man likes to sleep.

Another sleeping picture.

He doesn't do a whole lot of anything else.