When I was born, they looked at me and said...
What a good boy, what a smart boy, what a strong boy...
Oh my goodness. You all truly are so awesome. A heartfelt thank you from our High Energy Family to all of you. I truly believe your thoughts and prayers have/will make a difference. I'm sorry I can't thank all of you individually right now, but know that we love each and every one of you.
And speaking of our High Energy Family - here he is!!! In this corner, High Energy Baby, weighing in at a fighting weight of 5 pounds even! 17.5 inches! 34 weeks 3 days!
Hello. I have just been born.
This is my "I look a bit like a troll doll" face. So Squinchy. What just happened to me?
So, I started labor about 6 am Saturday am with the help of some pitocin, which I quickly didn't need. I delivered the tiny man at 12:24 pm. I got at epidural at about 8 cm dilated, and it was a GOOD idea.
At first, HEB cried really strongly and looked pink. But, he did quickly get tired and got a little blue and worked hard to breathe. So up the NICU (Neonatal ICU) he went with dad.
There he got a bunch of tubes and wires, is on CPAP, which is a way to help him breathe. It's more than just some oxygen, but it's better than being intubated, which he hopefully will not need.
He is getting stronger all the time, and looking better and better. He won't get to eat until he is off the CPAP, which we hope will be a few days. We can touch him and talk to him and changed his diaper today. So we feel like parents a little bit more all the time. And hopefully we can hold him soon!
He will probably need a few weeks in the NICU, because babies this little often have trouble learning how to eat - sucking, swallowing and breathing are hard for them to coordinate. But if he is doing well once he can eat and is gaining weight he can come home!
Here's a progress shot from today:
I look like a boxer!
Poor smashed up face. The CPAP does that but it will all even out. We think he's beautiful and we love him so much. He's our little fighter. He has already pulled out his orogastric tube THREE FOUR times, and he is only 33 35 hours old!
We'll update soon. I go home tomorrow, and I hate that it's without him, but we are so lucky to live five minutes from the hospital, and our NICU is state of the art. He could not be in better hands.
Thanks again, you all. Love, the HEJs and HEB.
Comments
Wonderful!!! Yay, High Energy Baby! Boy, what a cute soul he has! Congratulations!
Posted by: Mary-Heather | December 10, 2006 9:53 PM
So happy for y'all. Reading your post and knowing everyone is ok brought a tear to my eye. HEB is simple precious. Congrats to all three of you.
Posted by: Sarah | December 10, 2006 9:59 PM
I'm normally a lurker, but those photos made me melt! Congratulations. He is a cutie.
Posted by: sera | December 10, 2006 9:59 PM
OH MY GOODNESS! I am so full of tears and love for your little one. HEB is beautiful. Great job HEF! Our youngest was in the NICU for 6 days- you should see if they have a Murphy bed somewhere hidden in the NICU- they often do- then you can at least nap there. Can't believe he is really here. Blessings to you, and THANK YOU for the pictures and the update. (Yes, I get a little nutty about the newborns!)
Posted by: KT | December 10, 2006 10:19 PM
Oh Jenny! I can't even begin to tell you how happy I am for you and your family. I know the road you had to take to get here and even though there's a new blip YOU ARE A MOM!!! He's so beautiful! Humongous hugs to all of you!
LOVE LOVE LOVE!
Posted by: Cara | December 10, 2006 10:56 PM
Oh he is so beautiful!! No troll there;) Congratulations to you both.
Posted by: Deb | December 10, 2006 11:02 PM
Congratulations on your little miracle! HEB is one very handsome little dude!
Posted by: Rossana | December 10, 2006 11:07 PM
Congratulations is a pretty long word, but it doesn't seem to measure up to the championship work you and your family have accomplished. Welcome, HEB!
Posted by: anne | December 10, 2006 11:59 PM
OMG YAAAAY! I was so worried! He's beautiful!!! I'm SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!!!!! All of you!!! CONGRATULATIONS!
Posted by: Lara | December 11, 2006 12:02 AM
Y'all deserve every bit of happiness of this day! I loved looking at the clock and going "Oh! She's 16 hours old!...Oh, now she's 17 hours old!" Fun times in the post-partum wing. He's so adorable! Troll-like indeed. But he's your little troll. And precious, precious, precious.
I have been thinking of y'all lots! Blessings to you! And use olive oil to get that nasty tape off when he comes home. All that stuff they stick to 'em really makes red spots on their skin. Ick.
Posted by: rachel | December 11, 2006 4:04 AM
Came here from Ring Around the Rosies - SO GLAD that you delivered and all went well! He looks healthy and in fighting form!
My fav sister is due jan 8 (YIKES) so everytime the phone rings these days i jump a little until i see the caller id - but i am packing my suitcase today (JIC - Fingers crossed).
Posted by: sogalitno | December 11, 2006 4:10 AM
By the way, I really do think he's beautiful and it's SO like you to F and O so early ;-)
Overacheiver.
Posted by: rachel | December 11, 2006 4:19 AM
Yay! I have been wondering about you....welcome to the world HEB! He looks great and 5 pounds! He will be out of the hospital in no time. I actually think he looks a little bit like Felix did in the first photo...oh cute baby boys. He turns 1 in 6 days. This is going to be such an exciting year for you! (I know you are probably hearing this left and right but get some sleep!)
Posted by: Sarah | December 11, 2006 4:54 AM
tears of joy at my desk at work on a monday morning! still pulling for the tiny high energy boy... he has every thought and every prayer of thousands of knitters all around the world. much love to you all.
Posted by: anna | December 11, 2006 5:00 AM
Echoing the comments of everyone else: prayers and fattening, strengthening thoughts from Maine to you and your family. He looks determined! Hope he's soon in your arms, and at five pounds: he's almost ready for kindergarten! Nap a lot, and know most of the knitting world is pullin' for you all!
Posted by: Becky | December 11, 2006 5:48 AM
Wonderful wonderful wonderful! You've made my week! He's the cutest! And I have a huge admiration for NICU nurses. When my nephew spent a week in NICU after his birth in July, he was treated like a prince with so much attention all the time (but I think he became accustomed to it and now we are his slaves). It's great to know he is in such wonderful hands and it's wonderful that you guys live so close to the hospital! Congratulations HEF!
Posted by: allison | December 11, 2006 8:35 AM
Congrats! What a cute little fighter!
Posted by: maya | December 11, 2006 9:01 AM
What a breathtakingly beautiful boy. Congratulations to you, Mom, and know that we are pulling for a short stay in the NICU for the HEB. Thanks for posting the pics and please do not respond to us. Just be with your boys.
Posted by: Liz K. | December 11, 2006 9:08 AM
OMG - he is SO beautiful. Congrats.
Posted by: lisa | December 11, 2006 9:15 AM
He's so precious! Congratulations!!
Posted by: Kathy | December 11, 2006 9:26 AM
Oh, he's BEAUTIFUL! I don't know what you mean by squishy face. He's perfect, perfect, perfect.
Posted by: JulieFrick | December 11, 2006 9:34 AM
Oh, Jenny, thank goodness all went well. I can't wait to meet him!
Posted by: jodi | December 11, 2006 9:45 AM
Oh he is gorgeous!! Congrats!
Posted by: Michelle | December 11, 2006 9:51 AM
Oh, he's beautiful, and five pounds? My but he's a big boy!
Posted by: Kat | December 11, 2006 9:54 AM
Keep getting stronger, HEB! Mama wants you home with her.
Still thinking good thoughts your way...
Posted by: Janice in GA | December 11, 2006 10:07 AM
Congratulations to the happy family! He will be home with you in no time! ;) I am thinking about you!
Posted by: Lolly | December 11, 2006 10:10 AM
What a wonderful wonderful little man!
Keep up the Spunk HEB!
Hugs to you and the mister.
Bravo on a hellva good job.
Keeping the good thoughts yer way..
Posted by: heather | December 11, 2006 10:17 AM
i'm so glad to hear that he's doing ok! little HEB is going to be just fine. he's just darling! you're still in my thoughts.. please keep us all in the loop.
Posted by: gleek | December 11, 2006 10:21 AM
Welcome to the world, little one. Soooo glad to hear that everything is on the up and up. Bravo to the whole HEF!!
Posted by: natalie | December 11, 2006 10:34 AM
Beautiful! He's beautiful, you guys are beautiful--so thrilled for you all.
Posted by: Ann | December 11, 2006 10:46 AM
Yay HEB! You are already a genius bad boy baby, and I can't wait to hang out.
You're a MOM!
Posted by: Carrie | December 11, 2006 11:00 AM
Congratulations!! He's adorable!
Posted by: monica | December 11, 2006 11:09 AM
Congratulations! He's beautiful!
Posted by: Brynne | December 11, 2006 11:22 AM
He just couldn't wait to get started, could he? Do you thing, perhaps, that he wanted to make sure he could enjoy the holiday season! ;-)
He's just beautiful. I'm so happy for you all!
Posted by: Anita | December 11, 2006 11:24 AM
I've been checking in here like a stalker to make sure HEBaby is okay! He's so precious! I hope he gets stronger and stronger every day so he can come home soon!
Posted by: sarah b. | December 11, 2006 11:27 AM
Ack! So Tiny. So Cute! He's adorable, and TINY! Congrats new Mom and Dad, You did it!
Posted by: Julia | December 11, 2006 11:43 AM
He is just lovely! Congratulations to you both!!
Posted by: Leah | December 11, 2006 11:45 AM
So tiny and so adorable! congrats on a healthy baby!
Posted by: lori z | December 11, 2006 1:33 PM
Oh Congrats!!!! He is so beautiful and I am so glad he didn't have to go on the vent. Maybe he won't have to stay in NICU very long, even if he is a boy :)
Posted by: Whitney | December 11, 2006 2:08 PM
Congrats! He looks great. I am so happy for you guys and glad that everything is good. Still sending good thoughts your way and hoping he can come home soon.
Posted by: Tina | December 11, 2006 2:33 PM
What a sweet little peanut! Congrats to you! His last pic, the boxer pic, he looks like a different baby! Handsome!
Posted by: mitchypoo | December 11, 2006 2:45 PM
Oh, so happy for you all! Congratulations!!!
Posted by: Joan | December 11, 2006 2:49 PM
Congratulations! And don't worry about his "rough" start. I had a similar one--I spent 6 weeks in the hospital before my folks could bring me home, but was just fine afterward. At least you'll get to recover your energy before your new little sleep-stealer comes home. He's adorable--troll face, or no troll face! (And, well, yeah, in that one picture, his expression IS kind of troll-like . . . but it's just an expression, that'll change!) (grin)
Posted by: --Deb | December 11, 2006 3:40 PM
Congratulations! awww! what a cutie :)
Posted by: Moni | December 11, 2006 4:01 PM
He's beautiful. And in good hands. It'll be nice though to hear that he is home with you, so keep us all posted.
Posted by: Sarah | December 11, 2006 4:34 PM
YAY FOR HEB! I am so excited for you guys and he is a precious schmoo. I can't wait to meet him!
Posted by: Cathy | December 11, 2006 6:15 PM
Congratulations!!!! He's absolutely beautiful. He'll be out of the NICU in no time! Stay sane!
Posted by: Elinor | December 11, 2006 6:57 PM
he's utterly adorable! congrats!!!
Posted by: cori w | December 11, 2006 8:46 PM
I knew I loved you already, but if you can admit the little sweetiepie looks like a troll doll...dude, I love you even more. Welcome to the world, petite crevette, and, uh, breathing is good. Ask my little kid who came out nine weeks early. She hated CPAP too. She recommends you ditch it ASAP. Also, nose tubes suck. Boobs are better.
Lots of love from our little family to yours, Jenny. You rock!
Posted by: Lee Ann | December 11, 2006 9:16 PM
I feel so thrilled for you! Congratulations! And welcome HEB!
Posted by: Siow Chin | December 11, 2006 9:53 PM
He's beautiful! And five pounds... that's wonderful for how early he was born. Your family is truly blessed. I hope he'll be home very very soon. Mwah!
Posted by: Karma | December 12, 2006 12:56 AM
He's here! Welcome to the world, HE Bebe! I'm so happy for the three of you, and very thankful that all is well and that both Mommy and Baby are doing well.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
xoxoxo,
B
Posted by: Becky | December 12, 2006 8:05 AM
Holy crap, I don't come here for a week and you go and give birth! Congratulations, he's beautiful!
Posted by: Jenn | December 12, 2006 9:03 AM
Congratulations! Best wishes for you and your boy. He's beautiful!
Posted by: sara | December 12, 2006 9:58 AM
Congratulations on the adorable high energy baby boy! He is so very cute, and you are so very amazing for bringing him into the world. I really wish we'd gotten the chance to hang out last weekend when I was down that way - maybe next time.
And I love that BNL song - it gives me goosebumps. Great title.
Posted by: Snargle Sarah | December 12, 2006 10:11 AM
I don't know if I've ever commented before, but I have to break the silence to say CONGRATULATIONS on your bouncy baby boy. He's adorable! I love how baby boys look like old men sometimes.
Posted by: Marlena | December 12, 2006 10:33 AM
Congrats to the High energy family!
Posted by: Betsy | December 12, 2006 11:52 AM
Congrats on HEB! He's a total cutie pie!!
Posted by: Sil | December 12, 2006 11:55 AM
He is gorgeous! Congratulations! :)
Posted by: Melanie | December 12, 2006 12:42 PM
Oh my, CONGRATULATIONS!!! He is such a cutie, even with his little troll face. Congratulations to Mum and Dad!
Posted by: MJ | December 12, 2006 1:42 PM
oh wow i am very very happy for you. he looks so handsome...i bet he is already making those nurse's hearts flutter!
congratulations to you both.
Posted by: jacqueline | December 12, 2006 1:53 PM
WooHoo...Congratulations! I'm so, so happy for you & your family!!! He is adorable!
Posted by: Eilene | December 12, 2006 2:20 PM
PS...I love Barenaked Ladies. :-)
Posted by: Eilene | December 12, 2006 2:20 PM
Congratulations on your beautiful little muncher. I hope he comes home soon!
Posted by: Carrie | December 12, 2006 2:58 PM
congratulations on a beautiful little one! prayers and good thoughts to you and to him - I'm sure he'll come home soon! :)
Posted by: Meg | December 12, 2006 3:12 PM
Congratulations and what a beautiful baby! You'll be bringing him home in a week or two. Our youngest came at 25 6/7 wks - about half the size and a lot scarier looking than your little man. You have our prayers while you ride the NICU rollercoaster!
Posted by: Kiki | December 12, 2006 4:00 PM
Congratulations! He's a beautiful baby. I hope he'll be home soon!
(And I love BNL, too.)
Posted by: seedless grape | December 12, 2006 4:04 PM
Jenny, Congratulations!!! Wow he is so cute, the troll picture is adorable. I hope he gets to come home soon!
Posted by: Diana | December 12, 2006 4:17 PM
HIGH ENERGY FAMILY YIPPEE!!!!!
i'm so thrilled for you and your new little bundle of perfection. wishing you every bit of happiness and weepy goodness that life brings. may he (and YOU) recover quickly and grow big and strong and AMAZING! congrats!
XOXO
p.s. our twins were born at 34 weeks (both around 4 lbs) and now they are turning 2-yes-TWO! they get big so fast and you'll never be the same. better and better and much love to your high energy family!
Posted by: jennifer | December 12, 2006 4:22 PM
congratulations dude! keeping little tiny in my prayers while he grows strong & big so he can go home with mommy & daddy!!! :)
Posted by: carolyn | December 12, 2006 4:24 PM
Oh! Congratulations, and what a super duper high-energy baby you have there! I'm so incredibly pleased for you and your family -- I know it was a very hard road to get to where you are!
Congrats!!!
Posted by: chris | December 12, 2006 4:33 PM
What a gorgeous boy!! His course sounds exactly like my little one's...it was tough on us but as soon as he was discharged you couldn't tell anything had ever been out of the ordinary. I hope he'll get bigger and stronger every minute and come home soon.
Posted by: Julie | December 12, 2006 5:20 PM
congrats! I hope everything goes smoothly and you get to take him home soon!
Posted by: Elli | December 12, 2006 5:57 PM
Congratulations! So exciting!
Posted by: biglug | December 12, 2006 8:08 PM
YEA!!!! Manny hugs, prayers and positive thoughts heading to Athens and the HEF. Keep your spirits up and before you know it he will be home and have the house running with a little whimper. And then he will be graduating from high school.
Congrats!!!
m
Posted by: lurker missy | December 12, 2006 9:40 PM
Congratulations! I am still keeping you all in my thoughts. Go HEB!
Posted by: Kristina | December 12, 2006 11:52 PM
Hey, did I mention that HEB is the cutest EVER!?!?!?!
Posted by: Lara | December 13, 2006 12:49 AM
Congratulations! Good job you two! I hope you eek in some sleep now :)
BTW, you win a "persistent blogger" medal.
Posted by: freecia | December 13, 2006 1:01 AM
You got your Christmas present early this year! He is so precious...and obviously a little fighter! Rest up now (conserve some of that HE) and before you know it, you'll all be home together. Congratulations to you and Mr. High Energy!
Posted by: Jan | December 13, 2006 6:17 AM
congrats congrats! that is wonderful news, and HEB is just beautiful.
Posted by: carrie m | December 13, 2006 8:46 AM
Wow... just wow...
Congrats!!
Posted by: jessica~ | December 13, 2006 9:51 AM
congrats HEMommy!! he's a rock star! best wishes from colorado.
Posted by: joanna | December 13, 2006 11:02 AM
Congrats. What a little cutie!
Posted by: Jill | December 13, 2006 6:25 PM
Congratulations! Oh, he's perfect! Hi little dude! I hope he gets to go home soon. Touch him all you can, it's so important for him to feel human contact! What a great Christmas present for you guys!
Posted by: HibiscuitsGirl | December 13, 2006 9:00 PM
What a miracle! He'll be home with you before you know it. Congratulations.
Posted by: LeAnne | December 14, 2006 12:08 PM
What a sweet pea. Congratulations. Hugs and kisses all around to the family. love, Kate, Frog and Tadpole
Posted by: kate | December 14, 2006 2:15 PM
What a gorgeous baby boy you have, and you get to spend your first family Christmas with him. How lucky to have such a wonderful baby, and he will be home before you know it. I cant believe how gorgeous he is, and arent babies so strong. I hope you are all home together soon. Many congratulations.
Posted by: Sue | December 14, 2006 4:39 PM
Years ago my mother said about our first born: " She is the product of your love -( meaning me and my husband ).It struck me what a beautiful statement. My mom is gone now - my children well grown - and I can remember like it was yeaterday... Be well - be happy - all 3 of you!
Posted by: Sheila | December 14, 2006 6:45 PM
Beautiful! Simply beautiful! Congratulations to the whole family!
Posted by: Christie | December 15, 2006 1:57 AM
AMAZING. You, and him, and all of you. xo
Posted by: Rachael | December 15, 2006 4:59 AM
Lots of prayers going your way to your new family from Northwestern Ohio.
Posted by: Andrea L. | December 15, 2006 11:18 PM
I just happened to come across your blog on the net. I always feel like God creates coincidences like this. I just tucked in my four year old granddaughter who fell asleep with grandpa watching PBS. Just wanted to tell you that she was born at the same weight as your baby and while they told us it could take weeks for her to learn to suck, etc. She was taking a bottle in a couple of days after she was born. The ICU here in Boise Idaho was amazing. Those nurses truly love the parents and the babies. Don't sweat it if your baby has trouble breast feeding. My daughter pumped breast milk for a few months and we opted for the bottle since she did so well on that from the start. Your life is richly blessed. There is nothing better than being a construction engineer - and building a human being! Best wishes from all of us in Idaho. Enjoy and treasure everyday. I loved my kids and now the blessing of grandkids is amazing. I am honored to have read your blog. What a wonderful Christmas present!
Posted by: Kellie | December 16, 2006 12:40 AM
I just happened to come across your blog on the net. I always feel like God creates coincidences like this. I just tucked in my four year old granddaughter who fell asleep with grandpa watching PBS. Just wanted to tell you that she was born at the same weight as your baby and while they told us it could take weeks for her to learn to suck, etc. She was taking a bottle in a couple of days after she was born. The ICU here in Boise Idaho was amazing. Those nurses truly love the parents and the babies. Don't sweat it if your baby has trouble breast feeding. My daughter pumped breast milk for a few months and we opted for the bottle since she did so well on that from the start. Your life is richly blessed. There is nothing better than being a construction engineer - and building a human being! Best wishes from all of us in Idaho. Enjoy and treasure everyday. I loved my kids and now the blessing of grandkids is amazing. I am honored to have read your blog. What a wonderful Christmas present!
Posted by: Kellie | December 16, 2006 12:46 AM
Oh Jenny! How wonderful! Super-dee-duper congrats!!
Posted by: cheryl | December 16, 2006 11:46 PM
Jenny: Congratulations upon congratulations upon congratulations. You and your boy will be in my thoughts and I will be holding you in the light.
Posted by: Lauren (Knitting in the Desert) | December 18, 2006 2:47 PM
Congrats on cuteset HEB EVER!!!
Posted by: chelsea | December 18, 2006 4:02 PM
jenny--so glad you're home. i'm jealous you never experienced the joy of getting bigger and more uncomfortable then you ever thought possible!! enjoy your time off and don't feel guilty!
Posted by: rachel m | December 26, 2006 6:05 PM