Bringing Barrett Home

Hi everyone!

Yes I am alive and I am so sorry for being the worst person to call people back. I swear I will get better at it!!!

These past few days have been a blurr and I can't believe Brett and I now have 2 children to raise in this crazy mixed up world.

Here are some cute moments from our time in the hospital and our first time at home!

-Sue-

* Brayden keeping Mommy company in the hospital
* Barrett in her billi-bed

* Comfy and cozy in Mommy's arms

* Getting some Daddy love

* Proud parents are ready to head home

* Relaxing with Nana

* Brayden slowly getting to know Barrett

* Big Brother Brayden! Not happy about it yet, but we are working on it.

* Proud Daddy with his 2 kids!

Barrett Day 2

Today was a great day all around: all three of us managed to get some sleep last night, Sue was taken off of the IV, given solid foods, and was up and walking around for the first time since the operation.  

Unfortunately Barrett starting showing signs of jaundice; so we began light treatments in the afternoon, as well as supplementing breast feeding with formula to encourage BMs.  This is a routine we are familiar with as Brayden went through the same thing after birth, so we're not all that fazed by it.

The first light treatment equipment they brought in was a bit different than what we were accustomed to.  It was consisted of a small, light emitting pad that was placed underneath Barrett, and a VERY BRIGHT lamp that shone down on her.  A recipe for disaster quite frankly because:

1. The baby's skin must be exposed, so we weren't able to swaddle her or cover her up at all. 

2. The lamp is so bright the baby's eyes must be protected.  Their solution is a foam sunglasses that wrap around her head, but never stay in place and just made her scream.

Bright light, foam sunglasses, uncovered baby...not so good

Luckily, due to our previous experience with Brayden we were aware of another option.  I described to the nurse the light bed that Brayden used and asked her to bring that to our room instead...Barrett has been sleeping comfortably all evening. 

Tron baby...much better!  

The good news is that Barrett has really taken to breast-feeding; a complete 180 from Brayden.  We are very encouraged thus far!!

Brayden and Nana stopped by again today to say hi, and brought Dad a nice non-hospital breakfast too.  Brayden was slightly more interested in Barrett today...we actually coaxed him to give his little sister a kiss, a moment unfortunately not captured by the cameras.

Hopefully tomorrow will be our last full day here...I imagine Barrett's response to treatment will really be the determining factor in when we can go home.

Brayden at the hospital today, displaying his patented "CHEESE" face

Barrett's nose = Brayden's nose

Barrett Celestyne Robinson

Sorry for the delay in getting pictures and info out to everyone, the last 24 hours have been a bit hectic.

Well, we went into this weekend knowing Sue had a C-section scheduled for this Wednesday 2/4. Betsy has been out here for a couple of weeks helping us get the house in order for the new baby. This last weekend was spent tying up a lot of loose ends in the house: finalizing the baby's room, getting our room ready for Sue's recovery from surgery, cleaning out our cars and installing the new baby seat.

Good thing we finished just about everything Sunday afternoon...with 45 seconds left in the Super Bowl, our little bundle of joy decided she could wait no longer. Sue's water broke, and we were off to the hospital. After a long night, Sue gave birth to a 8lb 8oz baby girl at 4:23AM early this morning.

Barrett Celestyne and Mom are both resting right now in bed and doing great! Barrett has been doing what the doctors are referring to as "grunting", basically still trying to flush out some amniotic fluid from her lungs that was swallowed during the delivery. For this reason, she spent the majority of the morning in the nursery under observation while Sue and I rested in her room. The grunting has pretty much stopped by now, and she has been with us all afternoon.

Nana brought Brayden by today to meet his baby sister. Unfortunately the encounter was not the life-altering event we were hoping for; he was more interested in the hospital and all the machines in our room than the baby.

Enjoy some pics of little Barrett! Not suprising she looks exactly like Brayden, only with hair. We are expecting to remain in the hospital through Wednesday or Thursday of this week. Hopefully we can catch some z's tonight we haven't gotten any sleep yet...

Snow Day

We had 5 inches of snow here in Wake Forest last week and even though everyone around here seems to freak out, it was a nice treat for Brayden and Champ.

Brett went off to work as planned, but came back after sliding around the neighborhood in his four-wheel drive truck. He decided since everyone else was working from home and most offices were closed that it was best if he worked from home too.

He was able to spend an hour or so with Brayden and Champ outside in the snow and Brayden really loved it. He loved kicking his ball and watching Champ romp around happily. I was inside missing the fun, but was able to snap a few pictures of the boys playing.

-Sue-

Yes, he FINALLY got a haircut!

Yes, yes, we finally took him to get a haircut. Everyone wanted us to do it sooner, but I love having him all shaggy and curly. However, even I will admit he was starting to look like a homeless kid every time he woke up, so I agreed with Brett and my mom when they said it was time.

My friend Robin’s mother cuts all the kids hair at her shop in Raleigh, so we decided to take him there. He knows her and I thought he would be a bit more comfortable than the last time we tired this.

Well, he was ok, not great. He freaked out a bit, but Pauline is so fast that she got the job done in a jiff. I have to say, he looks great and doesn’t look like a little baby anymore. He looks like a little man and very dapper!

-Sue-

* Here is the new hairdo even though he looks a little deranged. He was all crazy for this lollipop! HA!

Baby Shower

Last Saturday I was able to get out of the house to enjoy the company of my girlfriends at my baby shower thrown by one of my close friends, Jodie Hepp.

It was so nice to get out of the house, as painful as it is these days. This was probably going to be one of the last times I see them all and get to hang out before this baby comes.

These women have become my rock out here in NC. I am so grateful for meeting them during one of the hardest transitions in my life and I know that I would be a mess if I didn’t have them to talk, laugh and cry with. Thanks so much ladies and love you guys!!!

-Sue-

Brayden Turns 2!

Brett, Brayden, Champ and I enjoyed a nice family birthday at home this year. I wanted to have a party for him so bad, but my energy level only allows me to sit around so that wasn’t going to happen. Plus, Brett and I have been trying to spend as much one on one time with him before our threesome becomes a foursome! 

We surprised him with his new room in the morning and then we played whatever he wanted all day long! He was so happy all day I didn’t think he could get any happier, but I was wrong! Once he saw that we were having pizza, ice cream, and cake and eating them all on Lightning McQueen plates, I thought his head would explode! 

He was such a happy boy that day and such a joy to be around; all three of us were smiling from ear to ear! I can’t believe it has been 2 years already!

-Sue-

* It is SO fun being 2!

* Playing with my new airport from Nana and Papa

* Veggin' out in my new couch from Uncle Dino and Auntie Gina! Thanks guys!