April 29, 2009

Vann had quite a sleepy day. I was able to catch him tonight with a few words he wanted to share with you!

April 26, 2009

Not too much to report. Vann is having a relaxing Sunday with Mommy and Grandma Denise. Jeff is out of town for work, so I promised him I would update the blog a lot so he can see new pictures of our little man. We miss him very much! Vann has been wide awake all morning long, smiling and tooting...he does this a lot! As you can see in the background...Vann's big sister Ally is watching over him. Ha, yeah right, she is sound asleep and yes, snoring very loud...what a lady!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

April 25, 2009

Jeff and I want to thank our sister-in-law, Jessica, who today is walking in March of Dimes Walk in Portland along with my brother, Brandon. Jessica organized a team in Baby Vann's name (Baby Vann Rocks). She is a nurse in Portland and was able to put together a great team to raise awareness of prematurity. I am happy to say that she raised over $1,000...all in the name of Vann. It means so much to Jeff and I for her to put this all together. This has been such a long road for us and for her to take the time to do what she can to help, means the world. If Baby Vann could talk, he would tell his Auntie Jessica that he loves her very much and today, she has made a difference!

Jeff and I never imagined this would happen to us. We are so blessed that Vann was able and continues to be strong enough to fight through being born at 25 weeks. It is a hard fight for these little babies. Thanks Jessica! Go Team Baby Vann Rocks!!! We love you!

25 Weeks, 3 Days

4.5 Months Old

Corrected Age:  1 Month Old

April 24, 2009

Mr. Vann had quite a busy week. He had a head scan on Tuesday and then right after we met with the neurosurgeon. Unfortunately, his ventricles are increasing again...we don't want that. Jeff and I were a little frustrated by the news, but we are trying to stay positive. The good thing is, Vann is doing great clinically. He hasn't shown us any signs that his ventricles are putting pressure on his brain. We will continue to watch him closely and have another head scan on May 19th. Once again, please pray for those ventricles to cooperate with us and go down.

Today he went to the pediatrician and weighs 8lbs. 2oz....yeah!!! As you can see below, he is a little upset today because he had to get 3 shots. But some good news is, he is off the oxygen. 

We will keep him on his monitor for another week just to make sure he is doing well. When we got home I gave him a nice bath and took his stickers that hold his canula on off of his face...we don't need those anymore!

 Unfortunately, they are SUPER strong and hurt when taken off...he was quite pissed, but I gave him lots of loves afterwards and he was

 happy!

April 18, 2009

Friday was the last Boise State Bronco Football scrimmage for the Spring. Every year it is a tradition that we tailgate with some of our friends. It was such a beautiful day we couldn't help but take Vann to his first tailgate. We didn't stay long but it sure was fun. Here he is posing with his good friend Avery.

I forgot to write in our blog last week that Vann went to the eye doctor and his eyes are mature...YEAH! We don't have to go back for 1 year.

As of this past Tuesday, Vann weighed in at 7lbs. 10oz. His physical therapist said that for how early he was born, he is doing AMAZING. Jeff and I are still so amazed at the progress our little guy has made...he is so strong.

This is going to be a busy week, we go on Tuesday for a head scan and then appointment with the Neurosurgeon right after. Then physical therapy later that day, and pediatrician appointment on Friday. 

Vann is starting to stay up for longer periods of time and every now and then we get a smile with a little "GOO."   

April 11, 2009

Happy Easter! 

As you can see in the pictures, Vann is really enjoying life and starting to get a little chubby. 

He is still eating a ton and starting to figure out that crying sometimes gets you what you want!

April 7, 2009

Vann is doing great! He had his circumcision yesterday and it really didn't phase him. They also weighed him....he is a whopping 7 lbs. 3 oz. I can't believe how far he has come. It is great to see him actually look a little chubby. He has a busy week with physical therapy today and an eye appointment tomorrow. I thought I would share some of the latest pictures of our little guy.

April 3, 2009

I can't believe we have had Vann home for just over a week...time flies! We are having so much fun with him and can't believe what a good baby he is. Jeff and I have been talking a lot about this whole journey and the fact we now have him at home to love and spoil is just amazing, we are so thankful to everyone who has helped us and to the entire staff at the NICU.

As of Wednesday, Vann weighed in at 6lbs. 13oz. He has gained 5oz. since being home and seems to really really like his new home! 

April 1, 2009

Vann has been doing awesome at home. He is eating like a champ. We took him to his first doctors appointment on Monday and he had gained 4 oz. since he has been home, so he is 6lbs. 12oz. The doctor was very happy with how Vann looked. He wants to keep Vann on the oxygen for another 3 weeks, just to be on the safe side. He did say that we could take him off of it periodically as Vann doesn't necessarily NEED it. We will be going back on Monday to get the little guy circumsized. Hopefully that will be the last traumatic procedure he has to go through in a long time. 

Ally (the dog) is doing great getting used to have Vann around. She wants to lay by him constantly. The only thing she is having trouble with is sleeping at night!!!