"I am 4lbs. and 4 oz. My nurses have told mommy and daddy that I am learning how to spell home. It won't be long now! Hope they are ready..."

Three Generations

Papa, Daddy and Noah Brett

"Hey Papa."

Noah has been waiting for this moment! He was so happy that his Papa Charles finally got to hold him! So happy that he left a large gift for him in his diaper...

"Look at me in my big boy crib!"

My Family from PA

Great Grandma Hornfeck

Aunt Shelly

Pap Pap - a.k.a. the bank

Mommy and Pap Pap

"I am 3lbs. 15 oz. and on my way to 4lbs.!!!

Clothes!

"3 lbs. 11oz. - Only 5 more ounces to go and I am out of my isolette and into an open crib!"

My Handsome Self

Noah is doing great. He is 5 weeks old. (33 weeks gestation) It is hard to believe that he would still have been cooking for another 7 weeks in my belly... He continues to grow everyday! (3lbs. 8ozs.) He is a super eater and is now on cue based feedings. That means he tells the nurses when he wants to eat and how much. He no longer needs his feeding tube and can now show off his beautiful face! He is still bottle feeding mom's milk, but will hopefully get the hang of breastfeeding when he leaves the NICU. We have been practicing what they call "lick and learn." What a name... We are so proud of our chunky monkey!

"Look how big I am getting."

"Who do you think I look like?

"Yay, no feeding tube!"

"Eating makes me sleepy."

"Good night."

The Great Escape Part Two

Noah is one determined little guy! We often find him trying to escape his isolette... we think he is trying to make it home... The nurses say he is very sneaky about it too, he doesn't even make a sound as he scoots around. Our strong little monkey!

"I think I can, I think I can..."

"I am 3lbs. 7oz. and still growing!"

My Adorable Feet and Toes

Don't you just want to nibble on them? I know his mommy does!

My First Bottle! YAY!!

Our big boy had his first bottle feed today! Mrs. Chris (Noah's nurse) was VERY surprised at what a great job he did for his first time. He not only took the bottle without choking, but was able to pace himself and drank the whole thing! He also let out two great burps! We are so proud of him and look forward to having more of a part in his feedings now! He is one step closer to coming home with us... hopefully earlier than we expected!

"I am 3lbs. 4oz. and getting bigger everyday!"

Noah says....

"Just follow me mom. Ready? "

"Noah says, open your mouth."

"Noah says, stick out your tongue."

"Mommy loves you."

Eskimo Kisses

Wide Awake

My Favorite Place to Sleep

Too Cute

Oh how we missed our Snuggle Time!!

"Hi mommy! It's been awhile since we snuggled."

"You missed our snuggles too didn't you dad?"

"Ooh is it time to eat?"

"Ahh, so much better when it's mommies milk. Is that all I'm getting?"

The Great Escape

"I'm outta here!"

"Okay, maybe not quite yet... by the way does this diaper make my butt look big?"

My first bump in the road...

"Look at my muscle! I knocked that bug right out of me!"

"Oh how I love my paci!"

"No more pictures please... this thing on my head messes with my look!"

We had our first big scare in the NICU! On Wednesday, Noah had some blood in his stool that really concerned the doctor's and nurses. They were afraid at first that it could be NEC (THANK GOD that it wasn't) so they took all of the necessary precautions ~ off of feedings and back on fluids, antibiotics and LOTS of lab work. Unfortunately, they had to take so much blood from little guy that on Thursday night they ordered a transfusion (UGH!)~ that is how he got his not so nice little 'hat' on his head. Of course we were a nervous wreck over it all, but Papa Charles helped to keep us calm through the whole ordeal! He kept saying, "he doesn't look sick." (We were sure Papa knew what he was talking about!) We still have not found out exactly what happened to our little monkey... but feel better knowing he is alright since all tests have come back negative so far. The doctor's feel he might have caught a viral bug that has been spreading slowly in some of the preemies. Of course we wish he did not have to go through any of this, but viral is much better than what we could have been dealing with... Today was a good day ~ Noah is back on small amounts of mom's milk with the hopes of continuing to increase dose and if all goes well will be off of the antibiotics and lose his 'hat' tomorrow! Our little guy is a fighter!