Our first week home...

This first week home has been quite fun. It definitely beats going to the hospital everyday. Being home has had its ups and downs. It was nice having nurses/doctors/lactation on call at the hospital, so if I wanted or needed assistance they were there for me, but on the other hand being home and actually feeling like a family it quite nice. Byron has been a huge help when it comes to changing diapers, feeding bottles at night, or just watching her so I can shower/nap/etc. We have had our ups and we have had our downs, but I wouldn't change it for the world.
Since bringing Raedyn home, our dog Nahla (who is almost 2 y/o) has taken it to be her job as Raedyns protector. She is still curious about the sounds and smells coming from the baby, but is getting used to it everyday.  Every time someone picks Raedyn up, puts her down, or she makes a loud sound Nahla will come running to make sure everything is OK.  Here are some pictures of our first week at home.

Raedyns first car ride.

She loves her bouncer.

 The next five pictures are of Nahla the protector checking out everything Raedyn is doing. 

Our first walk.

Baby Raedyn

I thought I'd start posting again as now that I have officially had Raedyn and am not doing much throughout the day except catch up on sleep and enjoying my little one.

As most people know Raedyn was born 6 weeks early (4/16/13), due to myself having preclampsia which included dangerously high blood pressure which put me at risk for stroking. In 2 hours I went from a normal 34 week checkup, to being put on bed rest and watching my blood pressure to being induced, then over 24 hours of labor I had an emergency c-section due to baby Raedyns heart rate occassionally dropping to low for comfort That was one hectic morning!
Due to her being premature, she was put in the NICU to grow and become stronger. From the very beginning she was a strong breastfeeder (woohoo!), but was having apnea/bradycardia events. This is normal for a preemie, as there body is not mature enough to regulate sleeping and breathing together. It took her exactly 30 days to get over these "events" during which she had to stay in the NICU until she could prove herself strong and mature enough. Below are some pictures from our time in the NICU.

Raedyn only a couple days old.

Proud Aunts!

 Byron came and visited as often as he could. He currently is in school, and would visit on his off days or when he wasn't slammed with studying.

I ended up being in the NICU everyday from about 10am to about 7pm at night. I was able to sleep there if I wanted as they had a bed in the room for me, but I chose to sleep in my own bed at home. 

Great Grandma Ockerman and Raedyn

Nana and Raedyn

Raedyn was able to come home on Friday 5/17 and has been such a wonderful little baby!

She sleeps at night 4-5 hours at a time which lets mommy and daddy sleep a little. She is a fantastic breastfeeder and is growing like a weed. She was born 4lbs 11oz and is already over 7lbs! She has a very strong neck and loves holding her head up to look around. She occasionally responds to sounds/noises with turning her head and focusing with her eyes. She loves tummy time, whether its on the floor, or lying on top of you. Overall she is a very content baby and only cries when hungry, or getting a diaper changed. I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful content baby. 

Byron and I are doing well, we have had our good nights and bad nights, but overall good. We are both currently getting over having nasty colds, and been working hard not to get the baby sick (which has been a success thus far).