Finn's first story

Finn's first story was "Finn McCoul" about an Irish giant. He loved it.

First glorious days at home

We are overjoyed to have Finn home and are figuring out how to be full time parents. He is letting us sleep a bit at night going about 3 hour stretches before he needs to eat again. He is full of personality and growing like a weed. He gained 8 oz in the first 4 days we had him home. He also got to meet cousin Tyler for the first time who wasn't sure what to make of him but will be very excited when Finn does more than eat and sleep.

I will continue to update this blog over the next year but the posts will probably be more sporadic now that I have a newborn at home. :)

Finn comes home!

On August 21st, our little man finally left the NICU after 79 days. He started at 2 lbs 4 oz and came home at 6 lbs 4 oz. As you can tell, we've been very busy with our little guy since we got home since I'm only now getting a chance to update this a week later. We are so excited to have him home, but are also grateful to the wonderful NICU staff at BI that took such good care of him. They made him this "Finally Finn" sign and all signed it. They also made sure to get these great pictures (including the exit sign). :)

Last days of the NICU and post surgery

Finn enjoyed his glider in the NICU room as he recovered from surgery and prepared for discharge.

Auntie Erin and Finn

On 8/11, Auntie Erin had a special visit with Finn and held him for the first time. Finn loved it and looks forward to many fun adventures with Auntie Erin,Uncle Steve and cousin Tyler.

Post surgery and doing great

Finn made it through his surgery very well. He was a bit groggy on Friday and Saturday but by Sunday he was already back to himself. And by Monday, he was taking all bottles and breastfeeding again and the feeding tube came back out. He definitely has his energy back and always seems to be hungry. :) He has a little glider in his room now which he loves to rock in.

Discharge is just around the corner now - just has to go 5 days without an apnea spell or 3 days if it's related to feeding. However, if he has a spell on the last day, the count starts over so everyone cross your fingers, he'll stay spell free!

36 weeks and almost 6 lbs!

Finn has had a great week. He hit the 36 week mark on Sunday and is up to 5 lbs 14 oz. He has progressed with his bottle feeding and just took 4 in a row overnight. I am still breastfeeding him twice a day and he continues to do well with that too. Once he is taking all oral feedings, the tube in his nose can come out and we're that much closer to discharge.
Finn does have to undergo hernea repair surgery this Friday. They found an inguinal hernia on each side which is very common in preemies. The surgery is minor but he will have to go under general anesthesia and possibly be intubated. The recovery is usually only a few days so hopefully it won't set him or his feeding schedule back too much. We want to get it done now so that he can fully recover in the hospital before he goes home. We are getting so excited to bring our little boy home! Just have to finish getting his room painted. :)

Finn and Auntie Jo and Uncle Brian

Auntie Joanne and Uncle Brian came to visit before their big move to Florida. Finn was very content in Jo's arms and could tell she had done this before. He can't wait to meet his cousins when he's a little bigger and stronger.

All dressed up and no place to go

Finn had his 3rd bath the other day so I wanted to dress him up special after he was all clean. This classic outfit is a hand me down from cousin Tyler. Doesn't he look handsome? Finn tolerated the bath again and loved the hair washing. Look at how light his hair looks when it's washed. Brian's determined he's going to be blond. However, after it got a little greasy again, it still looks dark like his mom's. :)

Finn's first bottle

This is from last Thursday but I had to post this adorable picture that Finn's nurse took and is now hanging in his crib. He is now getting 1-2 bottles a day depending on how awake he is and how he does with it. Brian and I haven't given him one yet but will learn very soon.

35 weeks old

Finn hit another milestone yesterday. He is now 35 weeks and over 2 months old. Finn continues to do well with breastfeeding and had his first full bottle on Friday! This is obviously huge since he needs to be able to breastfeed and bottle feed so he doesn't need the tube before he goes home.

Thank you Lily Harney for this great outfit - Finn loves it!

Finn and his grandmas

Finn had a very exciting last couple of days. He got to hang out and be held by both his grandmas! As you can tell, they all loved it and we're quite comfortable. The other exciting news is that Finn is now 5 pounds! After only a week and a half, he gained another pound and now truly feels and looks like a newborn. He is still doing well with the breastfeeding at least 2 times a day and is being supplemented by tube feeding.