Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Pumpkin Arrives!

Our little pumpkin was born on Friday, Nov. 20th. He (Yeah a boy) was 6lbs. 7 oz. and 21 inches long. He was bigger than we thought he would be and we are grateful he is here.

Our little pumpkin had a hard time breathing so he ended up in the NICU with fluid and inflammation in his lungs. They put him on oxygen and antibiotics through an IV to treat for pneumonia. His oxygen hood made him look like an astronaut. We were only able to hold our pumpkin for a little while on Friday before he was admitted into intensive care. He was on oxygen all day on Friday. On Saturday morning they let him try to breathe room air and let me nurse him but he wasn't quite ready so he was back on the oxygen until Sunday morning. He was able to keep his oxygen levels up on Sunday so they let me hold and feed him. He finished his rounds of antibiotics on Monday and we were able to bring him home. Pumpkin is doing great!!! He is eating and sleeping very well. The kids all love him. Farmer is so proud of his little brother. He had been saying we were going to have a baby brother before I even knew I was pregnant. I don't think I have ever seen farmer so happy as when he met his brother for the first time - it was a moment I will never forget. We finally introduced him to Squeak - she is pretty rough with him. She does not quite know what "soft" means - she about ripped his arms off and poked his eyeballs out. We are going to have to watch her close. Luckily she is too short to reach into the bassinet so the only time she has access to pumpkin is when we are holding him. The first time she saw him in his carseat she just yelled at him because she wanted that baby out of the car seat so she could get in. She thinks he is a toy so their relationship may be difficult for a couple of months or years.

Petunia and Peanut are old pros at this baby stuff. They are really great with him and want to hold him all the time. Mr. Smiley called the school when pumpkin was born and told the girls. The secretary told him they were smiling ear to ear. I don't think they have stopped. The kids were not able to come to the hospital to see pumpkin so it was hard for them to wait to meet him.
We are really happy to have pumpkin in our home. He is a blessing and has already brought so much love. It is truly amazing how something so small can have an immediate affect on all of us around him. We can feel the love our Heavenly Father has for us just by holding this little boy. We are grateful that we have been given this precious little boy to have in our family. He truly is a gift straight from Heaven.

Check out his professional photo on hospitalportraits.com.