Well, four months have come and gone...

and people were right when they said that the NICU experience is like riding a roller coaster; although, I think roller coasters are much more fun. I can't even begin to imagine blogging about the minute details of the first two months. Things changed so quickly and just when we felt that Reid was making progress, the doctors would tell us that they had exhausted their options and that he might not make it through the night. We literally lived minute to minute...it's easiest to keep those days locked away and not relive the ups and downs. So, here's a brief synopsis of Reid's first four months:

8.2.11: Reid made his grand debut. He was stabilized and transported from HUP to CHOP via the secret underground passageway. He was transferred to an isolette, which would become his "home" for the next two months. Every little sound or touch could send Reid over the edge, so the nurses often covered his isolette with a blanket, covered his eyes with goggles, and changed his diapers as quickly as possible.

Reid at 4 days old

Reid's isolette

9.1.11: After one long month of being ventilated on the oscillator, Reid was switched to the conventional ventilator. The conventional vent was much quieter; Bryan and I felt progress was being made.

9.11.11: Today was the Eagles' first game of the season, and the weekly tradition of covering Reid's isolette with Bryan's Eagles jersey began (although, it doesn't seem to have brought the birds much luck)!

9.28.11: After 57 days, I was finally able to hold my baby boy. It was truly a special day, and I don't think there was a dry eye in the room, nurses included! The nurses found Reid an oversized hat and draped Bryan's Eagles jersey over him to keep him toasty:)

9.30.11: Bryan had his chance to get Reid in his arms. Of course, he made sure that Reid had his Eagles hat on.

10.5.11: The surgeon finally felt that Reid was stable enough to perform the necessary surgery to repair his hernia. We were warned that things would get worse before they got better and boy, were they right about that! Surgery itself went smoothly; however, recovery was quite rocky.

Mom containing Reid pre-surgery

Post-surgery...notice the personalized

Eagles gauze dressing

10.31.11: Reid celebrated his first Halloween, which I think was more fun for me, Bryan and the nurses than it was for Reid. We dressed him up like Mickey Mouse and our best friend's baby was Minnie. The babies haven't met each other yet, but because of great programs like photoshop, they were able to sit side-by-side in their cute costumes:)

11.21.11: Reid had a cardiac catheterization performed to look at the pressures in his heart and the amount and efficacy of his blood vessels. The results of this procedure were used to tweak the treatment he is receiving for pulmonary hypertension and make a future plan. The cardiologist's goal is to wean him off of the vasodilator that he is currently on and switch him to a vasodilator that he can take orally. We later found out that he would be switched to Sildenafil, which is another brand name for "Viagra." Apparently, Viagra increases blood flow to two body parts- the lungs and well, you know the other one.

Reid's first trip out of his room- very exciting!

11.24.11: We spent our first Thanksgiving as a little family. Holidays are definitely different this year, but the NICU was very calm and peaceful. We are truly thankful for so much this year- what an inspiration this little guy has been already!

11.28.11: Extubation Day! Reid was extubated at 11 A.M. and let out his first raspy cry shortly after. His first sneeze brought tears to my eyes- it was so great to hear his voice for the first time. Bryan and I are now able to pick him up without a team of nurses and respiratory therapists. He is much more mobile and accessible- he loves the freedom and so do Bryan and I.