Monkey of a Halloween

So surprise surprise our lil'monkey went as a monkey for his first Halloween:) We had our annual pumpkin carving the Sunday before as on Halloween Linden hosted his first annual baby Halloween Party:) He invited some of his buddies over to play and hang out:) Linden also had two monkey costumes so u will notice the costume change hehehe...

Our First Trip to the Pumpkin Patch

A couple days ago our family plus Auntie Leanne made our first trip to the Laity Pumpkin Patch. None of us had ever been there before and so got to experience it with Linden for the first time. As Linden continues to get older I know he is just going to love it there. They have a huge pumpkin patch to start with, a magic forest sort of set up as well as a corn maze, petting zoo and hayride. Here are some pics from that day...

Linden VS Lou

Lucky Burton was working at Mission raceway when Mercedes had rented it the other day. He called his family to let us know one of the people at this day happened to be Roberto Luongo. So we got to go down and get some autographs and pics taken with the "BIG GUY". Might I add one of the nicest guys I have ever met:) And he was quite shocked we named our son after Trevor Linden but we are just that big of fans:) Here are the pics.........

P.S. This is my new favorite car it is a Mercedes SLS

Lil'man meets his Uncle Kyle

Here are some pics of Linden with his Uncle Kyle who was down recently from Alberta. He hadn't been able to meet his little nephew until just a couple weeks ago. Linden welcomed him with a nice spit up his first encounter with our lil'monkey. Hehehe....he sure does love that big guy:)

eye candy

I've hijacked my sister's blog to show you a few pictures of Mr. Adorable. He's doing very well, inching towards the 6 pound mark! Check them out by clicking on the links http://westcoastaune.blogspot.com/2010/06/lost-and-found.html and http://westcoastaune.blogspot.com/2010/06/date-night.html

The Big Move

So the staff at RCH had been talking to me about the possability of Linden being transferred to the Abbotsford NICU as it would be closer for me and with Linden doing so well he really didn't need to be in a Level 3 NCU he could be in a Level 2 NICU which is what Abbotsford is. So Burton and I had been talking and thought we may like to check it out. RCH would keep us there as long as they could however that all changed on Monday June 7th as there were so many preemies in the province who are sick and needing a Level 3 NICU the choice was taken out of our hands Linden was going to transferred that day. As well he was going to have his first eye examination to make sure everything was developing properly. His eye exam went well he has no signs of Retina Apathy, his eyes are still immature, both that is expected given his age and should correct as he gets older. The transfer was a bit stressful for myself. He was transferred in a Isolette and the ambulance he got transferred plug outlets were not working so the Isolette and monitors were going off batteries. Halfway there they went out so we had to put on the lights and sirens and start really moving. Our poor lil'monkey looked like a curnel of popcorn being popped I was worried he would get shaken baby syndrome but the NICU nurse who was accompanying us assured me he was fine. He made it safe and sound:) Here are some pics of the adventure....

First Week Of June

Sorry I have been neglecting Linden's blog lately a lot has been going on. So to go back to the begining of this month. On June 1st Linden came out of his Isolette!!! It was a very exciting day for us and proving how he is continuing to do so well. Going into a cot also brings new rewards for his family and himself. At RCH this means that the grandparents are allowed to hold now as well. Only his Dad and I are allowed to feed him but afterwards he can have a cuddle with them:) So on thursday Linden's Grandma came for a visit and was able to hold him, the following day his Grammy was able to come do the same:) Here are some pics of those first few days......

One Month

So yesterday marked one month since Linden was born:0) I arrived at the hospital to see him in a different onesie provided by the NICU. He was quietly sleeping, we had our usual 4pm cuddle and feed. I only cuddled with him for an hour as I didn't want to overdue it with him being off his oxygen and all. We want him to continue on this path of doing so well so we can bring him home sooner rather than later. Way to go Lil'Monkey, can't believe you are already a month old!!!

Low Flow ???

So when I called this morning I received some exciting news about our Lil'Monkey. After the doctors had done there rounds they decided it was time again for Linden to be taken off his Low Flow:0) As he has been getting barely anything for the past few days only like 2-4 cc's kinda like little wisps of O2. So as of 11:30am Linden was taken of the oxygen. Finger's crossed he won't have to go back although that can be quite common to go back and forth for awhile and this is his second attempt. Linden even managed to have a hour and a half cuddle with his mommy with no extra O2 :0) You will notice in the pics Linden has on a onesie this is because he was being a wild monkey last night and his night nurse decided she should try putting some clothes on to see if that would settle him. It worked like a charm so I am glad to know our son likes to wear clothes at least for the time being:0)

Rubba Dub Dub

Our Lil'Monkey is in the tub:o) Since Linden surpassed 1500 grams he is now big enough to be bathed outside his isolette. I was able to take some pics of this momentous occasion yesterday afternoon and wanted to share. He really seems to enjoy the bath as I think on some level it reminds him of being in my womb:0) Once he reaches 1700 grams they will change his feeding schedule to every 3 hours instead of every 2 hours as well as increasing his feeds. When he was first born he was getting 2ml every hour and currently is getting 21ml every 2 hour to give you some grasp of how far he has come. Once he gets to 1800 grams he will get to go into a cot. Which is what full term babies sleep in while in the hospital:0) As of last night he is at 1660 grams. So exciting not long now!!!!

Linden's Heart

So yesterday I found out that Linden has a heart murmer due to the small hole in his heart. Apparently all babies while in utero have this then once they are born full term and take their first breath a flap goes over it closing it and as the baby gets bigger and stronger so does their heart. However with preemies this doesn't always happen(very common to not)as they are not as developed. So one of Linden's doctor's requested that the cardiologist come in and check him in the next day or two. When I arrived at the hospital today she was there just finishing up his exam. She told me that yes Linden does still have a small hole in his heart but it isn't big enough that she wants to start him on any medication for it but with time hopefully it will resolve itself on its own. And she will check in on him in a week or so to make sure everything is going as she thinks it will. So please keep Linden in your prayers as he keeps amazing us with his progress:)

Father & Son Time

So Linden's cuddle time everyday is right around 3:30-4:00pm which makes Sunday's and Mondays Burton's cuddle days, as I get to cuddle him the rest of week. Linden was keeping his O2 levels very low (as in not needing as much oxygen from the low flow) while cuddling with his Dad he had them as low as 4cc's down from 30cc's when we first arrived. He was very happy and comfortable cuddling with his old man. Here are some shots from their cuddle yesterday. Linden is continuing to do very well he did lose a little weight last night but was retaining water.(his feet where quite puffy) They gave him a water pill and that took care of it. They have also lowered the amount of sodium they add to my breast milk with his feeds every two hours. As of last night he weighed 1400grams. We were also able to witness him getting a bath from his nurse as he isn't 1500 grams yet they keep him in his isolette while they bath him. Once he reaches 1500 grams we will be able to bath him in a little tub. Can't wait:0)

Over 3 Pounds

So yesterday after our 2 hour cuddle the nurse weighed him and he had gained 70 grams bringing to a total of 1385grams which is 3 pounds and .9 of an ounce so almost an ounce. Once our Lil' Monkey gets to 4 pounds he will be able to come out of the incubator(CAN"T WAIT!!!) So keep it up buddy we are all routing for you:0)

Peek-A-Boo

So our Little linden has grown. When he was first born he measured 37 cm long he has now grown to 38.4cm in just a week. Keep growing Linden!!! Your Parents love you so much and can't wait to be able to take you home!!!