Welcome (to the Church), Leo!!

Since his early hours were precarious, Baby Leo was baptized on the day of his birth in the hospital.  Our kind parish priest made an emergency visit to the NICU and administered the sacrament around multiple tubes and wires, with nurses, Grandma and I present in our gowns and gloves to prevent germ transmission...

The Catholic Church, in her wisdom, thinks of everything!!!  Did you know there's a special liturgy for such circumstances which allows for completion of the baptism rite and welcoming by the Church community once the health crisis has past?  This weekend, Uncle/Father Earl came to town, and in a small private Mass, grandparents, godparents, and immediate family celebrated his previous baptism and fully welcomed him into the Christian family.  He was anointed with oil, received his baptismal candle, and we all ate cake and enjoyed the fact that this little bundle of love is now breathing without difficulty!!  Happy day. 

An attempt at a family picture - not too bad...



First visit with Pop-pop

Leo did great during Mass but hated every second of the photo shoot afterwards.  Here's proof:

"I don't wanna wear a dress!!"

The beautiful gown was made from my mother-in-law's wedding dress.  I don't think Leo cares that he's the  20th baby in the family to wear it.  He just wants out. 

By the way, it takes a few kids before a mother can smile cheerfully while her infant is freaking out...  Poor baby!

Easing into Summer

The calendar may not officially say so yet, but in our house, it's summer. We've been welcoming the new season with a new baby, of course, but also...

...popsicles...

...and a ballet recital (her first!)...

...and neighborhood walks...

...some nature journaling...

...with our favorite and most loyal helper Grandma, who is also a great wildflower identifier! Of course, we've been doing plenty of baby snuggling! It's lovely for a little guy to have a houseful of adoring older siblings!! They're mighty helpful, too, I might add. I got a new camera for Mother's Day (thanks, Eustace! xoxo), so I have lots more pictures, which I promise to post soon. Have a great week!

Baby Love

Mutual admiration

Brotherly love

Handsome little stinker

Inspiration for big sister's artwork

First bath.  I should have cropped myself out of this one!

Home

We plan and schedule and try to prepare for life events as they come along. Spending an agonizing 8 days in the NICU after our baby's birth, however, never entered the realm of possibilities in my mind. It wasn't on my calendar.  Suddenly, after an uncomplicated, full term pregnancy, without an ounce of warning, we were faced with the critical illness of our tiny, precious baby. Some of the pictures I'm posting here are difficult for me to view, but we've been so grateful for the outpouring of prayer and support from friends and family that I wanted you all to have an opportunity to see photographically Leo's progress over the past week. I also wanted to document the happy outcome of his hospitalization, which was, of course, his arrival at home today.

Moments after birth

Day 2: Off ventilator, breathing with CPAP machine

Grandma is smiling with relief after removal of all oxygen support on day 3.  This is her first time holding her grandson.  My first opportunity to hold him was also on this day. 




Daddy snuggles Leo on day 3 prior to removal of feeding tube.

 

Day 7:  Almost ready to go home.  Still receiving IV antibiotics.

Day 8: Leaving the NICU!!  Each baby has a print of his foot placed on a huge canvas display in the hallway. 

Ecstatic siblings welcome baby brother home!

We love you, Leo!!

Thank you, God, for our sweet little bundle of happiness and for the healing of his tiny body.  Thank you, dear friends and family, for your faithful prayer support and concern for us during this trial.  We are humbled by the blessings we have in all of you and by the blessings of the five little souls God has entrusted to our care as parents.  His Mercy is boundless.   

Baby Leo

Leo David Joseph entered the world on May 1 at 11:29am. Labor and delivery were a breeze, the smoothest I 've ever had... As soon as the doctor placed him on my chest, though, it was clear something was wrong. The next two hours are a blur. The most distinct memory I have is the neonatologist saying, "I can't stay long because I need to go put your baby on the ventilator." And then we were left alone to collapse emotionally and try to make sense of it all. He was full term, and my pregnancy was uncomplicated. One of his sisters was born with the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck. What were the chances that could happen again? His cord was so tight around his little neck it required scissors for removal. He was navy blue. He didn't cry. I didn't get to hold him. Still haven't (although his daddy had the opportunity to do so today). Why didn't I ever imagine we could end up in the nicu? The thought never entered my mind. Now we're learning about strict schedules and rules and waiting. Holding and feeding our baby will be on their terms, not ours or the baby's, which is about as contrary to my parenting nature as could possibly be. Breastfeeding has always been relatively easy for me but pumping is another story. Today I got zilch for all my efforts. Apparently this is normal, but it doesn't seem quite right to me. The good news is, he is making progress. Of course optimism is guarded, and nobody's making any predictions about when we'll go home. I'm grateful for all the prayer support. We would not be surviving without it. I'm so thankful to my parents who have been heroically holding down the fort at our house. I can't wait to hold and nurse my baby and take him home.