Merry Christmas!

Today was my first Christmas. We opened presents this morning and before we got to breakfast I was out cold. I must say I do love this present thing.

Home coming the sequel!

I am coming home from the hospital for the second time. It's much colder, darker, and rainier than the first time. Regardless, it still feels good. You can't give me a taste of the good life for 2 1/2 months and then expect me to go back to hospital living. It was nice to see my nurse Laura and my doctor again though. I'm so glad they came to visit me.

10 months!

Yesterday I turned 10 months old. I couldn't post because I left my charger at home and neither of my patents brought one.

I decided that for 10 months I'd go back to where it all began and get myself admitted to the hospital. I kept missing my doctor this way I got her attention all to myself when she came to visit me.

Mommy says that if I wanted to visit then she would just take me back. I didn't need to clog my tube.

My surgery is today.

Due to my recent situation yesterday I am now having my surgery today to replace my g-tube. Please pray that all goes well.

Back to the hospital

I ended up at the hospital a little sooner than planned. My darn feeding tube got a clog in it. I was supposed to get it changed on Wednesday but I was sick. Mommy says none of this would have happened if I would just eat.

Like father like son

If I wore mommy out today then why is daddy the one snoring with me?

I am sick

Mommy took me too the doctors today because I wasn't feeling well and she wanted to make sure I was good for my big day tomorrow. Turns out I'm not good and there will be no surgery. I have an ear infection in both ears and my lungs aren't that clear. Now I'm on even stronger antibiotics and no surgery. I was supposed to have the tube switched out in my belly for a wireless, more streamlined model. Looks like this will have to wait. Maybe between Christmas and New Years. I'll keep you posted.

All bundled up.

Mommy's got me bundled up in the bear suit. I don't really like it. It restricts my wiggling ability.

My first Christmas tree!

Today I went with mommy, daddy, and my sister to pick a Christmas tree. Well we really couldn't pick it. Daddy had to cut it in fact. But I guess we did pick it out. My oh my it was cold.

How do you make a mommy cry?

How do you make a mommy cry? You just do something amazing, like roll over. I rolled over for the guest time on Thursday in PT. Yes the first time was down a wedge with the help of my therapist. But once I got on my belly I realized I didn't want to be there so I kept going by myself and rolled over onto my back.

Happy Thsnksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all. This is my first Thanksgiving. I'd like to take time to thank all of you for all of your thoughts, concerns, and prayers. I'm so thankful to be home in my house with my crazy family. I'm very blessed to have a mommy and daddy that love me so much and take such good care of me. I guess this is a good Thanksgiving!

9 months old

Today I am 9 months old! That's 3/4 of a year. It's hard to believe that time is going by so quickly. It seems like just yesterday when I locked up in a box with all of these wires and tubes down my throat. Things are certainly getting better. No tubes down my throat and they are even letting me take the cannula out of my nose. I'd say that's a step in the right direction. The next challenge for me is getting rid of this darn feeding tube. It really stinks being chained to a pump for half of my day.

All and all I'm doing amazingly well. I went back for a check up at the NICU yesterday and the doctors were amazed! They said they never saw a baby with lungs as bad as mine. They thought for sure I'd need a trac and vent. But thanks to all of your prayers I'm starting to kick this oxygen addiction.

Ta ta for now.

I'm trying something new

Notice anything different? Since mommy ripped off my cannula on the way out of the car she has me trying something new. It's called room air. So far I've been doing pretty good. I made it about 2 hours. Mommy and Daddy are determined to get me to kick this oxygen addiction.

Normalcy has been restored.

After many nights of sleeping in strange small beds I am back home and warm in my big bed. Hopefully I'll have a better day tomorrow. It feels good to be home.

Happy Halloween!

To those of you who are not on the East coast and still celebrating Halloween today, Happy Halloween. Those of us who felt the wrath of Sandy know that we celebrate Halloween on an alternate date in Jersey. The real reason I am wearing my costume is because it is the warmest thing I own. Since we haven't had power in 2 days the temperature in my house dropped to a record low. I'm actually heading over to my Uncle Gerald's house since he still has power.

I'm done roughing it. Get me some heat!

Mom, when you have to put me to bed with a thermal shirt, socks, fleece pjs, a hat and a blanket, it's too cold. When I don't wiggle to get the blanket off of me, it's too cold. I don't care about a darn generator get me some heat! You'd better come up with a better plan for me by tomorrow or I'm leaving you both and going back to the hospital!

My first hurricane!

This was my first and hopefully my last hurricane for a while. What a mess. We lost power so all of my monitors aren't working and I can't get my breathing treatments either. It's gonna be a long night for mommy and daddy! We'll have to reassess the situation tomorrow after the storm passes. I might have to head back to the hospital for a short stay until they can get things together back here.

Go giants!

I am the giants good luck charm. As much as daddy tries to get me to turn Jets I can't help but be a Giants fan. I watch the game the Giants are up 23 to 0. I fall asleep the Cowboys come back. Mommy wakes me up for the rest of the game and the Giants manage to hang on. It must have been their last Super Bowl win a week before I was born. Go Giants!

My first date

Amy and Sean (aka my future in laws) brought Charlotte over Saturday night for our first date. We were chaperoned of course because her Daddy is very strict and says no dating til she turns 18. I think he's worried because I'm twice her age. I usually don't rob the cradle but she's just too cute to pass up. Here our some pictures of our first meeting. We tried to hold hands but our mommies said we're too young.let me tell you those younger girls sure wear you out!

Let's go Yankees!

The Yankees are the underdog in the series especially without my boy Jeter. I know all about being the underdog and doing all sorts of things they say you can't. So let's go Yankees, win this one for me!

A day on the farm

Today was my first non doctor outing. Mommy and daddy took me to the farm with Emily. We picked a pumpkin and daddy and Emily went on a haunted hay ride.

Or daddy messed up too!

Daddy forgot to turn off the regulator so when mommy looked at it it said I was on 1/16. Little did she know daddy didn't open up the can. Moral of the story is I almost ended up on the ambulance but my messed up parents recognized their mistakes in just enough time. Can I swap out my parents? Is this an issue for dyfis? Where are my grandparents when I need them?

What can you do in 90 minutes?

You can take a nap.
You can watch a short movie.
You can play a soccer game.
I can breath with out additional oxygen because mommy forgot to turn the oxygen on when she moved me to the upstairs tank. It took 90 minutes before my alarms went off because my oxygen levels dip below 88 percent.

I'm ready for college.

Mommy says I grow too quickly. I don't know why she says that. Just because I'm almost 16 pounds and dressed for college it doesn't mean I'm not her baby.

Miracle Walk

The walk went well. Everyone went except my grandmas who watched over me. Daddy and mommy even brought one of my NICU nurses back to the house to see me.

How to find my team

Anyone who is coming to the walk today just find my daddy and get your shirt. He will be holding one of my welcome home signs from my front lawn. Here is his picture.

Due to inclement weather

Due to inclement weather Mommy is making me delay my Miracle walk debut til next year. Daddy will still be there with both of my grandfathers but the girls will be at home with me. Mommy might make an appearance but I can't guarantee it. Sorry to disappoint you all but first and foremost the doctors say I need to stay healthy.

Thank you all for your support of me and the NICU.

Emie reads to me

My big sis came buy for the first time since I've been home. She plays with me and reads me stories. I love it when she's here.

Early morning cuddle time

Early morning cuddle time with mommy is the best! Can't get this at the hospital.

Day 226

Football Sunday! Unfortunately this was the best play of the Jets game. John Michael was unhappy with today's outcome.

Day 225

Mommy's Aunt Sue and her cousins Andrew and Katie came to visit me today. Well they don't all live in Michigan now. Katie is in TN and Andrew is in WA so I guess he's the one who's traveled the farthest to see me. Here are some pictures from their visit.

Day 224

I forgot to write in my blog yesterday. Currently I am on the lowest setting of oxygen since 3:00 pm to 6:45 pm 1/32 of pressure. This is the longest I have gone. Mommy is taking a nap while I write this, she is very tired. Daddy slept in this morning I keep everyone busy with my feeding a and medicine I need.

Day 222

Today we drove to my doctor. It was for a routine check up and for me to meet him for the first time. He was very nice.

I took 1 teaspoon of oatmeal and about 20 ml of milk by mouth.

My weight was 15 lb 1.5 oz

Day 221

My day of firsts. I went for my first walk in a stroller. I hung out down stairs while daddy made something that smelled very good. Mommy called the doctor for the first time because I had a temp of 99.5. Doctor said not to call back till it is 100.3.
My weight today was 15.1 oz.
I took 1 teaspoon of rice today.

On my way home!

I got to see the sunlight today for the first time. It sure is bright! They strapped me in my seat and put me in something called a car. Mommy and Daddy say I'm going "home". What this is I don't know. I'll let you know how I like it tomorrow.

Day 220

Good morning Mommy and Daddy! I weigh 6735 grams (14 lb 13.6 oz) today, up 30 grams (1.1 oz) from yesterday's weight. I lost an average of 15.7 grams (0.6 oz) per day over the past 7 days. I'm trying to gain some weight, and my nurses and doctors will be helping me along.

I received feedings overnight by pump yesterday at a rate of 47 ml/hr. In addition, I was fed 5 times and took 95 ml at each feeding. I received a total amount of 757 ml (25.6 oz) for the day. I took all my milk by tube. My last bolus feeding was at 9 PM and I was given 95 ml by tube. My next feeding will be at 9am. Thanks for the breastmilk Mommy! I love it! Since yesterday morning, I pooped once around noon. The best part about today is that i'm coming home! I can't wait!

See you later Mommy and Daddy.

I'll love you always,
John Michael

Day 219

Good morning Mommy and Daddy! I weigh 6705 grams (14 lb 12.5 oz) today, down 5 grams (0.2 oz) from yesterday's weight. I lost an average of 15.7 grams (0.6 oz) per day over the past 7 days. I know I need to gain some weight, and I'm thinking that a hot fudge sundae would do just the trick.

I received feedings by pump yesterday at a rate of 47 ml/hr. In addition, I was fed 5 times and took 95 ml at each feeding. I received a total amount of 757 ml (25.6 oz) for the day. I took all my milk by tube. My last feeding was at 9 PM and I was given 95 ml by tube. I can't figure out when my next feeding will be, so check with my nurse. Thanks for the milk Mommy, it really helps me grow! Since yesterday morning, I pooped 3 times and the last time was around 9 PM.

As of 7 AM, I was on a nasal cannula with 100% oxygen.

Sayanara Mommy and Daddy. I am looking forward to your loving touch.

With all my love,
John Michael

PS: Call anytime you want -- my nurse and I love to hear from you.

Day 218

Good morning Mommy and Daddy! I weigh 6710 grams (14 lb 12.7 oz) today, down 10 grams (0.4 oz) from yesterday's weight. My weight hasn't changed much over the past 7 days. When I sleep, I dream of Oreo cookies...... :) See if you can convince my nurse to give me a few!

I received feedings by pump yesterday at a rate of 47 ml/hr. In addition, I was fed 7 times and took 10-95 ml at each feeding. I received a total amount of 735 ml (24.9 oz) for the day. I nipple fed 3% of my intake. My last feeding was at 10 PM and I was given 95 ml by tube. My next feeding should be around 1 AM-2 AM. Thanks for the breastmilk Mommy! I love it! Since yesterday morning, I pooped 4 times and the last time was around 6 PM.

As of 7 AM, I was on a nasal cannula with 100% oxygen.

So long Mommy and Daddy. I really look forward to snuggling with you.

Until I see you. Love,
John Michael

PS: I love it when you call to talk to my nurse (but she's busy during change of shift, so don't call then).

Day 217

Happy Friday Mommy and Daddy! I weigh 6720 grams (14 lb 13.0 oz) today, up 25 grams (0.9 oz) from yesterday's weight. I gained an average of 10.7 grams (0.4 oz) per day over the past 7 days. I'm starting to do better in terms of my weight, but I think I'll check with my nurses and doctors and see if they can help me gain some more.

I received feedings by pump yesterday at a rate of 47 ml/hr. In addition, I was fed 5 times and took 95 ml at each feeding. I received a total amount of 757 ml for the day. A fluid oz is about 30 ml so this is about 25.6 oz. I took all my milk by tube. Mommy, you should be proud of yourself for pumping breastmilk for me -- it's just great! Since yesterday morning, I pooped 4 times and the last time was around midnight.

As of 4 AM, I was on a nasal cannula with 100% oxygen.

Arrivederci Mommy and Daddy. Come visit me soon. I love when you hold my hand and talk to me.

With all my heart,
John Michael

PS: You know you can call anytime, don't you?

Another test

I hear the drs are getting me ready to go home. Before I leave they need to make sure that I can handle the ride. Mommy strapped me in and got me ready for my car seat challenge!