The Swaab Family

Aaahhhh..... Bermuda....

2008-07-27T19:36:00.007-04:00

Mark and I took the boys to Bermuda for some Rest and Relaxation. We really had a fabulous time and would go back in a heartbeat... I took a tonn of pics so will just post some highlights...

Isaac and Daddy built a sandcastle every morning.

Vacation - Yay!!!

Appreciating one of the local Rum Swizzles on the beach.... Children... What Children???

This was our resort....

Isaac's Lighthouse. We walked here and then up the 186 steps. Who would have known that a lighthouse would be on a hill and that Isaac would be sick of walking after the first 5 minutes??

We went to the street festival on the Wednesday night in Hamilton and Isaac had his face painted like Spiderman (or just "red" as was his request). He LOVED having his face painted and was so still for the man who painted. Mark and I just watched in wonder.

Lucian would fall asleep within 15 mins of arriving at the beach in the morning. We literally didn't have enough time to change him into his swimmies and he was snuggling up. This was at 9.15am!!! Can we bottle this?

One of Isaac and Daddy's creations...

Portrait of Mummy and Daddy by Isaac Swaab.

Our last night we walked along the beach just before dinner. The day had been on and off with rain and clouds. Isaac was wonderful just jumping into the water and running along without a care in the world. The is pissed down with rain and we all got SOAKING wet as there was nowhere close to run to for cover so we just continued our stroll along the beach then headed back to the hotel. Something I will never forget.

Ok - so I am crap....

2008-06-29T19:36:00.013-04:00

Here are some shots - completely random at this point - I am 6 months behind and to be honest we haven't been taking as many as we should...

Getting ready for Papa's birthday...
The birthday boy and his 2 little men...
Don't know why Mark though that Lucian might like to take a nap on the counter...Scott and Lucian's little friend Patrick

The boys love the rocking horse that Nanny gave them at Christmas - Mummy loved packing it in the luggage when we came home!!
"I'm watching you Mum..."
In Mum's shoes
Missy O Miller - such a cutie...

No matter what the weather Isaac loves to be in the back yard...

Easter 2008

March for Babies 2008 - The Delfino's and the Swaab's marched again and this year we were joined by Jessica, Miguel and Nicholas. I shared a room with Jessica when I was in the hospital days before Lucian was born. The re-union at the walk was very emotional for Jessica and I...

Isaac's Pre-school graduation. It was so cute...
Isaac blows out the candles on his "sally" car (from the movie "cars")...

Australia...

2008-01-20T20:47:00.000-05:00

Lucian's first meal ever in Australia - and check out that beautiful Aussie sun on his face...
Uncle Joshie and Auntie Anna spend some time practicing with Lucian...
He thinks they are pretty funny - but he still managed to get away...
Jasper with his amazing smile
The Swaab boys (minus Michael) walk down to Coogee Beach.
In Newcastle we catch up with all the "kids of cousins". Here we have Seb(astian), Jack, Dom(inique) and Isla.
Stopping for a feed and drug 'em break.
The Benadryl worked like wonders...
Isaac was following us in the Lorry of-course. Ancle Bob had to help him out of the truck.
Then Isaac wanted to help move the cartons of beer...
Lucian loved the beach at Coffs Harbour...
As does Poppy - Rach's youngest girl - who is so much like Rach when she was a girl too.
Such a great shot of Mark and Lucian. I just love it.
Pop Pop again. Such a cutie.
Ok, Ok, So I think having a little girl wouldn't be so bad - if she was like Pop Pop...
Dad and Lucian again.
Isaac tries out for the Life Savers...
Isaac loved to listen to Angus play the guitar. I think the song was about cows.

Cuddles with Nanny

Lucian pop's in for a while...
Mark in the inflatable canoe - Only Mum could buy that..
The boys liked it more on solid ground.
At the Eumundi Markets Isaac decided that the gypsie life was for him. And he loved the carousel.

What - It doesn't go forever...
2 Rides? Thanks Dad...
Isaac picking one of Nanny's cherry tomato's
And trying to figure out what it is...
Christmas Morning - waiting for Uncle Josh and Auntie Anna. Isaac was very good.
Pressie opening begins
Mark makes the Bloody Mary's.
Anna, Aiden, Isaac and Nanny.
Emiel, Jasper, Lucian, Bianca and Zamira.
Christmas pandemonium.

2008-01-20T19:52:00.000-05:00

Smiles with Jon Stalhut at Thanksgiving...
Isaac learns how to "Sssshhhhh" Mum and Dad... Nice....
Lucian opening his birthday pressies - hard to believe that a year has already passed!. Look at the smile... Of course Isaac thought all the pressies were for him.
Thomas train from Nanny and Grumpy.
Auntie Selena and Uncle 'Teve came and had cake for Lucian's birthday. Selena had to grate the chocolate drops for ontop of the cream. It was a chocolate cake and Lucian loved it.
The boys in their birthday crowns that they made with Anna, the Nanny, while Mummy was at work that day.

The first snow and Isaac decides to go for a drive.
Yummy...

General Pics...

2008-01-20T19:49:00.000-05:00

Oopps - It's been a while... So lets start with Halloween 07

2008-01-20T19:42:00.001-05:00

Isaac dressed up as Nemo and Lucian as Squirt - the baby turtle - son of Crush for those of you who know the movie as well as we do!!!

After trick or treating in Huntington town we came home for Pizza with Aiden, Dana and Mark Delfino. It was a fun evening...

How time gets away...

2007-10-27T21:16:00.000-04:00

Isaac and Anna do arts and crafts every day and they did my hanging for the front door. It wasn't until after it was completed that they realised that it was the wrong way around. I think it adds to the charm.

Mark and the boys with our pumpkins. Isaac helped to pick the big one and hand selected the smaller ones himself!

Meet Anna. Anna is our new Nanny (like we need another Anna in our lives!). We absolutely love her and she loves our boys. My house has never been in better order and she loves to do projects and play with the boys. We feel so lucky to have found her!

Krissie and Sean Miller have just moved to NYC with their gorgous daughter Olivia. Olivia just turned 1 and is 6 weeks older than Lucian. They came to visit and meet the boys and we all had a ball.

Isaac flying with Daddy.

Lucian is crawling everywhere. And now his newest trick is to pull himself up. He started to truely crawl at around 10 months so we think he may walk before Isaac (who "truely" crawled at 11 months and walked at 15 months). We aren't stupid - we aren't hurrying him!!!

Lucian is just about as clean as can be. I caught Lucian in the washing basket when Anna brought him (and the washing) upstairs one day. He loved it!

Isaac is a huge "Cars" fan so mummy bought him some Lightning McQueen slippers. He has P.J.'s waiting for when he does Peeps or Poops on the potty.

So much to catch up on... And such a long post...

2007-10-08T22:17:00.000-04:00

So lets break it down...

Isaac and Daddy share some breakfast. Izzy eats his toast on the bench every morning.

The Family on the front stoop.

Nanny and Grumpy on the front stoop.

Little Lucian starting to crawl.

Izzy at the Northport farm.

You want me to put the carrot where?????

Aaahhh, My fingers!!!

With Daddy at the Riverhead Aquarium. We saw a Sealion, penguins, lots of fish and crabs and stingrays.

Mum's taking us for a walk 1st thing in the morning (while Dad is golfing!).

Isaac got to chat with the ducks.

Lucian has his first swing...

And he loved it...

As did Isaac...

Isaac picked a flower for Mummy, but she put it behind his ear.

And Lucian is crawling like a trooper.

Coxsackie for us...

2007-09-13T09:26:00.001-04:00

Joy of Joys - we have Coxsackie. Well not all of us. Lucian definitely has it - confirmed by a Dr. Isaac had PinkEye this weekend and finishes his drops today. Just read the PinkEye can be a symptom of Coxsackie. Isaac has also had a little cough. I have a super sore throat and so does Mark. Love all this stuff. Just wish that the littlest one was a happier chappie. I knew something was wrong when he started waking up through the night. Poor bugger. Lots of Tylenol for him.

For the Aussies reading this:
COXSACKIE
Coxsackievirus is a member of a family of viruses called enteroviruses. Enteroviruses are made up of a single strand of ribonucleic acid (RNA). The enteroviruses are also referred to as picornaviruses (pico means “small,” so, “small RNA virues”).

Basically lots of little blisters on the back of the throat and tonsils.

Pics of the boys

2007-09-04T21:43:00.000-04:00

Good News from the NICU followup

2007-08-12T23:15:00.000-04:00

Lucian went to a followup appointment last week to evaluate how he is progressing from him very early start. The hospital system he was born in follows EVERY child who is born before 32 weeks! They see them until they are 2 years old and longer if there is any long term problems.

Anyway - he now weighs 16lbs 9.5oz and is almost 27inches long. For his adjusted age (almost 6 months) he is 50%ile for weight, 75%ile for height and over 97%ile for head circumfrence!!

They are incredibly happy with him. He is playing like an 8 and a half month old (remember they are evaluating him as an almost 6 month old) and his speech and physical is that of around 6 and a half months.

We are so proud of our little man.

Finally - he is eating Pasta

2007-07-29T21:34:00.000-04:00

Isaac has a love hate relationship with pasta. Tonight Mummy made a very simple fresh tomato spaghetti and we all ate it together. Isaac learned how to slurp up his pasta although he still kind of munches. We all giggled and slurped and ended up satisfied. It was the most fun we have all had at dinner in a long time and a meal I hope I never forget! Spaghetti at least once a week from now on. And none of that wholewheat crap for Isaac anymore!!

Isaac decides he want to jump in like Papa

2007-07-29T21:32:00.000-04:00

and of-course we didn't let him!!!

Lucians first swim in the pool

2007-07-29T21:30:00.001-04:00

And just so you can remember what Isaac was like at his first swim

Sharon and Phil visit with the tribe

2007-07-29T21:27:00.001-04:00

Sharon, Phil, Isabelle, Joshie and Sharon's mum Carmen were all in Boston while Phil was working there. They all jumped in the car and drove to Long Island to visit with us and it was wonderful. I only wish they could have stayed longer than 22 hours!! But it was a long drive and they do leave to go home tomorrow so we just have to savour the time we had...

Photos to come - mine weren't that great.

Tim and Tan visit New York

2007-07-29T21:16:00.000-04:00

Finally, after almost 5 years, we caught up with Tim and Tan. Our lives have changed so much but we didn't miss a beat. Nothing changed and it was like we see them all the time. I love our Tim and Tan. Next time they promise to bring Wills and Lachie.

So Much has been happening

2007-07-29T21:14:00.000-04:00

and of-course my computer has been dead so I haven't been able to post pics. Now the computer is fixed and we have over 1/2 a terabyte of storage!!

Isaac has a small birthday party

2007-07-15T14:10:00.001-04:00

Isaac patting his belly... thinking - good it is still there!!!
Playing with Aiden in his truck
Aiden in the foreground
Terry and Ryan
Leanne - how does she do it with 4 under 6!!
Izzy and Dana have a smile over a picture!
Not quite finished chewing!
Gorgous little Patrick... Check out those blue eyes!!
Getting ready to sing Happy Birthday....
Big Kisses for my big 2 yeart old boy - how time flies. If only I could freeze time!
Scott and Patrick
Daddy playing "Toro" with Isaac and Megan pushing the car
All the Kids...

The Zoo

2007-07-15T14:02:00.000-04:00

We went to the Bronx Zoo which was fabulous. We saw Polar Bears, Bison, Peacocks, Zebras, Giraffes, Turtles, Fish, Butterflys, Seals and so much more. Mum didn't take that many pics!

Another pic from upstate

2007-07-15T14:01:00.001-04:00

Lucian starts solids

2007-07-12T20:48:00.000-04:00

Lucian started solids a couple of weeks ago. He is doing great and really gobbles it up. Helps with the pooping too since it has been so runny for so long!!!

Walking home from daycare with Isaac

2007-07-12T19:32:00.001-04:00

Today I walked with Lucian to pick up Isaac from daycare. The whole way home Isaac was saying "goodbye everybody" to anyone he saw. I think he is really starting to pick up the NY accent. He doesn't say bird he says "Boyed".

There is a mouse in my house!!!

2007-07-02T21:51:00.000-04:00

Sitting here tonight - all is quiet with the new bedtime routine for the two boys.... then... out of the corner of my eye what do I see. I have a mouse in my house!!!

Sicky traps for us tomorrow. I don't care how cute those little mice seem - they have got to go before Isaac befriends him.

As I write this he is getting more and more courageous. He started off just running along the top of the heater - how he is dashing out from the side of the room to the middle of the carpet in front of the tv.

Well Visit news

2007-06-28T22:37:00.001-04:00

Today both boys had well visits with the Dr.

Isaac is doing fabulously. He is now 34.25 lbs and 37 inches long. He is over the 97%ile for both height and weight - not bad for a Preemie! His lower right tooth - just beside the front one is just beginning to come up and he still has all his incisors and 4 more molars too. Another 8 teeth!! He is still evaluated as a preemie - so they adjust him back. So as he is really almost 2 years and 2 weeks they seem him as 1 year 10 months and 3 weeks. One side comment: He turned 2 almost 2 weeks ago and his speech in that time has just rocketed. It is amazing how it all just clicks. A girlfriend told me a long time ago - when Isaac was just a tiny baby - that at 2 years the speech switch just goes on - and boy, was she right. He is just a sponge with his language!

Lucian is doing great too. He is now 14lbs and 8oz. I kind of wanted him to have gained more weight. He looks like such a chubby kid and put him beside a bigger baby and he really looks bigger than he is. I suppose I am just shocked that with all the double chins and chubby arms and thighs with cellulite that he hasn't gained more. He is now 25.25inches long too. The Doctor is happy although now we begin to hit all the followups from the NICU. I just scheduled a Neurology appointment for him and have his ROP (Ophthalmology) followup in September. I am sure everything is OK but it is best to get him to his follow ups so that anything abnormal can be caught early on. Aren't normal and abnormal terrible words. I am guilty as charged - I use them so often - but I remember when we had all the chromosomal tests for Lucian that the word normal was so hard to use.

Anyway - just thought I would update you. Sorry this post is so fundamentally boring!!

Upstate with the Family

2007-06-27T21:27:00.000-04:00

My friend Carol invited the whole family to her wonderful upstate house for a weekend. Rosalie was there also and we really had a fabulous time. It was the first family vacation since Lucians arrival.

Isaac turns 2

2007-06-27T21:18:00.000-04:00

More pics

2007-06-27T21:16:00.000-04:00

Isaac now eats at the dining table like a "big boy". No more High chair - well not until his brother gets his hands on it.

Lucian visits his NICU buddy - Ilan

2007-06-27T21:03:00.000-04:00

Isaac, Lucian, Mark and I visited Ilan, Lucians NICU friend and his Mum, Kerry and Dad, David. Isaac had a fabulous time pushing his stroller around the park.

So much has happened since my last post

2007-06-27T20:55:00.002-04:00

My beautiful Mother and her 3rd Grandson.

So much has happened since my last post

2007-06-27T20:55:00.001-04:00

General Pics of the family

2007-05-28T21:42:00.000-04:00

Anyone remember the Swaab curl....

2007-05-28T21:37:00.001-04:00

and wonder where it went....???? Particularly those of you who worked with Mark and I at Channel 9.

Really, Truely - Finally pics of WalkAmerica

2007-05-23T21:52:00.000-04:00

We raised $1455 for WalkAmerica - March of Dimes fundraising event to fund research into Premature birth in the USA. Thank you to every one who donated to team "All 40 weeks". It was a fabulous day in Sag Harbor and the walk was really very enjoyable. A special thanks to Selena, Mum and S who walked with us. Team "Parents of P'Nuts" kept us company and we all picniced together at the end of the walk. Dana makes a pretty mean chicken caesar wrap and, of-course, remembered everything I forgot for the picnic.

Isaac shares his chair

2007-05-15T21:05:00.000-04:00

Chilling in his crib...

2007-04-26T09:02:00.000-04:00

Although Lucian is still sleeping in the bassinet beside me, he sometimes takes a nap in his crib.

Little laughs...

2007-04-17T21:29:00.000-04:00

Isaac's new doo.

2007-04-15T22:03:00.000-04:00

We went on a family outing on Saturday to a fabulous kids hairdresser in Huntington called Zippity Doos. They have such a great business there. The people are fabulous and so warm, making every kid feel like a prince (or princess). And they have cars for the kids to sit in instead of normal chairs. Isaac sat in a Jeep watching either Little Bear on his TV or BackYardigans on the little boys beside us and let Lorraine take her time to get a great cut. It is his first real haircut and he looks so gorgous and so grown up. I still love all the soft long hair but the shorter brings out his fabulous features. Don't mind the food that is constantly on his face. It isn't that we don't clean it - it's just that he is always eating!

Lucian is far from needing his first haircut!

Lucian is laughing...

2007-04-15T21:57:00.000-04:00

Lucian has been smiling for some time now - maybe 3 weeks. He suffers so badly from the second child syndrome. We really have to try to take more pics. This is the only pic of him smiling that we have taken so far. I know... I know... we are terrible parents! His smile is just amazing. He smiles so wide and I am guaranteed a smile after a good feed. I just love them. He is cooing too and also makes a funny chortle. I wish I could bottle it!

Biting the ears off a rabbit.

2007-04-08T19:49:00.000-04:00

Auntie Selena really had an urge to bite the ears of a chocolate bunny. Who better to give Izzy lessons!! After the ears - he ate the eyes - then any body part available!

All I got for Easter....

2007-04-08T12:50:00.000-04:00

...were these sweet little lambs!

Lucian and Patrick

2007-04-08T12:44:00.000-04:00

Finally we get the two of them together - after both being out of the social scene for so long.

Introducing new best buds - Lucian to the Left and Patrick to the Right.

Lucian - born Nov 30, 2006 weighing 3lb 6oz
Patrick - born Jan 9, 2007 weighing 10lb 9oz

(Lucian is still to hit Patrick's birth weight!!)

Mark's caption for this blog entry - Lucian: "Up, Up and Away!!"

The Easter Egg Hunt

2007-04-08T12:27:00.000-04:00

We had great visions for the "Great Easter Egg Hunt" where all the kids run around for minutes finding all the eggs - then we feed them full of brunch before feeding the grown-ups - all whilst basking in the beautiful Spring sunshine. Well... with snow predicted it became the "Great Easter Egg Dash". It still only took minutes for the kids to find all 188 plastic eggs filled with goodies from eggs, to kisses, to slinkies, to marshmellows, to jelly beans. But then the cold got too much and we marched them all inside for hotdogs, cupcakes and more munchies.

My pics are not the best - it all happened so fast what can I say!!

Isaac ready to go forth and hunt! He had just woken from a power nap so took a while to get with it.

With a little help from Mum, Isaac finally starts to figure out what this Easter Egg hunting is all about.

Our 12 brave Easter Egg Hunters from the Delfino, Stalhut, Cristal, Mazzilli, Croft, Dillon and Swaab families.

Hanging out on some super cute outfits

2007-03-28T20:56:00.000-04:00

...and completely oblivious to how gorgeous he looks!

I knit this cardigan and hat for Lucian. It took some while and looking at it now I am glad it is finally finished as it just fits. But I love it on him...

Isaac's school pics

2007-03-25T23:02:00.000-04:00

Latest of Lucian

2007-03-12T09:04:00.000-04:00

Poor Lucian really suffers from 2nd child syndrome. I have to remind myself to take more pics!!!

Trying to take a family pic....

2007-03-12T08:51:00.000-04:00

My first opportunity to dress them to match!!

2007-02-26T15:12:00.000-05:00

Can you tell I am the proud Mama??

2007-02-26T15:05:00.000-05:00

I could just post pics of my boys all day!!!

2007-02-18T22:09:00.000-05:00

Mum holding Lucian and looking at a B&W photo of Isaac at around the same age. They look like carbon copies!!

It has been so long...

2007-02-18T21:58:00.000-05:00

2007-02-04T20:07:00.000-05:00

More pics

2007-01-30T22:13:00.000-05:00

Isaac dinnertime action shots

2007-01-30T22:05:00.000-05:00

More Comparisons

2007-01-18T11:44:00.000-05:00

Lucian is with the green blanket - Isaac being burped.

Some comparisons

2007-01-18T11:29:00.000-05:00

Me in the black top is with Isaac. In the Red I am with Lucian. I am going to have issues with baby pics.

Pics of the boys

2007-01-18T11:27:00.000-05:00

Before Lucian was born

2007-01-05T21:49:00.000-05:00

Random Shots

2007-01-05T21:30:00.000-05:00

Christmas Day 2006

2007-01-05T21:28:00.000-05:00

Lucian wasn't there but we still had fun...

Road rage in the produce isle

2007-01-05T21:24:00.000-05:00

Latest of Lucian

2007-01-05T21:20:00.000-05:00

New site for Lucian Updates

2006-12-14T13:25:00.000-05:00

I have created a new site especially for Lucian and updates on his NICU stay. You can get to it at http://ourlovelucian.blogspot.com or by clicking on the link to the right.

I wil continue to update this blog too but mainly with family pics - like it was before this NICU experience. OurLoveLucian will have pics and journals on his progress.

NICU Day 13

2006-12-12T10:30:00.000-05:00

Lucian has responded quite well to the drugs to try and correct the PDA - open duct between the arteries. Apparently last night they listened for the murmur which is the sign of the PDA and heard nothing. We will wait to see if they hear anything today. Tomorrow he will have another Echocardiogram to see if it has truely been corrected. Please keep Lucian in your thoughts and prayers.

Other than that he is doing well - no real advances. We are just concentrating on the heart at the moment and he is not feeding since they have him on IV for all foods. He is more gorgous every day - I am a little biased. I haven't been able to hold him for 3 days now as they don't want him to have any added stress. I am so anxious to have another hold. Every day I come in hoping that I can have a cuddle.

I feel a lot more relaxed about the current heart treatment and know that all of this is important to get him home and in my arms. There are other Mum's here who have been throught the same thing with the PDA and it has been successful. I am trying to keep positive.

I will be sending e-mail updates from now on instead of the blog. If you don't get an e-mail in the next couple of days and want to get my updates, please e-mail me and I will add you to the list.

I can't express enough how much all the prayers and thoughts you have been sending our way are appreciated.

NICU Day 11

2006-12-10T20:54:00.000-05:00

Quick Update because I told Mark I would be in bed early.

Today was a pretty stressful and emotional day. Lucian has patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Basically when in the womb there is a duct between the 2 outgoing ateries in the heart so that blood doesn't go to the lungs as it does not need too, it gets all the oxygen from the placenta. So this little duct diverts all the bloods pumping out of the artery to the lungs to the other artery pumping it to the body. Lucians duct has not closed as it should after birth so they are starting him on some drugs to try and get the duct to close. Of-course there are risks with the drugs however the right side of his heart is working a little too hard and his lungs are processing too much blood so we need to have the drugs. They started this course tonight and he needs to have the medication 3 times, once every 12 hours. Tomorrow night will be the last of this treatment. Apparently is has a 60 - 70% chance of fixing the problem. One more course of this can be administered if it doesn't work. He can't have any breastmilk as the side-effects include reduced bloodflow to the intestines and renal system so he will be fed intravenously.

He also has PFO (patent foramen ovale) which is a hole between the 2 incoming chambers of the heart. Again this is another necessary hole in a baby in the womb but after birth this should close. This is not worrying the doctors at the moment and they do not plan on treating it.

Today was full of X-Rays, EKG's, Echocardiograms, blood tests and all type of other proceedures. My poor little man. He was just so tired. I just wish I could make it all go away. I know there is nothing I can do but touch him and whisper words of love to him. It is so hard to sit by watching your child - helpless.

I am praying for good news tomorrow.

Mummy home from hospital

2006-12-09T20:01:00.000-05:00

This pic is now a week old but I thought worth posting. It was taken the night I came home from hospital.

NICU Day 9

2006-12-09T19:54:00.000-05:00

Lucian is off the BiliBlanket. His Bilirubin levels have settled somewhat. He might need some more BiliBlanket but for now he is good. He is now eating 14cc's every 3 hours. That is almost 3 teaspoons! He is still on C-Pap and will be for a little while yet. I kangaroo'ed with him again today - chest to chest. We snuggled for about an hour. He just slept and I tried not to sleep! He has also gained weight again. He now weighs 1470grams so is not far off his birth weight of 1535 grams. I am sure all that breast milk is doing him wonders. You should see our freezer - there is barely any room for food with the amount of milk there - and I have only been home a week. I don't know what we are going to do. I think I may need to start storing in bags instead of the NICU bottles. I simply can't fit much more into the freezer!

NICU Day 8 Update

2006-12-09T08:32:00.000-05:00

Lucian is doing well. His respiration and heart rate are still a little elevated however that is not concerning the Doctors. Apparently this is typical in Lung Disease of Prematurity - which of course he has since he was born 11 weeks early.
His Biliruben levels did increase since they took him off the phototherapy lights so he is on a Biliblanket. He went on that on Thursday - 1 weeks after birth and was on it again on day 8. As I have mentioned before, I anticipated that he would need to go back onto some type of phototherapy.

He is still on C-Pap and they don't anticipate trying him again on his own until after this weekend. The original C-Pap tubes have created a sore on the skin between the nostrils so they have changed to a different fitting. This one is like a little mask that sits over his nose instead of the one in the earlier pics that actually goes into the nostrils. The sore should heal itself although they may need to alternate between the mask fitting and the nostril fitting as the mask fitting can iritate the bridge of the nose. We just have to keep an eye on it and hope that soon he will be of C-Pap alltogether.

I had a hold on Thursday for about an hour. It was wonderful. Day 8 I didn't hold as his respiration was a little erratic and we had a time crunch so I just let him rest and sleep without Mummy cooing all over him. I am looking forward to the next hold which should be Saturday - day 9.

That is about it. I finished knitting him a new preemie sized little hat and it is waiting until he is off C-Pap so we can put it on.

I know you are all thinking about us and it really helps.

NICU day 6

2006-12-07T07:19:00.000-05:00

Lucian is pretty much the same - still on C-Pap and still out of Phototherapy. His blood levels today showed that this Biliruben levels had risen a little but not enough to warrant going back under the lights just yet. He has also started to gain a little weight. At birth he was 1535grams and then he dropped to 1340grams (ish) and now he has started to gain again which is great. He is now taking 9cc's every 3 hours - almost 2 teaspoons.

I had the opportunitiy to hold him today for the first time. It was a very emotional experience and of-course I just wanted to hold him forever... He got a bad case of the hiccups when I was holding him and then settled. It was wonderful, skin to skin, and he was very calm but alert. He had his eyes open the whole 20 mins I was allowed to hold him. I will hopefully be able to hold him every day and as soon as he is strong enough should be able to hold him for up to an hour each day. I will definitely not be missing out on my daily holds of Lucian.

NICU Day 5 Update

2006-12-06T06:47:00.000-05:00

Lucian went back on C-Pap at the beginning of Day 5. His heart rate was a little elevated and his respiration was faster than prefered. I know there is always a high chance of going backward when they try him without different meds and equipment so I am fine with it. They will keep him on C-Pap for a couple of days and then try him without again. He is only 5 days old. Today I should have been 29 weeks 3 days and he has only been in this world for 5 days so I am more than happy with where he is at the moment. He went off the phototherapy so his Biliruben levels did drop and were continuing to drop - which is a good thing. It is quite common for the Biliruben levels to rise again when the lights go off so we will just wait and see how he does. He may have more sunbathing to do later. He is now having 7cc's (just under a teaspoon and a half) of breastmilk every 3 hours so he is digesting more and more every day. He has lost weight - which is anticipated - just as with a regular newborn, however I am sure he is bigger to me. He is getting more fussy and responsive which is a great sign also. I spent most of the day at the NICU with him and started to knit him a new hat. It is obvious that the hat I had knitted is just a little too big!!!

NICU Day 4 update

2006-12-04T19:42:00.000-05:00

Lucian had a very good day today. He spent it sunbathing under the Phototherapy lights again. Today they took him off the C-Pap breathing assistance so he is officially breathing by himself. He also moved into a less critical room. He will probably be in this particular room for some time - since he really needs to beef up. He is now on 5cc's of milk every 3 hours. That is a whole teaspoon. His biliruben level has gone down but they are keeping him under the lights just to make sure it doesn't go back up. I am more than happy with that. I changed his diaper today and also did the feeding - which is basically holding up a tube with the milk in it and letting it drain into his feeding tube. Tomorrow we will hopefully get to have our first holds. I am so excited. The NICU strongly believes in Kangaroo Care so I will start that tomorrow if he is able to be held. Kangaroo Care is skin to skin contact with the Mum - so basically he will just snuggle up with Mummy - chest to chest. We also got good results from the Brain Ultrasound. Everything looks good. No bleeds.

Today was a very good day. I know there will be days that don't go as we would like - but today was a very good day!!

Lucian Swaab pics

2006-12-04T13:28:00.000-05:00

This is Lucian less than 12 hours old... check out how small his hands are in comparison to my fingers...

Welcome Lucian Swaab

2006-12-03T05:53:00.000-05:00

The news - and Baby - is out. Lucian Swaab was born on November 30th 2006 at 10.37am. At birth he weighed 1535 grams and measured 42 cms long. He was just a little over 11 weeks early but is doing really well in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit).

Before Lucian was Born

I was admitted to hospital on the monday before the baby was born. I had gone to my OBGYN that morning as I felt something was not right. I was in no pain however due to Isaac being early I was on high alert. My OBGYN examined me and found me to be 1cm dilated and had a "floppy" cervix (my cervix will forever have esteem issues now!). She sent me directly to Labor and Delivery at the hospital where I deliverd Isaac. The hospital is about 45 mins drive in moderate traffic.

When I arrived they did a sono and saw that I was about 60% effaced (my cervix was no longer 4.8cm long but only just 1cm remained) and I was a tight 1cm dilated. The monitored me and saw I was not really having labor contractions however my uterus was irritable so the doctors put me on Magnesium Sulphate through an IV. They also gave me some oral medication to stop the contractions too. The drugs didn't bother me that much. I reacted well as many women complain badly of the side effects of the Mag. They also started a course of Steriods for the baby - to assist with development - particularly lung development. I was on Mag and bedrest at the hospital until things stabilised.

On Wednesday evening I started having contractions which they were treating with another drug - terbutaline - as needed through injections. The Terb really helped in the beginning but then we get into a pattern that I would start contractions, they would monitor me to see if I was really having them, see that I was, then give me the steriods. I must have had 2 shots within 2 hours on Wednesday evening. They didn't want to do an internal unless we couldn't stop the labor. Later that evening a new nurse came on and when I complained of these mild contractions she didn't want to monitor them unless they got a lot more painful and more frequent. I let her know a few times that these were pretty regular however she was in no hurry to monitor me. I fell to sleep and around 3.30am ish I awoke to regular more painful contractions. She put me one the monitor, tried the Terb again but it wouldn't work for more than a few minutes then called the doctor. The doctor examined me and found me to be 5cm with the amniotic sac "bulging". Off to Labor and Delivery again to see if we could get this to stop. I, of-course, was very upset that I had dilated more and that a delivery might be imminent. I called Mark and the poor thing had only just gotten into bed from a night shift. He drove straight over.

Delivery - All the details - not if you are squeemish

More Mag and Terb in the L and D ward. More contractions. Ice chips. But the contractions had a mind of their own and weren't going to stop. They were so much more painful than Isaac's. With Isaac I only reached a pain level 10 when in transition. With this one I was at a 10 around 6cm. As soon as it was obvious that they couldn't stop the labor and I would be delivering, I called for drugs... I have done the Natural No Drug with Isaac and have nothing to prove anymore so went with the Epidural and I have to say it is wonderful!!! I would highly recommend it!!! They gave that to me just after 8am. Labor was a lot more comfortable and must have progressed well - I didn't feel a lot - although I did require top ups.

When they thought I was ready to start pushing they were setting up. My water still hadn't broken although the doctor did say I was really ready to go. My OB doctor was there along with the nurses. They had called the NICU neonatologists. As I was getting ready my water broke. Without pushing, Lucians legs and some of the torso was out. The NICU doctors were literally there within seconds and they worked at getting the head out. All I could see was a foot which is not the part of the baby you want to see when delivering. I pushed to assist the head out and he popped out and was rushed to the baby table where they worked on him. No crys immediately which was terrible wondering what was happening. He was OK just taking his time getting his breaths and the Mag that I had been on for so long really effects the baby. I didn't get to hold him (I still haven't) and they took him directly into the NICU.

After Delivery

I felt great after delivery and was up and about after about 3 hours. I managed a shower early that afternoon and then ran and peaked at my newest little man.

Initally Lucian was on the respirator and intebated. They also started him on some Blood Pressure meds to stabilize his BP. Now he is 4 days old and has been off the Respirator and no longer Intebated since he was about 1 day old. They stopped the BP meds on day 2 and now he is just on C-Pap of room air and minimal pressure. His Biliruben levels went up - as we expected - and now he is having phototherapy - just as Isaac had. They started to feed him breast milk on day 2 and is now on 4cc's of milk every 4 hours - that is just a little less than 1 teaspoon. This amount will go up every 12 hours unless he starts to have problems with digestion. Today they will do the brain ultrasound to check for bleeds on the brain. Apparently they are quite common.

We are just taking it a day at a time.

He looks just like Isaac did as a baby - only a lot skinnier. He is just beautiful and I can't believe how lucky I am to have 2 beautiful boys. I can't wait to hold my littlest man. I have been very relaxed about all this. Probably a little denial and also the fact that we have already been through this once before. We know the drill. I am in no rush to get him home. He is in the best place for him now - but I know that when I can give him a hold I will just lose it. That is the one thing that really makes me get misty eyed - imagine holding Lucian. It won't be long.

I will keep you all posted.

Halloween 2006

2006-11-03T11:55:00.000-05:00

Diane and Don's Wedding

2006-11-03T10:08:00.000-05:00

Picking Pumpkins with Natalie

2006-11-03T09:57:00.000-05:00

First Haircut

2006-11-03T09:52:00.000-05:00

Helping Daddy clean up leaves

2006-10-31T21:09:00.000-05:00

At Robert Moses beach

2006-10-29T09:39:00.000-05:00

Peek-A-Boo

2006-10-27T10:20:00.000-04:00

24 weeks

On the Ferry home...

2006-10-04T21:51:00.000-04:00

Isaac loved the ferry. He had a ball.

At the farm...

2006-10-04T21:47:00.000-04:00

In and around Woodstock, VT

2006-10-04T21:42:00.000-04:00

Scenic Vermont

2006-10-04T21:36:00.000-04:00

Hooray for Halloween...

2006-10-04T21:34:00.000-04:00

All tuckered out...

2006-09-16T16:48:00.000-04:00

Very big boy Isaac takes a nap on Pappa. Believe me they aren't tired from doing all that folding!

Isaac shows his true colours...

2006-09-16T16:44:00.000-04:00

New Sono Pics

2006-09-15T15:59:00.000-04:00

Here are the latest of boy number 2. The top is proof it is a boy. The bottom 2 are the face front on and a profile shot. They are very close up so maybe difficult to distinguish features. Being my 9th sonogram already (this pregnancy) I am a pro at identifying body parts now!!!

Too cool for words...

2006-08-25T22:20:00.000-04:00

Another pic of Boy number 2

2006-08-25T22:11:00.000-04:00

Play date with Aiden at the park...

2006-08-20T20:43:00.000-04:00

Banging around in the kitchen

2006-08-20T20:41:00.000-04:00

And dinting all Mum's cake tins!

Ready for a Bike Ride

2006-08-20T20:36:00.000-04:00

Isaac and Dada went out for a quick ride the other day. Isaac has a special trailer that is pulled behind Daddy's bike. As you can see we take biking safety very seriously - well as serious as you can be with frogs on your head!

He's walking!!!!

2006-08-10T20:19:00.000-04:00

Tonight as I was "winding down" with Isaac I held him out from me while he was standing and he took about 4 steps toward me. That was just the beginning - there was no stopping him then. He would walk then kneel - then I would pick him up and walk away and then he would walk after me. At one point I think he probably took about 8 - 10 steps. At first I was just so absorbed in watching him and couldn't tear myself away to get the camera - then I realised that he was going to do this no matter what (and Mark told me I had to record it) so I got the video camera and got some good footage. Now I just have to figure out how to convert it to a format that everyone can see!!! Damn Sony DVCam format.

The other night I dreamt that Izzy started walking and Mark nor I were there for it. I think Mark said he dreamt the same thing. Unfortunately Mark missed it because he was at work. I am sure that Izzy will perform for Dada in the morning!!!

The news is out...

2006-08-01T20:12:00.000-04:00

Isaac is going to be a big brother!

Sunday in the city

2006-07-23T20:50:00.000-04:00

We went to the Central Park Zoo. Isaac loved the Penguins and the Polar Bears (sorry we have no pictures of them!).

Isaac just being cute

2006-07-23T20:40:00.000-04:00

Isaac at swim class

2006-07-23T20:36:00.000-04:00

Isaac at the park

2006-07-18T21:41:00.000-04:00

The fabulous Raio family

2006-07-18T21:34:00.000-04:00

with the latest addition.... Jonas!!

More party pics

2006-07-09T20:56:00.000-04:00