Our first week home

We have had a wonderful week at home with our two sweet boys. After all that Benjamin has experienced in his short two and half weeks of life nothing could prepare him for his 2.5-year-old brother who LOVES him and says over and over "He is soooo cute..." in a very high pitched voice. All the bells and whistles of the NICU at Children's did prepare him a bit for all the noises his brother makes crashing trains together or destroying towers of blocks right next to Benjamin's bassinet. Benjamin is a VERY laid back baby and has been pretty easy on us so far. It is amazing how quickly he is healing from all the incisions, heal pricks, IV lines and all the little bumps and bruises he collected along the way during his time at the hospital. He is eating so well and has only had moderate signs of reflux (which we were told that he would definitely have because of his condition). Reflux is a little harder on a TEF baby because acid from the stomach can irrate the surgery site in his esophagus...so he is on medication to help decrease the acidity in his stomach.

Benjamin visited his regular pediatrician, Dr. Stone, this week and had gained 3 ounces in three days which was so exciting. He also had his first bath at home (you will see the pic of him all covered in a towel...). He is sleeping really well (more during the day than at night of coarse...not surprising) but loves his new digs in the beautiful bassinet and the co-sleeper (which big brother Barrett tested out in the picture attached) that friends let us borrow. And much to his mother's dismay he has adopted a favorite new pacifier that has a huge AU printed on the end...no simple white pacifier for this boy...he definitely prefers the Auburn paci...

Thanks to everyone for all the encouragement and support this week. All the meals have been so helpful and we have really enjoyed everyone meeting Benjamin at home! We also had my mom with us this week from Atlanta which was such a huge help and we were glad she got a chance to know little Benjamin since he was discharged from Children's so much earlier than expected.

We are still praying for our next visit to Benjamin's surgeon late this month when we have another Esophogram to check for any scar tissue at the surgery site (which would mean a procedure to dilate and enlarge the area with a small balloon) as well as an MRI to rule out any other future issues. Please just keep praying for this little guy...he is such a fighter and we are just loving every minute with him at home!