Home!

So we actually made it home yesterday!

Nickolas is such an amazing baby. He has gone through so much in such a short time.
His back surgery went well, it is healing (a little slowly) and he is on antibiotics. We went from being told we were staying longer becasue he had an infection and talking about putting in a picc line, to taking out the iv and going home on oral antibiotics!

The hospital stay was hectic. I didn't get to visit for almost a week because I had H1N1 (but felt fine, just a little cold). And then I couldn't drive, because of the c-section so I had to get my parents to come out and pick me up, look after Katheryn or bring her to daycare and then make our way downtown (we usually got there for 11am). On the weekend I was able to stay down there, it is interesting spending so much time in a hospital and not being sick and not working. I was glad to be home in my own bed, but sad to leave Nickolas. The only good thing was how wonderful all the nurses were and how well cared for he was, and how good he was doing.

Yestarday he had a head and abdo ultrasound, everything looked good and we packed up and (slowly) made it home during rush hour. Nickolas can't be on his back yet, so physio came and put a foam pad in his carseat and he can be in that for up to 1 hour. It takes 2 hours to get home during rush hour so we made a half way pit-stop to show him off to grandma and grandpa Ridding.

We also have a homecare nurse coming to look at the dressings and the caths. We are cathing him every 6 hours.
The first night home was a bit rough. The middle of night caths and diaper changes and feedings were not fun. The most I can complain about is that he likes to kick, poop and pee on me when I change him - and I can't even complain about that - there was a good chance he would not be able to do that.

So Nickolas is doing tremendous! He has full movement all the way down to his feet and even then he can flex but not extend him, and he can move his toes as well. This is so much better than we hoped for!! The exercises I got from physio - play with his feet.

Katheryn is in love with her little brother! - She calls him "Niii", she doens't get the 'ck' yet, but we will work on it. She also likes to pet his head and kiss him.

Introducing Nickolas

Hi Everyone,
This is Amanda's sister Laura, Amanda is still in the hospital for a few days and asked me to update this for everyone.

Nickolas was born on Friday November 13th at 12:51 and weighed 7lbs 9oz. Both Mom and baby are doing well. Amanda is recovering well from surgery (c-section) and was up and walking late last night and again today. Nickolas was moved to Sick Kids hospital yesterday and went for surgery this morning around 11:30. Nickolas' surgery is on his back to put the spinal cord back into it's normal position and close the vertebrae over the damaged area. The doctors have reported that the back surgery went well, they are just finishing up to close the opening. He should be out in recovery momentarily. Nickolas will have to lay on his front and side for the next while until the incision is healed and he should be able to go home in about 2 weeks. He is moving his hips, knees and ankles but more time and study is needed to really asses the situation.

Congratulations Amanda & Kyle on your beautiful son Nickolas!

Almost there...

So we have a new date - Friday November 13. The lucky Friday the 13th.
I was a little upset when they called the change the date - not because of the 13th, but I thought it wasn't supposed to be a Friday to make it easier for Sick Kids. So I emailed a bunch of people including the neurosurgeon and a coordinator at Mt Sinai. Everyone assures me there isn't a problem with delivering on a Friday. So here we are.

The countdown is on. Less than 24 hours to go. I'm more nervous than excited. I don't think I'll be excited until after his surgery and we're into the countdown for him coming home. But this puts us on step closer.

The nursery is done! Clothes are put away, decals are up, paint is dried, floor is down, crib is together. It looks great! Exactly how I pictured it. Katheryn keeps trying to 'move in'. She keeps bringing clothes into his room! We also moved her rocking chair in there, so she keeps trying to climb on that (which she totally ignored when it was in her room).

So all the bags are packed. Care for Katheryn and Sammie are arranged. Important numbers are written down and we have a bunch of stuff and food for the hospital stay.
I think we are as ready as we can be.

Stay tuned!
Laura will update this weekend and hopefully we'll get some pictures up.
For now please just wish us luck and keep us in your prayers!

Happy Halloween!

Everyone dressed up this year - even Nickolas!
For those you don't know, when I was pregnant with Katheryn, she dressed up as an Easter Egg! (in-utero of course).
So what do you do in October? A pumpkin of course!
Laura came and helped do my belly up.
Katheryn reused her costume from last year and was Lady from Lady and the Tramp. She fit it better this year. No trick or treating, she liked playing with her cousin Madison. Next year she might be able to eat some of the candy - so we'll wait until then.

2 more weeks to go for Nickolas - I'm starting to get nervous (like I wasn't before). And we are trying to plan what help we need for the weeks he's in the hospital and after. But I'm not sure what I'll need. You can't complain about having too many people who want to help. I just wish I had a plan, and I have no idea what to expect so I can't plan anything!

And we have a date!

November 16!
Ultrasound and doctors visit today went good. Everything is on track. He's estimated to be 6lbs 12 oz now - bigger than Katheryn at term! I had a talk with him before we went about moving around. He didn't move that well at the last ultrasound, so he cooperated this time. He even had the hiccups for part of it, and kicked a couple of times.
Everything is coming together.

We got Nickolas' room at painted. It is an especially great design (if I do say so myself) and the painters were really well staying within the lines. No really, they were really great (Dad, Laura, Cheryl, and especially Marie, and Shannen). Now its just for the decals, the flooring, the furniture and the baby!