Moving Day

Elliot hanging out before the big move

Our last family photo in bed space 23! 

Nurse Chelsea is sooooo excited for the big move!

Away we go to the other side

We've made it and Elliot even got a big boy bed! 

All quiet on the other side - Elliot is loving it! 

On Thursday Elliot had a BIG day...he moved to the non-critical side aka the carpet side of the ICN.  Here are a few shots of his move!  This is a huge step for our little guy!  Enjoy the photos

Wednesday Photos!

All snug like a bug in a rug!

Elliot's given us a chance to get some photos this week - here are two that I snapped with my cell phone on Wednesday.  Elliot is doing very well so far this week - he's now on bubble cpap and still has to wear the fun hat to keep the nose prongs in!  The hat keeps him nice and warm but it's not as nice as some of E's home made knit hats.  Enjoy the photos and check back for the week update on Saturday! 

Hanging out with Dad on Wednesday afternoon, helping to hold on his cpap tubes!

Quiet Time

BJ snapped this perfect shot of Elliot on Friday evening - he was wrapped up all tight and he even found a way to hold his own pacifier, one of my favorite shots that's for sure!

Week 9



Elliot taking a break from his new breathing nose tubes so dad could get a few photos!



This week we celebrated Elliot's 2nd month birthday!  He's grown so much in just one month, it's amazing for BJ and I to see - he's now 3lbs 5oz! 

This is our 2nd week back at work and on Wednesday Elliot started another dose of steriods in preperation to remove his breathing tube, it was a hard decision but a good one and on Thursday Elliot's breathing tube was removed - he had quite the audience and it sure was exciting to watch.  At first we were a little unsure about whatching but we were told this is a milestone not to be missed, so we hung around.  It brought a tear to my eye hearing his little squeeke cry since it had been almost 60 days since we had heard it, BJ was able to get a few amazing photos before they put the nasal prongs into his nose so enjoy these snapshots of his entire face - priceless I think! 

Elliot's new nose tubs instead of the tube down his throat

Only the feeding tube, just for a quick minute to get this amazing shot!

Elliot will now recieve his oxygen thru nose tubes - as you can see from this photo he has to wear this new special hat (not as cute as the ones BJ and I have been making) and a chin strap in order for him to recieve the exact amount of oxygen.  This is a big step and has shown us that Elliot is growing so much and getting so much older! 

Elliot also enjoyed his 2nd bath...this time with some bubbles!  He liked this one just as much as the first, the warm water and the wonderful smelling soap - it sure was quite an adventure and his isolete has a much nicer smell inside :) 

Making the bubbles for E's bubble bath

Elliot enjoying the bubbles!

Elliot's all clean! 

2 Months Old

Happy 2 Month Old Birthday Elliot Francis Perry! 

BJ, Elliot and I are happy to celebrate another milestone with all of you and we've created another video to show you what we've been doing - we've had quite the month and the roller coaster has been bumpy at times but we are still riding and that's a good thing!  Enjoy the video and please continue to follow our adventures! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJ-j8WCYq3s

Love - Carrie, BJ and Elliot

Time with dad

BJ was able to hold Elliot a few times this week - we were able to snap this new fun shot of the two of them enjoying their time together!

Week 8

Fall has officially arrived in Lebanon...this morning we had to turn on the heat in the car and turn our flip flops in for boots! I  do hope we do not experience snow while we are here...that will have been 3 full seasons! 

We started back to work this week and it was a nice break from the ICN, after 50 days I think we had ICNitis - it's amazing what some time in the "real" world can do for the soul.  Our first two days at work flew by and it was nice to be around different people.  We headed back to David's house on Tuesday night and to our surpise we were in the insect room again..a welcome site for us since BJ knows where all the outlet's are, we are so lucky to have Davids house to help with this transition!!   

Elliot did fine without us and surprised us by being ready for a vent switch on Tuesday.  He was switched from the osolator to the conventional - now we must remind you that these are not "new" vents to Elliot, he has tried all of these before but we do hope this switch is the last one.  As much as we enjoy the vibrations of the osolator we do enjoy the quiet and more flexiable tubing of the conventional - easier to hold Elliot! 

This week we were able to hold Elliot so that we faced each other - wraped up like a little taco, it was so nice to see his wide eyes and smiling face.  We are also starting to feel more comfortable holding him since he's reached the 3lb mark, it's amazing what a few extra ounces can do! 

Hard to believe it's been 8 weeks already...Enjoy the new photos and keep checking back for more updates!   Thanks again for all the words of encouragement - we keep moving in a positive direction and it's so wonderful to have so much support from all of you!  Enjoy your last few days of flip flops! 

New Cuddle Position

Elliot thinks this new position is A OK

Elliot has been put back on the conventional vent which means we have more flexibility with holding positions - today we checked out a new one so he could see me and I can see him!  I think he liked it. 

3 Pounds

This morning Elliot weighted in at 3lb 1oz! This is a much celebrated milestone for all of us!  We took a few new shots - hopefully you can see his weight gain and enjoy the photos as much as we have! 

Week 7

The 2nd week of September has arrived.  BJ and I start back to work this coming Monday and we are looking forward to a break from the ICN...being there every day for 50 days can make anyone go crazy!  We will miss the sounds of E's mechines, the busy nurses and learning lots of Dr. talk during rounds but hopefully this break will help with our sanity! 

Elliot had a good week - we have been able to get his oxygen under control, a great feeling for everyone invloved.  He had a few other tests done this week and they all came back normal so all we need to work on right now is the weight gain and the lungs...they go hand in hand!  He's up to 2lbs 10oz and he just keeps chugging along.

Thanks again for all the cards, prayers and communications - we greatly appreciate everyone!

New Photos

On Sunday Elliot had his first professional photos taken.  The March of Dimes has a photographer who comes to visit the ICN once a month so we decided to take advantage, it's hard to get both of his parents in photos when one always needs to be behind the camera!  Enjoy these shots!

Week 6

This week Elliot decided he wanted his parents to take a few dips and spins on the roller coaster and boy did we have to hang on tight! 

We started out the week with Tropical Storm Irene...we weathered that dip pretty well and stayed inside on Sunday with Elliot watching the wind and rain from Isolet 23.  We enjoyed the quiet of the hospital and being dry inside. 

The ride continuted pretty smooth for the first part of the week - Elliot was put on full feeds and has been given extra vitamins...this is a very big step and he seems to be tolerating everything very well.  BJ and I were able to get in a few good days of holding him and we treasured every one as it had been some time since we had been able to hold. Elliot had his 1st bath!!!  It was quite an adventure and we enjoyed all 5 minutes of it - we believe he enjoyed it too. 

And then the dips....Elliot is back on the osolating vent, he had some serious issues with his lungs on Thursday and Friday and this is the vent he needs to be on - we are happy, he is happy and things seem to be looking up, it was 2 long hard days, but I think all 3 of us are on the mend, now we are trying to catch up on our sleep!  We have seen him improve on this vent just over the past 24 hours and we are looking forward to a few smooth days this weekend! 

We realized yesterday that it's September and Labor Day weekend - hard to believe we have been here for 6 weeks and that fall will be upon us soon - we can't imagine a better place to watch the leaves change for the first time with Elliot!  Take some time to enjoy the last few days of summer and keep an eye out for the already changing leaves!