Hello everybody. Thought we would give a update since it has been awhile. I am now back to work and dad is staying home with Zach. It is hard to leave in the morning because that's when Zach is in the best mood. He wakes up smiling everyday !!!!!!!! Guess he is glad to be here, it is almost like he knows what he has been through and appreciates every new day. We went to his first developmental clinic on June 12th. He is exactly where he should be on most activities. A little slow with following sound from the right side, so we will keep an eye on this, it could be because it was a new environment and he got stimulated by everything going on. When on his stomach he reaches for toys and the physical therapist told us that was great, a little ahead of most and all in all no signs he was a preemie, only by size when you look at his actual age.

He weighed in at 14 pounds 7 ounces at this last appointment, and Terry said he is now up over 15 pounds, right where he should be. He is in the 50th percentile for weight and 75th percentile for length, so he might grow up to be tall. At any rate, he's perfect to me and Terry.

We went to see all the nurses in the NICU after his clinic appointment, and we were fortunate to see Amy, Sharon, and Linda. they were the nurses we got closest to during Zachary's stay. He was making all kinds of noises for Amy, which made her and Terry and I very happy, and Linda and Sharon got to hold him which made us happy. Thank-you to all of the wonderful nurses at the NICU. It was a very good visit for Zachary, Terry and I.

Life of our special Preemie-Inside the NICU and Beyond

I took this picture for two reasons, Zachary loves grabbing hold of things now that he has learned how to, and because I love how he holds his toes curled down. I think it is so cute. Zachary is getting so big now, I wouldn't believe it if I didn't see it every day. He is up to 13 pounds now. As Jill said earlier, he eats solids 2 times a day now, I introduced him to prunes last week, and again yesterday, and he introduced them back to me, didn't like them, they went all over his bib and me. So now the new thing is berries, not sure about that yet, we'll try it out on him this weekend. He goes in for his physical therapy appointment on June 12th, to see if he is developing on schedule. I already think he is, from what I see every day, but it's nice to be reassured by the docs. Zachary is so fun now. He cries less, and laughs more. He actually laughs or giggles out loud now, only a little bit, but when he does, it's priceless. He smiles like crazy when I do something that he likes, which is almost all the time. I can usually get him to start smiling if he is crying, by acting stupid, which is easy for me to do. He sleeps most of the night now, only waking up for 1 or 2 feedings, but that usually only takes 30 minutes each, so I only lose 1 hour of sleep now instead of 2 hours as before. Although I sometimes make it up during his morning nap, which he gets in the morning, afternoon and early evening. He usually goes to bed around 7:30-8 pm, but lately it's been more like 9 pm. He likes being outside with me when I do take him out to work around the house, he only gets bored once in awhile, so he will enjoy being outside. Jill and I have a blow up pool, it's pretty big, I can lay all the way down in it, and over Memorial day weekend when it was so hot, I took Zach in the pool with me and he absolutely loved it, for about 1/2 an hour, then of course he got bored, but I was so proud that he didn't cry and liked the water, which is a huge plus for Jill and me since we have a boat on the lake, he's going to love it. Well I guess that's it for now, Zach is starting to stir from his nap.

I'm ready for my close-up

Zach loves his new boppy!

Liz in California, THINK WE GOT YOU BEAT WITH THIS ONE!!!!!!!!!!

No new updates, just new pictures...

Is this basket all mine?

Quit staring at me Dad, take this!

Okay, I guess this is fun

This is new, and what is this in my hand?

Our 6 month appointment(3 Months adjusted) went very well. Zach weighs in at 12lbs 1 and 1/2 ounces!!!!! We have already bumped up his solids to two times a day. He loves the carrots, and squash, and his newest favorite is applesauce. He laughs all the time, even in the morning which he must get from his dad and my father (his grandpa), because the thing I hate more than working for a living, is mornings!!!!!!!!!! We have recently tried using a rolled up towel under his arms and he really enjoys it.....Well off to work, I'll blog more in depth later. IT'S FRIDAY :)

On this weekend, on Mothers day 2002, I lost my best friend (My Mom). I would like to dedicate this picture of my son on this Mother's Day to her. I wish she was here today. See, she had me at 41, the same age I was when I had Zach. I have so many questions for her. So many questions that will never be answered. I know she is here with us, sometimes I can feel her next to me. She would be so happy if she knew that I have this wonderful family now, somehow I know she knows this to... but if I could only see her face. HAPPY MOTHERS DAY, TO ALL YOU MOM'S!!!!!

I think about this often.....If we live long enough we will be bald, with no teeth, wearing diapers, having someone feed & bath us, and be in a swing. :)

Dad and son. This picture says it all. Terry is looking through the scrapbook I made about Zach, and it appears Zach has found his life story very interesting. He appears to be thinking "Dad, Do you think Speilberg might like to make a movie about me?"

Zack trying hard to crawl. The amount of effort he puts into it is astounding.

Life of our special Preemie-Inside the NICU and Beyond

Just a thought...... We have read many other preemie blogs and all have touched us in different ways. The many twists and turns a preemie baby faces are filled with emotional ups and downs. The thanks we receive is mostly a non verbal form of affection directly from our babies. A smile, a deep stare directly into our eyes and even a cry which is soothed by our warm loving arms. The future for most is undefined. Each day, month, and year can bring new challenges and accomplishments. Some days we live in fear of the unknown. While at work my clients will ask how Zach's doing, I always say great, because when I look back and see where he came from and what he has overcome I can only respond with great. Most will never know how the emotional ups and downs have changed me, most will not know how the word GREAT can be so powerful. I pray for all the babies who have been born prematurely, and I embrace the only individuals that truly know what we all have been through. Thank God for these blogs, every day it gives me a sense of understanding, it is a therapy which is the glue that holds it all together. I pray for each and every one of the families which have touched my heart: Kaitlyn @ Lizmccarthy.blogspot.com Adam & Eleanor @ twomiracles.blogspot.com Holland & Eden @ micropreemietwins.blogspot.com Fiona @ www.babiesonline.com/babies/f/fionae/ Halle @ www.hallegrace.blogspot.com

Kids these days have it too good. Zach talking to mom on the phone.

Crawling progress...or lack of Well Zach gets a A for effort