Pictures from today

Henry giving Lucas a kiss through the window today.
Lucas has learned the meaning of mealtime. Today we got to feed him 3 times! He has been wide awake and anticipating the bottle each time. Notice the extra tape holding in his feeding tube. Doesn't it look like a little mustache!

One Week Old!

Yesterday, our sweet baby boy turned one week old! He had such a big day... He met his brother through the window, moved to the Intermediate NICU nursery, and took 2 bottles!

Lucas today!

Our sweet baby boy turned 1 week old today! He is doing really well. Yesterday I fed him his first bottle, and he took 14 out of 20 cc's. Today Charlie got him to take 22 cc's. Also, overnight his IV's were removed, and now the only tube left is for every other feeding. This afternoon Henry will get his first glance at his Baby Brother through the NICU window! Also, we are anticipating his move to the transitional NICU nursery at any moment. They feel that he's ready they are just waiting for the right opportunity (staffing, space). That will be his final stop in his hospital stay. He'll be 34 weeks not this Monday but next, and then they are predicting that he will be able to come home to us!

Pictures of Lucas from yesterday

Isn't he a cutie!
This is how he looked when we got back to the NICU last night. He was SOOOO relaxed!
The biliruben light is under his little onsie. He really looks like a glow worm now!

The Proud Big Brother

Although Henry hasn't been able to meet Baby Lucas yet, he is wearing his big brother shirts very proudly this week. We couldn't ask for a better big brother. He has been so sweet and understanding through it all.

The Baby Formerly Known as Joseph

A few days ago Charlie's brother Jeff had us all laughing when he called Lucas "the baby formerly known as Joseph. For those of you who haven't heard, Joseph Reuben was what we named Lucas in the d elivery room, but once we finally got to hold him, we decided that he wasn't a Joseph. Anyway, Lucas is great today. Charlie and I have both been able to hold him for long periods of time, and he has become so responsive and sweet. He seems very comfortable now, and they have increased his feeds even more. He is still on the biliruben light which is causing his veins to contract leaving very little room for error in his IVs. Therefore, our sweet baby boy has endured many many pricks over the past 24 hours. Now he has an IV in each arm, and hopefully he won't need the fluids much longer. Thanks to all of you for your love and support!

Lucas today

Lucas opened both eyes and took a good look at me for a good while today. His condition continues to improve. He's on room air (21% oxygen) with the cannula, and they are increasing his feeds each hour. He seems to be much happier now. Hopefully we will be able to hold him tonight when we go back. Thanks to al of our friends and family for helping out and keeping us in your thoughts & prayers.

Lucas tonight

Charlie finally got to hold Lucas tonight!

He's still doing great on the cannula & finally you can see what he really looks like.

Lucas today

The doctors removed Lucas' CPAP and put in a cannula this afternoon. He has successfully taken several feedings now, and they have decided to increase his supply. He looks like a little glow worm on his bilirubin light. His levels were at 14 today, so it's just a precautionary measure. He looks great! Thanks for all the support and love from everyone. We can't wait for all of you to meet our precious baby boy!

Lucas Reuben Gage has arrived!

Lucas was born yesterday at 9:30am. He weighed 4lbs 4oz and is doing very well. He has recently been taken off the ventilator and is now breathing with the help of some tubes in his nose. We couldn't be more pleased with his progress thus far. Thanks for all the calls, prayers and support.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Sending all of our love to everyone today!

Sleepy sleepy boy

Waking up at midnight and for good at 5 am can really tucker a little boy out. Have you ever seen such rosy cheeks? We think it's a rash from the extremely high fever he had this weekend. Some video to follow...

Henry's favorite spot at the Children's Museum

Our little thrill seeker loves to climb the extremely narrow stairs to the loft of the building room at the Children's Museum.

Can you believe January in NC?

Unusually warm weather a few weeks ago, allowed a much needed weekend trip to the park.

Pilot Mountain in January

I've been quite the slacker this month, but I'm trying to catch up now... Here are a few pictures of Charlie and Henry on our hiking trip to Pilot Mountain a few weeks ago.

Doesn't he remind you of Randy from The Christmas Story

Yet again, Henry pulls another Randy from The Christmas Story.... (remember his "I can't move my arms" bit earlier in the year )
The funny thing is that most of these toys aren't his!

Christmas Morning!

Henry checking out what Santa left for him....

this is how you ride an ATV if you didn't know...

 

Beau chooses the window as an entrance as well...

Here is Beau trying out the window.
and Henry greeting him with a pull off the glasses trick.

 

A Christmas gift from Grandmom

Henry LOVES the playhouse that Grandmom gave him!
Considering alternate entrances...
it was no suprise to us that Henry would choose the window over the door, but it made Christmas Eve pretty entertaining!
He choses the window to go in and out...

 

More pictures from Charleston

 

Celebrating our Anniversary in Charleston