Here are some videos of Jacob taken over the last few days.
**Note they may take a while to load.**
Jacob had his first bath experience at home: Bathtime for Jacob
Jacob making funny faces.
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Jacob goes to the Doctor
Today, Elise and Jacob made their first trip out into the snow together to see the doctor. (On Wednesday, the whole family went to Target – officially Jacob’s first trip). I met the two of them once they reached the doctor’s office and we went in for Jacob’s first checkup after being discharged from the NICU on Monday afternoon. Jacob weighed in at 8 lb, 2 oz which was the same as the last NICU weight check. Everything else looked good, and so we get to go back in a week for another weight checkup.
In the meantime, Jacob survived his first bath at home on Wednesday night; making a large fuss, but otherwise just fine. He loves to hang out with mom and dad, while chilling in his papasan chair.
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Blizzard!
Iowa City received its first blizzard of the season. We received approximately 10-12” of snow. However, due to the blowing wind I shoveled approximately 8” of snow three times. In between our house and the neighbor’s house, the snow was 2 feet deep. I now can say with authority, that man can create a mountain range. Now to rest my back… oh yeah, all classes at the University are canceled and no buses are running. Oh wait, I hear the snow plow creating a three foot wall between my driveway and the world. Here we go again…
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24+ Hours…and counting
After being discharged yesterday, we packed up our things and said goodbye to the hospital. It took a surprising amount of trips to the car to load all of our things that we had collected over the past few days. The most exciting aspect of that afternoon was getting to hold Jacob and walk more than three feet, as he was no longer tethered to the machines.
After loading the car, getting his medicines from the pharmacy, and trying to figure out how to operate our stroller (hospital policy says you can’t carry the baby) we finally brought Jacob out to the car and strapped him in to the car seat. With baby aboard, Elise in back watching him, and big snowflakes beginning to fall from the sky, we were off for home.
Arriving at home, Jacob settled right in to the new setting. He tried out his new gear and had a surprisingly restful night. It is now Tuesday night more than 29 hours after arriving home and Jacob, Mom, and Dad are enjoying every minute of it!
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Coming Home!!!
After talking to the doctors and nurse practitioners, Jacob has passed all of his tests and will be coming home today! He is scheduled to check out sometime this afternoon.
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NICU Pictures
We finally retrieved our usb cable for our camera from the house. Here are some of the pics taken over the past few days. Enjoy!
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NICU Update
After charming all of the NICU nurses with his chubbiness, Jacob went on a fun ride through the hospital this afternoon. Mom and Dad were waiting for a room to open on NICU Bays 4 or 5, in order to have a private room with Jacob, rather than a small curtained off area in Bay 3. An opening came along and Jacob packed up all his things (okay, so the nurse packed them up). He was wheeled through the halls – sleeping all the way – and now resides in his new home, which acts as a transitionary bay between NICU and home.
The move was prompted by his good health and continued improvement. A glucose test earlier in the day came back within the range of normal infants, and allowed him to come off his IV. Hooray for one less cord! Well, not really, as the cord is still there to administer antibiotics (currently happening at press time). Jacob continues to put on the ounces (currently 7 lbs, 11 oz), and is making friends with the new nursing staff.
Mom and Dad are doing well also with Elise surviving her first full night with Jacob.
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The Degen grandparents visit Jacob
The Degen grandparents made the trip down right away and enjoyed seeing their brand new grandson. While Larry had to zip back to the Twin Cities, Mary has been helping us out around the house and occassionally coming in to visit.
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Jacob Progress Report
Mother and baby are doing well. Jacob has a small lung infection which is very treatable and normal. As a result the doctors have him on EKG, IV, and breathing tube. The breathing tube in his nose helped get a little more oxygen in his lungs as he was taking short rapid breaths. By Wednesday he was using the room air mixture through the tube and by that afternoon, it was taken out.
His breaths continue to get deeper and more relaxed. He is on a 7 day regimen for antibiotics which means he will stay in the hospital until Tuesday. After some work, Jacob got his sucking perfected and is starting to eat quite a lot. He loves to sleep and is definitely a hard sleeper: the nurses took some blood when he was asleep and he never even woke up when they pricked him!
Elise was officially discharged this afternoon (Wednesday). There are no available family rooms currently in the NICU, so we are on a waiting list. Currently, Elise will be staying at the hospital with Jacob while Dad travels back and forth to classes, work, and the NICU. Thankfully, the NICU has a family lounge, shower area, and small kitchen to make the stay a little more pleasant.
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Jacob Arrives!!
At long last the moment hath arrived. We have a new addition to our family: Jacob Fredric Werth. Elise started having contractions on Monday morning and went in to the hospital. She was only 2-3 cm and so the staff told her to go home and not to work. She stayed at home and contracted until we decided to go in that night at 11 pm. After being monitored and contracting a fair amount, we were still at only 3-4 cm. So at 2 am (Tuesday morning) we went home to sit. After a few hours, and not so fun contractions, we headed back in at 5:30 am. After arriving, the babies heart rate was a little on the low side and Elise was severely dehydrated. As a result, Elise started looking like the bionic woman with a variety of cords coming out from her as the staff filled her with water, sugar, and some minor drugs through an IV.
After a few hours, Elise was at 8 cm and we were moved to the labor room. At 11 am (with our doc getting off at 12), Elise started to push and 50 minutes later out came Jacob. He was 20 inches in length and weighed 7 lbs and 9 ounces. He has slight difficulty breathing (which is currently getting better), so he is spending his time in the NICU. Mom did a great job and is already up and walking. Check out the attached videos and pictures:
Video Links:
Elise’s Greeting
Room with a View
Jacob in NICU