The long road home
Hurray! Dexter arrived home one year ago today. As stated before, how time flies and what an incredible journey it’s been so far. This 1 lb 13 oz fighter has turned into a 22+ lb comedian. Dexter always has a smile on his face (or a big-eyed innocent, “who me?” expression) and the most infectious laugh. One can’t help but laugh too when he turns on the charm and tries to make you chuckle either through gagging himself, deliberately wheezing, or repeatedly performing raspberries (that one gets Grandpa Loren every time). This boy is a born charmer who will take over the world one day, with the help of his brother. Seriously, put Nicholas and Dexter together and you have a mighty team. Just wait until they learn to walk and talk. Speaking of walking, Dexter took 6 unassisted steps this afternoon. We are all on the cusp of another game changer.
Well, as you all know, for Nicholas’s homecoming party, we served cup cakes and Dexter would have no part of the frosty goodness. For Dexter, Joel was determined to find a treat that incorporated Dex’s most favorite food – Cheerios. He found a cookie recipe and I whipped them on up today. Wouldn’t you know it – Dexter loved them and Nicholas didn’t, at first. It took a good 10 minutes before Nic ate his. Nurse Heather came over to help us celebrate before heading off to the NICU and Nicholas valiantly attempted to steal Dexter’s girl by flirting up a storm with Heather. Even gave her kissy noises but Heather only had eyes for Dexter. We followed Heather to work and showed off the boys to some of their previous nurses. They were all very impressed by the boys.
Anyway, Dexter has come a long way in a year. No more oxygen tubing for mom to step on. No more nebulizing treatments. No more diuretic medications. No more puking up formula three times a day. (On this note, it looks like Dexter may have a sensitivity to lactose – he is not a happy camper when we tried him out on regular whole milk and started to puke again. He has no problems so far with the lactose free milk .) Dexter now has a little pot belly and is still a body in motion. We love you kiddo. Keep growing, keep laughing, and keep eating. You and your brother mean the world to us and light up our lives with the you-ness of you.
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- Swollen and intubated, but even then he was our Dexter.
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- Dexter’s first bedroom. It’s not just the incubator that makes him look so small…
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- Dexter shortly after he was born… 1 lb, 13.7 oz.
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- Dexter’s ready to go home for the very first time!
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- Dexter at home!!! Oxygen and all, but he was home!
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- We started the day with some good play time in the Living room, and Dex paused for a moment with his walker to pose for us
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- Grandpa Carter and Grandma Marily stopped by. No, Dex isn’t afraid of Carter. He was just afraid of catching orneriness.
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- And then for some playtime in the backyard, ably supervized by Grandma Z.
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- Dex came out to help with the Deck for a bit
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- He did most of the quality inspection
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- And then busted us for unauthorized use of a camera
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- Here’s Dex, inspecting his chocolate / peanut butter / butterscotch / cheerio cookie
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- What, no cupcake?
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- Okay, I’ll try a piece.
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- Hmm… Okay, maybe one more…
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- And Grandma Zaidee bought him Cheerios in a bite-sized container! Nic is so envious, even though he doens’t like Cheerios.
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- Nic’s pretending not to like it.
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- One year on, and we can’t get him to look at the camera and smile, but he’s our Dex and we love him!
Recently
September 18th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Lacotse intolerant, but no peanut allergy — not bad!
Happy Homecoming day! They just want to “one-up” my kids — being born a day before Abby’s birthday and coming home a day before Ben’s birthday (9 today!) Enjoy! Great deck too, BTW!
September 18th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
it’s not until you see again, the picture of Dexter at 1 lb 13oz, do you realise how far they have both come. You have to love those nurses and doctors. We look forward to watching them take over the world one step at a time. Susan & Scott xx
September 19th, 2009 at 9:22 am
Loved your stories and updates. This last one choked us up with joy! What a story and how wonderful. You are so blessed to have such fun boys.
Ken and Dorothy Nerison
September 19th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
HAPPY HOMECOMING DEXY!
IM glad you liked the cherrio cake
I miss you! See you soon
September 19th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
“sniff” Dexter, who knew you would turn out to be such a cool kid after all you had to endure? Thank goodness you’re not holding a grudge about those early months. Loved having you show off to the girls at work. You make me proud!