Luca's First 3 Weeks

Funny Story

Well folks, I'm home and loving it. I had my first doctor's appointment and I am 5 lbs 2 oz. Everything checked out over there. I have also had lots of visitors coming to see little ol' me. As you saw in the post before Magda just loves me, and announces "baby" every time she sees me. I hope she grows out of that as we get older or I'll have some words to call her too. So, I just have to share a funny story with you. Today was a normal day of eating, sleeping, pooping, and peeing...emphasis on the peeing. Mom was changing my diaper and that darn cold air made it's way to my little man parts and I just couldn't control myself. All I heard was "oh no, oh no, oh no, it's getting on my couch." With that, my nanny came in to see what the trouble was and laughing was all either of them could do. I have to admit, I would be impressed to see a five foot stream coming from little man parts my size. No harm done, it was all cleaned up and we moved on with our day. Tomorrow  I'll try for the coffee table in front of the couch. Hey, you got to aim high in life...no pun intended....

My Big Sister Loves Me!

Day 13

These days I'm just eating, pooping, and sleeping. My family managed to snap a few moments while I was sleeping. I must have been dreaming! My face goes from pouty, to happy. I wonder if I dreamt I was gassy (Pout Face), and then had a nice BM (Happy Face). Not much make s a newborn happy besides eating and pooping, so thats a pretty believeable dream for me to have. As you can see I also no longer have anything up my nose due to my incredible appetite. Enjoy your pictures! Here's to Breast Milk wishes and Rice Cereal Dreams.

Wow, I sure look like my sister!!

Day 9

Here's a list of the top ten things going on in my little life.

1. All of my IV's are out. I'm doing so well, I don't need them any more! Which leads me into #2...

2. I am accessorizing! I have been able to add hats and now socks to my wardrobe. With no IV's in my foot I can dress to impress.

3. I am now eating 40 mL a day. Just 2 days ago they were thinking of upping it to 30, and I am already at 40. Someone better report these nurses, they were trying to deprive me!

4. The tube in my nose is there for emergencies only...So I wish they would take it out already.

5. Had my first St. Patrick's Day. Spent the better part of it passed out. Which will probably remain true once I am in college. I'm prepping myself early. I'm an over achiever like that.

6. I don't need to be cooked like a Thanksgiving turkey anymore on a heated bed. Read #7 now.

7. I have been given a new bed. I am now in a regular bassinet that any other full term baby would have in the multiple roommate situation. I have the best of both world's. No roommate and a normal bed. It's no Sealey Posturepedic, and I am quite certain if you were to put a glass of wine on my bed and jump around it would most definitely not remain standing, but it'll do.

8. I am loving my Kangaroo time with mom.

9. I'm getting a little anxious waiting around to get out of here. I am making some big strides, and sooner then anyone had expected. So, just let me out already!!

10. I hope all the Nolan's have a wonderful St. Joseph's Day. I wish I could be there to celebrate with you, but it will have to wait until next year.

Until my next baby step forward,

Luca

Day 7

G'Day Mates! This afternoon my parents decided to pop around (come and visit) and I'm doing a little something called "Kangarooing." It's when I get to cozy up to a pretty sheila (my mom) skin to skin. This helps to foster a bond between my mom and I. I get to hear her heartbeat, and learn her smell. We do this for about an hour and it's very comforting and therapeutic. As if you couldn't tell from my picture, I  completely agree. Australian slang ending now...I was just thinking I was Kangarooing... Kangaroos live in Australia... might be fun to pick up some Aussie lingo... to make the blog more interesting....OK I'm done rambling. Onto things you care about. I am eating so much all of my nurses are AMAZED with my appetite. I don't know why they are so amazed. Haven't they ever heard the phrase "he's a growing boy?" If I eat like this until my teen years, my parents may need to take out a loan just to keep up with me! Since my appetite is so good, and if I keep up this kind of eating, the tube that is feeding me through my nose can come out. Even though I am eating a lot I did lose some weight. I am now 4 lbs, 7 oz.. This is not a shock to anyone. The weight that was lost was purely fluids that I have since...well to put it bluntly, peed out. As of now I don't have an ETA for the beginning of my lease with mom and dad. I'm doing so well that it maybe be sooner than anyone had expected!

Until my next baby step forward,

Luca

Peek-a-Boo

Yea, yea....I'm not smiling. You'd have this look too if you had a tube shoved up your nose.

Day 6

While the rest of you were watching to see if Emily or Chantel were given the final rose on the Bachelor, or deciding on your picks for March Madness, yours truly was making some serious progress. You might have noticed I'm not hooked up any longer. Well, let's make a correction, I have the "hook up" with the best nurses, doctors and parents around, but I am no longer hooked up to my OXYGEN!!!! That's right folks! If I didn't make it clear when I pulled out that darn tube, I have now. I am breathing on my own with absolutey no assistance... I'll hold for applause...  I've also  gotten a nice healthy color, so I'm longer on my tanning bed. Which was a good thing. I didn't want to start to turn orange even though I could have made the Guiness Book of World Records for the world's smallest Oompa Loompa. Along with the removal of some tubes, others have been relocated. My feeding tube is now through my nose and the IV's that were once in my arm are now located in my foot. This makes me much more comfortable to sleep. And you may have noticed something else....My face! I am sleeping on my back now which  I couldn't do before. So, expect to see lots of picutres of this handsome devil's face in the future. My biggest accomplishment today has been my first bottle. I took it like a champ and drank every bit of it. So expect to hear happy news about my bowels again sometime soon :) Mommy is also fully able to WALK to visit me in my studio. She used have have to take a wheelchair. Her biggest news of the day is SHE IS GOING HOME! I am so happy my mom feels better and can go out on a shopping spree for little me. As much as I know the economy is hurting, and saving money is a good thing, I just don't think I can pull off pink.

Until my next baby step forward,

Luca

Day 4

What a weekend! I should have known getting a place downtown would be a little loud. As I tried to get my "handsome rest," the sounds of Chicago's young adults were bouncing off the buildings down Superior all day Saturday. I guess I have a good time to look forward when I am old enough to  enjoy St. Patrick's Day shenanigans in Chicago. *Note* Jersey shore reference coming up:) So, I am getting the "t" of my GTL on for are least one more day. The lights help with Jaundice and bring me back to a more pleasing color. The gym and the laundry will have to wait, because I am too busy eating! I have had 8 meals via tube  since I last wrote to you and mom is topping me off as well. With those 8 meals I have some BIG NEWS!!!! Well I suppose it's only big news to premies like myself and anyone over the age of 75...I am POOPING! This means I am digesting food the way I am supposed to. As far as these lungs of mine, I much rather prefer to not have a tube down my throat. So, I just pull it right out! Nurses say my lungs are doing great! Slowly but surely they are weaning me off the oxygen. I've got to hang out with my mom lately, who is also up and about and doing very well herself. Anyway, got to flip under this light so I don't get any diaper lines...how embarrassing!

Until my next baby step forward, 

Luca

I'm Here

Day 1

Hi Everyone!

While the nurses are away I thought I'd take some time and blog. Let me first introduce myself.  My name is LUCA GEORGE NOLAN. My mom really loved the name Luca, and George is my dad's name. I arrived on March 10 weighing in at 4 lbs. 13 oz, and 17 inches long. I currently live in a studio apartment on the 10th floor in downtown Chicago just off of Lake Michigan. Talk about location! There isn't much to be said about the view since I only look at a hallway and I eat, sleep, and well...you know, all in the same spot but I can't complain. It's not a bad deal considering that was a last minute housing option. Thankfully, it's only temporary until my 18 year lease begins with mom and dad sometime in April. Your probably wondering about all these cords coming off of me, aren't you? I'll fill you in on the basics. Since I came a bit early my lungs didn't quite finish developing, so I have some oxygen helping me out. I also have a line of antibiotics to help me fight off any infection since my immune system must have been buddies with my lungs and that isn't quite developed either. I also have a heart monitor to make sure that little ticker of mine is doing it's job. I have meet a couple family members and friends and I hear talk of me having a big sister also. I won't meet her for awhile but I can't wait to! 

Until my next baby step forward...

Luca

Day 1

Day 2- Tummy Time

Look at all my hair!!!

My dad!

My BIG sister!