Since the NICU...

Jacey was discharged on August 24th, 2011. We were so excited to bring her home! Here is a picture of her in her bassinet for the first time and a few others around the time we brought her home.







  

Jacey in her bassinet for the 1st time!

   

  

I had to go back to work on September 6th and was not looking forward to it. After talking with the doctors and nurses in the NICU Rodney and I decided it would be best for me to stay home with Jacey. So I put my two weeks in and worked for those two weeks. It was so hard to leave Jacey, but she was at home with Rodney, so they got to have some bonding time as well! They told us we needed to be extra careful for at least the first year. No daycare, no public places or anywhere there are a lot of people, and extra scrubbing/sanitizing. Some people ask how long we are going to be so careful? I don't think I will ever NOT be careful. The NICU really changed how I look at some things. We still scrub our hands constantly and use foam. If someone wants to hold her they have to wash their hands. Jacey has found her hands, so she puts her hands in her mouth constantly. So think about everything you just touched and then you touch a babies hands and now her hands are in her mouth. She probably just caught your cold or someone elses. I think a lot of people think we are over protective, we are just cautious and care about Jacey's health. I'm sure once she is a older things will change a little, but she is still tiny and is still building up her immune system. I know it is instinct to put your hands out and touch a baby, but you might think twice next time. -Ok I will move on now, this has just been a pet peeve of mine lately....

Since we left the NICU Jacey has had several doctor's appointments. Mainly well visits and weight check appointments. In October she had her 4 month check up and 4 month shots. Her last appointment was November 4th. She got the first of 5 shots of her synagis (to prevent RSV) immunization. She weighed 9 lbs 3 ozs at that appointment. Her next appointment is December 5th for her second synagis shot and December 20th is her 6th month appointment! (I can't believe that!!) Here are her pictures from month to month (give or take a few days).

Jacey 1 Month - 7/18/11

Jacey 2 Months - 8/18/11

Jacey 3 Months - 9/18/11

Jacey 4 Months - 10/18/11

Jacey 5 Months - 11/18/11

Jacey went to the pumpkin patch for the first time! It was fun but we didn't stay too long...

Jacey Pumpkin Patch 10/2011

Daddy & Jacey at the Pumpkin Patch

Having fun at the Pumpkin Patch

Jacey had her 1st Halloween this year! She was a strawberry! We trick or treated at Grandma Marilyn and PaPa Dan's house!

Jacey's 1st Halloween 10/31/11

Jacey's 1st Halloween 10/31/11

Jacey & Mom - 1st Halloween

Grandma Marilyn and PaPa Dan usually visit every week or so! They are really spoiling her!!

Jacey & Grandma

Jacey & PaPa

Jacey & PaPa

Jacey & Grandma

We had family pictures taken and Jacey's big sister came for a visit! Emily is such a good big sister!

Family Pictures 10/2011

Jacey & Emily

Jacey with Mommy & Daddy

Family Pictures 10/2011

Grandpa, Grandma and Great Grandma Pritchard came to visit for a week in October!

At the plaza with Grandpa

Hanging out with Grandma Julie

Great Grandma Pritchard holding Jacey for the 1st time!

Jacey is really starting to get a personality! She is smiling A LOT and loves to play on her gym mat! She isn't quite rolling over yet but very very close!

Jacey playing on her gym mat!

Jacey playing on her gym mat!

We spent last weekend with my family in Columbia, MO for my Aunt's 50th birthday and for Thanksgiving.

Jacey & Great Grandma

4 Generations! Jacey, Mom, Grandma, & Great Grandma!

Jacey & Mommy! 5 Months old at my Aunt's B-Day party!

Sorry this was a long one! As you can see we have been busy since the NICU! Jacey is growing and getting stronger everyday! Tomorrow we go to Grandma and PaPa's house in St. Joe for Jacey's 1st Thanksgiving! Until next time...