Before the year ends...

Yep.  I know I never fail to mention how much of a slacker I am, so from now on, I'll just assume you all know. 

We moved to Arizona back in September, and I couldn't be happier!  Welton has taken to the new place quite well, and I'm glad we have more space since he his now crawling around like a mad man, and quickly becoming a puller-upper.  He can't wait to get on his feet, but I'm a little worried since I know he needs to crawl for a little longer (it's only been 2 weeks).  He no longer needs therapy since physically he is performing at his corrected age and he is at his actual age in all other categories (cognitive, speech, feeding, emotional and social).  Welton is 25 lbs and 32" long.  So, he is in the 65% for weight (for 1 year) and 80% for height.  He got his helmet off after only 3 months, and his 6th tooth is getting ready to break through.  We had a great Halloween, birthday and Christmas.  Here are a few pictures from the festivities.

Welton is doing better than we could have ever dreamed, and it's all due to amazing medical care, countless prayers, and infinite love from friends and family.  We miss all of you, and can't wait to visit GA and UT!  We hope everyone had a great Christmas and have a super-duper happy new year!!!!

Pictures

Getting fitted for his helmet.

Not a happy camper.

Look at the back of his head; that is why he needed a helmet.

He loves him some food.

SITTING UP!

Football time with Daddy.

First time in the big boy buggy seat.

Reminds me of baby pictures of my big brother Steven.

Meh.

Plum tuckered.

Sup?

Nap time.

Holding his own bottle!

There IS an Arizona!!!

I'm a horrible blogger, but I find that to be the only way I can be a half decent mother and wife. 

I'm sure you're all (but you all I of course mean my mother, because I'm fairly confident she's the only one who reads this) tired of my excuses and apologies for not updating as often as you'd like, and I make no promises to change.  I will, however, try my best to do better.

Now that we're past that, I do know that those of you (mom) who do read this really only care about hearing about and seeing my amazingly beautiful child so I won't bother talking about  my boring self.

Welton is almost 11 months old, and he just passed his 7 months corrected milestone.  He is shooting par for physical and developmental goals, doing everything he should by 7 months.  He won't roll from his back to his tummy though, because he hates being on his tummy.  This poses a problem when it comes to crawling, but we are told that it's not a huge concern right now.  He is sitting like a champ, and goes most of the day without toppling over.  When he does though, it's super sad because with the helmet on, it hurts his little head.  Oh, yeah, he got a helmet about 2 months ago and will probably be wearing it for another month or 2.  I have no idea how much he weighs, but when we go in for his 1 year check up, I will be sure to share all his stats. 

He still sleeps through the night (he started that 2 weeks after we got home from the hospital), but he has started waking up randomly and playing for a few minutes and then goes back to sleep.  He takes 2 or 3 naps a day and is eating like a champ (evident by his large stature).  His favorites are apples with cinnamon and green beans.  There are no teeth to speak of, but he gnaws on everything he can get a hold of, so I'm sure they will be coming soon.  He has the funniest laugh.  It's not a giggle, but sounds more like a screech owl.  And it's hilarious.  He is a chatterbox, and makes at least one new sound every day.  Under his helmet he has a thick mop of shiny black hair and it's growing like a weed.  He smiles pretty much all day, and makes my heart happy.  Everyone who meets him comments on his good nature and adorable dimples.

We are loving being back in Arizona, and I swear I will write more later.  I'm tired.  Pictures will be uploaded once I get them on my computer. 

So much to share, I just don't share anything.

Is it possible that life simultaneously moves in slow motion and fast forward?  That's what it feels like.  So, since my time is all messed up, I'll just put a bunch of pictures of my adorable child.  Here ya go!

Taking a nap, but not willing to let go of his toys. 

Finally getting to use the "big boy" straps on his swing!

Before first rice cereal...

After first rice cereal.

Welton's first 4th of July.  We found out on the 4th of July LAST year that he would be joining the family.

Red, white, and blue family on Independence Day!

Unbe-weave-able!

Yes, I have been off enjoying motherhood.  I think I told y'all I would be M.I.A. for a while, and well, I was right.  I figured I should update everyone on the puddin' pop we call Welton.

He had a minor infection at the beginning of the month that made his belly button a little swollen, but it was nothing a 10-day course of anti-biotics couldn't handle.  I'm so glad they make baby medicine in yummy flavors.  We also got to take the little man on his first vacation.  We headed down to Arizona to visit my family, and for Ben to work.  He was amazing in the car, only waking up 3 times for maybe half an hour each.  It made the 11 hour drive mostly bearable.  Baby took his first dip in a pool, and he loved the water.  It came as no surprise, because he has always loved bath time.  We got to spend time with Ali and her family, and Ben and his family.  We had our first family photoshoot, and the little tub tolerated it all right.  (Thanks Pizzozey) 

Once we got home and life got back to normal, Welton had his 6 month check-up at the pediatrician.  He was a WHOPPING 14 lbs. 11 oz, and 24 1/2 in. long.  He is in the 90% for his adjusted age (meaning he is bigger than 90% of the babies that were born on his due date, March 6th).  LUCKILY, his head is only in the 25%tile, which means he escaped the curse of the Cowart head (although he did get the forehead and furrowed brow).  EVerything else regarding his health is up to par for his corrected age, and he is even functioning at about 50% of his real age.  Of the list of milestones a baby should reach by 6 months, he is doing about half, which the doctor called remarkable.  He shook his head in disbelief several times, commenting that he had never seen a 24 weeker do so well.  Welt's vocal cords are starting to strengthen and he is making new sounds, and louder sounds, every day.  He's already eating us out of house and home, which makes me cringe to think about him being 16.  We will probably start him on solid food in the next month or so.

I don't know why Heavenly Father felt that we deserved such a special, strong little boy, but man am I thankful. 

He has such a sweet demeanor and loves being around people, now that he is allowed!  His smiles and laughs make my world complete.  We are looking forward to the summer, now that it is finally warming up.  Hopefully we will be able to visit Arizona again, and maybe even make a trip back to Georgia, so he can meet the rest of my family.  Going back to Samoa will have to wait a few years, as I don't think I am equipt to deal with an infant on a 14 hour flight. 

Anyhoo, that's just a little info.  I know I forgot a ton of stuff, so if you have any questions, leave me a comment or facebook us.  Til next time...

No strings attached!

Well, I was planning on updating everyone about surgery, life, etc, but we got an exciting call from the doctor this morning!  Welton is officially off oxygen and the apnea monitor!!!!!!!!  Words cannot express my excitement when I was able to carry him from one room to another, without lugging the monitor and wheeling the huge oxygen tank behind. 

Ok, let me explain.  No, there is too much.  Let me sum up.

On March 27th, Benjamin Welton Tuinei was blessed, with lots of friends and family there to support us. 17 worthy priesthood holders stood in the circle with my husband, to give Welton a name and a baby blessing. It was one of my all-time favorite moments. I sat outside with the baby until it was time, and we lugged him and all his equipment to the chapel. After, we went right back out, and I got a couple surprises! My friends Amanda and Brooke from Arizona (now in Utah and Seattle) were there, and my cousin James and his family made it. Trisha and Aaron left their own kids at their church to come! It reminded me of my Chuck E. Cheese days, when people would drop off the kids to play and go across the street to Bennigans for dinner :) My parents and my brother Matt were able to be here, and Ben's parents and all the local brothers and sisters came to the blessing and/or the luncheon at San's house. Shelly, Welton's NICU gramma also came! I know there were others, and I'm so glad everyone made it!  Here's what it all looked like :)

Getting ready for church!

Gramma Shelly

Amanda, Brooke, Baby Dub and me.

Afterwards.  The weather was perfect that day!

My family (Matt, Bob & Ronnie, Cousin Mike, Aunt Clara, Cousin James & his wife Marianne & kids).

Immediate family + the Snows

Nana and Welt

March 30th, Welton went in for his hernia surgery.  His belly button and right boy part were both repaired.  The surgeon found a tear in the left boy part, so he fixed that before it turned into a hernia.  He also removed a pocket of water that had built up, but that was a very small problem.  Welton came out of the anesthesia very quickly, and was back on his regular schedule after only a few hours.  We spent the night in the hospital (mandatory for infant who have surgery), and after a very uncomfortable sleep, came home with our beautiful, repaired baby.  His follow up with the surgeon was this past Tuesday, and he said the baby has healed beautifully.  A small pocket of water has formed in the right boy part, but it's not harmful and doesn't cause pain.  Doc says if it's not gone in 6 months, we'll get it taken care of, just because the swelling isn't good for him.  Other than that, he's perfect.

Just a little too long :)

All ready for surgery!

Recovering, just chillin with Daddy

I will say one thing for not circumcising a baby boy...it's much less messy.  Before, pee just went down.  Now, it's a freakin fountain!  We had Welt snipped a week after the surgery, and he peed ALL OVER Ben as soon as we got home.  It.  Was.  Awesome!  And messy.  But, the surgeon said the pediatrician did a wonderful job!

Just watching some t.v.

And today, I got a lovely call from the nurse at baby's doctor.  Saturday, we did an overnight oxygen saturation study.  Wednesday, the nurse called and said that his O2 was still below target 8% of the time, so he recommended we stay on a little longer.  Today, the nurse said that was a different doc, because our doc was out of town when the results came in.  Our doc said "that's MUCH better than it was, and he's free to be taken off the oxygen and apnea monitor."  YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!! 

No more tubes, wires, or cords.  That's one happy baby.

So, besides getting huge (almost 12 pounds now) and smiling all the time, that's about it.  I will try my best to keep up with the blog, but it's hard to care about when all I want to do is stare at him and hold him all day.  I'm sure all the mommas and daddys out there can understand. 

We love you all!  Ben, Heather & Welton the Great

Long Lost Tuineis

I'm doing this from my phone, so I'm really not gonna go into detail. Baby is fat. Blessing, surgery, and circumcision went well. Details when I can use my computer! Love you all!

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.8

Fat baby in a little onesie.

My baby is 10 pounds.  TEN POUNDS!  He's almost 6 times the size he was when he was born.  Umm, seriously?  Seriously. 

Last night, Welton was off oxygen for almost 6 hours.  His oxygen saturation only dropped below 80 (the goal is above 86) a handful of times, and only for a few seconds.  He has a hard time eating while on room air, so today, the pediatrician said we would be on the oxygen for a little while longer.  We'd love for him to be off the oxygen all together, but, at this point,he is doing far better than we could have imagined.  Gaining weight and using less oxygen should help his surgery go well (March 30th).  The big boy had 4 of his immunization shots today, and man he wasn't happy.  His first band-aids were Curious George :)  Other than being spoiled by mom and dad, he seems to be pretty well adjusted :)

We are blessing Welton this Sunday, March 27th, at 11 a.m.  Our chapel is at 2150 N. Pointe Meadow Dr. in Lehi.  Just take exit 282 off of I-15, go about a mile west and the chapel is on the right. (it's NOT the copper-top on the left, it's the newer chapel on the right, just before the dead end).  If you google or gps it, it will send you too far.  It's on the corner of 2100 N. and Pointe Meadow Dr.  We'd love to see all our family and friends there!  Welt will only be there for the blessing, and then whisked away from all the kid germs!

Stud Muffin

Silly Monkey

Happy about his Curious George band aide.

I'll let y'all know how the surgery goes next week. 

M.I.A.

Sorry I'm being a slacker, but my two favorite women are here.  Mom, Ali and I are having fun.  They love my baby.  I'm not surprised.  I'll work on something later this week.

I'm gonna be a super model!

The sun was too bright--the car ride home for the first time!!!



Chunky baby face



The shirt says it all.  He's my gremlin.



MOM!  The t.v. is too loud!!!

Sleeps just like a Cowart.

Froggy bottom.

Cutest little boy in the world, if I do say so myself.

Scar face

You know those crazy women in the Guinness Book of World Records who have ridiculously long finger nails that hang to the ground?  That's my son.  He scratched the crap out of my cheek and chest yesterday, so last night I got a couple pairs of baby nail clippers from Target.  I'm still trying to muster up the courage to try it.  I'm deathly afraid of snipping off the tips of his fingers.  I could just wait for my sister Ali to get here.  She's a pro at it.  Her bff is a cosmetologist who frequently gives/gets manicures, but she can't clip her own baby's nails, so Ali does it for her.

We just got back from the pediatrician!  Big Boy Welt is 8 lbs. 10 oz.  and going strong.  We are taking him off the high calorie formula, so he will stop gaining so fast.  He's in the 75th percentile for preemies, which is pretty exciting.  I noticed a few days ago that baby's tongue was connected, so we had the pediatrician clip it.  Welton cried for a minute or two, but has been zonked out ever since.  I wanted it done now so that when he starts to try talking, he doesn't have two things working against him (tongue and the vocal cord).

We are setting up a time next week to do an overnight sat test to see if we can come off the oxygen and monitor.  I must say, it will be nice to walk to the other room with the baby and not have to haul around a huge oxygen tank.

March 7th was his due date, so I guess he's officially 5 days old now :)  He's doing a lot of things that he's not supposed to do for a few more months.  When I'm running on more than 2 hours of sleep, I'll let you know what those things are.  My brain is shutting down.

beep boops balhbbity beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep 000000.  reeeeeeeehgulubglubeeeeeeeeek.  Done.

One week down, eternity to go.

Welp, the title really says it all.  I figure the sleep deprivation Ben and I are experiencing now will be nothing compared to my not sleeping when he's a teenager.  I think I'm finally coming around to realizing that things are all right and that he is actually going to be a teenager one day.  I spent all day, every day, for the last 4 months, worrying that something was going to go wrong.  I was terrified that I would go up to the NICU and nurses and doctors would be swarming around him.  I just knew that they were going to have to hit that code button at one point or another.  Nope.  It didn't happen.  He's good.  He's great.  He's apparently a medical marvel.  He has beaten all the odds.  I should have no reason to be scared that things won't be fine from here on out.  But I am.  I think I will be for a while, but now that I'm aware of the problem, I'm trying to work through it.  I have never seen a more perfect human being.  He's sweet and pleasant (unless he's hungry, then he's a beast, but a very cute and quiet beast).  He sounds like a gremlin whether he's eating, sleeping, or pooping.  He sounds like Stripe, but looks as cute as Gizmo :)  I don't throw the word miracle around very often.  But uh, I'm the momma to one.

Welton's first week home was very busy.  I know I mentioned the pediatrician in the last post, so I won't be redundant.  Baby's hernias are apparently pretty serious, but the surgeon wants to wait until after RSV season for him to spend any time in the children's hospital.  We're scheduled for March 30th, and hopefully he will be off oxygen and will have gained more weight.  Both factors will make the surgery go more smoothly.  Welt's ROP is non-existent now!  The ophthalmologist said that his eyes have healed themselves, and that this is the first time he can recall (and he's no spring chicken) that he hasn't had to perform surgery on a 24 weeker (like I said, miracle).  Some time in the next few weeks, we will do an overnight monitoring of the baby's O2 sats, to determine if he needs to stay on the oxygen or not.  He absolutely hates the cannula up his nose and the adhesive that holds it on.  He's gotten very sneaky with his grubby little hands and pulls his cannula out several times a day.

I was a little distracted during the baby shower thrown by my in-laws, being the first time I'd spent away from the baby since he came home.  It's a good thing his daddy is awesome with him.  Anyway, the shower was so much fun.  Decorations were cute, food was great, I only cried once or twice talking about my little boy, and Ben's family was more than generous.  I hadn't really spent time with them since I got pregnant, so it was good to catch up and see everyone.  Some of the kids look like they have grown a foot, just since last summer.

I'm super excited about my mom and dad coming out.  Mom will be here for 3 weeks to help out, and my dad is coming for baby's blessing and conference.  Ali's coming out for a weekend to help me get the nursery together and, of course, to see Bon Jovi.  It will be nice to have some Cowart family in town, and maybe to sleep for an hour or two :)

For those of you here, or who want to come, Welton will be blessed at our ward building on Sunday, March 27th.  The service begins at 11:00, and we would love for our family and friends to be there.  After all, it is because of all your prayers and love that he is doing so well, that we get to spend every day with this beautiful, healthy little spirit.  Well, he's a little boy, but a huge spirit.    I don't have the address for the church right now, but I will be posting it soon, and will probably send out an email as well.

Lastly, I want to give a shout out to two women who I will never be able to thank enough: Gramma Shelly and Auntie Tamara.  They are two of the nurses who took care of Welton.  Shelly was a day shift primary nurse, and Tamara was a night shift primary nurse.  Any mother would worry about her baby when she couldn't be there to take care of him all the time.  But the only peace I ever had was when I thought about these women who spend their lives taking care of other people's children.  And they didn't just take care of him, they took care of me.  They had been in this situation before, and I was so new, and nervous and scared.  They made it abundantly clear that they loved my little boy, but made it even more clear that I was his Momma and that he loved me and knew me.  When I doubted my abilities, they were there to reassure me and lift me up.  I am eternally indebted to these two ladies (and the numerous others who took care of him) and I just want them to know that I love them, and have seldom felt the appreciation and love for a non-family member.  Well, at this point, they may not be blood, but they are family.  We love you.  SO much.

Ok.  Time for sleep.  So long.

Home Sweet Home

It's hard to write this because I had to put the baby down.  He's sleeping peacefully while lying next to me on the couch.  He's as beautiful as ever.  I can't kiss him enough, and instead of being afraid that the back of his head will be flat, I'm afraid I will make him have a flat forehead.  I try not to press my lips too hard :)  His hair is soft and fuzzy and he's got sweet little fat rolls on his tummy and thighs. 

Welt has gained 7 oz. since we brought him home Friday night.  He's up to 7 lbs. 6 oz., and the pediatrician said today that if he keeps gaining like this, he will go to regular infant formula and stop the 22 calorie. 

Medically, he's doing better than we ever expected.  He's on 3 medications: prevacid for his reflux, iron for his anemia, and miralax (he's not constipated, but it makes bowel movements easier on his hernia).  We are meeting with the surgeon tomorrow to discuss when his surgery will be.  Hopefully he will fix both hernias (he has one in his boy parts and one in the belly button).  He came home on a very low flow of oxygen and a heart and lung monitor.  The pediatrician will do an overnight study in the next few weeks to see whether we need to stay on those.  we have an appointment with the retinal specialist on Thursday, but fully expect to see no progression of his ROP.  They haven't found progression since the first week, and that it extremely uncommon for a 24 weeker.  We so grateful it's one procedure that baby doesn't have to suffer through.

I wish everyone could hear him right now.  It's the cutest noise I have EVER heard.  He snores, just like his daddy.  Fortunately, it's much, MUCH more quiet.  He doesn't like sleeping on his back, so he makes lots of funny noises at night, but we're sure he will get used to it soon. 

Ben and I are struggling with the sleep deprivation as is par for the course with "new" parents.  I have to say though, I would stay awake 24/7 if it meant having my baby sleeping 2 feet from my bed and not having to drive to Provo twice a day.  We may be tired and have bags under our eyes, but believe me when I say, we would have it NO other way. 

Well, I tried to remember everything, but if y'all have questions, leave a comment or facebook us.  We love you all, and thank you so much for the love and prayers.  We hope he continues to do well.  He can't wait to meet everyone!!!! (in a couple months (; )

What weighs more: 7 pounds of baby, or 7 pounds of poopy diapers?

Either way, they will both soon be residing at our house.  This big chunk is doing so well eating and breathing, that he will be coming home Friday or Saturday morning.  We are staying at the hospital Thursday night, with the baby, to get used to the home monitors.  Welp, I don't know how often updates will come once we are "full time" parents, but I'll try my best.  Love you all!

Junior Whopper

Well, it has been 3 months and 5 days and this little (big) boy is 6 LBS. 13 OZ.!!!  He has officially quadrupled his birthweight, and shows no signs of slowing down.

This week will probably be a long one.  Welt's hernia surgery is scheduled for Thursday (the 24th), so we are pretty anxious to say the least.  I know they say it's minimally invasive and he should recover quickly, but they will still be cutting my baby open. so I think I have the right to freak out a little.  He will be intubated for the surgery, and hopefully they will be able to remove the breathing tube the same day, or the day after.  Once he's off pain meds and back on his cannula, he will start a lower calorie formula (he's on 24 cal right now).  He will still gain weight, but not nearly as quickly as he has these past few months.

Baby is jumping between 1 LPM and 1/2 LPM.  If he continues to wean, there's a possibility he won't have to come home on oxygen.  That will be decided when we do a carseat test (to make sure the straps don't make him stop breathing).

So, I know it's really no surprise, but our baby LOVES to eat.  Every nurse that comes by tells me how surprised they are by his progress.  One even said "you must be living right, cause this baby is doing things that just aren't done by 24 weekers."  He will no longer take his binki (hallelujah) because nothing comes out of it.  He's got us grown-ups all figured out.  The original recommendation was for one bottle feeding per 12 hours, but the doc changed that order to every other feeding (4x a day).  He did so well his first few days that they now have him doing one back to back feeding every 12 hours.  It definitely tires him out quickly, though I don't think he'd have it any other way...other than a bottle every time.  He sounds like a gremlin (and sometimes a little piggie) when he eats.  His left vocal cord is the one that was damaged during his heart surgery, so when he eats, he lies on his right side where the muscles are stronger.

The retina specialist examined baby earlier this week, and again there has been NO progression in his stage 1 ROP.  The doc said that he has never seen this in a 24 weeker.  I guess our baby is breaking all kinds of molds! 

4 days ago, one of Welt's primary nurses, Tamara, told us to expect him to come home in 10-14 days.  Well, I guess now we are looking at 6-10.  The earliest we were counting on having him home was his due date, March 7th, and most docs told us that was unlikely and that he would maybe be home mid-March. 
So, Ben and I are scrambling to get things ready, and it's been especially rough since I have been attacked by allergies and Ben has a crappy cold.  We've got a place for him to sleep and a car seat, so once we get some diapers, I think we will calm down.  We've started paining his room and are trying to get the carpets cleaned before we bring home baby.  Only time will tell :)

I just can't believe that this much time has gone by and that we are so close!  I know that the love, care, concern and prayers from family and friends have been the driving force in his amazing progress.  We love y'all so much, and can't wait to show off our big boy!