More Pictures

Tobias in sepia

 

 Tobias sleeping next to daddy

 

 Tobias and mommy

 

 Tobias and daddy "sleeping" on the couch

 

Tobias and daddy playing video games

Picture Time!

Tobias ended up coming home on Monday because they wanted to keep an eye on him for one more day.  Now that we have him home we all feel so much better.  Ashley is healing up pretty well, but is sleeping so much better now that we are in our own bed.  Tobias sleeps so well and barely ever cries.  Gizmo absolutely loves Tobias and would protect him with all 9 lives.  Daddy got to relax quite a bit, but still got to feed Tobias and change him throughout the week.  A lot of cuddling was done and a lot of laughs were shared.  However, daddy is now back to work and misses his family very much!  I figured you guys would all like to see pictures and it will help me to not miss him so much, so without further ado here we go!

Tobias in his car seat, he loves to suck on the monkeys

Tobias break dancing in his bassinet

Tobias crying after his first bath at home

Tobias' little feet

Tobias praying

Ashley's hospital picture, see the resemblance?

Mommy and baby exhausted after a long day

Father and son

Tobias Is Coming Home?

Happy Family

 

Today is my last day of work before my vacation, I will be returning to work next Friday.  Ashley is doing really well and is feeling much better.  Tobias is doing great and might have some special news.  The doctors said that if he continues to progress like he has been, he will be coming home with us on Sunday.  Ashley will be released from the hospital tomorrow and leave for a few hours.  She will then go back Saturday night and stay at the NICU before bringing Tobias home on Sunday.

Please keep us in your prayers, we really want to see Tobias get healthy quick!

 

Daddy and Tobias holding hands

 

Welcome Tobias Edward Thornton

Tobias Edward at birth

Tobias Edward Thornton was born yesterday (April 11th, 2012) at 4:44 PM at Hamot Women's Hospital.  He weighed in at 7lbs 4oz.  He was born via C Section.  I was later told that the number 444 indicates the presence of angels, which is very fitting with his religious name.

Tobias wrapped up in the NICU

During the C Section some complications were encountered and Tobias' lungs filled up with amniotic fluid.  He was admitted to the NICU for monitoring because he was straining to breathe.  After 4 hours they admitted him and will monitor him closely for at least 48 hours.  Due to the complications with the surgery Ashley was not able to see or hold him after the C Section.

Ashley holding Tobias for the first time

 

 Mommy and baby again

 

A few hours after giving birth, we were able to get Ashley stable and wheeled down to the NICU.  The tension in the air was so thick you could cut it with a knife, nobody was quite sure how mommy would react.  As the nurses rolled Ashley's bed up next to Tobias, you could feel how happy Ashley was and we didn't think she could be any happier.  She was forewarned that she would not be able to hold Tobias and was only allowed to ask once.  If the NICU staff said no, she wasn't to complain or ask again.  Before mommy had a chance to even ask, Lisa the NICU nurse at the time, offered to let Ashley hold Tobias.  Ashley cried tears of joy and was the happiest person that she has ever been.  Even though he was hooked up to the monitors and they had to hold oxygen to his face, she didn't notice anything other than how amazing he is.

Around 3 AM last night, the NICU staff took Tobias off of oxygen and he was maintaining good oxygen levels on his own.  First thing this morning at 9:30 AM the nurses took Ashley down to the NICU and she has been down there ever since.  Around noon the staff put Tobias into a "big boy bed".  I stopped in on lunch break and got to hold him for awhile.  As I was leaving Ashley started to breastfeed Tobias for the first time.

 

A special thank you goes out to everyone that visited Ashley at the hospital, those that brought gifts, and everyone that offered to help in anyone.  A friend of ours, Katie, even stopped by our house and started cleaning it for us and taking care of Gizmo.

I will keep you all updated as things progress, below are some videos of our experiences.

Tobias Edward Thornton Enters the World

 

Ashley Hold Tobias for the Very First Time - Part 1

Ashley Hold Tobias for the Very First Time - Part 2

Caesarean section?

Ashley at 36 weeks 5 days

I know that I have been trying to post a picture of Ashley every week, but this one takes the cake for me.  Look at that big baby bump and those skinny little legs.  Throughout Ashley's pregnancy she has still only gained 2 pounds.  I swear she is the luckiest woman in the world!

Ashley had her appointment with the OB/GYN today.  When they measured her belly it measured at 41 weeks! The doctor couldn't stop commenting that we have a huge baby on our hands!  Then the doctor said that it is really looking like Ashley will require a Caesarean section and they would like to do it soon.  Ashley has another appointment on Tuesday April 17th for a sonogram and afterwards we will be scheduling the C-Section.

With only 22 days left (technically) I already knew that the pregnancy was coming to an end and I couldn't be more excited!  Now they are talking about Tobias being born next week?  I'll take it, I'm okay with that!  I just can't wait to hold my son in my arms for the first time and feel the moment that ever father never forgets.  It is an amazing feeling to know that I will be a father soon, but I'm sure this feeling won't hold a candle to how I feel when I hold him in my arms.

I Saw My Son

Tobias Edward at 35 weeks 6 days

 I saw my son yesterday and I couldn't have been happier!  He is getting big, the doctors are approximating his weight at 6 lbs. 15 oz!  His head is bigger than most babies, but he gets that from me.  The picture is above, unfortunately the sonogram technician we had this time was less focused on 4D and more focused on measurements.  That is okay, because that is what we were there for.  We have another sonogram scheduled in 2 weeks at 7 AM so I can still go and see him, that is if he isn't born by then.

 Ashley at 36 weeks

Above is a picture of Ashley at this stage in the pregnancy.  Not much has changed since last week, but she is eating a lot healthier.  I have been trying to feed her as many nutrients and proteins as I can.  She doesn't mind the attention, don't let her fool you.  We have been so excited, it seems like Tobias is all we ever talk about.  She has the same patience I do and she just wants to meet our son

I hope you all enjoy the pictures and I would love to hear from you in the comments section below.

Ashley at 35 Weeks and 2 Days

Ashley at 35 weeks 2 days

Wish Me Luck!

Ashley at 34 weeks and 1 day

Sorry for the short post today, I am headed off to our house closing!  Please wish me luck that everything goes smoothly. 

Another Birthday and Another Hospital Visit

Ashley at 33 weeks

So as of Monday (March 12th) I am a year older, clocking in at 26 years old.  I had a great birthday this year, which I really needed.  I got out of work early, Ashley made a fantastic dinner (Steak and Potatoes), and I got presents of course!

I took the day off of blogging for my birthday and then locked out my Google account yesterday, so sorry for not posting.  I am back up and hitting the ground running today. 

Ashley had to pay a visit the emergency room yesterday.  She got a little cold and it led to a nasty ear infection.  The doctor prescribed ear drops and an antibiotic.  She is feeling a little better today, but isn't up to much.

We also got news last night that we will finally be closing on our house next week.  We have been living in the new house since December waiting for the closing.  That will be one less thing to stress about and we will be all settled down for Tobias.

Sometimes you can't be too sure....

Yes, she took three...

 

Ashley was told that due to a thyroid condition she would probably never be able to have kids.  We still tried to conceive for well over a year since she stopped taking birth control.  Well, we started to notice that all of the side effects of her condition were going away.  Her hair stopped falling out, she gained a lot of color in her skin, and she had more energy throughout the day.  Then she started to go to the bathroom a lot and I jokingly said, "Well you must be pregnant".  She took a pregnancy test that she had from a previous scare and ran to the bathroom.  A few minutes later I heard, "Um, Ryan, Come here!" and I ran in to see her looking at something on the sink with a huge smile on her face.  We hugged, kissed, and laughed.  For the following 2 days she took the other tests and finally got it confirmed by a doctor.

That's the story of how we find out that Ashley was pregnant, I hope you all enjoyed!

25 Week Sonogram

Daddy's little guy...

18 Week Sonogram - Sucking Thumb

Tobias sucking his thumb...

Tobias' Nursery

 His name above his window

I told you guys the other day that I would post pictures of Tobias' nursery, well here they are.  The ceiling is panted white and the walls are painted tan.  The blinds in the window will be replaced soon, but for now they do the job.  Ashley picked up letters at a hobby shop and painted them green, I was able to just set them on the window and they stay just fine.

 Tobias' crib and stroller

This is where our little guy will sleep once he is able to sleep in his own room.  The blanket hanging over the crib is a crocheted blanket that Ashley made.

 Jungle animals above his dresser

I got a little creative with wall appliques and thought it would be pretty cool to do over his dresser and above his door.  We may add more, but we ran out after doing 2 sets.  I needed to add a little color in the room so that he has something to look at.

 Jungle animal above his door

His changing table and closet

Nothing too exciting here, just his changing table (sorry for the mess) and the door to his closet.  We need to get a pad for the changing table, so hopefully someone buys one as a shower gift.

That is all for the pictures, but what you can't see is my big smile behind the camera.  The thought of Tobias having his own room makes it feel to me that he is already here.  Every time I walk by his room I get a smile on my face and I'm sure that will ring true after he is born as well.

I saw Tobias yesterday!

Ashley at 30 weeks 5 days

I saw Tobias yesterday and it wasn't on a computer screen.  Ashley was laying in bed and he was moving around in her belly and I could see it through her skin.  It was probably one of the coolest things I have ever seen.  I then rubbed her belly and talked to him and he responded by moving around more.  How cool is that? 

It is amazing how much he is growing everyday and how much Ashley's belly grows over a short period of time.  Being in the home stretch makes me even more impatient, knowing that he will be here so soon!

18 Week Sonogram

Our little Tobias...

 

This sonogram was very special, because it was the day we found out our little baby is a boy.  I had a few tears of joy and Ashley did as well. At that point we officially decided to name him Tobias Edward Thornton.  I probably called every person in my phone contacts whether it was someone I talk to or not.

Ashley and Gizmo

 Ashley at 30 weeks

Ashley was 30 weeks pregnant yesterday, it really seems like the time is flying by.  Now that we only have 10 weeks left it seems like time is just slowing down.  I am so excited to meet my little guy and he is all I can ever think about now.  Ashley is feeling good other than the occasional headache or some heartburn.

Gizmo licking his sore paw

Gizmo is healing up well, he is still pretty sore but he is getting back to being his normal self.  Yesterday he had his last dose of kitty painkillers and it is just so funny to see the way he acts after taking them.  I hope that he doesn't have a whole lot of pain now since there is nothing left that we can give him.  He is so cute when he shows us his paw, like look guys see what you did to me!  He has been cuddling with us and sleeping in our bed a lot more than he used to.

I can honestly say that I am the happiest man in the world and I know I will be even happier once Tobias is here stirring up trouble with his dad.

Very Special Appointment

 Tobias Edward side-view 29 weeks 6 days

Yesterday was a very special appointment for a few reasons.  Ashley went through a Glucose test, which we will receive the results of within a few days.  We got to see our baby boy again, it seems like it has been too long since I have had the chance to see him.

 Tobias Edward 4D face 29 weeks 6 days

What made the appointment really special is that Judy, Ashley's grandmother, was able to come to the appointment and see the sonogram.  Just a little background, Ashley's grandparents raised her from a child and she looks at them like her parents.  Ashley's grandmother (Judy) was never able to have kids of her own, so we found it only fitting to let her be involved in the process of Ashley's pregnancy.

 Tobias Edward 4D face 29 weeks 6 days

Judy had quite a few questions for the ultrasound technician, which is quite usual for Judy, but that's why we love her!  Just to see her expressions and interest towards the procedure was a wonderful miracle in and of itself.

 Tobias Edward 4D face 29 weeks 6 days

The ultrasound technician offered to put the pictures on a CD for us, so that we can share them with the world.  Ashley is feeling good and is very excited about sharing the sonogram pictures as well.

8 Week Sonogram

Our baby at 8 weeks...

First Sonogram

First Sonogram

I figured it might be nice to post some sonograms.  I will post a new one every few days until I have posted them all.

Crib Set

 Changing table

 Crib

Dresser

We received this furniture set as an early baby shower gift.  I believe it is from Walmart, if anyone wants to know I can get the full details.  It was very easy to follow the directions and assemble everything, not that I would know because Ashley proudly built everything while I was at work.  Sorry about the mess in the one picture, we were just moving into to our house.  One word of warning, she had to disassemble the crib because she built it in the family room.  It was too wide to fit through the nursery door.