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

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.

Related Videos

So some videos were shared with me and I thought I would share them with all of you.  The first one was shared by Ashley it is a song by Rodney Atkins with lyrics and I thought it was pretty cool.

The other video was shared by one of my readers, DoceanMotion, and it makes me really think about what I am doing with my blog.  It is called DearSophie by Google Chrome and it is about a father emailing his daughter while she is growing up to show her later in life.  I can only hope that I will be able to do the same with Tobias.

I'm sure that someday, whether I want to imagine it or not, that Tobias will find out that he is becoming a father.  I want him to be able to read this blog and understand how I felt during this process.  I want him to know that I am excited to be his father and want to play a huge role in his life.

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.