Day 28

A fairly nice day for us. Brayden's doc tried to get him back down to 1 liter of flow but he again decided he wasn't quite ready for it. Maybe in a few more days. He hit 4lb - 2oz today and continues to eat like a champion, but that's about all the excitment. Right now we just wait and hope he keeps maturing quickly. Here is a little shot of the dude sleeping...like you haven't seen this before, aye?

Day 27

Well, I guess since yesterday was such an exciting day for us, we (And by we, I really mean Erin and Grandma P) forgot to take pictures of the baby today...we did however get a nice picture of the security guard at the front of the hospital right before he came over and almost killed us for taking pictures...I guess we look like terrorist. To give you a sense of scale, the women in the picture to the right is 6 foot 2.....ok I'm kidding, but this dude is MASSIVE. So, here is a picture of the biggest security guard on the face of this planet!!!!!!

Day 26 - 4LBS

Today is the day, after gaining what seems like a ton of weight the past 3 days (another 40 grams last night) the little man has finally hit the mark. If he keeps up his torrid pace he will be 17lbs come New Years Day....ok, so I'm exaggerating, but he would be 6lbs if he keeps this pace up.

And, not only did he get to 4lbs but he also made it into a crib last night and was able to hold his temperature. So, here he is in his plastic crib...considering the amount of money it's costing for him to be in the NIC-U, I would have thought this crib was made of solid gold.

Day 25

Brayden continues to show me up! After stating that the 80 grams he gained yesterday was most by far, he decided to pack on 90 today, that's right 170 grams in 2 days, that could me a world record. 24 more grams to go till 4lb. Eventually he has to poop though so it may still be a few more days. We also found out that since he is doing so well again, they are going to begin his journey out of the incubator and into a normal crib...I'm not sure how were going to take pictures with out the plastic glare in our face but I'm sure we'll manage. Here's to hoping tomorrows pics are from a crib.

Day 24

What a day...after somewhat of a concering weekend, we found out that all his vitals are back to normal and he gained 80grams, the most by far since his birth. He continues to inch closer and closer to the ever elusive 4lbs. For today's picture I decided to go rated "R" and show off the little man in his diaper. Is it just me or is he posing???? And by the looks of that belly he is clearly taking after his daddy...the verdict is still out though.

Day 23

Not one of our better days as Brayden made sure the docs knew he was not at all happy about them lowering his flow form 1.5 liters to 1 liter. Erin and I stressed nearly all day until they finally raised it back up. Trial and Error I guess! Again considering how rough his day was we didn't get a chance to do our best impression of the paparazzi so here is a picture of what we stared at all day.

Day 22

Talk about a quiet day! The little man decided he was going to sleep all day. Good news is he gained another ounce, taking him to 3-10.....4lbs is right around the corner. The bad news is, it was such a quiet day that we only got pictures of the back of his head and his incubator...so here's a picture of his incubator.

Day 21

Exciting day for us as little man continued his weight gain after thanksgiving (Haven't we all), gaining another 35grams, taking him up to 3lb - 9oz. As well, we had many visitors with Marc and Georgia coming down from Oregon and Rod and Maritta (Sorry if I spelled that wrong, Maritta) making another trip from sin city to see their nephew. Late in the day that little man got pretty frisky and uncle Marc was able to hold him, not for long though as the "little man" decided to put a scare into the "Baby Boy" and had a few heart rate drops. Marc did good but he quickly handed him over to Ol' DAD....as if I really know what I'm doing.

Glad you all could make it and look foward to seeing ya soon!!!!

Day 20 - Happy Thanksgiving

Happy thanksgiving to the little man! His nurse shared with us that he gained a whopping 65 grams today (sounds to me like someone had a little to much pie), that now takes him up to 3lb - 7 1/2 oz. If he keeps it up he could hit 4lb in early december.

P.S. Thanks to Georgias parents, Tim and Phyliss Beers, for having us for t-day, great food and a good time...wish we could have stayed longer.

Day 19

Well, it was a fairly quite day, lots of sleeping and very little weight gain. Little man is still hovering around 3lb-50z. Erin is looking forward to the babies first thanksgiving and by the looks of that hand in his mouth so is he...can you say MONKEY BREAD, Brayden???? I know I can.

Day 18

Although this picture is a little blurry thanks to the plastic on the incubator, I had to post this picture. Erin thinks he's just stretching, but those arms in the air sure remind me of a future tennessee titans qb who just scored his first touchdown. That's right, you heard it here first, the next Titans QB....I'm charging 25 bucks an autograph...let's get the line started on the right side of the incumbator please, and no pushing!!!!

Day 17

Well, well, someone else got to hold the baby today. That's right, I finally relinquished my hold on the little man and let G'ma Pat hold the baby. Considering her first baby was a 10 pounder, she had no problem holding this little tike. Now it's time to get all the other grand parents down here to start baby sitting...whoops I meant holding him. :)

Day 16

Just got home from the hospital. Erin and I were able to hold the baby for more than 2 hours today. he gained 10grams today, so he is just under 3lb-4oz.

Day 15

Just got home from the hospital. The little man gained 20 grams today and is now 3lb 3oz. He is getting 30cc of formula over 1.5 hours and continues to do well. Mommy held her baby boy again today, but he was a bit fussy with his sats.

Day 14

Well, the little man is now 2 weeks old but still only 30 and 3 in terms of gestation. As in the past he continues to do well and we found out from Larry the nurse that he was again graduating, this time to nursery "C". He went up 53 grams today and is now 3lb-2oz. Oh yea, almost forgot, he loves to suck on fingers now too.

Day 13

Well, well, well. I told everyone that I would hold the little man till he hit 4lbs. That all changed when his nurse found out that I had yet to hold him. She pushed me in the rocking chair and handed me the little man. It took a while to get used..frankly I was affraid to move. He started sucking on my neck too..was worried he'd give me a hickie and I'd have some explaining to do to the ol' wifey.

P.S. My nose only looks that big because he's that small...thanks mom for the nose.

Day 12

A very exciting day for us as we found out yesterday that Brayden could now start wearing clothes. Erin and G'ma of course went shopping as soon as they found out. Here's the little man in his first outfit. It's a little big but he'll grow into it.

Day 11

Fairly quite day, little man decided he would sleep all day, including while Erin held him.

Day 10

Some how we forgot to take pictures of the "little man" today. But we did film a short movie of daddy holding his head.

Day 9

Nothing new to report except mommy got him a stuffed pig for his "room." Here he is sleeping with it.

Day 8

Still growing, and looking some much different than I did just a week ago.

Day 7

Happy 1 week birthday to the "little man." I have graduated to room B now too. The nurses found out that I really love to lay on my stomach!!!

Day 6

Mommy and baby bond some more today, this time he get's to wear a hat to help him stay warm.

Day 5

Brayden continues to put on a weight now. He is back up to his birth weight of 2lb-14oz after losing 4oz after birth. As well, because he is back to 1300grams, Erin was able to hold him today. A very emotional day for everyone.

Day 4

Erin is back to the high risk unit and doing great. Erin finally met the baby and he knew his mama the second she touched him..just check out those big eyes.

Day 3

Everyone is doing good. Erin getting out of ICU. Hopefully Erin can see the baby tomorrow!

Day 2

Erin off the vent. No pics of baby.

Day 1

The newest member of the Sholty family was born today at 2:28. The baby is doing doing well; Erin not so much. She will fight through this and be ready for the "little man" in no time. He was 2lb-14oz and 14.5 inches long at birth. Not bad for being 3 month premature, eh?