Day 37. 5/6/2014.

Weight: 6lbs. 7.9oz.

Plan for the day: Nipple 3x/day, Continue ABX, rest and grow

Oh my Mighty Mav!  You had a good night also!  It's been a full 24 hours off your CPAP.  You have one more day of antibiotics.  You're nippling well, digesting your nutritious and delicious Mommy's milk (lol!) and you're continuing to gain weight!  You're still on a low dose of caffeine and will continue this as needed.

And, here's the best part of today.  Today was the first day anyone talked about the possibility of going home and what that plan entailed.  This is groundbreaking news, son!  In our 37 days here, this is the first time we've been able to see a tiny bit of light at the end of the tunnel.  That little bit of light, although tiny, feels glorious.  Dr. C. said you need to stay off CPAP, no caffeine and nipple and feed well and then we'll see!  She said you have follow up tests and scans as well.  Nurse Laura said we can bring your car seat in preparation of the car seat challenge!

Mommy came in very early this morning after dropping Daddy off at the airport.  As soon as I came in, I got to cuddle with you.  This was my favorite part of the day with you - that glorious sun was just starting to creep into your room and onto your beautiful, beautiful face.

Another good day for Team Garcia!  Go, Mav, Go!  We love you baby!  XOXO!

Day 36. 5/5/2014.

Weight: 6lbs. 7.3oz.

Plan for the day: Continue ABX, rest off CPAP and grow.

Good morning son!  Today is Daddy's birthday so Mommy took him for a special birthday brunch!  We had a most delicious short ribs loco moco with fried rice at Moena Cafe and it was amazing!

Then we stopped at a popular cupcake shoppe in Aina Haina and cheersed to his birthday!  We also got a box of these yummies for your Doctors and Nurses too!

And then the best part... we came to spend the day with you!

Happy Boy's Day!  Graham said to tell you Happy Boy's Day Baby Brother!  Here he is with his special koinobori from Aunty Helene and Aunty Cami!

The nurses got you a koinobori too!

We came in and your nurse and NP K asked of we noticed anything different and we did!  You were off your CPAP!  They said we'll try this out slowly and perhaps you don't need it anymore.  When nurse Laura did a shift change, she gave Nurse Shari the info that you are off and she rushed in here and did a happy dance with Mommy!  We celebrate everything here at the NICU - every line or tube you no longer need, every time you gain an ounce, every breath you take on your own!

Later in the evening, we took Daddy to a nice birthday dinner at Sarrento's at the top of the Ilikai Hotel in Waikiki!  There were beautiful views of the city and the city lights!

With Aunty Alison

View of the docks and Honolulu City Lights

We sure had a busy day celebrating Daddy, celebrating little boys, and celebrating you!  We love you Puppy!  XOXO!

Day 35. 5/4/2014.

Weight: 6lbs. 5.6oz.

Plan for the day: Continue ABX, nipple TID, rest and grow.

Happy FIVE weeks, Maverick Love!  Daddy and I cannot believe it has been five whole weeks since you came into this world and that we've been here for that long.  Time has been flying by because you sure do keep us busy!  But we wouldn't have it any other way!

In honor of Maui Onion Festival weekend, Mommy wore her MOF gear too:

Morning Selfie with Daddy!  God, I love your Daddy!

This morning, Nurse Nola gave us some of her expert tips on how to nipple with you and you did good son!

We did much of our usual - nursing, s2s, and baby cuddles.  You're so amazing - Daddy and I just stare at you all. day. long!  Daddy always tells me how good you smell and I totally agree lol!  Your baby smell is the best!  

And to kick off Daddy's birthday, we caught a movie and ran into your Uncle Brandon at the theater:

And enjoyed some famous Bubbies ice cream:

Good night my littlest love!  Can't wait to smell you tomorrow!  XOXO!

Annual Maui Onion Festival. 5/3/2014.

Every year in May, Lola's center, Whalers Village, hosts the annual Maui Onion Festival.  This year marked the 25th annual event.

We usually attend, but since we are here with you, Lola and Papa took your big brother Graham.  All our Honolulu fam (The Tsukayamas, The Hendersons, The Laus, etc) flew in for a fun filled weekend!

Here's some of the fun pix they sent:

At the TShirt booth!

The guys after golf!

Big brother Graham having lunch after splashing and swimming in the pool with Ivy and Lucas!

The next day at the Maui Ocean Center with the gang!

Your big brother is having so much fun and is loved by everyone!  Papa and Lola have been taking the best care of him while we are here with you, Maverick (and Aunty Al has been taking care of us)!  Mommy and Daddy are so so grateful for everyone's love and support!  We can't wait to spend next year's MOF with you and everyone else!  XOXO!

Day 34. 5/3/2014.

Weight: 6lbs. 4.8oz.

Plan for the day, Continue ABX, rest, nipple, and grow.

Daddy hung your koinobori today as Boy's Day is on Monday, which is also Daddy's Birthday!

You are indeed very courageous and ambitious, Maverick!

NNP L. said our plan is to take it slow on your CPAP and rest this weekend and see where we go on Monday.  We're good with that plan too and want you to get better at your own pace.

We had another good day.  Here you are, just being the cutest little baby puppy in town:

Daddy and Mommy went on some errands after we left the hospital this evening to pick up some things (aka we hit up our favorite store Target again lol.) And with that, the most fitting message on my coffee cup:

Then, we came home to this "Christmas Dinner" - Aunty Alison cooked us a feast with delicious prime rib!!!  We asked her what the special occasion was and she said every day is special and we are special to her!  She's totally right!  Every single day is special, Maverick!

And every day, we celebrate you and your big brother Graham!  We love you!  XOXO!

Day 33. 5/2/2014.

Weight: 6lbs. 2.7oz.

Plan for the day: Continue ABX, rest and grow.

You had a good evening last night and haven't had any major recordable episodes!  Yeah, Maverick!

You were laying so content while Daddy talked to you and told you stories.  I can't get over how much you look like your handsome Daddy (and your big brother Graham too)!  Be still, my heart!

Daddy fed you this evening and you both did so well!  You're getting the suck-swallow-breathe down, you little smarty pants!

Speaking of Smarty Pants, Aunty Helene and Aunty Cami sent videos of your big brother saying Mom and Daddy!  We are so very proud of the two of you Garcia Boys!

Daddy and I FaceTimed with Graham tonight and he laughed, talked, sang and danced for us!

We are all so proud of how you and your big brother Graham are doing!  You're the two most amazing little human beings on the face of this earth and make us feel so very blessed to be your parents.  We love you, Maverick, and can't wait to see what tomorrow's adventures hold!  Good night our little love!  XOXO!

Day 32. 5/1/2014.

Weight: 6lbs. 1.5oz.

Plan for the day: Rest, continue ABX, and grow.

This morning, you got another caffeine booster.  This helps with your breathing and lungs.

You have a new cannula for your CPAP.  They just got these in and are testing it out.  It seems to be more comfortable than your fighter pilot head gear contraption and you're a big boy so you can fit this new style.

You nippled your whole feeding of 35mLs!  You went up another 5 mLs at noon.  We breastfed in the afternoon and they weighed you pre- and post-.  You did well and nippled the rest!

This evening, Mommy met Aunty Alison at Aunty Keiki D's house for a Kyani presentation!  We all have been taking the products and vitamins and notice an amazing difference in our health and well being.  I'm taking the Sunrise so you get the amazing antioxidants and nutrients through my milk!

Mommy is picking up Daddy at the airport tonight and we can't wait to see you tomorrow, my little love!  XOXO!