Precious

Little Glow Worm (Jaundice)

These are some pictures of Noah laying on his Wallaby (billy) blanket while at home for the first few days. We spent four days putting the blanket on your front and back for four hours at a time. If he wasn't laying down in his pack and play we had to wrap it around his belly. Each morning we would make the drive to St. Lukes to have his bilirubin count checked. Saturday it was 14, Sunday it was 16 and Monday it was 19. Thankfully on Tuesday it was back down at 17 or we would have had to re-admit to the hospital to have him lay under their light trays there. On Wednesday it was back down to 14. We were so relieved when it started going down and we got to take him off the blanket. He was a little yellow baby for a couple of weeks though!

Going Home

When I was dressing Noah to go home the pediatrician came in and explained to us that Noah had jaundice and that he may not be able to leave the hospital that day. I took it hard - All I wanted was to take my baby boy home and start life as our family of three. I was devastated to hear he may not be well enough to leave with us and I knew I could not leave him there without me. After a few hours of deliberation and upon the doctor's approval we were allowed to take Noah home with a billy blanket - a fiber optic light blanket that would help flush the bilirubin from his body and help his jaundice heal. We would have to return each morning to the hospital to have his blood levels taken. It was such a relief to know that our little man would be going home with us! He was dressed in a super cute puppy nightgown, hat and socks I had picked out not too long after we found out we were having a boy and wrapped in a matching blanket.

Hospital Photo & Birth Announcments

Your Mamaw Loves You

Mom Rocking Noah in our hospital room. I feel so blessed that she was there when he was born. I love this picture of the two of them. First grandson - First time Mamaw. =)

In The Nursery

The only time they took you into the nursery and away from us was when they had to give you your shots and check ups. I was happier when you were in the room with us and not too far away. I love the picture of your daddy and your mamaw peeking in at you.

Our First Night With Noah

The night Noah was born we held him a lot. I don't know if I put him down much at all - I know I did - there are pictures of him lying in his isolette, but I know it wasn't for long. It was just so amazing to sit and hold this little tiny baby boy after waiting nine long months to finally meet him. Doug slept more that first night than I did. I could just sit and look at Noah. Doug brought me the balloon and Mom brought up the flowers to us. The It's A Boy sign was posted on the door to our room.

Welcome Noah Tobias Hornback

Noah was born on a Thursday, February 20, 2003 at 2:59 pm. We had checked into St. Lukes Regional at 6am that morning to be induced due to high blood pressure. I was 39 weeks pregnant. I had no pain thanks to an epidural and with Doug and Mom holding my hands, I brought our son into the world. What an amazing moment! He was perfect with a very tiny bit of fuzzy reddish blonde hair and blue eyes. He weighed 8 pounds and 1.7 ounces and was 19 and 1/2 inches long. He was calm - The nurses had to encourage him to cry. I unwrapped him and looked at every inch of him - counted each of his tiny fingers and toes. He was just as precious as he could be and I was amazed and so completely in love with him from the moment they laid him in my arms.

Getting Ready For Noah

Noah's crib was a gift from my mom. I picked it from the JCPenney catalog and loved it from the moment I saw it. It was perfect - great color and it changed from crib to toddler bed to full size bed with head and foot board. It was a new line of "Grow With Me" furniture they had started. It was delivered by UPS and Doug set to work putting it together. So exciting getting it ready - made his impending arrival all that much more real.