Guess someone's new favorite shirt

Hello my name is

Let's just say we don't know who Sam is anymore. Literally.

That's because he's (for now) legally Ridley Otis Greene.

I got a call today from the county trying to match Sam's birth certificate to his social security info. Only problem was the hospital, who submitted his birth information for social security, replaced Elisa's maiden name, Ridley for Sam's first name.

Not to worry, we should get this Mad Libs birth certificate fixed soon after some bureaucratic gymnastics.

So for the time being call him Ridley or call him Sam. He'll answer to both or maybe some other names as long as you have a warm bottle.

Sam's first Thanksgiving

We expected Sam to arrive 10 days after Turkey Day, but instead he showed up 11 days beforehand. He was just in time for the Thanksgiving festivities.

Clockwise from left - Grandma Patti, Max (who's winking), me, Sam, Elisa, Grandma Sue Sue, Cousin Kevin and behind the camera, Grandpa Gary

Hold the turkey and pass the milk please

We're just two happy guys 

Grandma Patti and her grandsons

Grandma Sue Sue manages to squeeze a smile out of Max

Winnie supervised a nice Thanksgiving from upstairs

Max now comes with his own captions

What we're thankful for

Last week we were in Swedish Hospital's Infant Special Care Unit with Sam.

Joining us, as a matter of fact next door to us, was my former roommate and good friend Erin Kelly, his wife Merideth and their beautiful new daughter, Anna*. She was due one month earlier than Sam, but was two weeks late while our guy was three weeks early. 

We are so thankful today that both babies made quick recoveries, returning home last weekend and that we have many good times to look forward to with our two families... maybe even a Kids Kelly-Greene St. Patrick's Day party!

 

 

* Also known as Sam's future prom date

Sam's official birth announcement

 

"He looks great"

Sam had his first trip to the doctor and received glowing reviews. Best news of all -- no long-term effects from his breathing issues!

Big Brother program

When I graduated from high school I joined the Big Brothers program. The basic premise was to spend a few hours each week hanging out having fun with a kid who didn't have a dad or a good male role model in his life. I went to ballgames, played hoops and even taught my little brother to shave.

As a side note, my little brother went on to study medicine at Northwestern and is now an ER surgeon. Color me proud.

Twenty years later, I'm bringing the program back with Max. With Sam now home, healthy and a week old, I want to make sure Max still knows he's loved. A trip today to eat donuts, ride the Monorail and play at Seattle Center seemed to do the trick. Max has been terrific since baby came home yesterday.

Home sweet home

We are overjoyed to have Sam home. After a week in the hospital, Sam was released today with a clean bill of health. 

It's not Thanksgiving yet, but we already have so much to be thankful for starting with the incredible staff at Swedish Medical Center. Their kindness, dedication and care was nothing short of heroic.  We also appreciated all the love and support we received from our parents.  

Here's to the start of a special first holiday season with our second son and a new lifetime of together.

Sam's coming home outfit gives a nod to the home team on his noggin

Club 1121's newest member

A happy homecoming

Winnie welcomes Sam to the family with a kiss

That's my name

 

 

 

The Brothers Greene

Moving up by moving down

Sam took another big step towards coming home by moving down four floors from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to the Infant Special Care Unit.

We now have a room of our own with Sam and as the name suggests, less intensive care. If he continues to eat, grow and breath without issues, he should be able to come home before Thanksgiving. We couldn't be more thrilled.

More progress

Sam Otis has had another good 24 hours. He was removed from his Cpap breathing machine early this morning, drank from a bottle for the first time and moved to a crib. Most importantly, his breathing has stabilized.

We've gotten the opportunity to hold him more and Max and his baby brother are starting what is sure to be a lifelong friendship. Max went as far as to offer Sam some of his milkshake from lunch.

Good news

We got good news early this morning that Sam had received medication that had helped him start to breathe easier. His nurses told us that "he's turned the corner" and "is on the road to recovery." We are thrilled.

He's resting and looking terrific. He'll start eating soon.  

Elisa will be discharged today and we'll be making frequent trips back to the hospital to see our beautiful new little boy. Hopefully, he'll be able to come home too this weekend.

 

 

 

 

An update and our first family photo

Here's your Sam update at one day old:

He's still in NICU working on slowing his breathing. The doctor is confident he'll be ok in the near and long term, but needs a few days to transition. Max, Elisa and I each took turns visiting him today and he looks great.

Elisa will be released tomorrow and thankfully we live a short ten-minute drive from the hospital, so we'll be frequent visitors.

Thought you'd enjoy our first Greene family photo.

Update on Sam

I just got back from the NICU where I got to hold our alert little man for about an hour.

The doctor said he has a little fluid in his lungs, which is normal for babies born a little early and quickly. They need just a little more time to work all that gunk out.

Elisa is getting some much needed sleep after a long day. I may try to do the same here soon, too.

Happy Birthday, Sam

Samuel Otis Greene was born three-weeks early today at 3:44 p.m. weighing in at 6 lbs 13 oz and measuring 18-inches long.

Elisa was incredible throughout the nearly 23 hours between when her water broke and when Sam entered our lives. He required only five minutes or so of actual pushing, which is almost 2-1/2 hours less time than it took Max.

Speaking of Max, he and his grandparents got to meet Sam shortly after he arrived. Unfortunately, we will be unable to have any additional visitors right away.

Sam's early arrival led to some breathing issues that led him to the NICU for at least the next 48 hours and most likely longer. It's nothing serious and a common occurrence for babies born at 37 weeks. So we await x-rays, lab cultures and breathing progress so we can have Sam Otis home in the next week or so.

Thank you all for your emails, texts and Facebook messages. We value each one and can't wait to introduce you to our beautiful new son.

3:30 p.m. update

It's show time. Baby is due in the next half hour or so! Elisa and baby are doing great.

1:30 p.m. update

Elisa has made excellent progress in the last hour. A 4-6 p.m. arrival still looks good.

10:30 a.m. update

The nurse just set the eta at sometime between 4-6 this afternoon. Oh, and the Swedish Hospital nurses are simply awesome.

Elisa is in good spirits and Bruce and Susan are here visiting.

We'll keep you posted.

9:30 a.m. update

Elisa is doing great, especially after the epidural she just got. Her contractions are getting closer together, but we still have a ways to go.

I'll keep you posted.

Here we go again

Elisa's water broke a couple hours ago. We're at Swedish now expecting a 3-week-early arrival of 2.0 in the next 12-24 hours.

May the Force be with us.

Important milestones -- first words, first steps and...

First time watching Star Wars.

Remembering Grandpa Art

 

One month to go