Kaeric was born on June 23rd 2000. Almost 17 weeks before his due date. He was born weighing just 644 grams, and lost some weight before starting to gain it. On June 17th (father's day) I went into labor. Kaeric just couldn't wait another 4 months to see his dad!  
I stayed in the hospital on bed rest until the June 23rd, almost six days later, when he finally wouldn't wait any longer. He was born at 7:55am.
 
Once Kaeric was born Dr. Wagner (the delivering doctor) handed him right to the neonatology team. They worked on him and checked him out for about 10 mins and they began to smile. He was doing ok for now. Wrapped in plastic, they put him in an isolette on mask c-pap, and brought him down to the NICU. My Husband and I couldn't hold or see him just yet. Finally, at around 11:30 or 12:00 they said we could come see him. He was so tiny. His little eyes were still fused closed, he was no bigger than my husband's hand. His fingers and toes were so prefect though. They let us touch him alittle but we couldn't hold him, he was too little.  
When we saw him they had put an ET tube in his mouth and down his windpipe so he could breath. He also had several other iv's and probes attached to him. That night the doctors had to put Kaeric on a high frequency ventilator, because he was getting sicker and the traditional vent wasn't doing enough for him. He began to slowly improve after that.  
While the other new parents were holding and nursing there brand new babies we had to just sit by and watch our tiny new son fight for his life. That was so hard. We stayed all day and night with him in the NICU. I don't think anyone who loves Kaeric will ever forget the day he was born.
 
 
July 2001 - November 2001
November 01:  
I am doing well on the LTV1000. Although, I am having a bad month. I had a virus, and an ear infection, that I just can't seem to kick. I don't feel very well at all.
 
 
October 01:
This month I tried out the LTV1000 again, and this time I liked it. I was on it a full week, until I had a bad spell, and had to go back to the PICU overnight (15th-16th.) This month I had an echo, ekg, eeg, and a bronch. I have alot of ups and downs. But I am okay, sometime this week or next I'll try the LTV again. I had reconstructive surgery on my trach on the 18th. I did very well.
Because I want to go home!  
 
September 01:
I am still working on getting on the LP10 full time. But I don't like it much.  
Mom and Dad can take me on walks if I'm good too. I weigh almost 7 kilos now. I am growing like a weed. I am feeling really good this month. My hair is getting really curly too!
 
August 01:
This month I got two more teeth, and I now weigh almost 15 lbs. I tried out the LTV1000 too, but I didn't like it one bit, so now I'm doing small trials on the LP10. I got to go out side for the first time on the 7th! I did not like this sun and wind one bit. I had an eye exam and they doctor said my eyes are looking good too.
I am getting really big, and strong. I am even learning to take some tastes of peaches and bananas.  
 
July 01:  
Oh no I'm starting to cut teeth! This month I got 4 teeth!. I had to take another trip to the PICU on July 11th - July 16th. My Grandma and Aunties and Uncles came to see me this month. How exciting!  
 
Kaeric's Favorite Things to do:
 
Kaeric loves to play with his rattles. He grabs them and smacks himself in the head with them by accident then on to the floor they go.
Kaeric love's playing with his musical mirror, he looks at the cute little baby in there and just cracks up.  
Kaeric loves to bounce on your lap, and sit if he's tired
Kaeric loves music (he loves daddy's voice) His favorite CD's are Cincinnati Boy Choir and Disney Classics
Kaeric also likes his swing and bouncer chair when he has something to look at. He also likes an exersaucer from time to time (he usually fall asleep in it!)
Kaeric loves to look at his Peaceful Planet. When he's tired it puts him right to sleep.  
Kaeric loves to be held and talked to, he also talks back.  
Kaeric likes to play on his belly and reach for his toys.
Books are also a favorite. He loves to listen to someone read to him. He'll usually fall asleep or get very excited.
Kaeric loves to sit in his chair and watch Barney and Winnie the Pooh, and play with his steering wheel and drive the nurses crazy honking the horn!
 
Kaeric's Favorite Toys, Books, and Music:
 
Toys
Steering Wheel!
Musical Mirror
Peaceful Planet
Bug rattles
Moose Beanie Baby
John Lennon Rattle
Black and White Musical Bugs
Bug Mobile
 
Books (loves the pictures)
'Where the Wild Things Are'
'Winnie the Pooh: Complete Stories of Winnie the Pooh'
Critter Books
'I'll Love You Forever'
'The Pokey Little Puppy'
 
Music
Daddy singing ANY song to me
Cincinnati Boy Choir
'Disney Classics Volume One'
'Beatles for Babies'
'Guitar Lullabyes'
James Taylor
Mostly soft guitar music (folky)
 
Movies or Shows
(sometimes he enjoys a good movie or show:)
Winnie-the-Pooh
Barney (favorite)
Dinsey
Blues Clues
 
Things Kaeric Does
(cute things Kaeric does and general everyday stuff - everything Kaeric does is cute in our eyes)
 
Sucks thumb
Hold on to his beanie moose at night while he sleeps
Laughs and smiles at people who talk to him (including baby in the mirror!)
Wacks himself in the head with his rattles
Follows you with his eyes
Grabs daddy's beard
Bounces up and down on your lap if your holding him  
Rolls over!
Chews on his hands, puts everything into his mouth.
Licks his lips
Stares at his hand till he goes cross-eyed (because its so close to his face)  
Holds head up very well, and neck legs and arms are getting very strong
Puts his hands on his trach adapter while he's sleeping and resting
Knows what he wants and he'll let you know what that is, in one way or another
Tries and often succeeds at pulling off his vent, plays with the vent tubing.
Rolls over to his tummy, his favorite spot.  
Picks up toys and throws them on the floor.  
Puts EVERYTHING in his mouth.