Snuggle time! (This is for you, esmlg!!!)
posted by Like duh! @ 11:06 p.m.
0 comments
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Day 62 of Life - August 19th
There are a few things to report about the little one today...
He now weighs 1830 g (or 4.035 lbs) and is now in a crib...or as Ma calls it...a little baby jail! He had his bath last night, which he enjoyed as usual...in fact, he enjoyed it so much that he peed all over Ma!!! It's nice to see that she still gets to enjoy some "firsts" with her son!!!
The boy has also developed stage III Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), which affects his eyes. He may have to have laser surgery on Tuesday, for which they might have to reintubate him. If he doesn't actually have the surgery on Tuesday, then he will likely have it at a later date, since it hasn't improved on its own. Without the surgery, he faces potential blindness, so the surgery isn't really an option. So, because they may have to reintubate him, they aren't going to aggressively wean him to LFO anymore, which means that visitors will likely be banned for at least another week, depending on how the weaning to LFO goes after surgery.
He is currently kangarooing on Pa on LFO...which will be a nice change for him. And Ma has taken some pictures tonight. He is almost at the 2 hour mark...so it seems to be going well.
Last night, Ma and Pa went to the Grand Harmony Buffet to celebrate their anniversary and they got little Sha a fortune cookie...which he obviously cannot eat, but it's always nice to get a fortune cookie! His was: "Romance moves you in a new direction (in bed)". For those of you who don't know, Ma and I have a long-standing tradition of adding the words "in bed" to the end of our fortune cookies, just to make them that much more interesting! Anyway, who knows what is in the future for Sha...but it is certainly a very interesting fortune!!!
As a family update, big brother Hyde went to get fixed today and is now sedated peacefully. He is now missing a part of himself, but as a consolation prize, he got a cone to wear on his head...good deal!!! Grandma Cush better enjoy the quiet, as I doubt he'll be down long!!!
He now weighs 1830 g (or 4.035 lbs) and is now in a crib...or as Ma calls it...a little baby jail! He had his bath last night, which he enjoyed as usual...in fact, he enjoyed it so much that he peed all over Ma!!! It's nice to see that she still gets to enjoy some "firsts" with her son!!!
The boy has also developed stage III Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), which affects his eyes. He may have to have laser surgery on Tuesday, for which they might have to reintubate him. If he doesn't actually have the surgery on Tuesday, then he will likely have it at a later date, since it hasn't improved on its own. Without the surgery, he faces potential blindness, so the surgery isn't really an option. So, because they may have to reintubate him, they aren't going to aggressively wean him to LFO anymore, which means that visitors will likely be banned for at least another week, depending on how the weaning to LFO goes after surgery.
He is currently kangarooing on Pa on LFO...which will be a nice change for him. And Ma has taken some pictures tonight. He is almost at the 2 hour mark...so it seems to be going well.
Last night, Ma and Pa went to the Grand Harmony Buffet to celebrate their anniversary and they got little Sha a fortune cookie...which he obviously cannot eat, but it's always nice to get a fortune cookie! His was: "Romance moves you in a new direction (in bed)". For those of you who don't know, Ma and I have a long-standing tradition of adding the words "in bed" to the end of our fortune cookies, just to make them that much more interesting! Anyway, who knows what is in the future for Sha...but it is certainly a very interesting fortune!!!
As a family update, big brother Hyde went to get fixed today and is now sedated peacefully. He is now missing a part of himself, but as a consolation prize, he got a cone to wear on his head...good deal!!! Grandma Cush better enjoy the quiet, as I doubt he'll be down long!!!
posted by Like duh! @ 8:42 p.m.
0 comments
Friday, August 18, 2006
Day 61 of Life - August 18th
Today Sha celebrates his 2 month birthday! Way to go, little one. He has also reached 34 weeks and 4 days gestational age...we're getting close to the "full term" mark now!!!
Other than that, not too much is new with the boy. (I seem to be saying that a lot lately...thank goodness!) He had a normal head ultrasound yesterday and they stopped giving him sodium. He made it through 2 hours of kangarooing/LFO today before his heart rate dropped dramatically and they had to put him back on Aladdin.
He threw up a feed last night, all over his outfit, so Ma took him a new outfit today and he will have a bath and get weighed tonight. So, I'll have a new weight to report tomorrow. Ma and Pa are going to do that together. Little Sha has kept down all of his feeds since (it probably made him angry to waste that much food...especially considering he only gets fed every 3 hours now), so hopefully he won't do that anymore. He did end up receiving his immunizations last night, so he's good to go on that front.
Ma and Pa are going to hopefully take some new pictures tonight...but it will depend on Sha's mood. They are trying to keep him as calm as possible, especially when he's on LFO. So, we'll have to wait and see.
Other than that, not too much is new with the boy. (I seem to be saying that a lot lately...thank goodness!) He had a normal head ultrasound yesterday and they stopped giving him sodium. He made it through 2 hours of kangarooing/LFO today before his heart rate dropped dramatically and they had to put him back on Aladdin.
He threw up a feed last night, all over his outfit, so Ma took him a new outfit today and he will have a bath and get weighed tonight. So, I'll have a new weight to report tomorrow. Ma and Pa are going to do that together. Little Sha has kept down all of his feeds since (it probably made him angry to waste that much food...especially considering he only gets fed every 3 hours now), so hopefully he won't do that anymore. He did end up receiving his immunizations last night, so he's good to go on that front.
Ma and Pa are going to hopefully take some new pictures tonight...but it will depend on Sha's mood. They are trying to keep him as calm as possible, especially when he's on LFO. So, we'll have to wait and see.
posted by Like duh! @ 5:17 p.m.
1 comments
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Day 60 of Life - August 17th
Not too much is new with Baby Sha today. The "not-so-little" (but still little) one is now weighing in at 1755 g (or 3.869 lbs). They have also removed the sides of his incubator because he's getting bigger and stronger and can maintain his temperature better. So, he just has the top on and I would say that it's not too much longer now until he gets a crib!
He still hasn't cried, which Ma is getting worried about...but he doesn't really have any reason to cry! He gets fed, he gets to sleep and someone changes his diaper when it's dirty...not a bad deal, really. I told Ma that one day she will probably wish for the quiet, calm baby that he is now!!! She was able to do his bath last night without any help, as he was on LFO, and he floated around the little tub with a huge smile on his face!
After Ma left the hospital last night, they kept him on LFO for another 4 hours! And today, while Ma was kangarooing him, he made it 1 hour and 45 minutes on LFO, but then he had an apnea (a pause in breathing) while they were feeding him and he needed to be put back on the Aladdin. Because of the apnea, they may not give him his immunizations today.
The staff are thinking about putting him to breast soon, while Ma is kangarooing, for a little trial run with oral feeds. Our little boy is growing up!
He still hasn't cried, which Ma is getting worried about...but he doesn't really have any reason to cry! He gets fed, he gets to sleep and someone changes his diaper when it's dirty...not a bad deal, really. I told Ma that one day she will probably wish for the quiet, calm baby that he is now!!! She was able to do his bath last night without any help, as he was on LFO, and he floated around the little tub with a huge smile on his face!
After Ma left the hospital last night, they kept him on LFO for another 4 hours! And today, while Ma was kangarooing him, he made it 1 hour and 45 minutes on LFO, but then he had an apnea (a pause in breathing) while they were feeding him and he needed to be put back on the Aladdin. Because of the apnea, they may not give him his immunizations today.
The staff are thinking about putting him to breast soon, while Ma is kangarooing, for a little trial run with oral feeds. Our little boy is growing up!
posted by Like duh! @ 6:59 p.m.
1 comments
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Day 59 of Life - August 16th
Not too much to report on little Sha today. He tolerated 2 hours of low-flow oxygen (LFO) last night while Ma was kangarooing him...and another 2 hours today. His LFO rate was 0.2 L/min, meaning he was receiving a minimal amount of oxygen each minute. So, this is a good sign.
Ma is going to bathe and weigh him tonight, so I should have a new weight for tomorrow's posting. Also, he is getting his immunizations tomorrow...which makes me cringe...but then, I hate needles!!! Other than that, nothing to report. Ma and Pa are with him at the hospital for some quality time.
Ma's milk supply has increased ever since she made the resolution to not worry about it. Seems to be working for her! Between all of her appointments and taking care of the little one, she is much busier than when she worked and "had a life"!!! She is going to look into staying at the Ronald McDonald House from now on, probably starting next week...as it's getting to be too much for her, with all the driving back and forth. (At least she's remembering to think about herself once in awhile!)
A big "Happy Anniversary" to Ma and Pa, who are celebrating their 3rd year wedding anniversary. (Traditional: Leather, Modern: Crystal/Glass) Although, they've been together since the dinosaurs roamed the earth... Instead of exchanging gifts this year, they are celebrating the life of their son.
As an aside, greetings to Dr. B, who is in the UK right now on vacation and is reading the blog every day...although, judging by the visitor statistics, I would say she's checking it more than once! Hope you're having a good vacation, Dr. B, but please travel home safely!!!
Ma is going to bathe and weigh him tonight, so I should have a new weight for tomorrow's posting. Also, he is getting his immunizations tomorrow...which makes me cringe...but then, I hate needles!!! Other than that, nothing to report. Ma and Pa are with him at the hospital for some quality time.
Ma's milk supply has increased ever since she made the resolution to not worry about it. Seems to be working for her! Between all of her appointments and taking care of the little one, she is much busier than when she worked and "had a life"!!! She is going to look into staying at the Ronald McDonald House from now on, probably starting next week...as it's getting to be too much for her, with all the driving back and forth. (At least she's remembering to think about herself once in awhile!)
A big "Happy Anniversary" to Ma and Pa, who are celebrating their 3rd year wedding anniversary. (Traditional: Leather, Modern: Crystal/Glass) Although, they've been together since the dinosaurs roamed the earth... Instead of exchanging gifts this year, they are celebrating the life of their son.
As an aside, greetings to Dr. B, who is in the UK right now on vacation and is reading the blog every day...although, judging by the visitor statistics, I would say she's checking it more than once! Hope you're having a good vacation, Dr. B, but please travel home safely!!!
posted by Like duh! @ 5:46 p.m.
3 comments
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Day 58 of Life - August 15th
As of today, little Sha is not allowed any visitors for a week, except for Ma and Pa, of course. For once, this is not because something bad is going on with him. The staff is going to continue trying to sprint him to low flow oxygen or LFO, but they are worried that he is being over-stimulated and it is impeding his progress. So, for the next week, Ma is going to kangaroo him, facing the wall with no distractions, and the staff will try him on LFO. They tried him earlier today in his bed and he made it through 45 minutes before he desaturated and had to be put back on the Aladdin. Ma is at the hospital now, to kangaroo and try the LFO again. Hopefully this will work and will give him exactly what he needs. This will also be an awesome opportunity for Ma and Pa to spend time with their son with no interruptions.
The little turkey is also up to 1660 g or 3.66 lbs. His feeds continue to go well. Ma is told that when he reaches 1800 g or 3.97 lbs, he will get to escape from the incubator and will be put in a crib. This is very exciting news, as he seems to be handling the weight gain thing well.
When he is on the Aladdin, is in 27 percent oxygen, which is the lowest he's ever been at while on the Aladdin...so he's probably about ready for the LFO. Love and kisses from afar, Little One, we are all supporting you in your continued progress.
The little turkey is also up to 1660 g or 3.66 lbs. His feeds continue to go well. Ma is told that when he reaches 1800 g or 3.97 lbs, he will get to escape from the incubator and will be put in a crib. This is very exciting news, as he seems to be handling the weight gain thing well.
When he is on the Aladdin, is in 27 percent oxygen, which is the lowest he's ever been at while on the Aladdin...so he's probably about ready for the LFO. Love and kisses from afar, Little One, we are all supporting you in your continued progress.
posted by Like duh! @ 5:04 p.m.
4 comments
Monday, August 14, 2006
Day 57 of Life - August 14th
Not too much is new with the boy today... He seems to be enjoying his new feeding schedule...and the increased volume of milk that he's getting. They also put him on low flow oxygen or LFO today for about an hour. LFO is basically free-flowing oxygen to his face and he seemed to really like that. He will get to try this more and more over the next few days, for longer periods of time until he is ready to make the complete switch over.
Ma is staying late at the hospital tonight to help with his bath...besides holding him and changing his diaper, it's her first motherly duty and she likes to take advantage of every opportunity that she can. She also kangarooed the little man for awhile today and Grandma McF came by for a visit. I also stopped in on my way home and my goodness, that little man gets chubbier every time I see him. Keep eating and growing, little man...although I seriously doubt that we have to worry about you stopping...especially the eating part. You get your love of food from your Ma and me.
Ma is staying late at the hospital tonight to help with his bath...besides holding him and changing his diaper, it's her first motherly duty and she likes to take advantage of every opportunity that she can. She also kangarooed the little man for awhile today and Grandma McF came by for a visit. I also stopped in on my way home and my goodness, that little man gets chubbier every time I see him. Keep eating and growing, little man...although I seriously doubt that we have to worry about you stopping...especially the eating part. You get your love of food from your Ma and me.
posted by Like duh! @ 6:36 p.m.
1 comments
Sunday, August 13, 2006
Auntie sees the Dixie Chicks
Auntie and Lord Uncle B are away tonight at the Dixie Chicks concert. I have heard that they will be in late, so I thought I would surprise Auntie and fill in for a post.
Sha had another day of sleeping and gaining strength. He had a few visitors all of whom were amazed at his little size. Pa spent some time holding him against his shoulder and Sha quietly slept. Sha is still on the Aladdin and they have decided to attempt to sprint him back and forth from the Aladdin to the high flow/low flow oxygen. This will give him an increased chance of remaining on the HFO/LFO and with any luck will be rid of the Aladdin within the upcoming days. Sha continues to progress and has earned some chipmunk cheeks...awww. His sodium requirements have also been lowered, which is what is expected with the discontinuation of the Aldactazyde. Because he is over 1500 grams, he will now be fed every 3 hours and therefore he will be taking 30 cc, on each of those occasions.
As for Ma, my milk volumes have decreased and our little boy seems to be taking more and more milk. It has been a very tough time to figure out how to keep so many appointments, find an empty pumping room, still visit friends, make time for myself, spend time with the baby and sterilize all these pieces. Whephf. It makes me tired just to think about it. Just when I think I have finally accomplished the job, it starts all over again. Anyhow, so far, I am keeping up with him...time will tell.
Pa is busy with the new toy that he bought for Sha...unfortunately, Sha is too little to play with his new remote controlled car, so Pa has been investing extra time warming up the engine and cruising it around the old high school. I am sure by the time Sha comes home, the tires will be worn in.
Lots of love to all our friends, The Booblah family
Sha had another day of sleeping and gaining strength. He had a few visitors all of whom were amazed at his little size. Pa spent some time holding him against his shoulder and Sha quietly slept. Sha is still on the Aladdin and they have decided to attempt to sprint him back and forth from the Aladdin to the high flow/low flow oxygen. This will give him an increased chance of remaining on the HFO/LFO and with any luck will be rid of the Aladdin within the upcoming days. Sha continues to progress and has earned some chipmunk cheeks...awww. His sodium requirements have also been lowered, which is what is expected with the discontinuation of the Aldactazyde. Because he is over 1500 grams, he will now be fed every 3 hours and therefore he will be taking 30 cc, on each of those occasions.
As for Ma, my milk volumes have decreased and our little boy seems to be taking more and more milk. It has been a very tough time to figure out how to keep so many appointments, find an empty pumping room, still visit friends, make time for myself, spend time with the baby and sterilize all these pieces. Whephf. It makes me tired just to think about it. Just when I think I have finally accomplished the job, it starts all over again. Anyhow, so far, I am keeping up with him...time will tell.
Pa is busy with the new toy that he bought for Sha...unfortunately, Sha is too little to play with his new remote controlled car, so Pa has been investing extra time warming up the engine and cruising it around the old high school. I am sure by the time Sha comes home, the tires will be worn in.
Lots of love to all our friends, The Booblah family
posted by Like duh! @ 9:48 p.m.
1 comments
