Day 97 of Life - September 23rd

Ma has been taking Domperidone for a couple of days and her milk supply seems to be increasing a little. She hasn't had any negative side effects so far, and believes that last weekend, she actually had food poisoning. Can poor Ma get a break?

Pa had to work today and wasn't feeling well, so he's getting some much needed rest. Hopefully, he will feel better tomorrow.

As for the boy, not too much to report... He took a full bottle last night at midnight, another full bottle at 6:00 this morning and 6:00 tonight. At his noon feed, he was wide awake and chugging his bottle. Ma deliberately paces him, so that he doesn't throw up or choke. Well, despite the pacing, the little Turkey managed to swig most of the bottle fairly quickly...so then he threw up...all over Ma, all over himself and pretty much everything around him!!! Thanks, Dr. B, for helping with clean-up duty. That's Dr. B, always going beyond the call of duty!!! So, overall, a fairly productive day for the little Turkey...he took several full bottles and even managed to use Ma for target practice. I'm sure that's not the last time that will happen!!!

A reason to be released

Creative thinking from Auntie and Ma

Ways to be kicked out of the NICU....

15. Speak in Pig Latin and request a translator. Ia ond'ta understanda.

14. Set up SARS scanning at the door and offer to use thermometers to do rectal temperatures on visitors.

13. Play with equipment and press buttons.

12. Film an animal documentary using the babies and wild creatures.

11. Speak about myself in third person.
"Ma is really tired tonight but still cannot sleep" "Ma would like to discuss care plans"

10. Stop wearing pants. Replace with yellow gown.

9. Open supplies by the dozen.

8. Do morning routine in NICU. Ex. Brush teeth and blowdry hair at bedside.

7. Request boiling water to sterilize instead of using the microwave.

6. Demand sterile water for bathtime to fill tub.

5. Always ask for a second opinion.
"Ma can you come in at 3pm for a bottle?"
"Can I get a second opinion?"

4. Sing lullabies each day from 3 - 4. From 4 - 5 is "Carrie"-o-kee.

3. Wear a stethoscope and ask people to speak into it.

2. Continuously touch your eyeball (Sorry Dee!)

1. Replace milk in specimen bottle with urine.

Day 96 of Life - September 22nd

The last full day of summer is almost over...where did it go? Well, Little Sha has been a very good boy today, so far at least! At 6:00 tonight he took a full bottle and Ma will try again at midnight.

After his bottle at 6:00, he enjoyed some quality time with his parents, being snuggled and loved...just what a growing boy needs! And then settled in for a little nap before his 8:00 bath...which brings me to the next piece of news... In this corner, weighing 2670 g (or 5.886 lb) is Little Turkey, who has the strength and the nerve to beat just about any opponent in the other corner!!!

Other than that, quite a slow news day. Enjoy the new pics! (Ma and Pa were trying to have quality time...I was looking for photo opportunities...I'm like the paparazzi!!!)

A Day in the Life of Little Sha

Day 95 of Life - September 21st

Stubborn, stubborn little boy! At his 3:00 feed this afternoon, little Sha decided that he would rather sleep...so, Ma went back at 6:00 to try again. He did better that time, taking 20 mL before getting tired. Ma will go back at 12:00.

Turkey also had another eye assessment today and again passed with flying colours! He may be stubborn...but he's sooo good (and cute as a button)!!! Other than that...day 95 of life was pretty quiet and uneventful. Keep up the good work, Turkey!

Day 94 of Life - September 20th

Another quiet day for the little one... his 3:00 feed didn't go well, as he just wanted to sleep. Stubborn little guy!!! So, Ma had to go back to the hospital at 6:00 to try again and this time, he took a full bottle!

At 8:00, Ma and Pa returned to the hospital for bath and weigh-in night. I'm happy to report that the little Turkey now weighs 2600 g (5.732 lb)... I'm not sure when I have to stop calling him "little" (or if I ever will...I'm sure he'll love that when he's 16)!!!

He has been using a special bottle, called a Haberman (pic above), for his bottlefeeds. This bottle controls the amount of milk that goes into the nipple, which helps prevent him from choking. There are different flow levels on the bottle and he has been using the lowest, but tonight, Ma moved up one setting and he did just fine!!! Ma will go back to the hospital at midnight to try another feed...good luck!

Not for the Scrapbook...More for the Record Books

I remember as a child that dairy cows with chronic mastitis are "put out to pasture", so to speak. It really means the end for these girls, partly because I think they choose to become McPatties instead of spending nights without sleep posting on a blog about milk production. That and the hooves probably prevent typing.

Today I obsessed a little more about milk and milking and everything remotely dairy in my life. The ratio is now 1:1 for coworkers who have seen my...ummm...parts. I have pumped and watched the World Cup with a room full of coworkers, had accidental meetings with them and had people in for a viewing. And the most disturbing part is that I'm barely disturbed. And it's not a whacked out dream, not a harassment suit and it certainly is not for money for the bus. I'm just showing my boobs to my coworkers.

Now I get to paint them purple. I am very sad that Frosh weeks is done.

And it's pretty McFunny.

Day 93 of Life - September 19th

Overall, a very good day for the little one. He did a full feed last night for the nurses, as Ma was sick, and another full one for Ma tonight at 9:00. At 3:00, he did a partial bottle with Ma, but they had to stop, as Ma is only supposed to let him bottle for 30 minutes and they ran out of time...but the little one seemed to have energy to keep going!!!

Last night was bath and weigh-in night and the little Turkey now weighs 2555 g (5.633 lb)! That kid sure loves his food!!!

Tomorrow is bath day again, so he'll only get 2 bottles, as it's still too much for him to do more on bath nights.

Ma and Pa are both feeling better and are able to spend a little more time with the boy. Glad to have you both back!!!

Day 92 of Life - September 18th

Happy 3 Month Birthday, Turkey!!! And happy 39 weeks gestational age!!! You've come so far in your 3 months with us and you show great progress every day. You are a fighter and a true inspiration. We are so very proud of you! It's so hard to believe that you only have 1 week until you'll have hit the full term mark!!!

Not too much to report on Sha today. Pa gave him his 3:00 bottle, but Sha wasn't really in the mood and ended up throwing up all over himself...apparently, he's just like his momma!!!

As for Ma, she has been locked in RMH all day...not straying too far from the toilet! Poor Ma... If she's feeling better in the morning, she will go in for the Turkey's 9:00 bottle...

Here's hoping that both Ma and Pa feel better soon!!!

Mommy and Daddy - Feel Better Soon

Day 91 of Life - September 17th

What a smart little boy you are, Turkey! Little Sha has managed to take a full bottle at 12:00 last night, 9:00 this morning and 3:00 this afternoon. At his 9:00 feeding tonight, he took 28 mL, but then it was Ma, not him, who had to give up. Unfortunately, Ma is sick and had to return to RMH before getting sick all over her son. (Wonder what CAS would think of that?)

Anyway, Pa is going in for his 3:00 bottle tomorrow and Ma is going to sleep a good chunk of the day away. Hopefully, this will make her feel better. It is possible that her sickness was actually caused by Domperidone, as it is one of the possible side effects.

Ma just called...on her drive back to RMH she couldn't wait and couldn't pull over...so, she ended up throwing up all over herself and her truck...4 times! She called for advice...poor Ma. The good news is, she feels a lot better, but before she can go to sleep, she's going to have to clean out the truck and probably do a load of laundry! At least that truck has a leather interior!!! Anyway, she now swears that she will not take Domperidone again, as she can't be throwing up on herself at will!!!

All you can do is laugh

Funny story for today.

I have decided to try to make up with my pump. After some deep thought last night, I finally have decided to try a drug called Domperidone to try to increase my milk supply. My milk has been slowly dwindling, despite my grand efforts to increase supply.

I have googled: lacatation, breastfeeding, LLL and just about everything else you can think of to get information.

I have tried to date: warm compresses, pumping marathons, more sleep, less sleep, cabbage in my bra, beer, water and even a funny trick with a hairbrush. But to no avail. I have been on the downward supply route for the last few weeks and I know that by the end of next week, the well will have run dry. I am getting about 10 ml/pump. So I finally gave in to the Domperidone.

I have an appointment with my family doctor for Friday, but I was concerned that by that time, I wouldn't have any supply left at all. I know I probably won't ever have enough for him, but I am hoping that I can continue to suppliment his feeds.

Sooo...after his successful bottle this morning, I took my information pamphlet and I decided to go down to Urgent Care for a prescription, to get me through to my upcoming family doctor's appointment. After 3 hours of wait time, I was told that they really prefer more Urgent cases. Ok. Now that is funny! Because if I had an urgent case, I think I might try a home remedy before waiting 3 hours for urgent help. Ugh. But after some debate, I did get the script.

But I didn't read it.

Sooo...I took it to the pharmacy, and now I have missed a couple of pumping times, to get filled. The pharmacist handed it to me and asked what I was using it for. He said with the dose I was prescribed, it probably won't help.

Sometimes, I feel like I am in an Ultimate Fighting Championship with an Alligator who just won't tap out.

To my pump

Dear Needy, my pumping machine:

The past 3 months with you have been awkward and tiring. You are not my friend. You pinch me. I have secret fantasies of your demise. I have thought about throwing you out the window, tossing you out of a boat and smashing you with a hammer into tiny pieces of plastic and metal. I wish you were not so expensive, or you would have bit the dust by now.

There was one day when I forgot to plug you into an outlet for power. You ran on your backup battery (which I didn't know you had) and then you stopped working. I was thrilled. I think that was our best day together, so far.

Unfortunately for me, Pa figured out the problem, plugged you in and brought you back to life.

If you were a helpful pump, you would be fitted with an applause sound track to encourage me to continue. We have alot of months ahead of us...

On the magical day I hand you back into the LCs at work, I am throwing myself a little party.

Ma