It's about time I sit down and spend some time updating/bragging about "Jack the Baby"! In his 8 days in the NICU he's been a rockstar! Presently he is off of oxygen completely, his breaths are getting more and more stable and consistent, he's starting to eat from a bottle and nurse and he is getting upgraded to a new big boy crib tonight! In order for him to be cleared to go home, he needs to have 3 days of weight gain, consistent full feedings while keeping his breathing steady and maintain his body temperature. He still has a ways to go, but everyday he's been taking a step in the right direction so we are confident we'll be bringing him home sooner rather than later.
You always hear about parents giving advice to "take in every moment" with your baby but we all know how hard that can be with the chaos of daily life. 1 good thing about having a baby in the NICU is that you have no other choice but to take in every moment with your child. The time we spend with him is our only time to bond with him right now, so we pretty much just spend hours just holding him and staring at him while he sleeps. He is just about the cutest/sweetest little baby ever. He smacks his lips in his sleep, holds on to our fingers for dear life, stretches his head & neck out like a turtle, has super stinky poops, and has mastered the Live Long and Prosper sign with his hand. I realize these are all normal things that all newborn babies do (with the exception maybe of the last one) but right now we can't get enough of them! I also can't get enough of being able to help give everyday care to him. The nurses are great about making sure we are learning and practicing with him so every visit we change his diaper, take his temperature, give him his bath and now that he's eating we'll be able to help give his bottle too. It always gives me a warm feeling to imagine we are at home just being a little family. Granted, I'm sure when I am changing 12 diapers a day vs. 3-4 a day that warm feeling will wear off quickly, but we are so fortunate to have Jack and his health I don't think we will ever take anything for granted. Even though it is tough and sad to have him in the NICU vs. at home with us, we really do thank God every night that we are in the position we are in and that he is doing so well. There are so many other babies and families in the NICU that aren't as fortunate. Some of Jack's old roommates suffered from seizures, had shunts in their heads, fractured femurs from severe premature birth...and one baby has been there for almost 7 months. Being there and seeing so many other families really puts everything into perspective. At the end of the day, our son just has little lungs that needed a bit longer to cook and fully develop. He's receiving excellent care and is making progress every day - we can't complain about that.
Here are some pics of the little nugget. I'll hopefully post a ridiculously cute video of a viscious case of hiccups soon too :)
You always hear about parents giving advice to "take in every moment" with your baby but we all know how hard that can be with the chaos of daily life. 1 good thing about having a baby in the NICU is that you have no other choice but to take in every moment with your child. The time we spend with him is our only time to bond with him right now, so we pretty much just spend hours just holding him and staring at him while he sleeps. He is just about the cutest/sweetest little baby ever. He smacks his lips in his sleep, holds on to our fingers for dear life, stretches his head & neck out like a turtle, has super stinky poops, and has mastered the Live Long and Prosper sign with his hand. I realize these are all normal things that all newborn babies do (with the exception maybe of the last one) but right now we can't get enough of them! I also can't get enough of being able to help give everyday care to him. The nurses are great about making sure we are learning and practicing with him so every visit we change his diaper, take his temperature, give him his bath and now that he's eating we'll be able to help give his bottle too. It always gives me a warm feeling to imagine we are at home just being a little family. Granted, I'm sure when I am changing 12 diapers a day vs. 3-4 a day that warm feeling will wear off quickly, but we are so fortunate to have Jack and his health I don't think we will ever take anything for granted. Even though it is tough and sad to have him in the NICU vs. at home with us, we really do thank God every night that we are in the position we are in and that he is doing so well. There are so many other babies and families in the NICU that aren't as fortunate. Some of Jack's old roommates suffered from seizures, had shunts in their heads, fractured femurs from severe premature birth...and one baby has been there for almost 7 months. Being there and seeing so many other families really puts everything into perspective. At the end of the day, our son just has little lungs that needed a bit longer to cook and fully develop. He's receiving excellent care and is making progress every day - we can't complain about that.
Here are some pics of the little nugget. I'll hopefully post a ridiculously cute video of a viscious case of hiccups soon too :)
No more nasal tube for oxygen!
I'm so proud of all of you!!!
ReplyDeleteHe is such a cutie!!
ReplyDelete