NICU Day 66

Day 66. I thought the day would never come, but the MDs and the RNs
are actually using the "H" word and Andrew is taking his second car
seat test tonight. He should be home by Wednesday - Thursday at the
latest.

Other than that, there's not much new to report tonight.

It was a good day.

That is all.

NICU Day 64

Day 64.  Happy birthday to Andrew again!  Nine weeks old today (that's 38 weeks gestational).  5 lbs 3 oz tonight.

It was another exciting Saturday night at the NICU tonight.  First we gave Mr. Andrew a bath and then I fed him a bottle, which he handled well tonight.  Then, after he told me all about the car seat manual he read today, he took a short nap in the recliner with me before we had to leave for the night.

We are still optimistic that he will be home within a week, but nobody will tell us for sure.

It was a good day.  That is all.

NICU Day 63

Day 63.

Another day gone by in the NICU.  Andrew was advanced to 6 oral feedings a day.  He continues to do well, but is a little inconsistent with the feedings.  Andrew did not finish his bottle at the 2pm feeding today.  With all things considered the little guy is doing darn well.  All of the nurses keep telling us that all of the sudden a lightbulb goes off in their little heads.  So I asked Darin tonight if he thought Andrew's lightbulb had gone off.  He replied I think he has a dimmer switch.  The feedings are taking a little longer because Andrew was born at 29 weeks and does not have the energy stores like a term baby.  He still tires very easily.  His parents are very proud of him. Darin read Andrew The Three Little Pigs tonight and Andrew enjoyed it.  Thanks to Grandpa Rick for helping with the finishing touches on the nursery.  The nursery is finally ready and looks beautiful.  Andrew is going to read up on the carseat manual this weekend and we are ready to go.

A shout out to Mary Sue for the DELICIOUS chicken tetrazzani and salad.

Thanks to Grandnana Sara for the wonderful peach cobbler and fruit.

NICU Day 61

Day 61.

Aunt Stacey was able to be Andrew's nurse for the second time today.  It was a lot of fun for us all except that she had to give Andrew his immunizations.  Andrew did well with the shots but was not feeling up to par this evening.  Dad gave Andrew a bottle and he took some but did not look like he felt good.  I was very upset that my baby was not feeling well.  Andrew was just improving on his bottles and they had to give him shots.  I cannot tell you all how ready we are to take the little man home.  I just frustrated and upset, but Andrew will do things when he is ready.  His weight tonight was 2230 grams (4lbs. 14oz.).

Thanks to Aunt Stacey for taking such good care of Andrew.

NICU Day 60

Day 60.

Yes, we missed another day.  We each thought that the other was blogging last night.  Oh well...

Mom gave Andrew a bath for the second time tonight.  It sure is a lot of fun bathing the little guy.  He did not seem to mind it except that it was cutting into his feeding time.  Andrew is beginning to take feeding time very seriously, which is a good thing.  Dad gave Andrew a bottle this evening and Andrew was able to take some breaths between sucks on his own.  This is a very good sign when feeding a preemie.  Maybe, just maybe we are on our way to 6 oral feedings.  Andrew is gaining weight beautifully and he was decreased from 24 calorie milk to 22 calorie.  Andrew is now 17 inches long, no word on the weight tonight.  Please continue to keep Andrew in your thoughts and prayers.

NICU Day 58

Day 58.

I believe that the days are getting longer as we get anxious for the little man to come home.  Andrew is doing alright, he seems to be holding at 5 nipplings a day.  I believe once he starts to finish his bottles they will up him to 6 nipplings.  Hopefully that will be real soon.  Andrew spends his days sleeping like a champ with little awake time.  Andrew has a great nursery nurse taking care of him tonight. No word on the weight yet tonight.  I hope you all enjoyed the video; I thought it was hysterical.  I will make it short and sweet tonight.

That's it.

NICU Day 57

Day 57.  Happy birthday to Andrew - 8 weeks today.  And another exciting Saturday in the NICU.  Andrew ate pretty well today.  He must be doing something right, because he was up to 2155 grams (4 lbs 12 oz) tonight.  This was bath night, too, and Meredith got to bathe him for the first time.  Fortunately, I was there to capture some of the highlights...

It's been a while, but Dad also got to give Andrew another bottle tonight.

Dad finally got the Pack N Play put together today.  I thought that thing was supposed to be portable - silly me.  The video monitor is also working now; we just have to find a good place to put the camera.

As promised, I finally got caught up on picture uploads today.  And just for Andrew's #1 fan and most prolific commenter, here is a picture of the nursery...

Thanks again to Grandma Ada and Grandpa Jesse for the meals-on-wheels tonight.

It was a good day.  That is all.

NICU Day 56

Day 56.  It was a pretty quiet day at the NICU.  Andrew is doing fine - he's even looking a little chubby around the cheeks these days.

Meredith met with the occupational therapist again today to learn how to feed him (apparently the lesson was a day late).  The therapist thought he was getting a little over-stimulated and fatigued, which was interfering with his eating.  He has been doing so well that I guess we sometimes forget that he is still a preemie and still maturing.  Everybody always wants to hold him and fuss over him, but he still needs his space and his quiet time.

I know I am a little behind on my picture duties, but look for some new uploads sometime this weekend.

A special thanks tonight to Meredith for a delicious home-cooked meal - prepared right in our very own kitchen.

It was a good day.  That is all.

NICU Day 55

Day 55.

Today Andrew had a wonderful day nurse named Aunt Stacey.  She took great care of Andrew and mom rest assured that Andrew was in good hands.  Andrew is doing well, but acting like a preemie when it comes to feeding and endurance.  He is also Darin's son, so he likes to take his time with things.  Mom made poor Andrew choke this afternoon.  He was tired and I continued to give him a bottle and he choked.  I was very frightened and luckily Aunt Stacey was nearby. 

Andrew will become proficient with feeding when he is ready.  The occupational therapist saw him today and said he is doing everything he should be doing.  He even a little ahead of the game.  I must be patient and know that he truly has been a blessing and were are very impressed with his progression.  He now weighs 4lbs. 9oz.(2085 grams).

Good night.

NICU Day 54

Day 54.

Well Andrew had a quiet day today, after such and eventful day yesterday.  I gave Andrew a bottle for the first time today.  He took the bottle well and left a little.  The nurse said today that the prior two feedings Andrew had not finished his milk.  Hey, we all have our days.  However, the big guy did nurse well this evening after some persuasion.  Grandmomma Ada bought Andrew a organic bassinet today.  Grandmomma and Grandnanna took a couple of hours this evening to put it together.  It looks great!  Andrew has a big day ahead of him with a special out of town visitor.  He is just such a blessing to us and is amazing.  I have to keep this in mind as I get very anxious for Andrew's homecomming.

Andrew was 2040 grams(4 lbs. 7oz.) this evening.

A shout out to Mary Sue for a lovely and well balanced dinner. Thank you.

Hope this all makes sense, I am tired.  Good night.

NICU Day 53

Day 53. Today was pretty eventful - as far as NICU days go. Aunt Tracy showed up to be Andrew's nurse today and I'm sure she took real good care of him. I also heard he had a lot of VIPs from the newborn nursery checking up on him. I hope he passed inspection!

The doctor finally ordered the removal of his oxygen sensor today, which means one less cord to deal with. There was a couple of little hiccups today, though. Andrew is not cooperating with the feeding schedule. He just does not seem interested in eating dinner at 8. I'm afraid he takes after me and has to do everything in his own good time. And then there's the thyroid thing... I'm sure Meredith could explain the details better, but what I know is that one of his tests has been giving the doctors a little pause about his thyroid. They may have to put him on some medication to help regulate it, at least temporarily. We don't have a final decision on that yet.

We know that the homecoming moves closer every day and it seems like there is still much to do. Meredith and I have both been really busy (and really worn out) this week and the house is still a disaster after the carpet fiasco last week. I have a feeling we will be working on it all weekend.

All things considered, it was a good day.

That is all.

NICU Day 52

Day 52.

All is well with Andrew.  He continues to become more active every day.  Andrew's nurse today said, "he is something else."  I believe she was referring to how well he is doing with his feedings.  Andrew is now taking 43cc every 3 hrs.  I am hoping that the doctors will up his oral feedings from every 6 hrs. tomorrow.  I am sure ready for Andrew to get out of the hospital.  I know Andrew is ready to have his parents around full time.  Dad got to hold Andrew for awhile this evening and he did not hold still.  He is very interested in looking at all of the lights and swinging those arms around.  He is the cutest baby ever!  No word on the weight tonight.  It's bedtime for me.

Good night.

NICU Day 51

Day 51.

Wow, 51 days has passed and it sure has felt like 51.  Andrew is adjusting to his new room and getting the hang of things.  Andrew has another new roommate this evening.  I believe it is like the 6th roommate he has had.  Andrew is becoming very animated these days and it is fun to watch his facial expressions.  Dad had some great father-son time with Andrew this evening and even got a smile.  The little guy left a card for his dad as well.  

We received good news today that Andrew passed this hearing screen.  As far as feedings go, he is now up to feeding by mouth every 6 hrs.  This is great news, he has to be feeding by mouth every 3 hrs. to come home.  It cannot come soon enough.  I am beginning to see the light! 

Andrew now weighs a grand total of 4 lbs. 5 oz. (1975 grams).

Happy Father's Day to all of the dads!  

NICU Day 50

Day 50.  Yes - we missed a day.  We were both a little run down and under the weather by blog-time last night.

Yesterday was a pretty big day for Andrew, though.  He got a new room in the "step-down" NICU and he took a whole bottle for the first time last night.  It was a big day for the grandmothers, too, since they both got to hold him for the first time.  Grandnana Sara claims the nurse just dropped him in her lap and should couldn't do anything about it.  I'm not sure how Grandma Ada pulled it off, but she managed to get her turn in, too.

Today Andrew had quite a few out-of-town visitors.  Grandpa Dan and Grandma Laura made a second appearance, while Great Grandmother Meme and Aunt Dee Anna finally got their first peek.  Unfortunately, Andrew was pretty sleepy this afternoon and barely opened his eyes for anyone.

It's getting late again, so...

That is all.

NICU Day 48

Day 48. All quiet at the NICU. Andrew crossed the 4 lb mark last night, hitting 1815 grams, and is doing well in his open crib so far. I think we are in the home stretch.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the carpet installers worked all day putting in Andrew's new floor and I think the nursery is just about finished. If I could only get that monitor thingy set up...

Thanks to Grandnana Sara and Grandpa Rick for helping out with the carpet ordeal today. And thanks to Laurie for dinner tonight.

That is all.

NICU Day 47

Day 47.
Well lots to talk about today. First of all, Andrew graduated to a big boy crib this afternoon. Darin went this evening and there he was sleeping in a big boy bed. He is keeping his temperature up so far. Andrew will get to wear sweet little oufits now. I know he will do great. Dad was able to bottle feed Andrew for the very first time this evening. It was Andrew's second bottle and he did well as always. Darin said he took almost an ounce in 15 minutes and he learned how to burp Andrew. Mom stayed behind this evening to prepare the house for new carpet being installed tomorrow. This was kind of a last minute decision to get the house ready for Andrew. Well I better get busy. Carrie P. are you still around?
A shout out to Iris for the wonderful soup.
Good night.

NICU Day 46

Day 46. Wow - 46 days seems like a long time, but it really has passed quickly (for me anyway). Not much new to report on the NICU front today, except that Mr. Ogletree finally paid Andrew a visit today. He is still in his incubator and still growing, getting closer to home by the minute.

Thanks to Grandma Ada for bringing us dinner... again.

That is all.

NICU Day 45

Day 45.

Today was  a good day for Andrew.  He is continuing to grow like a champ.  He was 1760 grams(3lbs.  14 oz.) this evening, mother got to help weigh him.  Andrew received yet another eye exam this afternoon and the results were the same as previously.  He has stage 1 retinopathy which will resolve by the time his eyes are fully grown.  He continues to breastfeed well.  We had nurse Ron for the first time last night and a nurse that did not show up this evening.  However, they were able to find Andrew a nice nurse Kim.  We are continuing to count down the days until Andrew's arrival at home. Can't wait...

Good night.

NICU Day 44

Day 44. All is quiet on the NICU front - another good day for Andrew. He is just eating and growing -- up to 1710 grams (3 lbs 12 oz) today. He should be in an open crib in the next day or two.

On the home front, we have been busy getting the house ready for the big day. Meredith did some more decorating in the nursery, and Meredith and Grandma Ada put together his ExerSaucer.   This one took some brain power...

But they did a great job!

That things got more bells and whistles than a Cadillac.  Dad is running out of time to put together his Pack 'N Play and his fancy video monitor, but someone had to read him to sleep tonight!

Thanks to the Greenwoods for lunch today.

That is all.

NICU Day 43

Day 43.

Well today was a very happy day for us. Andrew's nurse let us know this morning that Andrew was being weighed on a broken scale. The scale is on the isolette that he was put in on monday. I was questioning his weight all week, but no one would listen to me until now. Momma knows best, right? The real weight 1645-1660 grams( 3 -10 1/2). He will be in an open crib this week I imagine. Andrew nursed extremely well today for his age. Of course he always impresses his mother. We continue to be extremely blessed by how well he is doing. Today is his 35 week birthday by the way and he is 6 weeks old. Dad is kangarooing with him at this time. Some of Andrew's visitors were not able to come today. We will see them next weekend though. Carrie P. even though you are on vacation, I still expect comments. Thank you for being so faithful with the comments, we enjoy reading them. Please keep Andrew in your prayers.

NICU Day 42

Day 42.
Well, let's see what is new. Andrew continues to look cuter and cuter. He is now focusing on faces a little more than before and seems to know that there is someone starring in his isolette. Andrew's weight gain continues to be a little slow. He weighed in at 1524 grams this evening, I am hopeful that it will pick up soon. The doctor told me today that his anemia could be contributing to the slow weight gain as well. He will have his labs checked again on monday... He is tolerating his formula well the nurses say. Dad is with Andrew having a visit this evening. Andrew has a big day planned tommorrow with visits from the out of town grandparents, aunt and great grandmother. He is the cutest boy ever; I would like to sneak him out of the NICU. Goodnight and have a good weekend.

NICU Day 42

NICU Day 41

Day 41.
It has been a long day for Darin and I . Darin is working very late tonight, so you will hear from Andrew's mom. Andrew is doing okay, he has not gained weight in the last 5 days. The doctor is going to give him half breastmilk and half formula to see if his weight starts to come up. I guess I am starving the little guy, I feel bad. On a lighter note, the doctor says he looks good. He is looking alot longer to me these days. The weight tonight was 1519 grams.
Thats all folks.

NICU Day 40

Day 40. It was a slow day in the NICU -- no new orders, no real weight change. If the scale was accurate, Andrew actually lost 2 grams today.

Thanks to the Rubys for yet another delicious home-cooked meal tonight.

Mom and dad are pretty tired tonight, so...

That is all.

NICU Day 39

NICU Day 39.

Andrew had a busy day with another roommate moving in this evening. Mom got to breastfeed  Andrew two times today.  He seems to be a fast learner and the lactation consultant was impressed.  I was not surprised at all because Andrew always does well.  When Andrew's roommate was moving in today he was out of his box he got a little overstimulated with all of the noise.  

My little boy is so sweet and I am getting very anxious to take him home.  It is extremely hard to have to leave him there after such wonderful visits.  I am trying to stay strong, just a few weeks hopefully.

I want to give a shout out to Debbie C. for the wonderful chicken spaghetti that she made yesterday.  Thank you and sorry the shout out is a day late.

It is bedtime, see you tomorrow.

NICU Day 38

Day 38.  This was a pretty busy day for the big guy.  Andrew got his first bottle for breakfast and Mom was there to capture all the action in digits...

We also got orders to start feeding him au naturel twice a day this week - don't count on pictures of that!  He has been maintaining his own temperature pretty well for a while now, so he graduated to a new big boy box today.  It's still an incubator, but it doesn't have a built-in heater or a lot of bells and whistles.

He is doing well and looking healthy.  What more could we ask for?

That is all.

NICU Day 37

NICU Day 37.

Andrew had a good Sunday and is doing well. His weight is still 1500 grams (3lbs. 5oz.). He was measured tonight and he is now 15 3/4 inches long, from 13 1/2 at birth. I was holding him today and thinking that he was looking quite a bit longer.

Andrew got a bath yesterday evening, laying down in a basin. The nurse claims that he liked it; however, he does not like his face or bottom cleaned. Who does? Andrew is now eating 32cc every 3 hrs. I am anxious to see Andrew's bottle feeding tomorrow. The nurse this evening said that she was going to take Andrew's feeding tube out of his mouth and put it in his nose. My poor boy, it makes me said to think about that. He is very strong and luckily he will not remember these things. Mom is tired and going to bed.

Good night.

NICU Day 36

Day 36. 5 weeks old; 1500 grams. Need I say more?