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.