34 weeks 2 days
Lenwood had a big weight gain. He's 4 lbs 1.4 oz. He gained 65 grams. Some of it might be from the transfusion so if it's down a little tomorrow that's why.
I was able to see Lenwood get his bottle today. He was taking it when I arrived. He was actually awake today. The nurse charted him as fair. He did ok, but doesn't quite have the hang of it yet.
They are increasing his feedings 1cc every feeding until he reaches 26cc. He was getting 23 cc yesterday. He is getting enough milk now that he'll no longer be receiving lipids through his IV pic line. Lipids are basically fat. The nurses jokingly say, "Time for your fried chicken."
Lenwood is still having the occasion brady (heart rate drop) and d-stat (oxygen drop). I was hoping the transfusion would take care of that, but maybe a little more time is what he needs.
Overall he is doing wonderfully. I am so proud of him and grateful for the answered prayers.
A place to celebrate and cheer on Mr. Lenwood Polk Jones. Go, Lenwood, Go!
Friday, August 6, 2010
Day 19 - August 5th
34 weeks 2 days
Lenwood's crit is low and he needs a blood transfusion today. That's really not too big a deal in the preemie world. He had one soon after he was born and did well with it. The blood given to preemies is VERY Thoroughly tested, but it is still nerve-wrecking to think that it could have something or that his body might not accept it. So, please say a prayer this morning for Lenwood's body to accept the blood and for the blood to be healthy. Thank you!
He's still getting to try a bottle once a day. I was able to watch today. He tried to sleep through it, but managed to get most of it down. He definitely has the burping part down pat. :) They've gone up to 23cc every 3 hours on his feedings.
I was able to hold Lenwood for about 30 minutes after his bottle. Of course he decided to wake up after sleeping through the work of taking a bottle. Silly guy! :) It was wonderful to hold him. He's making great eye contact these days. The neonatologist that was at his birth and on the first week when Lenwood was so sick stopped by the bedside. He said that Lenwood looked so wonderful and that we have amazing babies who are born sick and come through it so beautifully. We are very blessed to have three beautiful miracles.
Most of you know that Conrad and Teague were also premature and have asked how Lenwood is doing in comparison to them. They weren't taken via emergency c-section. They both decided to come early. I went into premature labor and they were unable to stop it. Conrad was born 11 weeks early(29 weeks 2 days gestational age) and weighed 3 lbs 3 oz. He spent 50 days in the NICU. Teague was born 10 weeks early (30 weeks gestational age) and weighed 4 lb. 4 oz. He also had an abdominal ascietes and was very sick in the NICU. He spent 60 days in the NICU. To read their full story, here's a scrapblog I created a few years ago: http://www.scrapblog.com/viewer/viewer.aspx?sbId=189241
I was able to stay at the hospital from 9am-2pm today. It was so WONDERFUL to have a long stretch to just sit and enjoy my boy without feeling so rushed. Thanks you friends, grandparents, and aunts for all your help! We are so grateful!
Lenwood's crit is low and he needs a blood transfusion today. That's really not too big a deal in the preemie world. He had one soon after he was born and did well with it. The blood given to preemies is VERY Thoroughly tested, but it is still nerve-wrecking to think that it could have something or that his body might not accept it. So, please say a prayer this morning for Lenwood's body to accept the blood and for the blood to be healthy. Thank you!
Added later: Lenwood's transfusions seems to have gone well. He was bright red after receiving 18 mL of blood.
I was able to hold Lenwood for about 30 minutes after his bottle. Of course he decided to wake up after sleeping through the work of taking a bottle. Silly guy! :) It was wonderful to hold him. He's making great eye contact these days. The neonatologist that was at his birth and on the first week when Lenwood was so sick stopped by the bedside. He said that Lenwood looked so wonderful and that we have amazing babies who are born sick and come through it so beautifully. We are very blessed to have three beautiful miracles.
Most of you know that Conrad and Teague were also premature and have asked how Lenwood is doing in comparison to them. They weren't taken via emergency c-section. They both decided to come early. I went into premature labor and they were unable to stop it. Conrad was born 11 weeks early(29 weeks 2 days gestational age) and weighed 3 lbs 3 oz. He spent 50 days in the NICU. Teague was born 10 weeks early (30 weeks gestational age) and weighed 4 lb. 4 oz. He also had an abdominal ascietes and was very sick in the NICU. He spent 60 days in the NICU. To read their full story, here's a scrapblog I created a few years ago: http://www.scrapblog.com/viewer/viewer.aspx?sbId=189241
I was able to stay at the hospital from 9am-2pm today. It was so WONDERFUL to have a long stretch to just sit and enjoy my boy without feeling so rushed. Thanks you friends, grandparents, and aunts for all your help! We are so grateful!
Day 18 - August 4th
34 weeks 1 day
Weight: 3 lbs 14 oz or 1760 grams He gained 30 grams.
Lenwood had an ok day today. They increased his feedings to 21 cc every 3 hours. He's doing ok with them, but having some residual (leftover food in his tummy). They watched this through the night and as the night went on his residual decreased to none. I guess he just needed a chance to adjust to the increase in food.
Guy and I were able to watch Lenwood's bath tonight. He got a little mad, but not too much. He's awfully cute!
Weight: 3 lbs 14 oz or 1760 grams He gained 30 grams.
Lenwood had an ok day today. They increased his feedings to 21 cc every 3 hours. He's doing ok with them, but having some residual (leftover food in his tummy). They watched this through the night and as the night went on his residual decreased to none. I guess he just needed a chance to adjust to the increase in food.
Guy and I were able to watch Lenwood's bath tonight. He got a little mad, but not too much. He's awfully cute!
 |
| Lenwood on the scale at bathtime tonight. |
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Day 17 - August 3rd
34 weeks
3 lb 13oz
Today was Mommy Day with Conrad and Teague. We had a fun day at McWane Center, It was, again, bittersweet, because I missed Lenwood so. However, I do so miss doing things with Conrad and Teague. When we started leaving Conrad said, "Mommy, You're taking us somewhere." It really has been a long time between the medicines that I couldn't drive while taking, bedrest, and childbirth. These two big brothers have been through quite a lot of change lately, but they've handled it pretty well. So proud of these two guys too!
When I called from McWane Center, another nurse answered and said that Lenwood's nurse couldn't come to the phone because she was giving him his bottle. "WHAT?" I thought she was mistaken, but no...Lenwood got his first bottle. He drank 10 cc out of 15cc. The nurse said that was really good for a first try. Go, Lenwood, Go!
When I arrived for the 4pm visitation, I had another surprise. Lenwood has been moved to an isolette bed! Another step in the right direction. At our NICU, there are three steps in the bed: open bed, isolette, crib. All babies start out in an open bed so they can be easily accessed during their initial observation and the time when the are most sick. As they get better and reach certain milestones they are moved to an isolette. It's basically an enclosed plastic box with warm air in it. It's designed to reduce stimulation and allow babies to rest and grow. It's quieter and calmer in there. Not as fun for the parents because the babies feel so far away, but a good step! Yeah! He also gets to wear clothes in the isolette. see the pics. He's so cute! I can actually see his face today. They removed the feeding tube from his mouth and placed one down his nose. The tape that was holding the tube on his mouth was removed and and I can see his sweet lips.
3 lb 13oz
Today was Mommy Day with Conrad and Teague. We had a fun day at McWane Center, It was, again, bittersweet, because I missed Lenwood so. However, I do so miss doing things with Conrad and Teague. When we started leaving Conrad said, "Mommy, You're taking us somewhere." It really has been a long time between the medicines that I couldn't drive while taking, bedrest, and childbirth. These two big brothers have been through quite a lot of change lately, but they've handled it pretty well. So proud of these two guys too!
When I called from McWane Center, another nurse answered and said that Lenwood's nurse couldn't come to the phone because she was giving him his bottle. "WHAT?" I thought she was mistaken, but no...Lenwood got his first bottle. He drank 10 cc out of 15cc. The nurse said that was really good for a first try. Go, Lenwood, Go!
When I arrived for the 4pm visitation, I had another surprise. Lenwood has been moved to an isolette bed! Another step in the right direction. At our NICU, there are three steps in the bed: open bed, isolette, crib. All babies start out in an open bed so they can be easily accessed during their initial observation and the time when the are most sick. As they get better and reach certain milestones they are moved to an isolette. It's basically an enclosed plastic box with warm air in it. It's designed to reduce stimulation and allow babies to rest and grow. It's quieter and calmer in there. Not as fun for the parents because the babies feel so far away, but a good step! Yeah! He also gets to wear clothes in the isolette. see the pics. He's so cute! I can actually see his face today. They removed the feeding tube from his mouth and placed one down his nose. The tape that was holding the tube on his mouth was removed and and I can see his sweet lips.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Day 16 - August 2nd
33 weeks 6 days
Weight is up to 3 lb 11 oz. Looks like the food is working well for him. Called this morning. He only had a couple more bradys (heart rate drops) during the night. He did better, but they decided to put him back on the cannula.
I enjoyed spending the day with Lenwood and not seeing all those bradys. He seems much better. They are increasing his feedings to 15cc every 3 hours. Movin' on up, buddy!
He got the hiccups after his feeding. Here's a video. It was so cute!
Weight is up to 3 lb 11 oz. Looks like the food is working well for him. Called this morning. He only had a couple more bradys (heart rate drops) during the night. He did better, but they decided to put him back on the cannula.
I enjoyed spending the day with Lenwood and not seeing all those bradys. He seems much better. They are increasing his feedings to 15cc every 3 hours. Movin' on up, buddy!
He got the hiccups after his feeding. Here's a video. It was so cute!
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Day 15 -August 1st
33 weeks 5 days TWO WEEKS OLD TODAY!
Say an extra prayer for Lenwood tonight. He kept having brady's (heart rate drops) and d-sats (drops in breathing) during our visit. He hasn't been doing this. It 's a normal preemie thing so it could be just starting late or a sign of infection or a sign that he needs a blood transfusion.
They increased his feeding today and he's done well with that. He had 10 cc for 3 feedings and then on up to 12 cc every 3 hours. His food seems to be moving well through his bowel.
He weighs 3 lbs. 8.2 oz. He gained 5 grams. I was able to hold him for about 40 minutes this afternoon. He was so awake and alert. He's really focusing with his eyes now and appears to be looking at you. Until the last couple days, when he was awake his eyes sort of rolling around a lot like he was really tired and couldn't stay awake.
Day 14 - July 31
33 weeks 4 days
Look, Mommy...NO CANNULA! Much to my surprise and excitement, when the doctor made rounds today, she removed Lenwood from his cannula. That means that he is breathing 100% BY HIMSELF! He did wonderful with this all day. I can't believe he's breathing on his own in less that two weeks. Wow, what an amazing little boy!
His feedings have gone better today. After a couple of residuals yesterday, I was afraid we'd be moving backwards. They decided to increase to 8cc because they thought it might be that he just needs a larger portion of food to push things through his bowels. That seems to have done the trick. He's had no residual all day and has been pooping frequently. Prayers that the increase helped get things moving correctly!
Look, Mommy...NO CANNULA! Much to my surprise and excitement, when the doctor made rounds today, she removed Lenwood from his cannula. That means that he is breathing 100% BY HIMSELF! He did wonderful with this all day. I can't believe he's breathing on his own in less that two weeks. Wow, what an amazing little boy!
His feedings have gone better today. After a couple of residuals yesterday, I was afraid we'd be moving backwards. They decided to increase to 8cc because they thought it might be that he just needs a larger portion of food to push things through his bowels. That seems to have done the trick. He's had no residual all day and has been pooping frequently. Prayers that the increase helped get things moving correctly!
 |
| Look at that beautiful, tube-free nose! |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)