8 Weeks!

Ryan boy you are officially 8 weeks old! (34 weeks gestation) Over the last month we have had a several highs and a couple lows. Your month started out in more of a frightening manor. You were placed on the oscillator and started on steroids to help your lungs function and mature. Thankfully you thrived on the oscillator, eventually returned to the conventional vent and a just under a week ago you were pulled off of the vent completely!!

This month brought us many ‘Firsts.’

After five weeks of touching your hand and eventually you grasping our fingers we were able to hold you for the first time. This last week both your Daddy and I were able to hold you without the ventilator lines/tubes. There is just something so special getting to feel you move and interact in our arms like a normal newborn should!

I was so blessed to have been able to watch you take your first ‘real’ breaths! It truly felt like the day you were born all over again. It was wonderfully exciting and terrifying all at the same time. We once again had to count the hours until we could breathe easier. I am so proud of you for staying off the ventilator!

We heard your sweet cries for the first time this month. It is very easy to pick out your faint cries from the rest of unit. You’ve definitely discovered your voice and now are making your opinions known!

You also had your first set of prints this month! Since your lines were taken out you have made and left Mommy and Daddy several presents. Your nurses are very special people and help you make gifts that make Mommy and Daddy very happy to see!

You’ve done well with your feedings over the last month. You are strictly on Similac Special Care. The doctors had your feeds up to 20mls but Dr. B figured your need/size and said that he thinks some of your fussiness you’ve been having is because they are putting too much food into your tummy. He decreased you to 17mls every three hours and you’ve been fussy but much less fussy today than the last few days. Your calories are now 25. As of this evening you weighed 970 grams!! That is 2lbs 2oz!! You are almost to the milestone of 1000 grams. (I’m still not exactly sure what happens when you reach 1000 but everyone keeps talking about it).

Your last head ultrasound this week was completely normal! Your eye doctor said that you do not have any retina changes and that your eyes are just immature. You have made great strides with your eyes this month. You are much better at tracking and focusing in on objects. You still have big bright blue eyes!

You are a very strong and stout little man. Since you’re no longer sedated on the ventilator you have been moving a lot! You can turn your head from side to side in the bed and have begun pushing with your feet in order to scoot yourself. You are continuing to do well brining your hand into midline on your body. Your PT is very proud of you. Your also at a loss as to what to do with your hands. You've held onto your breathing tube for so long.

You have started taking your passi with some coaching. It definitely is NOT the cure all for fussiness.

Even though you have been fussy you still have a very sweet personality. You love to be ‘held’ and hold onto our fingers very tightly.

Our visit today was cut short due to you being very fussy. We stept out once you were alseep. Since i couldn't help you today I took my first (four legged) child for a special ride in the car.

It is crazy to think that we started this journey two months ago. I can’t even imagine what you will be doing by 12 weeks! Though its been a long journey I am so happy we have traveled it together. We love you so very much and are SOOO proud and happy to be your parents!

One Month

Two Months!