February 25, 2009

Cohen's incubator. The quilt was donated to the NICU, and one of Cohen's nurses snagged it for him. It is currently keeping the bright daylight out of his eyes.
This is Cohen's whiteboard. Every day the nurse puts her name up along with who the the buddy is and who the charge nurse is. All the parents of long term NICU babies have totally decorated their area. I am slowly getting there, but I am still in denial of how long we will be here. I tell Cohen about his big brother and I show him Carter's pictures so that he'll know who he is when he gets home. (Yes, I am fully aware that Cohen can't see anything at this point...wishful thinking)

Cohen had a great day! He did not have any A&B’s, and he’s up to 36cc/feed! He is not gaining very much weight on just the breastmilk, so his milk will be fortified with extra calories to help him put on weight. When he reaches 4lbs 12oz or 34 weeks, whichever comes first, he will begin learning to “nipple.” They will start with bottles first and putting him to empty a breast. The only bad part about having too much milk, is it is hard for tiny babies to figure out how to suck, swallow, and breathe without drowning…..we had the same problem with Carter :) Taking all feedings by nipple (bottle nipple or breast), and no A&B’s are Cohen’s tasks to master before he can be discharged. They would like him to be breathing without respiratory support (i.e. off all oxygen), but they do send babies home with oxygen. In talking with the doctor today, it still looks like we will be here until April.

Cohen is still battling reflux. The meds and elevated incubator don’t seem to be doing the trick. The good news is the reflux is not as bad as it could be, as he is not spitting out any refluxed residual. The only thing of concern is that his O2 issues episodes start about 30 to 45 minutes before he eats, and continues through his feeds, so his reflux is not limited to just feeding time. The doctor’s plan is to keep it under control with the current meds and see if he’ll just grow out of it. As a parent, it is frustrating to see him so uncomfortable and not being able to fix it!

The ROP eye exam will be done when Cohen is 33 weeks gestation, which is in 2 weeks. This is one of Cohen’s last potential premature birth complications. He still has a risk for cerebral palsy, but his doctor’s don’t see any outward signs of CP at this point.

I had a really great day as well. My friend Stefanie came and rescued me from hospital life and we had a new mom’s afternoon of Olive Garden, Nordstrom, and Baby Gap. I had so much fun just relaxing and doing something normal…thank you so much Stefanie!!

We are officially “Skypers”! What an amazing invention…I was able to see and talk to Carter and John tonight. Carter said “momma” and blew me kisses. It was so much better than just talking on the phone. John is doing such a good job with Carter, I am so thankful and so impressed. I can’t wait until my other boys get here!