Wonderful Wednesday and One Year Anniversary from the NICU

Man, I feel like Wednesday was forever ago!  We've done so much since then. :)  I used to have the best memory.....I still do to some extend but days just seem to run together lately.  I do know William and I were really busy this past Wednesday.  We flew to Midland on Friday so all the laundry had to get done and we had to run by the grocery store after lunch at Barnaby's with Daddy.  I made two dinners on Wednesday night so I could freeze something for this week.  I also made cupcakes to take to William's school to celebrate baby boy being home from the hospital for one year!!

Thursday, May 16th, was William's one year anniversary from leaving the NICU and coming home with us.  I will never forget this day!!  Thankfully, the majority of families get to take their little baby home a couple of days after giving birth....there's a small percentage of us that don't.  I think it makes that home coming day even sweeter.  We were so excited to finally have him home with us.  I was ecstatic about the simple things like getting to use my own bathroom/shower, being able to do laundry with William laying right there, eating a meal at home and laying on the couch with my husband again (and baby!).  While we were in the NICU people kept telling me to get ready for real life, the "hard" part was coming.  Let me just tell you they were wrong.  Of course I've had hundreds of sleepless nights over the past year.  What parent doesn't??  I woke up with William every 3 hours for the first 2 months of his life and just recently stopped nursing him at 2am.  But nothing has been as exhausting as our time in the NICU.  So, if you're a parent of a preemie that's in the hospital and people are telling you to get ready for things to get "real"....blow them off.  They've probably never had a child in the hospital.  :)  

I look back now at our time in the NICU and realize how lucky we are.  William was one of the healthier babies and I thank God every day for that.  But, we were still scared.  That first week was the toughest.  He couldn't breath on his own, they had a hard time getting him intubated, he was getting nutrition through an IV and there were so many tubes and wires even I was reluctant to hold him in fear that I was hurting him.  When Gordon and I talk about having another baby I can't help but wonder what God has planned for us.  Will we blessed to even have another baby?  Will the next be a preemie too?  As much as we'd like to move to a smaller town....we can't.  Not until we are done having babies.  The best hospitals are here.  So we are staying for now!  Maybe we'll stay forever.  I know that God has a plan for our family and we'll follow that.  Staying in the Houston area forever means great health care and great jobs for both G and me.  So, thanks again Texas Children's for taking care of our little buddy!!!!

• Look at those big blue eyes!  I melt.  Baby boy trying out a celebration cupcake (good news...no reaction!).  I can hardly believe he finally took a bite of cake.  :)
• One year ago.  Finally home from the NICU.
• Bath time!  Chewing on a foam letter....maybe teething is coming soon?!?
• Look how much he's grown since last year.  It's so amazing how much they change.
• All buckled up in his carseat and ready to head home.
• Laughing at mommy before bedtime.
• He's a crazy little buddy. 

Up next....our quick trip to West Texas for a little Duck Dynasty action.  It may have been a short trip but it was probably one of my favorite trips home.  :) 

TCH Guest Blogger ~ Why We'll March

When my husband and I decided we were ready to start our family there were a lot of “what ifs?” that swirled around in my head. What if we had infertility problems? What if I miscarried? What if the baby had a heart defect? The list goes on and on. The one thing that didn’t cross my mind was prematurity. I had no idea that preterm birth was the leading cause of newborn death in the United States. At only 7 weeks pregnant, Gordon and I were told I had a bicornuate uterus and was at risk for preterm labor. That’s when my googling “preterm baby” obsession started. It intensified when I was put on bed rest at 29 weeks. The March of Dimes website became my new best friend. I wanted to know what to expect. Really, I wanted to hear positive stories from other families and read about the advances in treatment for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) patients.

After 24 days of bed rest, my water broke, and William made his debut 5 hours later at only 32 weeks gestation. He weighed in at 3 pounds 14 ounces and even gave us a little cry before being whisked away to one of the nation’s top neonatology units.
We spent the next 4 weeks in the NICU. Due to having difficulty breathing, William had to be intubated so he could receive surfactant. He was on cPAP for a week after that and had to receive nutrition through an IV. He spent 2 days on the bilirubin blanket, countless days in the incubator until he could regulate his own body temperature and it took him weeks to learn how to drink from a bottle. I stayed calm through it all and felt so confident with the care he was receiving. He was in good hands at Texas Children’s.
Being a nurse myself, I know that knowledge is power in the medical field. That’s why the March of Dimes is so near to my heart. Many of the treatments used in the NICU were developed through March of Dimes funded research. One of the treatments that stands out in my mind is surfactant. It is a medication that helps lung development in babies with respiratory distress. I hate to think of what could have happened had William not gotten this medication.
So, this year my husband and I will be walking in the March for Babies because we are thankful. Not a single day passes that we don’t remember those scary days in the NICU. So, we’ll walk for William and for all the other tiny babies fighting a battle in the NICU right now. We will walk every year in hopes that we can help educate one more person because like I said before, knowledge is power. The March of Dimes has been a great resource for me. They do a fabulous job educating expecting parents about everything from taking folic acid to prematurity research. They also help doctors across the country perfect the way they care for these tiny little babies.
Walking will be our family’s way of saying thank you, because just saying those 2 little words will never be enough. We will always have a place in our hearts for the fabulous doctors, nurses and researchers out there that helped us get our baby boy home!

**Houston friends:  This years walk will be on April 28, 2013 at the University of Houston!

William's first few minutes in this world!

...and NOW!!! 

Make sure to check out TCH's blog for more inspiring stories! 

TCH Milk Donation

I got the sweetest email from Texas Children's the other day thanking me for all the milk that I've donated.  They even sent me a picture of the milk after it is processed and ready to give to those precious NICU babies!  So far I've donated 5.6 Liters of milk which is about 200 ounces.  The TCH NICU in Houston gets the milk in 4 ounce bottles, which in most cases, can feed two or three babies (remember William started out eating 5 cc each feeding and went home from the NICU eating about 30cc, which is only ONE ounce). 

 

If you're interested in donating please know that it's SO easy!  All you have to do is fill out a form with about 50 questions of past medical history, have blood drawn, test your freezer temperature, and start collecting milk.  Once I've collected the milk I request a FedEx delivery box.  It's sent to my house within a week.  All the instructions are inside the box....you freeze some ice packs for 48 hours....after that, call FedEx to schedule a pick up, load up the milk and the freezer packs and tape up the cooler and box!  Simple as that.  I've sent two boxes so far, have one to be sent this week and need another one!  I have been blessed.  I have been able to feed William, donate to TCH and help feed some family members twin babies.  I cried when I got the email from TCH.  It makes my heart so happy to know I'm helping all those precious little babies.  I would do it forever if I could!  To be honest, I would love to be a surrogate mother someday.  I don't know if it'll ever happen since I have a "funny body"?!?!?  To think that I could help someone have a baby makes me smile.  Even before I had William I knew that being a mother was priceless and there would be NOTHING better in this world.  I was right.  He is everything to me and G.  I know 9 months of pregnancy is a lot but it's nothing if I could give someone a lifetime of happiness! 

Love this little man!

Finally trying out the highchair

Random

When I was on bedrest Gordon would bring me breakfast in bed around 7:45.  I'd eat and usually fall back asleep for an hour before heading downstairs for the day.  Before going down I'd stop in William's room and sit in the rocking chair and read him a book.  I would rub my belly and talk to the little guy....I couldn't help but worry and wonder what was going to happen.  I just hoped and prayed we'd get to bring him home and I'd be sitting in that same chair holding him!  Tonight while rocking him in that chair I just couldn't stop staring at him and thinking of all those mornings in his room while he was in my belly.  He is such a sweet little boy that has stolen our hearts.  I'm so glad he's mine and I hope to have him for as long as I live.  ....Just like the book....I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living my baby you'll be!

We had a patient today that was a little over 6 pounds....SO tiny.  I could hardly believe how little he was.  It's hard to believe Gordon and I brought home William when he was only 4.5 pounds!  He still seems like my tiny little baby BUT he really is growing up and getting so big.  It makes a mommy feel good to know she's been able to give her little baby everything he needs to grown from 3 lbs to 13 with milk she produced!  The woman's body is amazing! 

Mittens didn't fit so tiny socks on my hands
 to keep me from pulling my tube out again!

Hey lady, I don't wanna burp!

3 weeks old

Texas Children's Blog

When Texas Children's was preparing to open the new Women's Pavilion this spring they started a blog that I've really loved reading!  Today's post really hit close to home for me.  The woman writing the blog post, Angela, is also a mom of a preemie.  I love hearing from other preemie mommies that they had some of the same feelings that I experienced.  Gordon and I didn't have a "normal" birthing process.  We didn't have a normal pregnancy.  I am so grateful for my precious little angel baby but man did Gordon and I worry, worry and worry some more!  I cried when I visited my friend who had a full term baby 2 weeks after me.  When I walked in the room and her baby boy was in the crib next to her with all of their family surrounding them my heart broke.  I was happy for her but just so sad that William couldn't always be with me....that I didn't get to hold him until he was 5 hours old and even then it was only for 30 minutes, that the doctor didn't lay him on my chest when he was born like I'd always envisioned, that I couldn't breast feed him.  BLESSED.  That's what Gordon and I are.  We got through some tough times together and we have a healthy baby boy.  It doesn't get any better than that.  I know we are lucky but there were still times I felt kinda sad...sad that my baby had to go through so much....that he was in pain and I couldn't fix anything.
So, I thought I'd post this just in case there is a mama out there reading it that could relate to this situation!!

My favorite part of the article:

Like many parents of hospitalized newborns, my husband, Alan, and I had a very different introduction to new parenthood than what had been described in all of the pregnancy books that I began devouring as soon as I learned we were pregnant. Having a baby that was so premature meant that we would not cut an umbilical cord, I would not hold my baby after he was born, and one of the most devastating things to me initially was learning I would not breastfeed Clark for weeks or possibly months.

As a tiny newborn, he was still growing and learning what most babies have the benefit of doing within their mothers’ protective wombs.

*G did get to cut William's umbilical cord :)

Here's the link to the TCH BLOG:

http://connect2teams.texaschildrens.org/teams/3/BW/default.aspx

XOXO to all those NICU families out there!!! 

Here are a few photos that Alison took when I was meeting William for the first time!

1st diaper change

Week 4 in the NICU

Saturday, May 12th:  We had a pretty laid back day today.  Gordon went to the gym and the grocery store while I hung out at the hospital.  Our original plan was to only give William 5 or 6 bottles a day but the little guy had plans of his own today.  I guess you could say today was the day "the light bulb came on".  When it was time for his next feeding I'd take his temperature and change his diaper and notice that he was acting different....he usually acted hungry (crying/acting restless) but now he was shoving his hands in his mouth and moving his head side to side.  The nurse noticed this too so we decided to try a bottle instead of giving him the milk through the tube.  He sucked down all 43 cc in less than 20 minutes!  He was eating faster and not acting so exhausted afterwards.   YAY for progress.  :) 
Dr. Hankins was on service all weekend so Gordon finally got to meet him.  When I told him we planned on doing the car seat test next Friday he told me to move it up because he didn't think we'd still be in the hospital!!!  He also said we could go ahead and do the circumcision on Sunday or Monday. 
 
Weight = 4 lb 9 oz

Sunday, May 13th:  Today was another great day.  William got the tube out of his nose at 3pm and it was Mother's Day!  William also nursed for the first time today and received his Hep B shot.  He cries more when we take his temperature under his arm than when he gets a shot or stuck for labs!  Today was a great day. 

Weight = 4 lb 9.5 oz

Monday, May 14th:  William had a good night.  He has continued to do a wonderful job eating so we haven't had to put in another feeding tube.  Today was the first day he had to actually drink his daily vitamin.  The nurses had been giving it to him through the tube (since it smells and tastes yuck).  I mixed the vitamin in with a little less than half of his 9am bottle.  He drank it all but as soon as I sat him up to burp it all came back up.  He was able to drink the rest of the bottle without a problem (and kept it down).  I'll have to try something different tomorrow morning. 
Dr. Little did his circumcision at 1:00 and baby boy did wonderful.  He didn't even cry (the lidocaine and sucrose probably has something to do with that).  We also rescheduled our car seat test for Tuesday since it looks like William will get to go home on Wednesday.  Occupational Therapy came back by today and put William in his car seat to see if they thought he would fit okay...and he did! 

Weight = 4 lb 9 oz

Loving listening to music!

Tuesday, May 15th:  Today was SO busy!  Dr. Welty said we can go home TOMORROW.  YIPEE!  Occupational Therapy came by at 10:00 for car seat education.  They showed me how to put William in his car seat and then I had to do it myself.  He's so tiny so getting all the straps tight enough can be tricky.  After that the OT girl went to the car with me and showed me how to properly put the base in.  I'm so glad I got the car seat education because I had no clue how to put the base in and after seeing how everything is supposed to be done I'm pretty sure 90% of people do it wrong.  I got back to William's room just in time for his first photo session.  The hospital has a photographer that comes around and takes pictures of the babies before they go home.  She came right before his noon feeding so he wasn't too happy.  It was great to have him unhooked from the heart monitor and Gordon even made it to the room in time to get in a couple of the pictures.  After lunch I ran by the house to grab some things and went to Babies R Us to get some baby essentials.  I am one of the most organized people I know so being on bed rest for a month and then stuck in the hospital for another month has driven me crazy.  I always thought I'd be more prepared before I brought him home.  OH WELL....at least we are getting to bring him home!  That night they did the actual car seat test.  We started at 11pm and ended at 12:30am.  He had a short episode of bradycardia at the very beginning and the nurse said if he did it again we'd have to try again in the morning.  He cried the first 30 minutes and slept the last 30.  I did everything I could think of to keep him calm as I sat there on the hard floor next to the car seat.....I played a lullaby CD, held his pacifier in his mouth.  rubbed his little forehead so he would fall asleep and at one point was praying out loud that he would pass.  It was the longest 90 minutes of my life.  Thankfully he passed and at 2am I finally went to bed for the night.  :)

Weight = 4 lb 12.5 oz

I found my thumb!

Wednesday, May 16th:  Today is the day I've thought about for YEARS.  Bringing my baby home.  Gordon and I will never forget this special day.  At 10:37 Dr. Welty said the words I've waited so long to hear....YOU ARE FREE TO TAKE YOUR BABY HOME!  I cried when he left the room. :)

First Mother's Day

I had a wonderful first Mother's day yesterday!!  It started bright and early at 3am when I was up pumping and putting the milk in the freezer.  I found a gifted wrapped box and hand made card from Gordon on the kitchen counter.  My fabulous husband had found the time to get me something I've been talking about for years....a pair of Christian Louboutin high heels.  I still can't believe he did it!  What's even more ironic is that a few days after William was born I was holding him and said out loud, "Who would have thought after I had you I'd never want another pair of fancy shoes again."  It may sound cheesy but I feel so much more complete since I've had William.  I feel more content and at ease than I ever have before AND I've grown even closer to Gordon.  I've only been a mom for 4 weeks but I feel like the three of us have been through quite a bit in a short amount of time.  My heart has never felt so full of love and hurt so bad at the same time.  William has been through so much but is such a little fighter.  I am one blessed mama!! 

Love Them!

So what did I did on this special day?  I had a nice quiet day at the hospital with my sweet baby boy while Daddy ran some errands.  I spent the night at the house on Saturday since William had a great nurse for four night in a row that I trusted.  I needed to get some clean clothes and I figured a decent night sleep wouldn't hurt either.  :)  Dr. Hankins told us we needed to go have a date night at the movies before William went home....I guess NICU nurses are the best babysitters you could ever ask for and since I don't think I'll trust anyone to watch the little guy for a while we took his advice!  We compromised and went to see The Avengers yesterday afternoon.  It was surprisingly good (and funny).  I think I told Gordon about 40 times during the movie that I was ready to go back and see my baby.  Other than the movie I just did lots of cuddling in the hospital rocking chair with William.  I'm looking forward to many more Mother's day celebrations!  
Several people have said that William looks a lot like me.  I found this picture of me the other day and realized just how much we look alike!!  I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that he gets his daddy's eyes (and laid back personality!).   
  

Baby picture of ME :)

William James

 Here's a few pictures from the weekend.  As you can see NO MORE FEEDING TUBE!  Now that's a good Mother's Day present!  Happy Mother's Day to all you fabulous women out there...especially my wonderful momma.  She is an amazing mother that has loved me and my brother unconditionally.  She is a sweet kind hearted women that never puts herself first and is always there when you need her.  I can only hope to be half as good of a mother as she has been!!

Week 3 in the NICU

Saturday, May 5th:  To celebrate Cinco de Mayo Gordon and I went to Pappasitos for lunch.  YUM.  No margaritas for us this year.  I'm hoping to have an El Tiempo margarita very soon though!!  Two years ago today Gordon and I moved into our first home!  My oh my how things have changed in the last twenty four months. 
William did a great job eating today and seemed much more alert after his evening bottle. 
9am = 29 cc
6 pm = 30 cc
Weight = 4lb 4 oz

Wide awake after his bath

Sunday, May 6th:  We let daddy sleep in today while we did our normal morning routine.  After he finished his morning bottle I went home and picked Gordon up and we went and had a late breakfast at Barnaby's.  Since William did so well eating yesterday they decided he could have 3 bottles and went up from 36cc to 38cc.  He finished ALL three of his bottles (9am, 6pm, and midnight).  WAY TO GO BABY BOY!
Weight = 4lb 4.4oz

Monday, May 7th:  Dr. Hankins said we could give William a bottle at every feeding (if he acted interested) since he'd done so well with the three bottles.  The amount of milk he didn't finish at each feeding was given to him through his tube afterwards.  They increased the amount of milk from 38cc to 41cc and stopped the prolacta (which provided extra calories).  His bottles did contain 24 calories and now only have 20. 

9am = 28 cc
Noon = 30 cc
3pm = 22 cc
6pm = got through tube
9pm = we tried breast feeding and then he got his food through the tube
MN = 30 cc
3am = 41cc

He started desating after he finished eating in the afternoon so we gave the 6pm feeding through the tube.  It seemed like he was just so tired from all the eating and was forgetting to breath enough.  He also has a hard time pacing himself when he's drinking a bottle.  That usually leads to him coughing or gagging which then makes his heart rate drop.  Feeding a preemie can be a bit unnerving! 

Weight = 4lb 7oz
Height = 17 1/4 inches

Tuesday, May 8th:  Gordon and I attended an infant CPR class at lunch time today.  It was different than a CPR class for nurses....simple and clear cut.  They emphasize assessing the baby's breathing frequently and not just looking at their color.  You are more likely to find your baby not breathing but with a pulse versus not breathing and no pulse.  They say you rarely find an infant without a heartbeat (which is comforting).  The instructor said RSV and pneumonia are what you have to watch out for with preemies once they are discharged from the hospital.  She encouraged the parents to have anyone that will be around the baby often to get the Tdap shot since pertussis, or whooping cough, is also a culprit.  I received my shot 2 days after I had William.  Now we have to find a place for Gordon to go and get the shot.
Other than CPR class things were pretty uneventful.  Just working on this bottle thing.  Sucking, swallowing, breathing and not choking takes a lot of work!!

6am = 30 cc
9am = 30 cc
Noon = via tube
3pm = 41 cc
6pm = 37 cc
9pm = 29 cc
MN = 29 cc 
3am = tube
Weight = 4lb 8oz

Last day to sleep on my "gel mattress"

Wednesday, May 9th:  Since William had continued to have some issues with his heart rate and oxygen saturations during feeding time and the hour afterwards I asked if occupational therapy could see him.  I just wanted to make sure he was sucking the way he should and there wasn't anything else we could be doing for him.  She came by during the noon feeding and watched him eat.  She also placed him in different positions to see what he did with his arms and legs.  He passed with flying colors!  She said he's doing everything he should be doing and there is no need for OT to see him.  This is good news!  We have to remember that William is only 35 weeks gestationally so he's not going to do the things a full term baby can do.  Gotta give the guy a break....he should still be inside of me and I should still be on bed rest.  :) 
We always look forward to Wednesday and Saturday bath night.  He loves getting his head washed and I love the way a clean baby smells!  Tonight was an exceptionally big night.  Dr. Arnold from The Little Couple was the doctor on call.  She stopped by at the end of William's bath to introduce herself and to let us know she was on call.  When she saw how happy he was getting his bath she said he was too cute to not film and asked if we would mind.  SO, little William may be on TV.  We will let everyone know if and when the episode airs. 

6am = 41 cc (finished in 15 minutes!)
9am = 31 cc
Noon = 34 cc
3 pm = via tube
6 pm = 41 cc
9 pm = 29 cc
MN = 30 cc
3 am = via tube
Weight = 4 lb 7 oz

My favorite way to sleep!

Thursday, May 10th:  Today was a hard day for Mama Gooding.  William's monitor seemed to be constantly beeping.  His O2 sats kept dropping while he was sleeping and then his heart rate would randomly go up to 200-210.  They think he has reflux so I'm making sure to hold him in an upright position (usually laying on my chest) for at least 30 minutes after he eats.  I had spent the last 4 nights at the hospital so I think a lot of it had to do with being really tired.  He also got a little rash on his neck that they started putting powder on.  Dr. Hankins is no longer on service so we started with a new attending, Dr. Welty, today.  Alison saw Dr. Hankins out at West Campus at a nursing week breakfast and he told everyone that William and I were a good fit.  He teased my boss and said I was an excellent mama and may never come back to work.  haha!  Gordon and I really hope that one day I can work part time.  I can't say I'd want to be a stay at home mom at this point but working part time would be great.   
Along with the nurse I decided that we needed to cut back on how many times William took a bottle.  I felt like he was just too tired.  We would love to go home but we are in NO hurry.  We want to do what's best for him and at this point I think he needs some time.  There's no point in stressing him out and in the end causing more problems.  So, we went from 6 bottles a day to 5. 

6am = 32 cc
9am = via tube
Noon = 36 cc
3 pm = via tube
6pm = 38 cc
9pm = 39 cc (fed by daddy)
MN = via tube
3 am = 41 cc
Weight = 4lb 7oz

Friday, May 11th:  Today was a much better day!  William had very few episodes of bradycardia and desaturations.  When he does have them they improve almost immediately on their own with no intervention needed.  He's also done much better with pacing himself when he eats.  We've also changed how we hold him when he eats.  We now hold him in a side lying position and this seems to be helping with the choking/coughing.  Dr. Welty thinks we'll be going home in the next 10 days.  He said that everything he is doing is normal for a preemie and not to worry or read too much into any of it.  So we will keep doing what we are doing!  Maybe we'll try 6 bottles again sometime this weekend and by Tuesday be up to 7 and then 8 by the end of next week!  Next Friday we have his car seat test at 10:00.  Our car seat is made for babies 5lbs and up.  Hopefully by then he will be close to this.  If he doesn't pass the test in the car seat we have there are a few out there for babies that weigh <5lbs....Babies R Us here we come if that's the case. 

Question: What is the Car Seat Test for Preemies?

Answer: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a car seat test, or car seat challenge, for all babies born before 37 weeks gestation. The car seat test makes sure that premature babies are able to sit in a car seat safely, without any episodes of desaturation, apnea, or bradycardia.

6am = via tube

9am = 37 cc

Noon = 38 cc

3pm = via tube

6pm = 41 cc

9pm = 41 cc

MN = via tube

3am = 43 cc

Weight = 4lb 8.5oz

Mom, I don't wanna burp

Week 2 in the NICU

Well, it's been another eventful week in the NICU.  We are so proud of the progress William's made!

Saturday, April 28th:  Nothing too exciting happened today.  William's feeds are still at 36cc every 3 hours through the NG tube.  He gained 20 grams (which is what they want him to gain each day) and he got a bath tonight!!  Gordon and I were both happy that he was off work for the weekend so he could spend more time at the hospital. 

Sunday, April 29th:  Today William is "34 weeks old".  The doctors refer to him by this age not how many days since his birth.  Babies start to get the suck/swallow reflex around 34 or 35 weeks so today we got to try out a bottle!  The nurse said to consider the first attempt a success if he didn't just spit out the nipple.  We gave him his first bottle at noon and he drank 3cc.  We tried again at 6pm and he drank 10cc.  Apparently, some preemies gag on the bottle and require occupational therapy to work with them.  So, even though he only drank a little we are thankful he even tried and there was no gagging!  He gained 30 grams today and got burped for the first time.  haha

Monday, April 30th:  Little William's day started early...he had an ultrasound of his head done at 4am.  We were given the results the next day...everything looked good.  No brain bleeds or anything else concerning.  After the ultrasound we had to move rooms.  The quads that were in the rooms next to us needed to each have their own rooms because they had gotten so sick.  :(  Our new room doesn't have as nice of a view but is cooler in the evening since we don't have the sun beating in. 
The poor little guy pulled out his NG tube again.  He just doesn't understand why he needs it still.  He ate 18cc of his bottle at noon and Gordon fed him for the first time at 6pm and he drank 12cc.  While Gordon was feeding him I heard him say, "William you're acting like a wild man.  You need to put this in your mouth and settle down."  LOL...if only it was so easy.  Other big news...his umbilical cord came off in the evening and he is finally getting some little eyelashes! 
Weight: 3lbs 15oz (back to birth weight)

Tuesday, May 1st:  Since it's a new month we started with a new group of doctors.  The neonatologist attending now taking care of William is Dr. Hankins.  He is also the Chief Medical Officer of TCH West Campus (where I work).  He says William will most likely come out of the incubator this week.  At this point William is considered a "feeder grower".  He is breathing well on his own with no oxygen and it's looking like he's regulating his temperature better.  So now we just need him to continue gaining weight and start eating on his own. 
9am bottle = 17 cc
9pm bottle = 5 cc
He pulled out his NG tube again while Gordon and I were at dinner.  :(  Between that, him only eating 5cc in the evening, and not being crazy about his nurse that day I had a small emotional breakdown.  I had spent the night at the hospital a few nights in a row so I was a bit sleep deprived and then felt sad that he wasn't making much progress with eating.  Gordon insisted I go home that night to get some rest.  I HATE leaving him but feel so much better when I get five hours of sleep versus three.
Weight = 1790 grams or 3lb 15 oz

After pulling out his NG tube

Wednesday, May 2nd:  The lactation nurse came by today to see how William was doing with the practice breast feeding.  He understands what he needs to do but just doesn't have his sucking skills perfected yet.  She said to give him time.  Everyone keeps saying it's like a light bulb...one day they wake up and they understand what they need to do to get food.  We're praying the light turns on by this weekend.  :) 
They opened up his incubator today.  This is his test to see how he does with temperature regulation.  Dr. Hankins said to not be surprised if he doesn't gain weight today. 
9am bottle = 22 cc
9pm bottle = 12 cc
Weight = 4lb 1oz
Tonight was bath night.  Gordon and I did it all by ourselves.  It gets kinda tricky having to wash him in the bed but we've gotten the hang of it and William loves it!!  He really likes having his hair washed.  TOO cute. 

Thursday, May 3rd:  TWO WEEKS OLD.  Baby boy did great with the incubator opened AND he gained weight!!!  As Dr. Hankins said "he passed his test" so he got to move to an open crib.  It is so much easier to just pick him up and hold him now.  He still has the tube in his nose, a monitor on his foot and 3 on his chest that you have to be careful with but it's managable. 
9am bottle = 17 cc
9pm bottle = 16 cc
Weight = 4lb 2 oz

Such a happy baby

In a crib!!

Friday, May 4th:  As the doctors say during rounds every morning...things are pretty boring in room 812.  It's a good thing!  We are just working on the eating.  Once William can take 30cc at both feedings they will go up on the number of bottles he can have each day.  Besides eating and sleeping he also had his hearing test today and passed with flying colors. 
9am bottle = 30cc (yippeee)
9pm bottle = 20cc
Weight = 4lb 3oz

Other than this funny face he slept through the hearing test

Their nigthly nap together

We are so grateful to have a healthy baby that is growing more and more everyday.  Bringing him home with us will be one of the happiest days of our lifes!  Dr. Hankins says his goal is to get babies out of the hospital a month before their due date (so May 10th).  My goal is by Mother's Day (May 13th).  We're keeping our fingers crossed but willing to wait as long as we need to for our little guy.