Sunday, Aug. 17: More of the same

After the first week of 24-hours of craziness these days are slow and boring. We get to the NICU roughly around 9-10am, we get an update of Luke’s evening (i.e. how much did he poop, eat, etc), pump milk, and wait for the care hour (happens every three hours). 9am, noon, 3pm, 6pm, and etc. We sit there in rocking chairs, reading books, and looking at Luke. We do little projects (i.e. thank you cards, research preemie information) and make phone calls/text messages.

Today Aunt Laura and Bob came to visit. We went out to eat at the Olive Garden and went for ice cream. They were so kind to take Carlita to Vince’s Sports Center so that Karl and I could have time by Luke’s bed.

I got to breastfeed Luke at noon and at 6pm (he didn’t wake up for the 3pm feeding). He really latched on one breast for 5 minutes and then passed out. Good boy! Little by little. Carlita did very well with him, wanting to hold him and giving him lots of kisses and hugs. She was a good helper getting my water and breastfeeding pillow (aka “the Bone”) and patting Luke’s head. The doctor and nurses just love Carlita and she behaved very well in such an intense environment.

It’s so different now that he is all better. There’s hardly a nurse by his side every minute and hardly any tests being conducted on him. The first week we barely could keep up with everything that was going on, but now we fall asleep in the rocking chairs just waiting for him to wake up in order to change his diaper and feed him. I really want him to catch on breastfeeding in order to get home. It’s tiring to go back and forth to the NICU (though it’s a very nice place) but would love to sleep with him at home in our space and just take care of him. I’m sure soon enough this will happen.

Saturday, Aug. 16: Brother-sister love

Another great day in the NICU. Today we brought Carlita to visit Luke. This was a more successful than her first visit last week. Luke was awake which was great for Carlita. She came in and just was in awe of Luke. The night before we had her make a special project for Luke and put it up in his nursery area. She quickly noticed it and stated that Luke liked it. Karl and Carlita read a book to Luke while I pumped.

This really worked so well for Carlita. She had packed a suitcase of her toys so when she got bored, she went to the Comfort Room and played there with Karl. Her godparents, Tara and Mike, came to take her to the UD pool after we ate lunch. This really helped us out. We spent the whole day at Luke’s side. Every three hours Luke and I tried breastfeeding (and they increased his intake on the gavage up to 50 ml), but he didn’t wake up at 3pm. He slept straight through for 6 hours after our noon feeding attempt. I must have worn him out!

Tara, Mike, and Carlita returned from their day at the pool. Everyone got to visit Luke one more time before we left. We also were able to bring in outfits for him to wear, which helps alot. Hopefully Luke starts learning how to breastfeed so he can come home.

Friday, August 15, 2008: One less wire attached

The big news today is that as a result of his new found ability to regulate his temperature on his own, Luke has been transferred into a regular crib! That’s right, a regular baby crib, which we can take him in and out of easily; no more isolette, no more “big heating machine” (official term for “radiant warmer”). The other big news was that his IV was removed, so now all he needs to work on is feeding.

He’s getting breastmilk through a tube that is in his nose and goes into his stomach. Every three hours we do “care” (check temperature, change diaper, feed). I get to try to convince him to feed off the breast. He’s into playing and just staring off into space. He got on several times but didn’t really hold on. But he did do two-three chews and that’s good. We had a friend, Jessica (our babysitter) come visit, and while the visit Luke spit up all over himself and pooped. O…. the beginning of the mystery white stuff and things coming out from both ends. He is getting cuter every minute. We asked about when he would be release and the doctor explained it depends on how he does with his feedings. So eat little man!! Learn how to catch the nibble.

After a week plus in the NICU, we have a new extended vocabulary. Here are some of the words we have learned through all of this: ventilator, oscillator, radiant warmer, isolette, pulse oximeter, heart rate and breathing monitor, intravenous lines, umbilical catheter, nasogastric tube, nasal canula, blood pressure monitor, endotracheal tube. Quiz, anyone?

Thursday, August 14, 2008: Play by Play action

He-man returned again last night! When we arrived this morning, the nurse told us that Luke pulled out his nasal cannula over the night, and that his breathing and oxygen levels have stayed high! CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES, COME ON!!! We can’t believe how much he has improved! He is now breathing fine on his own without any support ☺. That was obviously today’s big news, but Luke was put into a regular crib today (can you believe it?), the doctor increased milk consumption to 30 ml (1 full ounce, oh yeah) and Lulu also got to breastfeed again today. Luke did better at the breastfeeding—here is the play-by-play: Luke steps up to the breast, here comes the mouth, oh it missed a little bit to the left, ball one; here’s the next pitch—a bit to the right, ball two; and here he comes again, this time it looks good, right down the middle, Luke makes contact, it’s a strong hit; it could be, it might be, IT IS!!! A HOME RUN!!!! Yes, Luke was able to latch on a few times (although he was like a home run hitter, most of the time he struck out) and may have actually gotten a little bit of milk. In other news, Lulu had her first experience of the male baby anatomy—she learned that the unit has to be tucked down, so as to avoid being sprayed—she forgot this crucial step, and watched helplessly as Jr. peed all over himself and made a mess on his bed. We hope that tomorrow will continue the progress, and that he will be able to take his IV out. Can’t wait to take him home.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008 – A step in the right direction

~Written by Karl, the proud papi

Another beautiful day! Luke continued to do well on the nasal cannula again today, and they lowered his oxygen level all the way down to 21%, which is the same level we breathe at (he is now getting no additional oxygen support). The doctor said that he will be taken off the cannula tomorrow, but if he takes it out himself tonight, they will allow it (and continue monitoring him, of course). They also removed another one of his lines out of his belly button today (because of concern over infection), and gave him a new IV in his right arm. He is pooping great (I’ll bet you really wanted to know that) and able to take 9 ml of milk, so they increased his milk consumption to 20 ml, and (drum roll, please) LULU GOT TO TRY BREASTFEEDING FOR THE FIRST TIME TODAY. He apparently (according to mom) made a few feeble attempts and then promptly passed out (so satisfying to be on mommy’s breast). But I know that mommy was very happy being able to at least have the chance to breastfeed. Daddy also got to hold him after breastfeeding, and Luke continued to rest peacefully (and he also had the hiccups from the breastfeeding ☺


Lulu’s dad came to visit which was nice. Today Carlita asked to go see her little brother (rather than going to school). She seems to be getting the idea that he’s around but not at home. It feels like we have two lives right now – one at the hospital and one at home. Can’t wait to blend them together.

Tuesday, Aug. 12, 208: what a difference a week makes

Unbelievable! When we got to the hospital this morning, Luke was off the ventilator! The nurses told us that over the night, he had pulled the tube out himself! Hercules, Hercules! He-Man! What a strong little boy! They had told us that if he did this, they would try to leave it out and see how he does. Apparently, he did well all night and this morning, so they left it out ☺. They have him on 30% Oxygen on a nasal cannula, and he is doing fine. If he continues to do well (they took one gas level this morning, which was good), they will continue to lower the oxygen level until it reaches 21%.

Dr. Stuartz stopped by and told us that they would be removing one of his lines (in his belly button) and that we’ll get a chance to hold him today. What! We can hold him. No way! We got very excited about this. We spent the day sitting near him, waiting for this moment. Finally at 4pm the line was removed and he was swaddled (which he liked very much) and was put in our arms. I couldn’t believe I had him in my arms finally. I squeezed him so tight and smelled him. That’s when I started to cry. My son, my little man. I finally had him near my skin, my heart. I just couldn’t believe it. After 40 minutes, I finally gave him over to Karl, only because I had to pump (those breasts were crazy when holding him). Karl had a similar experience, got teary eyed, and was in awe with his son. We are truly in the home stretch and it is amazing. We are so grateful and thankful. Thank you to everyone that has been sending out positive thoughts and prayers.