Final Day In The NICU!

Today is the day and we are so excited! Matthew has a few procedures/shots yet, then it is time for the homecoming. Hopefully, we will be traveling by late afternoon :) Yeah!! He is going to be exhausted today and what a transition for him, but it's all good :)

This may be the last time I write for a while, since we will have our hands full, not to mention that our internet is down. Time to get back to Matthew!

Going Home Tomorrow!!!

I don't know what else to say! We are so excited!!!!

Almost Home!

Matthew is completely off his oxygen as of this morning around 10am. So far, he is doing very well and keeping his O2 levels in the 90s. He is still growing (7lbs, 6 oz.) and continues to take his feedings on his own. Right now, he will remain in the NICU for observation to make sure he doesn't tire out, have difficulty with breathing, keeps his O2 sats up, and continues to gain weight. If all goes well, we could be home by the weekend!!! Here come the sleepless nights and continuous feeding schedule!!!

Taking 100% Of Feedings!

Right now Matthew is taking 100% of his feedings. It all started when the docs walked in to do rounds Saturday morning. When they got to Matthew's bed and looked down, they saw that he had his feeding tube (pulled out) in one hand, and the nasal canula was in his mouth! I guess he was hungry :) And he was just smiling away :) As you can see, he is already up to mischief! Since then, they have only had to put the feeding tube in once (which he again pulled out!) and he has been taking 100% of his feeding himself. Keep up the good work Matthew!!!

Now, our goal is to get him off the "flow" of air and get him home. They are trying to put him on O2 again today, but just a tiny bit, to see if he can tolerate the work of his lungs. If he gets too tired or reduces his feeds/energy, he will go back on the "air flow", and we will just keep trying until he's ready. Once he is on his own (no "flow"), then he can come home with or without O2 (which he needs right now only when he is eating). Hopefully that makes sense.

I am shooting for next week or earlier!! He gets stronger everyday and is looking great...Praise God!! I am thankful everyday that he is now a great part of our lives and that we have such a wonderful family and friends!

I Finally Got Some Pictures On The Blog!

As you can tell Matthew has a few people that simply adore him...it's been a long road, but sure has been worth it. Matthew is doing very well. He is now on what is called "off-the-wall" O2, which, if necessary, is what he can go home on (hopefully this won't be necessary). This is the oxygen that we see people use in public, it would be portable for Matthew as well if he needs it. He is taking more feedings by bottle or nursing and is desating (dropping heart rate/O2 levels) less often during feeds. As you can see by the video below, he is 7 lbs today!!! At 35 wks gestation! And still growing :) He is moving on up on the growth scale, but they are not concerned with too much weight gain because his height is in the 90th percentile! Go Matthew!! He is filling out more of his "rolls" and in my opinion looked better today than I have ever seen him! We are ready for him to come home and know it is only a matter of time now.

Video Of Matthew Today!

Matthew had a very busy day while mom was at the hospital with him. Nursed, physical therapy, bath, multiple diaper changes (he is the master at these!!), and taking a bottle...all within 3 1/2 hours!! Then he was tired out and just wanted to sleep, but mom had to get a video of him...

My Little Chubster!

Matthew is continuing to grow...over 6 lbs now and not stopping! I think he is definitely getting enough food. I will again try to get some pictures on soon...i have them, but I usually blog from the hospital. Everyone will think he is still small, but to me he seems huge!! He has a double, going on triple, chin. He has lots of rolls (everywhere), and huge thighs for his size (in my opinion). I am used to Andrew (always in the 5th percentile) and Matthew is somewhere above the 50th and climbing...by the time everyone sees him, he will look completely different! The docs, and nurses, sometimes forget that he is still only 34 wks (gestational age) and not 36 or 37. We actually have to remind them here and there :) I know, I know...that's why I need to get some more pictures on this blog.

Let's see...Matthew may be home in a week or two, based on my observation. I wouldn't be surprised if it were sooner, than later. He is still on O2, but doing better on his own and doesn't need a lot of stimulation if he desats (breathes shallow). He is feeding from a bottle during the day, taking by mouth about 15-35ml (out of 50), this will improve as he gets older and has more energy to stay awake. It is actually possible that he will go home with O2 and tube feedings...we will just wait and see. Matthew had an eye exam on Monday, which showed immature vessels (not connected to the eye yet), which happens in some preemies and they will do weekly testing to see if this improves. No need to be concerned at this point. He also had a cranial (brain) ultrasound on Monday, which came back perfectly normal, Yeah!! :) The docs say that he should be getting "stars" for overachieving in many aspects.

I have realized in the last week and especially the last couple of days, exactly how (stressed?) that I actually am. I feel like there is no time to do the million and one things that need done. I feel relaxed, but then...my to do list keeps growing, as well as the laundry, housecleaning, organizing, regular preschool activities/trips, and Andrew just misses me more and more... These things weren't bothering me much, until Andrew started really reacting to my leaving every day. It will be nice for him just to have me at home, even though lots of time will still be given to Matthew. Again...thank you Dad! for helping out..what would we have ever done without you!!!!! :)

Not Ready

Matthew was not ready for the 5th floor and is back in the NICU. We felt that way from the beginning and I guess we were right. Very short story...we went to the 5th floor (after much emotion and persuasion) about 12:30am Sunday morning. While we were there, Matthew just wasn't himself. He was uncomfortable for some reason and was crying more than normal. Once on the correct type of O2/air mix (don't ask..), he continually dipped in percentage, sometimes as low as 64% and the nurses, doc, and respiratory therapist were not comfortable with this at all. By 6am, Matthew was back to the NICU, and is now back to his comfy/cozy self.

Again, this is the short story...and we are glad he is back in the NICU.

Matthew Is Graduating To A New Floor!

Matthew is moving to a new floor in Motts Hospital, out of the NICU. This may sound exciting, but to us it is scary. We are pretty anxious and nervous about the whole move, but know he will be ok. The best thing is that we will get to take care of him and stay in his room. The hardest thing will be lack of sleep, time away from Andrew, the possibility of Andrew getting sick...then what???? (hopefully this won't happen), getting used to no monitors in the room, and no nurse at his bedside.

I am at the NICU right now, trying to stay awake and waiting for the move to take place. Then I will be in his room and might be able to get a few hours of sleep. We'll see. I obviously won't be getting to those pictures again...

Oh ya...Matthew is just short of 6 lbs!!! He is now 34 weeks gestation and on his 31st day of life!

Just Hanging Out!

Matthew is continuing to grow, 5 lbs 4 oz as of last night. He is doing well with his O2 and is starting to take a partial bottle at least once a day. Doc's keep giving us the "thumbs up" sign, so to me that indicates that all is progressing well :) I am hoping to add new pictures this coming weekend.

Still Growing!

Matthew is doing great! He is now 5 lbs 1 oz (until tomorrow) and gaining 40-60g per day. He is starting to take small amt. of his feedings from a bottle or mom, and he is doing better with maintaining his O2 levels. Everytime I see him, he looks a little bigger and longer. Last week, his smallest preemie clothes either just fit or were way too big. Today they seem to be fitting him pretty well, but still comfortably roomy :) We are anticipating that he may be coming home in 2-3 wks, if all continues to go well, he can get off O2, and continue to take his own feedings. We will see....time is actually flying by, now that I'm not on the couch and I am back to "real life", and I love every minute of it!! I have only stretched out on the couch ONCE since I have had Matthew and that was ONLY because Andrew wanted to read stories and requested that we lay on the couch :)

Andrew is doing very well and is also ready for Matthew to come home. He was able to go see his little brother over the weekend and was really excited to hear him cry, smile at his voice, and open his eyes. Most of the time that Andrew has seen him, he has been sleeping. Eric, I, and my dad have been doing well also...keeping up with the busy schedule, but enjoyable schedule :) And much awaiting the moment Matthew gets to come home!