What A Scare!

Matthew scared me half to death today! I was giving him his multivitamin through a dropper (in his cheek) and he started gagging on me and couldn't breathe. His eyes got really big and he started turning a light shade of blue. He just couldn't get a breath and I didn't know what else to do but rub his back and pray that he take a breath! I was just about to grab the phone when he finally got some color back and went limp. I kept rubbing his back until he started breathing more. AHHH! It made me think of Maggie and her son, Ericson, (they were neighbors to us at the NICU) and she said they had made a trip to the ER already due to him gagging and turning purple, not able to breathe!!! I was going to take a shower, but instead I am going to keep a very close eye on Matthew until I am sure he doesn't have anything whatsoever in that throat of his. He is now sleeping in the swing and I my heart is not pumping so hard. Everything is just fine now, but it makes you realize how fast something can happen. I think I will be discussing another alternative to supplementation for Matthew with our home nurse and the pediatrician tomorrow. I do not want to do that again. This is the 2nd time we tried it and the first time he also had a difficult time (but not like this!)

At Home And Loving Every Minute Of It!!

Matthew is now home and doing very well. He still has small dips in his O2 and heartrate once in a while with feedings, but gets stronger and stronger every day. It is amazing what a difference even one day is! I'm not sure where his wt. is exactly, since the pediatrician and visiting home nurse have completely different measurements, but know that he is over 8 lbs and eating continuously :) The only main concern we have at this point is not having any dirty diapers (besides being wet) for several days, but hopefully that will work itself out soon.

We have a visiting home nurse that just stops in to see Matthew and get a weight about every 3-4 days. She addresses any concerns that we are having. Plus, we have also been to the pediatrician for routine exams/immunizations :( Not too happy I agreed to the first set of shots, I don't know what I was thinking...he was not himself for a few days and made me a complete wreck. I should have had them wait, especially since he is not trully a two month old for two more months in development.

Matthew is doing the newborn thing...sleeping, EATING, and I hope soon pooping... He is a wonderful baby and only gets up in the night to eat, then goes right back to sleep. During the day, he has had more and more awake time...an hour or two in the morning and evening. He definitely lets you know when he is hungry, with a high-pitched squeel until that food is present. He is growing fast and seems so BIG to Eric and I because he has atleast doubled in size from when he was born. He is looking more and more like a full-term baby, if not already.

Andrew is a proud big brother and loves helping Mom and Dad with feeding, bathing, playing, holding, and watching the little guy. He has recently shown a little bit of jealousy with Mom's time, but it is all that we expected. If Matthew is cuddled, he needs a little cuddling, etc. I am so happy that we decided to have one more, and I think overall Andrew is too. In fact, he says he wants us to have more babies...but we are done.

Two wonderful miracles...

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.