Putting things in perspective

Dear Samuel,

What a great way to start a weekend!

Today, you are officially apart of the 4 pound club! Which still feels nuts to me....Think about how much 4 pounds is, really. Considering where we began though....4 pounds is humongous. Talk about a proud papa moment if there was one!

It was also a big day for me, personally, because today was the first day I was able to feed you by bottle. You were a champ buddy....You took 28 ccs of milk by bottle and the last 5 through your feeding tube. This is becoming a more common occurrence, as you have been taking "Full" feedings by mouth over the past couple of days. 

Otherwise, not a whole lot of change. You still need to become less reliant on your Oxygen but that will come with time. Most of the time, I don't think you need it OR that it's really helpful to you. I really think you do all of the heavy lifting and the O2 is just a placebo. 

I caught a video of you being wide awake today....something else you have been doing more of :) 

4 pounds. 

Hard to believe. 

Still so small, but when you put it in perspective, so huge. 

Your Mom and I couldn't be more proud buddy. Keep on fighting. 

Love, 

Mom and Dad

Proving MD's Wrong - Since 2014

Dear Samuel,

Sorry for not writing the past few days....life has been a little crazy.

Well, would you expect any less? You keep impressing not only the doctors and nurses but your Mom and I. This week has been another memorable one.

For your 2:00 a.m. feedings the past two mornings, you have taken them by BOTTLE. Yes, you read that right....BOTTLE. It seems like you have picked this whole eating thing up very quickly. I think a lot of it has to do with being moved into the crib. It's A LOT easier to get you in and out and because of that the nurses or Mom and I are able to hold you for your feedings. Now that we are able to hold you, we give you a nook to suck on during the feeding, a bottle, or you get Mom.

The other night when Mom was holding during your feeding, she let you try to latch on and you did for about 5 minutes! She said you got tuckered out pretty quick but it's just incredible that you were able to latch on and eat!

We had another care conference with your doctor/nurse practitioner last night and they could not be more impressed. It was a pretty short meeting because you are doing all the heavy lifting. They told us that every time they don't think you are ready for something, you do it and do it well. When you had your breathing tube removed, they thought you would need another one (Not so much)....When you had clothes put on for the first time and moved out of your heated isolate, they thought you would have to be put back (Nope).....When you weren't supposed to stay in your crib and be moved back to an enclosed isolate (Thank You, may I have another?).

Now, we only have a few more hurdles. I'm not going to lie though, they aren't going to be easy. It all boils down to two things: Oxygen and Feedings. The Feedings might not prove to be such a hill to climb, since you are beginning to take bottles and latching with Mom. Before you come home, you need to take 50% of your feedings by mouth for 2 days straight (if we choose to leave the NG tube in) OR you need to take 100% of your feedings by mouth for 2 full days if we want to discharge with no feeding tube. You also need to be completely OFF of oxygen before you can come home. This one may prove to be the challenging one.....but you know what? Your doctors think this will be difficult for you. You know what to do.

You keep making gains in the weight department too. As of tonight you are 3 pounds 7.7 ounces! You are now 16 1/2 inches too.

For the first time it feels like there is a light at the end of this long tunnel. It's been an incredible journey so far and will continue to be; I'm sure of it.

Love you pal,
Mom and Dad