Reality setting in.....

Dear Samuel,

2 steps forward; 1 small step back.

Since coming off of O2 on Saturday, you had to go back on to a VERY small amount on Sunday afternoon. You have been off and on again throughout the week (mostly during feedings). However, when you are "on" O2, it's not the same as you were before. The O2 you were on up until Saturday was 1 liter of pressure but now you are all the way down to 0.02 liters of pressure. I believe one nurse said that you could actually blow air at you and you would get more O2 (which really isn't true but you get what we mean).

Feedings have been continuing to trend in the right direction. I believe the number that was thrown around today was that you are taking about 70% of your feedings by mouth. Tonight, when mom was down to see you, you took a "Full Feeding" while nursing. You've really had no learning curve whatsoever to taking feedings by mouth (Proving the doctors wrong, yet again).

Reality set in over the weekend for your mom and I, pal. On Sunday, your nurse told us that during rounds that your doctor started to talk about the possibility of you coming home. This weekend. Now, I don't think it's going to move that fast (because you are back on oxygen) but it still reinforced that we will be bringing home a baby. It's almost surreal; because we have gotten into our "new normal" routine and haven't really had time to get ready to bring a baby home! We figured we would have plenty of time to get ready! It was only the beginning of December......the Best laid plans, right?

Your mom had a cool "pay it forward" experience today too. I won't steal her thunder though, I'll let her explain:

Experienced a wonderful display of the good that is still present in the world. I am a part of a contest group on Fb, mainly for cloth diapers and baby items. A few weeks back a mommy noticed my profile pic and asked about Sammy. Last night I entered a contest for a baby carrier valued at $150 but lost. Woke up to find that the woman that won gifted it to me and bought one for another mommy with a sick infant, PLUS another woman sent money to the admin of the page to send me the newborn insert as well so that we can use it sooner. Needless to say I cried for a few minutes. I most definitely will find a way to pay it forward!!!!!

After all of the kindness shown to us the past few months, we plan on incorporating "Paying it Forward" into our lives as well. As parents, we hope that we can teach you how great it feels to Pay it Forward because let me tell you....We won't ever forget those who paid it forward for us. 

Love, 

Mom and Dad

O2? No, thanks.

Dear Samuel,

It seems like all of your "milestone" days come on the weekends. Which, don't get me wrong, works out best for your mom and I.

Today, yet another milestone (So far...I don't want to get ahead of ourselves but we are feeling confident). The medical staff decided it was a good day to give you a trial of removing your oxygen cannula. As of 10:30 a.m. this morning, you have been handling all of your breathing on your own!

You've also been taking more and more feedings by mouth. Overnight, you took 2 "Full Feedings" by bottle and today you nursed with mom and took about 31 ccs (39 cc is a "full" feed now). I also got to give you a bottle at your 5:30 feeding and you took about 29 ccs by bottle for me.

We are now halfway to 5 pounds too; 4 pounds 8 ounces!

Reality has sort of set in for your mom and I. It finally feels "real" that you will be coming home soon.....and I don't think we are ready. Well, we are ready, but you know what I mean.

Another big weekend for you buddy....if you keep up the trend of having big weekends maybe we will be talking about taking you home next weekend??? At this rate, I can't say for sure that we WON'T be talking about it.

Love,
Mom and Dad

The Best part of my day

Dear Samuel,

Somewhere between the hours of 5 p.m. and midnight, is the best part of my day. It's the time when your mom and I get to spend with you everyday. It's never for very long but we try to make the most of the time we have. There's just not enough hours in the day.......

For me, your hospital room has transformed from the time you were born until now. It's really weird to think about a place that we never wanted to be in, has almost become a place of solace and relaxation. Granted, it's still not home but since you have been progressing so well your room has become our home away from home. Last night, you and I feel asleep in the chair watching TV. No Alarms. No Nurses. Just you and me. Just like home.

Trust me, we're ready for the real thing and you are almost ready too. Soon enough.

As of last night you are up to 4 pounds 6.4 ounces! Before you know it, you will be 5 pounds! 

Today, they have been playing with your O2 needs as well. You spent a good portion of the day on 0.5 liters instead of 1. You also spent some of the day on 21% O2.....Room air. 

The past few days you have been taking more and more feedings by mouth instead of your NG tube. Feedings are up to 37 ccs and you took 2 of those FULL feedings today by mouth. 

Oh, and you peed on me today.....You would think this was my first rodeo and that I would have figured this whole thing out by now. Not so much. 

Already looking forward to what tomorrow will bring when we come see you. I can already tell you, it'll be the best part of my day. 

Love you, 

Mom and Dad

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