This is 1 of the videos I watched to learn how to give Nicholas his bottle.
http://video.about.com/preemies/Bottle-Feeding-Premature-Babies.htm
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Sorry for the Delay
Sorry it's been a while between posts but there isn't too much to tell. Nicholas is well and he didn't wake up very many times last night (Monday). He has also went to the bathroom (#2) the last 2 days. Hopefully, his days of being stopped up are over. Nicholas still loves to be held, but we are trying not to pick him up and hold him as much as the physical therapist said that can cause him to have delays. Meaning, if we pick him up too much he won't want to do anything on his own.
Nicholas saw the opthamologist today and he said everything is still progressing as it should. He has another appointment in 2 weeks and that should be his last.
Here are some pictures of Nicholas being held by his grandmothers.
Nicholas saw the opthamologist today and he said everything is still progressing as it should. He has another appointment in 2 weeks and that should be his last.
Here are some pictures of Nicholas being held by his grandmothers.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Friday, February 10, 2012
Visitations
We only have a few guidelines as far as who is allowed to visit Nicholas. They are as follows:
- DO NOT COME IF YOU ARE SICK!!!! I can not stress this enough. Nicholas is very susceptible to illness right now and 1 visit is not worth him being put back in the hospital.
- The only people allowed in the house right now are the people who have to come in. Meaning, nurses and the people from the oxygen company.
- Grandparents will be the first visitors allowed to see Nicholas and that won't be until the 25th at the earliest. The main reason is so we can have some alone time as a family.
- If you are around children often you won't be allowed to come until RSV season is over (around April 15 or so). The reasoning behind this is that children are the most likely to get other children sick and if they can give it to other children they can give it to you too.
- Please give AT LEAST 2 days notice prior to coming. Nicholas is not supposed to have a lot of visitors in a day and we would hate for anyone to drive all the way over here to be turned away.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Follow Up
Nicholas' visit with his pediatrician went ok today. The doctor got a taste of what Nicholas has been like the past couple of weeks (he cried the majority of the visit). Nicholas got 2 shots and he'll stay on the 24 calorie formula for at least another month. We asked if we could switch formulas to see if that would relieve his constipation but the dr. said since his stools aren't hard he didn't think that would help.
Nicholas now weighs 10lbs10 1/2oz and is 21 1/8" long. His next pediatric appointment will be in 1 month.
Nicholas now weighs 10lbs10 1/2oz and is 21 1/8" long. His next pediatric appointment will be in 1 month.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Friday, February 17, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
New Weight and Length
Nicholas' appointment went well this morning. His pediatrician just gave an overall assessment and said everything is looking good. We asked about Nicholas' constipation and as predicted he said there's nothing to worry about since his stools are not hard. He did finally go to the bathroom last night. We backed down on the dosage of his iron and will slowly go back up so his intestines can get used to the amount he needs. The doctor said to give Nicholas a suppository every so often if we need to. Nicholas will go back next week to get a couple of shots.
Nicholas weighs 10lbs3oz and is 20 7/8" long.
Nicholas is also sleeping a lot better as of late too. Due to the suggestion from a couple of people we decided to swaddle him. He's always liked being swaddled but he gets hot quickly and we were a little hesitant. We either put a very light onesie on him or just the swaddler and he sleeps through most of the night (if we wrap him properly and he doesn't bust out).
Nicholas weighs 10lbs3oz and is 20 7/8" long.
Nicholas is also sleeping a lot better as of late too. Due to the suggestion from a couple of people we decided to swaddle him. He's always liked being swaddled but he gets hot quickly and we were a little hesitant. We either put a very light onesie on him or just the swaddler and he sleeps through most of the night (if we wrap him properly and he doesn't bust out).
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
First Appointment
Nicholas had his first doctor's appointment outside of the NICU today. He saw his opthamologist to check his eyes. The doctor said everything was regressing and that Nicholas should have 1 more visit in 2 weeks and that should be the last time he'll have to go.
Nicholas has an appointment with his pediatrician in the morning. His doctor will be able to tell if Nicholas is ready to come down on his oxygen needs yet or if he needs to stay where he's at. Also, we will know how to treat Nicholas' constipation and gas. We haven't used a suppository in the last few days and the doctors usually don't consider a baby constipated unless they haven't gone in 4 days. Tomorrow will make the 4th day (if he doesn't go tonight) and we also wanted to make sure we weren't making him too dependent on the suppositories. We were giving Nicholas some gas drops but haven't in a couple of days either.
Nicholas has an appointment with his pediatrician in the morning. His doctor will be able to tell if Nicholas is ready to come down on his oxygen needs yet or if he needs to stay where he's at. Also, we will know how to treat Nicholas' constipation and gas. We haven't used a suppository in the last few days and the doctors usually don't consider a baby constipated unless they haven't gone in 4 days. Tomorrow will make the 4th day (if he doesn't go tonight) and we also wanted to make sure we weren't making him too dependent on the suppositories. We were giving Nicholas some gas drops but haven't in a couple of days either.
Monday, February 13, 2012
A Little Better
Nicholas slept a little longer yesterday/this morning. He is still taking all of his bottles but he's still constipated. Nicholas has his first doctor's appointment tomorrow at 12:30 with Dr. Stokes. This will just be a check up to make sure his ROP is still regressing.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
A Picture Blog
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| Did you say bottle????? |
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| A nice soak after a long day. |
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| Hmmmmmmm |
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Another Rough Day
Nicholas has been up all day. He didn't sleep last night for Mariah and unless he's being held he cries all the time. We believe it's due to his constipation. We have tried the suggestions made by the OT from the NICU and we used the Glycerin suppository suggested by the Home Health nurse (that worked instantly). Hopefully, the doctor on Wednesday will try something different so we can all get some sleep.
Please do not suggest Karo syrup or any juices.
Please do not suggest Karo syrup or any juices.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Visitations
We only have a few guidelines as far as who is allowed to visit Nicholas. They are as follows:
- DO NOT COME IF YOU ARE SICK!!!! I can not stress this enough. Nicholas is very susceptible to illness right now and 1 visit is not worth him being put back in the hospital.
- The only people allowed in the house right now are the people who have to come in. Meaning, nurses and the people from the oxygen company.
- Grandparents will be the first visitors allowed to see Nicholas and that won't be until the 25th at the earliest. The main reason is so we can have some alone time as a family.
- If you are around children often you won't be allowed to come until RSV season is over (around April 15 or so). The reasoning behind this is that children are the most likely to get other children sick and if they can give it to other children they can give it to you too.
- Please give AT LEAST 2 days notice prior to coming. Nicholas is not supposed to have a lot of visitors in a day and we would hate for anyone to drive all the way over here to be turned away.
4 Months Old (02/10/12)
Nicholas is slowly adjusting to his new surroundings. Each night we get a little more sleep than the night before. So far, the main problem has been around 3 am. Nicholas gets a little cranky between 3-9 am and he usually fusses for his mommy as that is her time to look after him. Tonight, we will switch times and I will look after Nicholas from 4-9 am and she will look after him from 10pm-4am.
This afternoon we went to feed Nicholas and the knob on his oxygen tank wouldn't turn up. We had to call the company that provided the tanks and get someone out here quickly as it was time for Nicholas to eat. Thankfully, they came out within 30 minutes and Nicholas didn't go too long without eating. The reason why we turn the oxygen up is because he needs a little extra so he won't tire out. When he did get his bottle he took the extra we put in there too.
Due to several suggestions from nurses and parents from NICU babies we put a radio in the nursery too. Nicholas is used to noise and this should help him sleep.
This afternoon we went to feed Nicholas and the knob on his oxygen tank wouldn't turn up. We had to call the company that provided the tanks and get someone out here quickly as it was time for Nicholas to eat. Thankfully, they came out within 30 minutes and Nicholas didn't go too long without eating. The reason why we turn the oxygen up is because he needs a little extra so he won't tire out. When he did get his bottle he took the extra we put in there too.
Due to several suggestions from nurses and parents from NICU babies we put a radio in the nursery too. Nicholas is used to noise and this should help him sleep.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Rooming In/1st Day Home
We roomed in at McLeod on Tuesday night but before we did that several people gave us information such as how to make his milk, cpr training (we did that in the room), and they also showed us how the oxygen tank and monitor works too.
We didn't get in the room until about 5:15 pm or so and then for a while it was 1 person after the other coming in with either information or to tell Nicholas good bye. Nicholas probably slept about 2 hours that night and the majority of that was between 10-12 pm (before we went to bed). He kept wiggling and crying. He has reflux and is constipated from the iron and rice cereal (given for the reflux) and he was in a new environment. We should've expected that to happen but his nurses said he usually sleeps throughout the night so we thought that would happen when we roomed in too. We may have gotten 2 hours of sleep that night. We kept taking turns as to who would calm him down.
We were discharged from the hospital and left about 11 am on Wednesday morning. Nicholas slept the majority of the day but once again around 12 am he started fussing. I watched Nicholas from 10pm-4am and I thought maybe he was just hungry. He was but that didn't stop the fussing. Then I thought maybe he was hurting from his circumcision he got on Tuesday. I gave him some Acetaminophen but that didn't help too much either. The only thing that calms him down right now is being held. We think his night shift nurses might have spoiled him and held him at night and that's why he expects it now. Can't really blame them for wanting to hold him though.
Mariah said he was fussy from 4-8 am with her too. It is about 10 am now and for the most part he's sleeping well. We are very thankful we have the baby monitor and although the other monitor will go off if the strap moves down too far we are very thankful for that too. They just make things a little easier so we can make his milk or do work around the house or watch tv.
Nicholas is currently 20.5 in. long and weighs 9lbs4oz.
BTW, when the man came yesterday to set up the oxygen tank he told me I looked tired. Nice of him to notice, huh?
We didn't get in the room until about 5:15 pm or so and then for a while it was 1 person after the other coming in with either information or to tell Nicholas good bye. Nicholas probably slept about 2 hours that night and the majority of that was between 10-12 pm (before we went to bed). He kept wiggling and crying. He has reflux and is constipated from the iron and rice cereal (given for the reflux) and he was in a new environment. We should've expected that to happen but his nurses said he usually sleeps throughout the night so we thought that would happen when we roomed in too. We may have gotten 2 hours of sleep that night. We kept taking turns as to who would calm him down.
We were discharged from the hospital and left about 11 am on Wednesday morning. Nicholas slept the majority of the day but once again around 12 am he started fussing. I watched Nicholas from 10pm-4am and I thought maybe he was just hungry. He was but that didn't stop the fussing. Then I thought maybe he was hurting from his circumcision he got on Tuesday. I gave him some Acetaminophen but that didn't help too much either. The only thing that calms him down right now is being held. We think his night shift nurses might have spoiled him and held him at night and that's why he expects it now. Can't really blame them for wanting to hold him though.
Mariah said he was fussy from 4-8 am with her too. It is about 10 am now and for the most part he's sleeping well. We are very thankful we have the baby monitor and although the other monitor will go off if the strap moves down too far we are very thankful for that too. They just make things a little easier so we can make his milk or do work around the house or watch tv.
Nicholas is currently 20.5 in. long and weighs 9lbs4oz.
BTW, when the man came yesterday to set up the oxygen tank he told me I looked tired. Nice of him to notice, huh?
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Monday, February 6, 2012
Reflection
Several people have said they can't imagine what it's like going through what the 3 of us have gone through. This blog will be an attempt to sum it all up.
On Friday, October 7, Mariah started having pain and called her obgyn's office and she was told she having round ligament pain. At 4am on October 8 Mariah woke me up so I would go to the gas station and get her some Tylenol. At 8 am she was still in pain and we decided to call the doctor's office again. They called back at 9:15 and told us to go to McLeod. When we got there Mariah was examined and she was told she was 5 cm dilated. I went outside to call her mother and my mother and of course I was upset and I didn't want her to see me like that. Later that day the NP from the NICU came in and explained what all could potentially happen to the baby. Now I'm sitting in the corner and I hear this woman say he will need help to breathe and will be hooked up to a ventilator and there is the potential he could have cerebral palsy. I can't tell you more than that b/c the whole monologue was upsetting. At night, when there's no visitors, was by far the loneliest and most terrifying time because all there is istime to think what could happen. For 2 full days this was our routine. Mariah was constantly being pumped with drugs to hold the baby in and she couldn't eat and I had to give her ice chips b/c that was all she was allowed.
On Monday October 10 Mariah was moved to another room. Soon after Dr. Kolb came in and said she had to have the c-section now b/c there was a chance she could lose the baby. When Mariah was rolled back to be prepped I was left standing the hall alone and trying to text as many people as I could before I could go in. At 11:38 am our son Nicholas Uriah Baxley was born. I tried to show Mariah a picture but she was too drugged up to focus. Dr. Bridges, the NICU doctor who was at the delivery, said the reason why I didn't hear Nicholas crying was because his lungs weren't fully developed yet. Then I got to take another picture of Nicholas before he was rolled away but he was in his incubator and was being given manual breaths.
For the next 2 months Nicholas was and on and off the conventional, Jet, and Oscillator ventilator. He was given hydrocortisone and decadron steroids. Time after time we were told this would be the dose that would get him off of the Jet or the Oscillator but it failed over and over. The most devastating time was when they first brought the Oscillator out. We thought Nicholas was through with the high powered vent. but he was not. That was the first and only time I broke down at the NICU. It was just so devastating to know he was so close to not needing as much help and then when I saw that I thought he might not make it.
Eventually Nicholas got off of the ventilators and went to SiPap and to the nasal cannula. Then he got an infection on Christmas Eve night and I sat there and watched as different nurses kept stimulating him to try to get him to breathe. He eventually needed the conventional vent. for 1 day but quickly got better as they started the antibiotics as soon as Nicholas started showing signs that he may have an infection.
Then we were thrown a curve ball and found out Nicholas had ROP and had to go to MUSC asap or he could eventually go blind. When I told my supervisor what I was just told was as close as I've ever came to crying in front of anyone at work. Like everything else so far the procedure has worked and since Nicholas came back from MUSC he has done nothing but improve.
In conclusion, we are about to go the NICU for 1 last night visit and time can not move fast enough. Mariah and I have waited a long time for this to come and it is finally here. I will post on here again when we bring our son home.
On Friday, October 7, Mariah started having pain and called her obgyn's office and she was told she having round ligament pain. At 4am on October 8 Mariah woke me up so I would go to the gas station and get her some Tylenol. At 8 am she was still in pain and we decided to call the doctor's office again. They called back at 9:15 and told us to go to McLeod. When we got there Mariah was examined and she was told she was 5 cm dilated. I went outside to call her mother and my mother and of course I was upset and I didn't want her to see me like that. Later that day the NP from the NICU came in and explained what all could potentially happen to the baby. Now I'm sitting in the corner and I hear this woman say he will need help to breathe and will be hooked up to a ventilator and there is the potential he could have cerebral palsy. I can't tell you more than that b/c the whole monologue was upsetting. At night, when there's no visitors, was by far the loneliest and most terrifying time because all there is istime to think what could happen. For 2 full days this was our routine. Mariah was constantly being pumped with drugs to hold the baby in and she couldn't eat and I had to give her ice chips b/c that was all she was allowed.
On Monday October 10 Mariah was moved to another room. Soon after Dr. Kolb came in and said she had to have the c-section now b/c there was a chance she could lose the baby. When Mariah was rolled back to be prepped I was left standing the hall alone and trying to text as many people as I could before I could go in. At 11:38 am our son Nicholas Uriah Baxley was born. I tried to show Mariah a picture but she was too drugged up to focus. Dr. Bridges, the NICU doctor who was at the delivery, said the reason why I didn't hear Nicholas crying was because his lungs weren't fully developed yet. Then I got to take another picture of Nicholas before he was rolled away but he was in his incubator and was being given manual breaths.
For the next 2 months Nicholas was and on and off the conventional, Jet, and Oscillator ventilator. He was given hydrocortisone and decadron steroids. Time after time we were told this would be the dose that would get him off of the Jet or the Oscillator but it failed over and over. The most devastating time was when they first brought the Oscillator out. We thought Nicholas was through with the high powered vent. but he was not. That was the first and only time I broke down at the NICU. It was just so devastating to know he was so close to not needing as much help and then when I saw that I thought he might not make it.
Eventually Nicholas got off of the ventilators and went to SiPap and to the nasal cannula. Then he got an infection on Christmas Eve night and I sat there and watched as different nurses kept stimulating him to try to get him to breathe. He eventually needed the conventional vent. for 1 day but quickly got better as they started the antibiotics as soon as Nicholas started showing signs that he may have an infection.
Then we were thrown a curve ball and found out Nicholas had ROP and had to go to MUSC asap or he could eventually go blind. When I told my supervisor what I was just told was as close as I've ever came to crying in front of anyone at work. Like everything else so far the procedure has worked and since Nicholas came back from MUSC he has done nothing but improve.
In conclusion, we are about to go the NICU for 1 last night visit and time can not move fast enough. Mariah and I have waited a long time for this to come and it is finally here. I will post on here again when we bring our son home.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
To Our Surprise
Mariah went to give Nicholas his bottle this morning and to our surprise she was told that we can room in any time we want to this week. Because of work and the need to still take care of some things at home we will room in on Tuesday and possibly Wednesday (recommended by the doctors) and Nicholas should FINALLY be home by Thursday at the latest.
When he comes home we will post what our plans are as far as visitors go.
When he comes home we will post what our plans are as far as visitors go.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
On Track
Nicholas is still on track to come home next week (as far as we know). He took all of his bottles today and didn't have any desats. Sorry we don't have more to report but no news is good news.
Friday, February 3, 2012
It's Out!!!!
This afternoon Nicholas' nurse took the tube out of his nose (what they feed him with when there's something left in his bottle). She said it wasn't necessary any more because he's taking all of his bottles now.
We still haven't heard a definite day yet as to when we will room in. We will post it on here when we do and of course there will be no updates or visitors during that time while we room in.
Nicholas currently weighs 9lbs1oz.
We still haven't heard a definite day yet as to when we will room in. We will post it on here when we do and of course there will be no updates or visitors during that time while we room in.
Nicholas currently weighs 9lbs1oz.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Another Exam
Nicholas had another eye exam today and Dr. Stokes said Nicholas' eyes continue to improve. He will get his eyes checked again in 2 weeks.
Nicholas only took about 50 ml from his 8 and 12 feedings today but they tried to give him his milk in a big bottle and for some reason he doesn't do very well with the bigger bottle. At 4 and 8, when we gave him his bottle, he took it all (we used the smaller bottle).
As of now, the plan is to room-in next week (either Wed. or Thurs.) and depending on how well it goes we may only stay 1 night but it may be 2. Either way Nicholas should be home by next weekend.
I forgot to mention that earlier this week Nicholas got his RSV shot and will be receiving them each month until RSV season is over.
Nicholas only took about 50 ml from his 8 and 12 feedings today but they tried to give him his milk in a big bottle and for some reason he doesn't do very well with the bigger bottle. At 4 and 8, when we gave him his bottle, he took it all (we used the smaller bottle).
As of now, the plan is to room-in next week (either Wed. or Thurs.) and depending on how well it goes we may only stay 1 night but it may be 2. Either way Nicholas should be home by next weekend.
I forgot to mention that earlier this week Nicholas got his RSV shot and will be receiving them each month until RSV season is over.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Making Plans
Nicholas is now receiving bottles for every feed and the only reason why he would get any through the tube is if he doesn't finish his bottle. He only took 45 ml from his bottle at noon but his nurse said he wasn't very awake and it was his first back to back bottle of the day too. Nicholas did however take the rest of his bottles today (4, 8, 4, and 8).
We also watched the CPR video tonight to get familiar with it. We will have to watch it again and practice on the doll before we bring Nicholas home.
Nicholas weighs 8 lbs 13 oz (almost 14 oz).
We also watched the CPR video tonight to get familiar with it. We will have to watch it again and practice on the doll before we bring Nicholas home.
Nicholas weighs 8 lbs 13 oz (almost 14 oz).
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