December 8, 2003

Ok, when I tried to feed him, he doesn't take anything, but when a nurse does, like this morning, he takes over half the bottle! Am I doing something wrong? Goodness! I am counting down the days until he comes out of the isolation room and hopefully back up to the Special Care Nursery. I would love to visit him again without having to put on a gown, gloves and mask. I can't kiss those puffy cheeks with a mask on!! Ok, I'm better now!

December 7, 2003

After sleeping in late, I went up to the hospital for Jacob's 2pm feeding. He was squirming and coughing and just wasn't very interested in the bottle. He only took about 6ccs...out of 55. After 20 minutes of trying, I put him back to bed and changed his diaper. Whoa, boy that was fun! Jacob is famous in the NICU for having a smelly bum! Hmm, maybe that's why he was so restless...concentrating! Nothing changed when Dr's did their rounds today. His oxygen increased slightly this morning though. I talked to his nurse about his coughing and asked if she would mention something to the Dr on call. From what the nurse told me, the Dr isn't going to become concerned unless he has a large increase in his oxygen requirements. Alrighty then! Boy is he gaining weight now! He's already up to 5lbs 6.5 oz! I think I underestimated his homecoming birth weight!

December 6, 2003

I get to see my boy today! Yay! It's been 4 days and I am going nuts! I am still a little stuffy and cough once or twice, but the cold is gone enough! heheh Jacob is doing well today. I found out last night that he would have to stay in isolation a total of 10 days, which would be until the 11th. Hopefully he will go back to Special Care after that. With the cultures still being negative, the only thing keeping him in the NICU is the need for isolation as a precaution. His oxygen needs are minimal and he hasn't had any spells since early Tuesday morning. I will try to bottle feed him today! That should be fun! Once he's bottling every feeding, it's homecoming time!! I can't wait. Shoot, that means I need to hurry up and get his room finished! I did some touch up painting last night and will finish painting the inside of the closet today. Then I will set up his crib! Oh, this is so much fun!

December 5, 2003

I feel like I haven't seen my boy in weeks when in fact it's only been 4 days. And I'm going to make it 5 because I still have cold symptoms and don't want to risk getting him or anyone else sick. He's doing very well this morning. I asked the nurse about his weigh and according to the chart, he gained over 100 grams yesterday. That's a huge weight gain for one day so his morning nurse told me wait and see what his weight is tomorrow. Normally when there's such a large gain, they weigh the baby more than once to get an average. That wasn't the case for Jacob so we will see what it is tomorrow. I'd say he's at lease at the 5lb mark! All the cultures they have taken so far have come back negative. Yay! So maybe the little guy just got a touch of Mom's cold!

December 3, 2003

Though still in isolation, Jacob is doing well this morning. Talking with his nurse I found out he hasn't had any more spells since yesterday morning and has otherwise been fine. The culture they took yesterday didn't show any growth after 12 hours, which is great but they will continue to check it every 12 hours growth. Other than having his nose suctioned a couple times since yesterday and a few little coughs, Jacob isn't showing any signs of infection. If he is getting a cold or something similar, it most likely came from me as I am home today with a bad cold. He’s fighter though and I know he will kick this too! Oh yes, and our Fat Cow is now just under 4lbs 14oz! Getting close the 5-pound mark!

The shower my co-workers and friends threw me yesterday was a lot of fun. I received many wonderful gifts and had fun playing the "guess the baby food" game. I'll have pictures from the shower up soon!

December 2, 2003

9:00am - Due to the continued apnea/bradycardia spells, Jacob is going back down to the NICU this morning. Dr. Roan will then order a CBC (Complete Blood Count) to check for any early signs of infection. Dr. Roan explained to me that Jacob isn't showing any other signs of not feeling well, but he wants to check things out to be safe. He told me bottle-feeding could be contributing to the a/b problem because he is still learning how to suck-breath-swallow. As soon as I know more, I will spread the word.

3:30pm - Jacob is having a good afternoon. He is back in the NICU in an isolation room. He will remain there until they can determine whether he has an infection. I let the nurse know that I woke this morning with a sore throat and that if Jacob is sick, I probably gave it to him. What a nice Mommy!! The blood count they ordered came back normal and they have ordered testing on his throat secretions but that will take a day or two to show results. Needless to say Mommy isn't going to visit him for a day or two or until this cold thing goes away. 

This afternoon my dear friends at work are throwing me a baby shower. My Mom, sisters and Brett will be coming up to join us. I'll share all the details and probably many photos tomorrow!

December 1, 2003

Jacob the Fighter has Graduated!! Yesterday afternoon he moved from the NICU to the Special Care Nursery! He will now be bottle fed twice a day! I am so proud of my boy! He gained another ounce putting him at 4lbs 9oz! He had a few minor apnea spells over night but none since 7am. I think the little guy will be home for Christmas....I hope so anyway!!