Finally, a little sleep

Night before last, Carter didn't do very much sleeping. Last night, however, he slept for almost 3 hours, which allowed Courtney to get a little sleep. Yesterday, I came over on my lunch hour, and laid him on his tummy time mat and turned on the music, and he laid there listening and looking around for probably 20 minutes. He seems to be having more "awake" times and loves to be talked to and entertained.  The nicu nurses told us to swaddle him until he is able to bust out of it, which he has done for a couple of weeks now. And he also rolls from his back to his side on his own. This morning  I laid him against me and he raised his head for what seemed like a long time. We are amazed at how strong he is. Aunt Chelsea came to visit him today and was amazed at how much he had grown! I am babysitting this morning while mama does a few hair cuts. I keep trying to imagine what his personality will be -only time will tell!

Quick trip to the doctor

We took Carter for an unscheduled doctor visit today. He has been getting choked fairly often when he feeds, and last night he actually threw up afterwards. So we were concerned that there might be something wrong, as well as wondering how much he was actually keeping down and wanting to make sure he was retaining enough food too continue gaining weight. Last Thursday he weighed 5 lbs. Today he weighed 5 lbs, 11 oz! So apparently he is gaining. The doctor said he is actually gaining 50% more than he needs to. We discussed the breast feeding vs. Formula with him.  The nicu nurses said to always offer him formula just to be sure he gets enough calories, and we think he is getting enough, so the doctor said to only breast feed for this week and see how his weight is next week.  He seems to be doing fine with it - didn't act hungry for about 3 hours, which is normal. We are excited about the possibility of not having to mess with formula, plus the preemie formula is really expensive. And breast milk is more easily digested, so that may help  with his reflux episodes.  I am keeping my fingers crossed that he has an uneventful night tonight!

Still kicking!

Well, the last couple of days haven't been too bad, except we think Carter has his days and nights mixed up.  He seems to be rather content to snooze the day away, and then fusses and cries all night.  He has to take vitamins with iron, and we have been giving him 1/2 in the morning and 1/2 in the evening, and we are wondering if that might be upsetting his belly.  We will try giving him the second 1/2 in the afternoon and see how that goes.  His bandage from circumcision finally came off, so tonight it's bath time! And maybe we can soak off those darn apnea tabs and put new ones on to ensure the connection is good.  But his reflux doesn't seem to be as bad today.  And he is doing much, much better when he eats, remembering to pause and breathe every few sucks.  He has gotten strangled several times while eating - not sure what that's about, hoping it is something transitional that will pass.  We hope to weigh him tonight. His face has really filled out and his color is very good.  I hate not being able to take him out and show him off!  Can't take the chance of him getting rsv or even a minor cold would be a big deal. 

We hate apnea monitors!

This apnea monitor Carter has to be hooked to is the devil!! The nurses told us the sticky tabs would stay for 3-5 says. After about 5 days, his breathing alarm was going off from time to time, but he was still breathing, so we assumed maybe it was time to change the tabs. They said if you soak them in warm water it would help them come off. But because of his circumcision he can only have sponge baths until it heals. So we tried holding a wet washcloth on it and then when we tried to peel it off, it was still really attached. He cried and Courtney cried. At that point we decided to leave it on. The last couple of days, the heartbeat alarm has went off a few times, sending everyone into a panic. But we think it is just losing connection from time to time. Hoping to get the tab changed today. And he had some pretty bad reflux yesterday. We asked his doctor about him taking Pepcid, and he said its debatable whether it actually helps the reflux or not. He said at most, it simply coats his esophagus, preventing it from becoming irritated from the reflux.
Both he and Courtney got about 3 hours straight sleep this morning, which is more than they have gotten in a while. I know this time will pass, but at the moment, it is so stressful for Courtney, wondering if the alarms are real or false, and worrying about if he should spit up or reflux while he is sleeping, and not getting any rest. We ask for your continued prayers as we muddle through these first weeks at home.

Carter's One Month Birthday Picture!

Carter's First Doctor Appointment

We took Carter to see his pediatrician for the first time today.  Of course, it took way longer than we thought to actually get him packed and loaded in the car and we were a few minutes late!  His doctor said he looked good, and he is up to 5 pounds!! And from the time we brought him home until today - 6 days, I had to let out the harness straps on his car seat he had grown so much! The doctor showed us his growth on a graph, and said it was "optimum", so he is growing very fast.  We still don't like the apnea monitor, as it goes off for no apparent reason, which I guess is totally normal for those.  But still, it puts you into a panic when it goes off.  We still have to feed him every 3 hours, so that he continues to get enough food and calories to maintain his growth pattern.  He will still need to wear his hat and keep bundled all the time until he is around 8 pounds.  They said at that point, they can usually hold their own as far as maintaining their temperature.  We bombarded the doctor with a million questions, and we hadn't even gotten out of the parking lot before we said, "Oh, we forgot to ask...."   If only we could think of everything when we needed to! Anyway, he goes back in 2 weeks for another check up.
Courtney is feeling a little more relaxed with him, and getting a little bit more rest, so she is in a better frame of mind.
The doctor said for probably six months, absolutely no crowds - church, store, etc.  And he said only do that if you are ok with saying to everyone, "Don't touch my baby, don't breathe on my baby, and don't put your face close to my baby".  That's kind of hard to do, so he will probably just stay in until spring!

A couple of pictures of the sleeping prince!  Carter is doing just great!  His little cheeks are starting to look chubby, and he is eating 2+ ounces per feeding which is a great improvement - when he was a week old, he was only eating about 1/2 ounce at a time.  He is staying awake for longer periods as well.  We're not sure what he sees and what he doesn't, but sometimes it seems like he looks right at you.  And every time he hears daddy's voice, he turns to see where it's coming from!  Mama is totally exhausted, and could use some extra prayers!  We all know no one takes care of your baby like mama does, but sometimes you just have to let someone else take over and get some rest!  Cole is just the best dad - doing whatever needs to be done anytime he's asked.  He goes back to work tomorrow, so it may be kind of a rough day for Courtney.  We will try to take turns running over there to see what she needs.
Carter's monitor has went off a few times, but it's so frustrating because you don't know if it's actually him having an issue, or the monitor not getting good readings.  He has his first doctor's appointment Thursday, so we will be anxious to find out what doctor has to say, and to see if he's gained weight since coming home. 
Updates later!!