Day 21 Update

Hi Everyone! Even though we didn't fast this year (for obvious reasons) I didn't feel right posting earlier today so here is today's posting.

Micah is doing well at home. He isn't the quick eater he was in the NICU and is taking a bit longer, especially at night, to make it through his bottle, but he is still getting it all down. We have increased him to 60 ml at each feed, too. We had his first pediatrician appointment yesterday. He was pronounced a healthy baby. The only thing they said we should do differently for him as opposed to a full term baby is to limit the amount of people that handle him since he is so susceptible to everything as a preemie (the same with go for Leah and Golda too). So, I will say here (for the first, but definitely not the last time) if you are in any way sick - your throat has a tickle, your kid is sick, you're just getting over something - please do not come here! Some "colds" that we get as adults and kids are caused by something called RSV. RSV is the most common reason for a preemie to be readmitted to the NICU and the most common cause of death in this population. So, again, please stay away if you even think you might be getting something.

Leah is doing well. She didn't gain any weight over night so she is still 1640 g (3 lbs. 10 oz.) and is eating 50 ml. The nurse told us the doctors would like to see a bit more consistent good eating and gaining on her part before sending her home. They were going to do her car seatchallenge today to get that out of the way, but the nurse didn't think she would be discharged before Sunday (of course, that could change depending on what the doctors say). Jon fed her today and then we headed down to the family room for our refresher course on infant CPR. They have changed the recommendations once again and it's now 2 breaths, 30 compressions, 2 breaths for everyone (infants, children and adults). Good to know and good to have had the chance to practice again.

We then headed over to Golda. She was out cold, sleeping so peacefully when we got there. She was "eating" - now 6 ml over an hour! The nurse said that she made a huge "diaper blowout" poopie today, all by herself, no glycerin suppositories necessary. And she had only one episode of desats between last night and today. Her weight was also the same as the night before - 1220 g (2 lbs. 11 oz.) Slow, but steady improvements.

I will try to post some photos tomorrow. Too tired now to try ;) Oh, and I have migrated the journal to its new home: http://www.fessler-family.blogspot.com/ Please change your bookmarks since this site won't be functional by the end of this month!