March 5, 2013:

Yesterday Robert had the day off, so we saw RJ in the morning and then left early afternoon to run errands. Before we knew it, it was past our bedtime and I hadn't blogged yet. They decided to hold off on extubation yesterday and try weaning some more settings on his ventilator. They also started lasix to help get some fluid off. It's a 3 day course and then they will start a Aldactone and Diuril for continued help keeping his fluid off. He was quite feisty again trying to get his breathing tube out. The nurses kept having to reposition his head so he could still breath. It's so incredible how strong he is and yet so little.

This morning at rounds they decided to extubate today!!! Today he's getting his last dose of steroids and second day of lasix, so a good day to try extubation!! He was pullin at his tubes again this morning and turing his head around. Robert was able to come up from the ED for the actual extubation. We were able to be right there with him!! It was awesome!! We got to see his cute lil face afterwards and it was a beautiful, crying RJ face. :) I called to check on him later this afternoon, and he was still doing great. He had pulled out his feeding tube, so the nurse had to put that back in and re-tape it. RJ just wants all the tubes out for good now!! :) Now I feel like we are making progress again and can move closer to breastfeeding!! I want to feel like a real mommy. Watching a machine extract my milk isn't the most exciting thing to watch. I would much rather hold my baby and give it to him directly!! Anyways, they have switched RJ to bolus feeds. They are starting him out slow, giving his dose over 2.5 hrs, then holding for 30min. Now we get to do his cares every 3 hrs (change diaper, clean face, clean mouth). I'm also had to step up the pumping department to handle his increased feedings, so every 2-3 hrs I'm hooked to that silly machine. Sigh... I will be happy to never see it again. :)

I'm about to head back in for the evening to see him and all his glory after the breathing tubes been removed. This afternoon I had to leave immediately after the extubation for a meeting. Now maybe I can hold him for a lil while this evening. Thanks for all the love and support!!