April 10, 2013:

Today was a momentous occasion. RJ got an A+ from the lactation consultant on his first try at breastfeeding!! We ended up using a nipple shield, which is more like his binki feel, and he had some really good sucking motions. We think he even got a lil milk! This all took place at his 9am feeding. I tried again at the noon and even tried a bottle, but he was just too sleepy and not interested. He was sleepy again at around 2:30pm for his next feeding. The lactation consultant said for us to try at least once a day to get him used to it. It could be a slow process. He's had all sorts of foreign objects in his mouth for the entirety of his life so far, so introducing something that is supposed to be his source for food is just not an instant connection for him. I'm hoping that doing it a little each day, he will catch on. He seems to have been so bright and smart so far, I'm sure he will catch on with the whole breastfeeding and bottle shortly. :) One of the nurses was telling me that babies often prefer  breastfeeding over the bottle b/c they can control it better. The bottle milk tends to come out quicker. Here's hoping RJ prefers the breast. :)

When I came in this morning Robert was already there. He'd had an early conference to attend and then stopped by to see RJ before clinic started. I didn't notice at first but Robert pointed out to me that RJ's feeding tube had been moved to his nose!! Now he only has a small feeding tube and the clear nasal cannula on his face now!! We are knocking down the equipment required. :) Of course he still has cords to connect to the the heart and oxygen monitor. Poor lil boy is starting to break out on his chest from the continuous use of the EKG leads. :( We are having to rotate sites each time he has a bath to give the skin time to heal. Thankfully it doesn't seem to bother him.

No changes were made to RJ's plan today during rounds. They are all very impressed at his response to the nasal cannula. This evening he was on 0.03 liters of oxygen. That seems like NOTHING in comparison to the adult world. The nurses said that sometimes the babies need just that little whiff to make them feel better. Sometimes they will only need it during feeding time. Here's hoping RJ can wean off of it completely in the weeks to come. We still don't have an actually target go home date. Maybe once he starts feeding by mouth they will have a better idea.

At 3pm every day all the parents get kicked out of the NICU for a few hrs while "shift change" is taking place. Anyways, I usually stay w/ RJ till the last minute and then go pump. When I came back this afternoon to return my stuff to the nursery, there was someone HOLDING my baby. It caught me off guard and made me slightly mad. It was one of the music therapy girls coming to work w/ RJ. I had not given permission for such, but I guess it will be of benefit. It just threw me when I saw it. He was totally asleep and who knows if he heard anything she said. I just had to share that bit.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention that yesterday morning I cut RJ's fingernails for the first time. They were getting so long!! It was a little nerve racking cause I didn't want to hurt him or make him bleed. Thankfully I kept a good grip on his fingers and had no accidents. :) Robert had  hard time believing there was anything to cut, but rest assured I've been feeling those nails the past few days scratching my chest during our snuggle sessions. Now neither RJ nor I will get scratched from his long nails. :)

Last night we got home late after giving RJ a bath and Robert holding him. I had the worst time getting out of the bed this morning, so I'm saying good night and going to turn in early.

Thanks again for all the love, support, and prayers. Keep them coming!!!