April 11, 2013 Take 2:

I put up the pics first tonight and now I'm writing while lying in bed relaxed. Today was another fabulous day with RJ. He surprised us and stayed awake for over 3 hrs!! He was awake when I arrived around 8:45am to do his 9am cares and then hold him. He stayed awake during our snuggling/breastfeeding time. He latched on again and did a lot of looking around. I'm not sure actually how much he got, but he seemed to be getting more comfortable w/ the idea. I have a new reason to get up and out of the house in the morning. I need to help teach RJ how to get his own milk!! He was so tired from staying a wake all morning, that after his noon cares, he was out like  rock. There was no waking him up. He got fussy like normal when he wanted to change positions, but that was about it. He barely even moved around at 2:30pm when I did his next cares. He did start dropping his sats when I told him I was leaving. It's funny how the babies can sense that. I'm already anxious to get back there tomorrow morning and see how he does breastfeeding. Those breast shields are a life saver for the lil preemies.

They didn't change much on rounds today. They stopped his sodium chloride and that was about it. His eye exam earlier this week was the same. No changes from the last one, so that is encouraging. They just want to go slowly w/ the PO feeds and not rush him. It's been a super big week already switching to the nasal cannula and then starting breastfeeding. We don't want to overwhelm the lil guy.

I hope you all enjoy the pics as much as I do!! The bath one is my favorite!! It's already bath time tomorrow night, so I'm gearing up for it already!! :) Oh I have to mention that the lactation consultant today told me a different way to hold RJ for breastfeeding and she didn't mind me using the boppie pillow for support, unlike the other lactation consultant. I can see they both have differences of practice. I'm just going to have to formulate my own plan taking both of their ideas. :)

Alrighty, it's time to turn out the lights. My 1am pumping time is just around the corner. Goodnight family and friends...

Thanks for the love, support, and prayers!!