Next, the Driving Test
Hello friends and family!
It sounds cliche, but they do grow up quick. Just a couple of weeks ago Xavier was steering his pacifier, and today he passed his car seat challenge! What for next week, his driver's license?
Xavier weighed in at 1790 grams, an increase 28 grams, bringing him to 3 pounds, 15.1 ounces. He is a mere 24 grams from four pounds.
Xavier Bradied once yesterday. Arrg! However, the doctors have decided he is 42 weeks and he needs to leave the NICU. So, in addition to oxygen, Xavier will be sent home with a pulse ox (that is the little sensor you can see on his foot in several of the posted photos; it measures the oxygen saturation level in his blood). The pulse ox also measures heart rate, although slightly delayed from the three sensors currently affixed to his chest. Now, Rebecca and I are armed with a more accurate way to detect Bradys at home.
Yes! It looks like Xavier is coming home, and he's coming home this weekend more likely than not.
Saturday, Rebecca and I are meeting with the oxygen supply company at the NICU. They will instruct us in the use of his portable oxygen tank and how to manage the pulse ox and its monitor.
We picked up his prescriptions this afternoon, his Actigall, iron supplement and vitamin concoction. We have made his first pediatrician appointment for Monday, and he has an eye exam scheduled at Children's Hospital Tuesday.
Great is our God and He is awesome in all His ways. Thank you all for your prayers.
Yes, that's Xavier strapped into his car seat. Look closely, he's in there! Even the small baby insert is too big for him.
Strapped in and ready to go. We had to wait for Xavier to go to sleep before strapping him in and starting the test. The idea is to have Xavier at his most vulnerable for Bradys, which is when he is resting or asleep. He sat, strapped in to his seat, for :90 minutes. He slept most of the time.
1.8 Ounces Away
Greetings to everyone.
Xavier is at 1762 grams today or 3 pounds and 14.2 ounces. He has had no more Bradys since Tuesday. We are thinking his several Bradys earlier this week were side effects of his inoculations.
Tomorrow, the medical staff will discuss his release in more detail. Sunday is day five for his new round of "Brady watches," so we are hoping Monday may be the day. Still, it could be sooner.
Jen, his nurse today, said he may actually have his retest of his car seat challenge in his car seat instead of a car bed since he is a mere 1.8 ounces away from four pounds! We'll see what tomorrow brings us.
Not much news other than what is reported above today. It is beginning to feel, at least on some level, like our family is coming together into a stream of normalcy. Your prayers have helped with this, and we thank you for them always.
A Little Too Cool
Greetings to everyone!
Another quiet day, unless your name is Xavier Michael Ogden.
Last night when I wanted to leave the NICU, Xavier was sleeping soundly on my chest. "This is a good time to put him back," I thought. "He will sleep another two or three hours before needing to eat again." Famous last thoughts.
The moment I put him back in his crib, he started fussing. His fuss started in low, then it started to grow. I held him and he quieted down. Put him back down, and he fussed again.
I changed his wet diaper, but no joy. Then, thought I, he wants more to eat, even though it's only been two hours. He took 20 cc, then seemed to settle. Seeing him go quiet, I departed.
Today, we learned he was awake all night. The nurses had to carry him around with them for him to be still and not cry (this means wheeling around an oxygen tank also). The reason, we think, was that he was too cold. His temperature was around 36.5 all day and for Rebecca 36.3 (36.5 is as low as it should go). The NICU has been having some heating/cooling problems since Monday's big storm, so the area has been cooler than usual.
Changing him out of his onesie which had no legs or arms helped him settle. He only put on 13 grams overnight, another suggestion he was too cold. When we left him this afternoon, he was sleeping well and not fussy.
Speaking of weight, with his added 13 grams, he weighed in at 1725 grams, or 3 pounds, 2.8 ounces.
Other than this, things are quiet. Thank you all for your prayers and your support.