78 days old...

C is for Connor...
and for his chunky cheeks...
and for his coupla chins! - March 1, 2009

Several developments in the past few days...

Connor is now a whopping 6 lbs, 4 oz (2.5 oz just in the last day) and 18.9" long. Our tiny boy isn't so tiny anymore.

Connor spent less than 24 hours on the nasal cannula, and is breathing completely on his own again. The only tube on his face is the NG tube down his nose for feedings.

That's right... I said FEEDINGS!

Since Monday at noon, Connor's had 6 successful tube feeds with Pedialyte. It sounds like he'll be starting on milk tomorrow. I'm no longer pumping, but we have a stash saved in the freezer which hopefully will last him a couple of weeks. FINALLY, this little boy gets to experience the full feeling in his stomach again, for the first time (last week's attempt doesn't count) since Christmas Day! Over the weekend you could really tell that his hunger pains were strong - if he could chew he would have gone through a box of pacifiers. Sometimes, his sucking was so loud and so voracious, the nurses could hear him from across the room.

Now that he's older, they've encouraged us to bring in items to stimulate him, so on Sunday he got to try out a bouncy seat for the first time - he looked like he enjoyed the vibrations. Brian also installed a new mobile on his crib. He seems to love listening to the classical music it plays - it really quiets him down when he's fussy. He'll follow its movement on occasion - but I don't really blame him for not looking at it too much - the dangling toys are barnyard animals... on acid.

If feedings continue to go well, we anticipate that he'll graduate to the step-down nursery soon. We're hoping there he'll get a bed near a window... he is currently their oldest patient and longest resident, after all. If he gets a primo spot, Connor will be able to finally have visitors (through the glass). Once he's graduated, let us know if you would like to come see him - we'd be happy to meet you at the hospital and "show off" our baby boy.

Other than that, he's just hanging out and letting Mommy and Daddy hold him whenever they can. With feedings started again, it feels like we're finally making some progress in the right direction... towards HOME.

Last day with the nasal cannula! - February 27, 2009

"Yep, Dad... pretty sure I've already got more hair than you!" - March 1, 2009

Father & son - March 1, 2009

Teeny-tiny in the bouncy seat - March 1, 2009