So there is a dry erase board in Emerson's room, and Grant decided to spruce it up the other day. He brought in some color markers and put the blog website for the nurses, Emerson's birth weight, added a little chart to put four days worth of weigh in's, added a box for nurses to add any notes when we aren't there, our phone numbers, and drew his signature stamp - a sunset :)
Well we were excited to see that Tammy, the night nurse, left us a little note on the dry erase board. Emerson took a full bottle feeding at 2am! GO Emerson!!! That was two full bottle feeds - 5pm and 2am. The daytime nurse, Debbie, said they have done gavage feedings since than so he can rest up and hopefully bottle feed for me at 5pm. And that is exactly what he did! 3 full bottle feedings in 24 hours :) I know there is possibility of two steps forward, three steps back. But right now we celebrate the small victories! ;)
I really focused on his feeding this time. Holding him so my left hand was supporting his neck and shoulders, rather than his head. Held him without the boppy because he seems to fall asleep quicker when I use it. Trying to hold the bottle and give him chin support with my right hand, but the chin support is still a little hard for me. We should be finishing the feeding and burping in 30 minutes, so I kept an eye on time to. In previous feedings I was probably more lax than I should be. Mostly because I am nervous of possibly Emerson choking. But after asking more questions to the nurses I feel more confident each time. So I tried to have a little more control but not forceful with what the nurses taught me. I noticed a difference! Even when I pulled the bottle down a little bit he had such a great suck grip. I can't say how relieved I am to see that his suck/swallow/breathing is as good as it is. This is one of the biggest problems we thought we were going to be up against, not just with the Down Syndrome, but also being a preemie. He was just sucking away and I realized that we were almost done with the bottle. Way to go little man! After a few burps, he finished that bottle right off! So proud of him!
After the feeding, Grant helped get Emerson undressed so that we could do some Kangaroo Care. I brought one of Grant's button down shirts so we could do full skin to skin this time. Emerson snuggled right into my chest and passed out. We cuddled for 45 minutes and I loved every minute of it. I could have probably sat for hours just watching and listening to him sleep <3
We settled Emerson back into his isolette, all swaddled up so he could rest up until his next feeding. Shortly after that Uncle Ken came for a visit! Ken is a friend of Grant's from way back. Such a great guy, and always love catching up with him. Especially since he travels a lot and we don't get to see him as much anymore! Emerson woke up a few times so Ken got a few good peeks at him. I'm sure Emerson will love Uncle Ken just as much as Bandito, Vinyl, and Rusty do :)
8pm vital checks went well. Emerson did gain a little weight, but not a whole ounce so came out to the same weight as yesterday. He got all tucked in with his gavage feeding and we said our good nights.
See you tomorrow little buddy!
Notes from MyPreemieApp:
September 19, 2013 – Today Emerson Robert Goulet is 1 week and 5 days old and weighs 3 lbs 6 ozs. The nurses taking care of Emerson Robert Goulet are Debbie and Tammy.
Something happened for the first time. Kangaroo Care: First full kangaroo care!
We made progress. Feedings: Emerson took 2 full bottle feedings at 2am and 5pm.
Another big event. Visitor: Ken
Melissa is feeling Proud.
Melissa is grateful for: Emerson's Strength!
Well we were excited to see that Tammy, the night nurse, left us a little note on the dry erase board. Emerson took a full bottle feeding at 2am! GO Emerson!!! That was two full bottle feeds - 5pm and 2am. The daytime nurse, Debbie, said they have done gavage feedings since than so he can rest up and hopefully bottle feed for me at 5pm. And that is exactly what he did! 3 full bottle feedings in 24 hours :) I know there is possibility of two steps forward, three steps back. But right now we celebrate the small victories! ;)
I really focused on his feeding this time. Holding him so my left hand was supporting his neck and shoulders, rather than his head. Held him without the boppy because he seems to fall asleep quicker when I use it. Trying to hold the bottle and give him chin support with my right hand, but the chin support is still a little hard for me. We should be finishing the feeding and burping in 30 minutes, so I kept an eye on time to. In previous feedings I was probably more lax than I should be. Mostly because I am nervous of possibly Emerson choking. But after asking more questions to the nurses I feel more confident each time. So I tried to have a little more control but not forceful with what the nurses taught me. I noticed a difference! Even when I pulled the bottle down a little bit he had such a great suck grip. I can't say how relieved I am to see that his suck/swallow/breathing is as good as it is. This is one of the biggest problems we thought we were going to be up against, not just with the Down Syndrome, but also being a preemie. He was just sucking away and I realized that we were almost done with the bottle. Way to go little man! After a few burps, he finished that bottle right off! So proud of him!
After the feeding, Grant helped get Emerson undressed so that we could do some Kangaroo Care. I brought one of Grant's button down shirts so we could do full skin to skin this time. Emerson snuggled right into my chest and passed out. We cuddled for 45 minutes and I loved every minute of it. I could have probably sat for hours just watching and listening to him sleep <3
We settled Emerson back into his isolette, all swaddled up so he could rest up until his next feeding. Shortly after that Uncle Ken came for a visit! Ken is a friend of Grant's from way back. Such a great guy, and always love catching up with him. Especially since he travels a lot and we don't get to see him as much anymore! Emerson woke up a few times so Ken got a few good peeks at him. I'm sure Emerson will love Uncle Ken just as much as Bandito, Vinyl, and Rusty do :)
8pm vital checks went well. Emerson did gain a little weight, but not a whole ounce so came out to the same weight as yesterday. He got all tucked in with his gavage feeding and we said our good nights.
See you tomorrow little buddy!
Notes from MyPreemieApp:
September 19, 2013 – Today Emerson Robert Goulet is 1 week and 5 days old and weighs 3 lbs 6 ozs. The nurses taking care of Emerson Robert Goulet are Debbie and Tammy.
Something happened for the first time. Kangaroo Care: First full kangaroo care!
We made progress. Feedings: Emerson took 2 full bottle feedings at 2am and 5pm.
Another big event. Visitor: Ken
Melissa is feeling Proud.
Melissa is grateful for: Emerson's Strength!
Leave a comment
Please login with your Facebook account if you wish to leave a comment.