There's more growing than just flowers this spring!

Lucas is getting big! He weighs 7lbs 6 oz. Head circumference is 14 '' and he is 18.25 '' long! He has decided this week that he is going through a fussy phase. He wants to be held all the time and fights taking his bottle. His feeding progress has gone back a few steps from a few Weeks ago. Because of this and because he is now almost 44 Weeks gestational age, we will begin discussions about getting a "g button" surgically placed. This is a feeding tube placed directly into the intestine for the feedings he won't take by mouth. He will likely come home on oxygen too. So, we're having to consider different arrangements initially for his care when he comes home including needing oxygen tank set up, in home nurse visits or respite care services. These are possibilities, but nothing is certain right now. We know he's growing and becoming more aware each day. He will be getting his 4 month immunizations some time this week and probably also getting a special eye exam called a fundoscopy exam.

42 Weeks gestation, 17 weeks old

Length: 17 1/2'' head circumference: 14'' weight 7lbs 3Oz Lucas took two full bottles for mommy and daddy yesterday. He is doing better now that they increased his oxygen to 40%. He is back on diuretics to help him breathe easier. He is still growing. There's talk of him coming home on oxygen and having a feeding tube put in his tummy so he can get his feedings at home if he's too tired or unable to eat. I try to explain it like this: eating for a baby is like running a mile, eating for Lucas is like running a mile while smoking a cigarette.

Happy St Patricks day

Lucas weighs 7 lbs 3 oz today. The hospital loaned us a swing that rocks sideways and he was given a bigger crib so he can be placed in different positions. His head is starting to flatten on one side from laying on the same side all the time. They've increased his feeding volume to 2 ounces every 3 hours and reduced the calories to 24. They reduced him back down to 4 feedings offered orally a day because he truggles with knowing when to breathe. I told them they just need to let him suck on the nipple first with no milk. They said they can make a note but its one step back. Baby is scheduled for an MRI of the brain and he will be circumsized next week sometime. We still have a ways to go to get him home. He was weened on his oxygen, but still destats a lot if he is totally off it. Still growing and sleeping and doin the doin dudes and dudettes!

Pathway x 5

Lucas is now 6 lbs 14 oz. He was graduated to the pathway 5 times a day today after taking 90% of his 4 feedings yesterday! He's making some progress, but its a slow process. He's growing more every day and has already out grown his preemie footie outfits. He also graduated to a bigger crib today so he can be alternated on one side or the other for SIDS prevention and to get him ready for coming home. We may even start weening on oxygen again this week. He's been grumpy the last few days, but loves being held!

Our big boy!

Sunday Measurements: Length 17.14 inches Head circumference: 13.4 inches

Rachel, I like my new Sea horse, we named him CB the Sea Horse

ROAR!

Thanks for the bib aunt LuAnn

Thank you Timesha for the cool hat and baby sack

It tastes interesting!

Mommy's new favorite pic!

Lucas weighed 6 lbs 0.6 oz tonight! He ate his first full bottle this morning and took almost all of two more today. Had he eaten all of his last feeding, he would have moved onto the next level, but he was pretty tired from his bath. He's gotten SO big since this whole thing started. I forgot to get his measurements from Sunday, but I'll ask for them tomorrow. (updated above).

We're so proud of our big boy! Brandon got a video of our little man being gassy and wants me to post it (typical guy stuff) so if I can figure it out I will... It was pretty funny in person. It's getting harder and harder to leave him at the hospital every day, but my solace is that he will be home soon. He's just got to work on this eating stuff! His eye exam went well today. They said everything is stable and his next eye exam will be in a month.

Still growing

Lucas is getting bigger every day! We are awaiting his eye exam on Monday. For those who want to know when he is coming hone the answer is, its based on him getting to the point that he'll take all his feedings without a feeding tube. They start by offering bottle/breast up to 4 times a day. Once he can eat 80% of those himself, they offer 5 times, then six, then seven. When it gets to where he eats his bottle on demand he will be ready. It is unlikely he will go home with a feeding tube. Another sign he will come home soon will be when he is circumcised. This will happen a few days before he comes home. We cannot wait until he comes home!

Still growing

Lucas is getting bigger every day! We are awaiting his eye exam on Monday. For those who want to know when he is coming hone the answer is, its based on him getting to the point that he'll take all his feedings without a feeding tube. They start by offering bottle/breast up to 4 times a day. Once he can eat 80% of those himself, they offer 5 times, then six, then seven. When it gets to where he eats his bottle on demand he will be ready. It is unlikely he will go home with a feeding tube. Another sign he will come home soon will be when he is circumcised. This will happen a few days before he comes home. We cannot wait until he comes home!