Just a couple of "sickies"

Phoenix's next pediatrian's appointment is June 9th, but due to his severe nasal congestion (plus coughing and sneezing), we took him in to get checked out and see what we could do for him. While we were there, they weighed him (with his diaper and onesie still on, so it was not completely accurate, but...) he weighed 7 lbs. We'll get a more accurate weight on the 9th, when they'll undress him, before they weigh him. It will be fun to see what he weighs and how long he is, now that he is "full term" (as of May 27th). He was diagnosed with a cold, but due to his young age, they would not prescribe anything for him and told us to wait it out. However, a couple of days later, his Mor (Lisa) started to get quite sick (cold and flu symptoms and fever), as well. And, after a visit to Urgent Care, she was diagnosed with the croup and the beginning of either pneumonia or sinusitis! So, Lisa is now taking a cough syrup with narcotics and a "z-pack" of antibiotics and Mucinex. This means that Phoenix has to use up all the frozen breast milk (mixed with extra formula, to make it last) until Lisa finishes the antibiotics and cough syrup, so that he does not get a dosage of this medicine. All of this means that Mommy (Steph) has had to be a full-time Mommy, while Lisa was "out" from being sick and all of the medication(s)! Steph had to take a day off of work and then, only work a partial shift, until Lisa could manage caring for Phoenix, on her own. Luckily, Steph has not had any signs of illness, yet. And, we're just hoping that Phoenix doesn't get whatever Lisa has. We've just been trying to alleviate Phoenix's symptoms with daily baths, a humidifier, saline nasal spray, nasal suctions, baby vapo-rub, and keeping him laying on his side, stomach, or upright (if he's on his back). We've been keeping tabs on his temperature, as well, and thankfully he's not had a fever, like Lisa has had. Phoenix's nasal congestion has been slowly improving. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you!

Photo Shoot (continued)!

Photo Shoot!

These pictures are dedicated to Phoenix's Mormor, who thought it might be fun to have a remote camera to take pictures of Phoenix's many expressions he makes while holding him! These were taken in his vibrating chair, but he still made a few faces! We ALL miss you Mormor and can't wait for you to come back!

First Walk in the Park

Last week, when Mormor was here, we all went on Phoenix's first walk in the local park! It was a little breezy, but he was bundled up and had the top up and cover on the bassinett portion of his stroller. Also, he was wrapped in blankets. He seemed to really enjoy being outside. And, since then, he has been outside every day... either while we were working outside or a walk in the park. He is always protected from direct sunlight, but still gets to experience and enjoy the fresh air and indirect sunlight. And, we come inside if the breeze gets too windy, since it can impede his ability to breathe normally.

Photo Shoot, Gone Bad!

This afternoon, Phoenix accompanied his Mor (Lisa) outside in his awesome stroller / buggy while she did a little light yardwork (weeding and trimming dead growth). He'd had about enough after just over an hour and we went back inside. The temperature was 75 F today and there was just a slight breeze. We brought the boom box outside and played his favorite (okay, only...) CD. It's a classical music for babies CD that he really seems to enjoy! This morning, Mommy (Steph) tried to help with a photo shoot, so that I could post new photos on this blog. But, after only a couple of pictures (the close ups, in the previous post), Phoenix had enough, screamed when his Mor (Lisa) wanted to get just one picture with his cool elephant hat, and after it was removed, he just shut down! Later (after being outside), Lisa got some good photos, in a second photo shoot, while he was in his vibrating music chair!

First Milestones

Although they are difficult to see in many of his photos, Phoenix's eyebrows and eyelashes are really starting to grow and fill in (see close up photos)! Phoenix is now 6 weeks old (as of Wednesday, May 20th) since birth. However, we were told that for developmental milestones, we should use his "adjusted age" which would be his gestational age. And, since he wasn't due until May 27th, he's still considered "unborn"! He will be "zero" (full term) next Wednesday, when we will begin charting his milestones. However, I think he must be "advanced"! This is because, according to "Pregnancy Weekly" at 6 weeks, a full term baby should be meeting the following milestones: momentarily lifting head up, while laying on his stomach; focus on others' faces; and smile (without gas!). He has met all of these milestones, even without adjusting his age! Phoenix has also begun to cry real tears (crocodile tears!). His Mommy (Steph) says Phoenix has his Mor's (Lisa's) number and already knows how to get his way with her. These tears are another "weapon" in his arsenal! And his sweet little "preemie cry" is long gone, as well. His lungs are strong and his cry is loud, now! Mommy (Steph) had to trim a few of his fingernails this week, because he keeps scratching his face and head. He had also been scratching us (our hands, neck, and arms) while we hold him! Phoenix has also begun to "coo"! He does this mainly when he's eating and when he's being held, as long as all of his other needs (feeding, burping, diaper change, sleep, etc.) have been met. He still very much enjoys his baths, so he also tends to "coo" during his bath time, as well.

Animal Assistants

The animals can't seem to get enough of Phoenix and all want to be close to him (and whomever is caring for him, at any time). They all like to be "involved" in anything that he's doing (sleeping, eating, diaper change, bath time, etc.)! They want to watch and check on him, especially if he's making any noises, including any crying. I have to say I was pretty surprised at this, since the dogs don't seem to care for small children and have always barked when they hear babies on t.v. cry!

Nacho is Concerned about Phoenix

Mormor's Visit

At his first pediatrician's appointment, Phoenix was found to be in good health and he has grown to 19 1/2" and 5 lbs. 12 oz. No shots this time (phew!). Due to his prematurity, he will have to wait another month, at least, before his first vaccinations / immunizations. He has his next appointment scheduled in June. Soon after we got home, Phoenix's Mormor arrived in Redmond for her first long visit! We had bath time... and a lot of snuggle time with Mormor. Steph and Lisa are very grateful for this time so that we can rest and get some things done around the house! And Mormor has been learning all of Phoenix's little quirks and habits. Phoenix has been quite content with Mormor holding him ALL day!

Little Boy Blue

... come blow your horn! It gets a little chilly here at night, still. So, we try to bundle up! We're excited for warmer weather coming soon! Phoenix has his first pediatrician's appointment on Monday, the day after Mother's Day. His first shots are expected and hopefully, he has gained weight since coming home! This will be Lisa's first Mother's Day as a mother and she's quite pleased!

Home, at Last!

After 13 days back in the Bend NICU, including a "rooming-in" for the last night, Phoenix was discharged on Tuesday, May 5th (Cinco de Mayo) to come home! Phoenix successfully passed his hearing test (ultrasonic); a car seat study (maintaining at least 90% oxygen saturation, while strapped into a car seat for an hour); 72 hours of eating 46 - 50 ml of milk, by mouth only, every 3 hours; gaining at least 20 grams daily; and finally the "room in" which consisted of Steph and Lisa staying in a hospital family room, overnight with Phoenix, tracking all of his care (ad lib, on demand feedings, burpings, diaper changes, temperature checks... all while making sure he still gained weight) with no probe monitors on Phoenix. In the morning, the neonatologist and the charge nurse did an exam and 29 days after he was born, we were finally allowed to take Phoenix home! We survived the first night at home... after his bath, we were up every 2 hours for his "on demand" feeds and multiple diaper changes. One of our chihuahuas (Nacho) thinks it's his job to notify us if Phoenix makes even a peep or moves a muscle. He is absolutely fascinated with Phoenix and whines if he can't see him or be near him! I think Phoenix already has a furry friend for life (Nacho)! This morning, we sang Happy Birthday to Phoenix, to celebrate his one month birthday! This is kind of funny, since he wasn't even due to be born for another 3 weeks, from now!

I want to be just like Mommy!

The LION says "ROAR" (or yawn....)!

SMILE for the camera!

Preparing to go home!

Phoenix is doing very well, now. He is eating between 46 - 50 ml every 3 hours, by bottle. He is using a higher flow nipple, so that he doesn't get tired sucking and he actually finishes his bottle in less than 5 minutes. It used to take around 20 - 30 minutes on the slow-flow nipple and he often got too tired to finish it and would need to be gavaged (fed by tube) whatever was left in the bottle. Phoenix is now 5 lbs. 2.8 oz. In some of the photos, you can really see his face filling out and he's starting to look more "baby-like". He will be measured (body length and head circumference) tonight, after his bath, and I will update it at that time. Last Sunday, he was 18 1/2" long. Some of these photos he was sleeping (or "pretending to sleep") because he does not appreciate the camera flashes! He closes his eyes a lot when the camera comes out! It will be easier to take photos later, when he can be either outside in the sun or in a brighter room, where a flash may not be required. Phoenix had his oxygen saturation probe and cable removed yesterday, since he has been totally off of any oxygen or even room air flow (through his nasal cannula) for 2 days. Now, the only cable still connected is the one with the three leads checking his respiratory rate and heart rate. He of course, still finds ways to get tangled up in those, but it's much easier to maneuver him in and out of the bed and into different holding positions! He does still have his gavage tube in his nose (for those feedings that he refuses to eat -- when he's just too tired). Although, he just pulled that out today (again)! We're learning different positions to hold him in to try to help alleviate the gas he has after his meals. So, fewer wires and cable connections is great for us! His doctor says that as long as he doesn't have any set backs, and continues eating as he does, Phoenix could be discharged from the hospital as early as later this week! The medical staff are basically treating him as a full-term baby, now. They told us to go ahead and bring in his car seat. And, we were told to schedule his first pediatrician appointment. Also, Steph and Lisa will be completing an infant CPR class on Tuesday. All of this news is both exciting and a bit nerve racking! We've been spending so much time at the hospital(s) that we don't even have his room done! We will probably need to go without some sleep in the next couple of days to at least finish painting his room! I want to make sure the paint is dry and has had time to cure before he comes home, so that there are no lingering fumes. Thankfully, Phoenix's Mormor (Lisa's mom) has generously offered to come down from Seattle to stay with us to help with the transition and care for Phoenix. This will help us also, so that while Mormor cares for Phoenix, Steph and Lisa can get caught up on general house work and yard work that has been neglected for a few months, since Lisa was first admitted into the hospital, due to medical complications with this preganancy! Phoenix will be in great hands with his Mormor, whom Lisa refers to as the "baby whisperer"! And, we will surely get some good baby care tips, as well.