12.15.15

“Did out hear that?!” — The last time we heard Jack cry was for a split second the morning he was born, since then he’s had a tube down his throat helping him breathe.  Not today.  Today we heard him cry.  I’m sure I’ll regret saying this years from now but I never want to stop hearing that cry.  That little voice that has been found.  The voice that doesn’t need to utter a sound to let us know he’s here to fight.

7 weeks (31 weeks gestational) Update:

weight: 1,376(3 lb 1 oz)| height: 16 inches

Brain Bleed– The doctors are pleased with how the bleed is receding at this point so will only do scans every other week.  We are thrilled there is no additional damage on top of the initial.

Ventilator– We are still on CPAP! We’re on high settings but they’re weaning down and trying Jack out on new, smaller nose prongs (you’ll see below) because he’s managed to rip the big face mask out most days.  A stubborn, feisty child?! Not ours!  Everyday without the ventilator working for him is a day he’s growing stronger!

Feeds– Remember that Christmas goal of hitting 3 lbs?  CRUSHED IT.

NICU + Real Life:

Bye Bye Giraffe Isolette – 7 weeks old calls for a big boy isolette! We are moving on up in the NICU world.  We will be sad to not have a detachable roof for Sunday joyrides but more square footage to squirm around in? We’ll take it.

PT, Music + Eye Exams– This was the first week Jack received physical therapy to help with early intervention of being born so early.  They worked him out and the look on his face said it all — “why is this person pushing my legs around during my nap?”.  Like Mother like son on the exercise front.

Along with PT, the babies get to enjoy music therapy.  It’s therapy for us too! It’s so lovely to hear an acoustic guitar and soft singing by your baby’s bedside to drown out the beeps and hums of all the machines.  Even for only a moment it’s worth it.

Moving forward, Jack will get eye exams every two weeks to monitor for ROP (Retinopathy of Prematurity).  ROP is a disease that occurs in premature babies. It causes abnormal blood vessels to grow in the retina. This growth can cause the retina to detach from the back of the eye, leading to possible blindness.  All squirm inducing thoughts but so far Jack has passed his eye exams and we’re hopeful they’ll continue successfully.

Stairs are hard- For all the Moms out there pumping in the middle of the night, this is your warning: DO NOT WEAR SOCKS DOWN YOUR STAIRS WHILE BALANCING PUMPING EQUIPMENT.  We found this out the hard way- literally. Hard swan dive down to the bottom.  After bottles, breast shields and mommy hit the floor there were some choice words about her love for pumping.  We thought you were getting too much attention Jack so now Mommy sits on an egg crate to hold you thanks to our nurses that heard the tale of ‘why mommy moreau should never be up at 4am’.  We would like to just be catapulted into 2016 at this point, we’re really rounding out this year in wild fashion.  Time for a fresh start!

Here’s to your 7th week little man! You make us so proud and we sit in awe of you.  The smallest guy in the room with the biggest heart.  Your mountain might be a little steeper than others but you’re stronger than you know.  We are with you, every step of the way.