Dictonary.com, another friend of mine says that there are 12 meanings to the word 'progress.' Although nearly all 12 apply to the boys, definition #4: growth or development; continuous improvement seems to be most suitable to describe Thursday (Day 23) and Friday (Day 24). Great news as the week winds down, after a not-so-exciting beginning to it. I'm going to make this blog a bit narrative today, since I became camera happy, mostly with Aiden because mom was able to kanagaroo him on Friday. Let's first start with a video of him. Apologies for those of you trying to view this at work - your proxy server is probably blocking the videos from coming in. Go back and watch at home :)
We were super excited to finally get Aiden's mask off and get a look at both of his eyes. We were lucky enough to capture them on this video after his awesome kanagroo session with mom. The isolette cover was still up, and the nurses let us visit with him for a few minutes while he was getting diaper changed. Sorry for the poor narration on the video...the baby talk may get to be too much after a while :)
Below are a ton of pictures of Mom & Aiden's kangaroo session on Friday. I got a little camera crazy, and kind of lost track during the upload process, so if you see a duplicate, just enjoy the same picture again.
Above: LOVE THIS PICTURE! Both eyes open looking at mom. This was one of the first chances I had to see both of Aiden's eyes open together. Simply. Incredible.
Above: The nurses noticed a little curl on Mr. Aiden's head. Could it be curly hair? Or at least a wave?
Above: Aiden after kangaroo session in his normal pose. We looked back at the 18 wk sonogram pics this weekend, and sure enough, Aiden's hands were in the same spot!
Above: Mr. Aiden again, before the mask goes back on. Never thought 7 oz. would make that much of a difference, but he looks real now!
Above: Video of Aiden before isolette is covered back up.
Jackson improved remarkably on the oscillating vent Thursday and Friday. His settings continued to be lowered, and blood gases (mainly % CO2 present in blood) looked good. Docs plan to keep him on the oscillator through the weekend, so he doesn't go to conventional, only to be put back on the oscillator. He was also under the lights Friday, as his rubin levels marginally increased. Staff believe the rubin levels are increasing because of the blood transfusions they continue to receive. Not sure I explained this or not, but people have asked me why they get so many blood transfusions. Depending on their condition - stable, or ever-changing, both boys get blood drawn at specific intervals depending on their condition. Staff mainly look at the gas (O2 and CO2) levels present at the time, which are indicitive of how "well" they are doing. For example, when I say Jackson's vent settings are being lowered, this may be because the CO2 levels in his blood have been where they need to be, or perhaps he getting more than enough O2 assistance at the current settings, that he needs to be weened, so they are lowered. Kind of technical, but it's the best you'll get from me here :) Anyway, back to the blood. So, the amount of blood that is required for the specific tests they are running and the frequency of them, does not allow the boys enough time to re-produce the amount taken from them, so they need some help. Make sense? That concludes Hematology 101 for tonight. Enjoy some pictures of Mr. Jackson below
Above: This is awesome. "Not the hand again! Lady, leave me alone and take this shit off of me already!!"
Above: All Jackson
Day 23 Pictures
Above: Aiden literally "rocking out!"
Above: "Mom, is that you? Get this freaking tube out of my mouth!"
Above: Mr. Aiden eyes wide open!
Above: Mom changed Aiden's diaper!
Above: All Jackson
I want to squeeze those chubby cheeks! Who would think a baby who weighs so little could be so chunky looking? I love it!
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