Day 31: Alert!

I didn't mean to scare you.  The boys were so alert on Friday, it was great!  Both boys had their eyes open very wide and seemed to respond to us more than ever before.  Again, so awesome!  I was able to kanagroo Aiden today, while mom spent her hour of kangaroo time with Jackson.  This was my second kangaroo session, and both of us thoroughly enjoyed every minute.  Aiden also filled his diaper from the moment he got comfortable on dad until his hour was up.  What a diaper he had when we were done!  It is truly unbelievable the amount that these boys stool.  Aiden continues to slam his food down, and is up to 20mls with an additional 4 calories added.  His 20mls are administered over one hour every three hours.  Aiden weighed in at 2lbs 4oz on Friay.

Both boys had their 30 day head ultrasounds on Friday.  If you recall, they had two ultrasounds previously done on their heads (one at 3 days and one at 10 days) to check for bleeding (or IVH) on the brain.  Aiden had a bi-lateral grade 2 and Jackson did not have any instance of a bleed.  In addition to reviewing the progress of the first two scans, the 30 day ultrasound also checks for dead (white) areas of the brain, and enlargement of the ventricles.  From the research I have done, I found that a severe brain bleed (grade 4), could potentially result in brain damage.  Brain damage could also be caused from other trauma to the head while in utero, right before, or shortly after birth.  The clinical term for this is PVL.  To read more about it, try this link:  http://www.cpparent.org/pvl/pvl.htm.  Luckily, neither boy has any instance of PVL, though, Aiden's bleed is beginning to heal/reabsorb, and Jackson's remains clear.  Good news, since we've been anxious for the results since the beginning of the week.  It seems like every week or so there is something major that the boys are faced with, whether it is a test, or a change in treatment.  We can't wait utnil this is over.

Jackson spent some time with mom Friday afternoon, loving every minute of the hour.  He continues to be on 20mls dripped by gravity, usually taking about 15 mins for him to ingest the entire feed.  Jackson was 2lbs 5oz on Friday.

Above: Dad and Aiden's kanagroo session

 

Above:  Aiden saying "Cheese!"  He is so alert in this picture!!

Above:  More alertness from Mr. Aiden

Above:  Aiden the entertainer

Above:  Aiden looking like dad

Above:  Jackson eyes wide open!

Above:  Jackson eyes wide open...bigger!

Above:  Jackson, even bigger eyes!

Above:  Jackson and mom kangaroo session