I am so happy to report that the little men just keep getting better and better! Today, neither Nate nor Ace had their IVs in. That means all that they have now are their feeding tubes and then their heart, respiratory and oxygen saturation monitors. Now that the IVs are out, I feel much more confident in handling them and was able to take each boy out of his isolette myself as well as put him back. It helps me feel more like a “real” parent to be able to do this.
Now that they are off of IVs, I can also start to dress them (I could have before, but it would have been harder). Ace is at full feeds and Nate will be tomorrow, which means they are going to start transitioning to bottle/breast feedings. They both have a head start, though, as they are doing great with breastfeeding. Little Ace breastfed today before his gavage feeding and he got so much milk from me that he spit up some of his gavage feeding afterwards. Go, little man!
They are getting ready to transition from the isolettes to open air cribs, too, but the nurses are waiting to do this because when they are transported to Bellingham, they go in an isolette, so they said it’s not worth starting to transition them just to put them back in an isolette in a few days. But transition to the open air crib should be very soon — we are just waiting for approval from insurance to get the transfer started.
We were told that insurance said they needed to look at the numbers and get back to the hospital on transfer approval. The nurses are confident that when they see the cost difference in the care at St. Joseph’s vs. UW, they will readily OK the transfer. Please keep your fingers crossed — I want my boys close to home as soon as possible!
Yesterday, the babies in the NICU all had little Halloween/Fal blankets made by one of the nurses, and this morning, Ace’s nurse had done up his isolette for him:
Happy Halloween, Ace!
And here is Nate after a breast-/gavage feeding session… passed right out with his mouth hanging open!
Goodnight, Nate!
Thank you, everyone, for your continued prayers, positive thoughts, gifts and other acts of kindness during this time. We could not be doing this without all of you.
They look awesome Sommer! Go Ace, Go Nate!
They are beautiful Sommer. How nice of the nurses to give them some Halloween cheer – brought tears to my eyes. Call me crazy but I think Nate looks a lot like Calista in that picture!
I love reading your updates! You don’t know me, but I have followed your journey over at Ovusoft (particularly the HPT board).
I just wanted to say that my son was born at 35 weeks and he had an IV in his head. It is VERY intimidating and I know what you mean about feeling like a real parent when you are able to do more things for them. Sounds like your boys are doing great and I look forward to reading more updates about your family!
i just wanted to come by and say congrats on no iv’s. yeah for the boys. praying they come close to home soon. they are so percious. what sweetie little faces.
Go Ace and Nate! You have some tough little fighters, there. :) I hope the transfer is approved speedily!
I’m so excited to read your updates. Those are some strong little boys you’ve got!! Way to go Mommy, Nate & Ace!!!
All this good news is wonderful for the soul :) I am thrilled to know they are doing so well.
YEAH Ace and Nate on the loss of your IV’s!! YaHoo!! That’s fantastic news. Hopefully the insurance covers the transfers and your sweet little princes are much closer to home! Good Luck! As always, thanks for the updates! Sending continued prayers!
They are looking so good and sounds like they are doing great! I hope the inusrance realizes how much money they will save and gets the boys moved for you. Congrats on the no IV’s and the great nursing sessions.
Sommer, you have two strong boys!
I’m so pleased for you all that they’re making such amazing progress.
They’re both absolutely adorable!
Barb
Fantastic news! Those boys are getting cuter by the minute!
They look GREAT! How cute that the nurse made blankets!
Sommer – they are just SO beautiful! Congratulations a hundred times over!