Haberman is My Friend!

Parker is a STAR! Yes, the Parkster took one full feeding last night and one today (60 cc's) thanks to the Haberman Feeder! The Haberman bottle is a flow control bottle designed for babies who have problems eating. Parker started his feeding a little rocky with a minor desat, but then stopped, breathed, and then started up again. Today I was there for his lunchtime feeding and got to witness this miraculous activity (see pics below)! I can not believe Parky so quickly figured out how to suck, swallow and breathe! Because he tires out so easily he is only having one feeding by bottle per shift (every 12 hours). Good job buddy! This means Parker's surgery should be on it's way. With his breathing in order and feeding almost seamless, there is no reason why his surgery should be delayed. If Parky continues on this road he'll be home in a couple weeks (pending his surgery goes well). I CAN'T BELIEVE IT - a dream come true!

Tyler's liter flow was turned down from 3 to 2 today and continues with the high flow. The docs seem to think Tyler continues to need the "peep" or pressure provided by the high flow. John and I think he'd probably do well on 100% oxygen like his brother. Maybe not at 1/8 liter, but low flow, 100% oxygen none the less. So rumor has it that if Tyler can stay strong on the liter change, they will "test" him out on the low flow 100% oxygen in a couple of days. Keep going buddy!

I have to tell you, it's getting hard to NOT be discouraged after 100 days in the NICU, especially when you have two 7 lb. baby boys who are acting JUST like newborns. The last 3 weeks have been the most difficult for me because the boys are presenting themselves as "normal" newborn babies. As I sit hours in the NICU rocking my precious boys, I find myself thinking, "I could be doing this at home!" I've said this SOOO many times the last few weeks. I look around at the not-so-inviting surroundings of the NICU room and realize that it's just not a parent-friendly place. I mean, the hospital does provide chairs, but it pretty much stops there! For someone who's been in that NICU for 108 days straight, I tell you it's NOT home. It doesn't even resemble "home" and sometimes I just really yearn for the boys to be home. I've heard that parents of micro preemies tend to get antsy toward the end of their NICU journey, and I'm one of them. John keeps saying, "I don't want them home if they aren't ready. We are patient and can wait!" Well, I don't want them coming home before their time but I want to get a "move on" and I want the docs to know we're READY! I have a feeling that we're coming into the longest final stretch I have ever experienced!

Because of John's CRAZY schedule this week due to Homecoming, he isn't able to see the boys every day. They are already missing him! The boys are starting to get used to John being there after work holding and snuggling them. Not that it makes up for daddy, but because he can't be there the next few days I commissioned family members to come "baby hold". Below are pics of some FABULOUS baby holders! I just LOVE my family and friends! You are ALL so good to us!