Sunday, April 10, 2011

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

For almost two weeks now, I have been trying to find the words for my next blog post.  However, they never seem to come.  I am not sure if this extreme case of writer's block is due to the physical exhaustion that comes with the hectic life of a NICU mom...or if it is because every day seems to be an emotional rollercoaster filled with ups and downs.  So, I have decided to let our pictures tell the story this time.  After all, a picture is worth a thousand words...

Tuesday, March 29th

Hayes had his first taste of mama's milk!  Unfortunately, his little body did not quite know what to do with it though.  His stomach was producing too much gastric secretions and not fully digesting, so the doctors decided to stop feeds and give him a little more time to get the hang of this whole eating thing.

Wednesday, March 30th

Such a big boy holding his pacifier all by himself!

Thursday, March 31st
Unfortunately, this is the only day since Hayes's birth that was not captured with the camera.  But, there is a very valid excuse!  After spending the morning with my favorite baby boy, I headed across the sky bridge for a quick doctor's appointment.  Just a routine follow-up, right???  Wrong.  After my doctor removed the last few staples on my stomach, we both noticed a section of my skin begin to pull apart.  She started to probe at the opening for further inspection...and just like a zipper, the incision came apart from top to bottom.  Needless to say, I was rushed back to the operating room to undergo surgery number two.  This one was just like the first (spinal to numb me from the waist down, sheet up to blind my view, and lots more scalpels and staples)...but this time I did not get a cute little baby from the whole ordeal!

Friday, April 1st

This is the best "tan" that Hayes will probably ever have...courtesy of a slight case of jaundice!

Saturday, April 2nd

 Enjoying a lazy Saturday!

Sunday, April 3rd

Hayes got his second attempt at feeding...this time from mom!  Although he was able to digest the milk a little better this time around, he still had too much residual gastric secretions and undigested milk in his stomach after each feeding.  The doctors decided to stop feeds again and wait it out once more.

His O is becoming tougher and gaining coverage by the day!  
The pediatric surgeons (as well as Dr. Mom) are so pleased with the progress.

Monday, April 4th

Good-bye, Bear Pod...Hello, Rabbit Pod!
Since his birth, Hayes had spent all of his days and nights in Bear Pod (the highest acuity section of the NICU).  Although the doctors and nurses there were amazing, it was often very stressful for the whole family with all of the commotion and heartbreak surrounding us.  So, you can imagine the excitement when we found out that he had graduated to a much calmer and less intense pod!

Tuesday, April 5th

Daddy and his Mini Me!

 Check out the new clothes Shorty made!  The larger size allows plenty of room for his O, and she even altered the shoulder to fasten over his PICC line.  Hayes is now the most stylish baby on the 7th floor...
even when he makes those crazy faces!

 Wednesday, April 6th

What an exhausting day for this guy!  Since he has been having so much trouble digesting his food, the doctors decided to send Hayes up to radiology for an upper GI contrast study to make sure there were no obstructions in his anatomy.  The study included a big dose of barium, a series of x-rays to watch the movement through his body, and some big, yucky poops at the end.  
Bad news - lots of laundry for mom...good news - no obstructions in Hayes!

 Thursday, April 7th

 Hayes was exhausted after his third attempt at feeding, but guess what...third time is a charm!  His residual levels were much lower this time, and the doctors were finally happy with his digestion.  He has been taking bottles down like a champ ever since!

Friday, April 8th

 Fat and happy...and almost back to his birth weight!

 Saturday, April 9th

Smooches and cuddles...the best part of the day!

2 comments:

Julie said...

So thankful he is doing well and progressing. You are all so strong. We are thinking of you guys!

Calisa said...

Love the pictures and comments! Think of you all often and hoping things are going well. Last time we spoke you had just gone through your 2nd surgery - so hopefully you are taking care of 'mommy', too!