Mother/Daughter Cuddle Care

Prayers for Hazel

The doctor started Hazel's feeds again today and she immediately did not tolerate them. She spit up right away and this time there was a bit of blood present. It's obvious that starting and stopping feeding is not working and there is something else going on. The doctor thinks she may have Hirschsprung's Disease. A surgeon will come take a look at her tomorrow and decide whether or not he has reason enough to perform a biopsy. We're praying that she does not have this disease.

On a brighter note, Jude seems to be much more stable on his new ventilator. Hopefully this will help him progress more quickly to the SIPAP.

Hazel Wide Awake

Barfing Baby

Well, it is pretty obvious to us that it wasn't the breast milk Hazel didn't like. She's been on Elecare for a couple of days and today decided she'd had enough. Her feeds were increased overnight and again this morning and then she started barfing. She had one huge spit up when we were there his morning. When I went back this afternoon, she spit up about 6 more times within 30 minutes. It was heartbreaking. Her feeds have been stopped again and the doctor is stopping her caffeine as well as a couple other meds to see if they are causing her to have an upset tummy. She was switched to the nasal cannula earlier today to try and reduce the amount of air she was getting in her tummy. So far, she's been doing okay on it, but it didn't help her feeding problem. The doctor is hoping to figure out why she's having this problem soon so he doesn't have to do a big workup on her. Please pray that she'll tolerate her feeds when they start again and that she'll do well on the nasal cannula. It's great to see her face again!

Jude was switched to a different type of ventilator today. This one controls volume rather than pressure and will hopefully help him stay more stable. We're still praying that he gets off it completely very soon. Our goal for him is Friday, but we're not sure what his goal for himself is. :) He's in control right now and we just have to be patient with him.

Hazel and Jude will both be having eye exams tomorrow. Please pray that everything looks good!

So big!

Hazel and Jude have both been able to get rid of some of the fluid they were retaining, which is great. Jude has lost weight the past 2 nights, but still weighs 3 lbs 14 oz! Hazel has remained about the same and weighs 3 lbs 11 oz. We can't believe how big they're getting. If they keep up this rate, they won't even need preemie clothes when they come home.

Jude was able to get rid of 2 of his 3 IV's today! Since he's doing so well on his feeds, they removed his picc line. He looks so much better without cords everywhere. He is off all of his extra fluids and other nutrients and is just receiving fortified breast milk. Way to go Jude! His vent settings were lowered a little bit today. We're praying that this can continue and he can get off the vent soon. When that happens, he'll definitely be able to get rid of his last IV (if not before). It's being left in for now for fast administration of pain meds when he needs them.

Hazel is doing okay with the Elecare so far, but is still on a pretty small amount and isn't pooping at all. In the past, she's tolerated feeds up until a certain amount and then starts spitting up a lot. We're praying that as she approaches that amount (usually around 6 ml/hour), she is able to keep everything down (she is currently at 3 ml/hour). She's also under phototherapy again since her billirubin went up (a problem solved by eating and pooping).

That's about all for today.

We finally got to hold both our kids ...

... well, not exactly. But we might have won the cookie decorating contest!

Big exaggeration!

I just checked the price of Elecare online and it's only $200 +. So, the lady exaggerated a bit, but it is still expensive! At least it's not $3000!