Friday, October 15, 2010

Simon's Story

Simon was our first born and our biggest at 4lbs13oz. In utero, he was Baby B, but as he was laying on top of Linus, he got to come out first. Simon did great from the minute he came out. Nice big cry and never needed any oxygen. He got his first bath within an hour of birth. He was also the first to graduate out of a heated bed and into an isolette.

When he started on his feeds first and the nurse told us he'd have his IV out soon, I thought he'd just fly out of the NICU. Then his reflux started. It was heartbreaking to se him cry, "chew" and arch his back. They started mixing his breastmilk with AR formula and making sure he stayed upright for a few minutes after feeds. This helped some but he started not wanting to eat. An NG tube was placed and half of his feeds were just put down the tube. After adding Zan.tac, he really started improving. They'd offer him 5 out of 8 feeds orally and put anything he didn't finish down the tube. They figured out that if they gave him 3 of the oral feedings at night, he did better. Apparently we have a night owl. He's now up to 6 of 8 feeds by mouth and doing pretty well.

A few days after birth, his right eye started looking puffy. Within a day it was swollen shut and had green goo. The doctor thought it was probably just a blocked tear duct, but started him on an antibiotic ointment when it didn't clear up with warm compresses and massage.

About a week ago he started having sleep apnea and bradycardia. Basically he'd forget to breath and keep his heart rate up when he was sleeping. As he would roust himself out of it, they just started tracking his episodes. If they kept coming, he would have started taking caffeine, but they've slacked off. I'm sure he'll come home on an apnea monitor to make sure he does well out of a hospital environment. Over the last few days they've been lowering his isolette temperature preparing to transfer him into an open air crib. As of today he's within a few tenths of an ounce from his birth weight. I have a feeling he'll be home next week. :)

Coming into the world.

Meeting his Mommy.

Holding his Mama's hand in observation.

Contemplating kicking that nurse's butt who gave him a bath.

Thinking about how wrong he was about that nice nurse who fixed his hair.

Preciousness.

His first big boy outfit.

Looking like Rocky with his swollen eye.

Pitiful face. At least the eye looks better.

Kangaroo time with my beautiful wife.

Showin some love.

First time in Mama's arms
Swimming in preemie clothes.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! He is gorgeous. I hope he is home soon where he belongs!

2 Chicks 1 Hatchling said...

Sounds like he'll be home in no time! He's beautiful! Thank you for sharing his story. :)

Laurie said...

Oh my god he is sooo cuuuute!!!

H2 said...

He is so sweet. You both look like naturals in the pics. I hope he comes home soon.

Movie Gyrl said...

Congrats again on all 3 baby boys :)Looks like Simon will indeed be home very soon. Before you know it everyone will be under one roof. What can be better than that?!

Anonymous said...

What a cutie, hope you get to bring him home soon! All three of my kids had reflux as well, gotta love that Zantac.

Somethingtogrow said...

Welcome to the world, Simon! Btw, I'm so impressed that you were able to write this birth story considering how busy you must be. Congratulations again!

moi + toi PHOTOGRAPHIE said...

wow!!! my wife and I are so excited for the both of you... we have been following your whole progress and its super amazing to see the babies now!!!

cindyhoo2 said...

Love love love! The pics are gorgeous and your little guy is certainly a fighter. Question I have been pondering: how can preemie clothes look SO tiny in the store and SO huge on the baby?

Looking forward to you guys having more of your family together.

Phoenix said...

I have been following your blog for a couple months as my partner and I prepare to have a baby. I was so sorry to hear about the complications but the goddess is good and she protected you all. I will keep you all in my prayers. An Congrats on your beautiful baby boys.

Jen said...

I just caught up on the last three posts-- you have been busy typing the last 2 days! I am so happy that things are
improving and going so well! The boys are beautiful! Can you believe you guys have THREE sons-- it blows my mind! Congrats again.

Kara said...

Beautiful, beautiful, BEAUTIFUL! Congratulations!!! :)

Stef said...

Congrats so much to you!!! I havent been on here much lately.. my little guy keeps me quite busy... Oh so excited for you guys and the new life you now have!!!

mama bea, bao in the oven said...

Oh my god. I just caught up on your last few posts. What a harrowing experience you have all been through! I'm so glad the boys and Trina are doing better, and hope that you'll have everyone home soon. I'll be thinking about you all. xo