Monday, January 31st

Last night Jackson was having low oxygen saturation.  They could not get it to go up with a little prying, so they put him back on oxygen.  He was not low enough for it to be life threatening, just not preferred.  They went ahead and did a chest X-ray.  The doctors were surprised at how good Jackson's lungs looked.  So, that was not the issue which is actually great news.  However that being said, we are not sure exactly what is causing it.  The current theory is that it has something to do with his poor feedings skills which causes slight fluid in the lungs.  He will be having another swallow study in the morning to look for milk particles that may find their way into the lungs.  Jackson was obviously upset and fussy from the ordeal, but would settle down and get happy when mom and dad held him.

Exhausted after one heck of a day

Saturday and Sunday, January 29th - 30th

Jackson is still not over his acid reflux.  We are trying a new position to feed him.  It's an angled sideline position.  It's really hard for mom and dad because he is doing perfectly in all other forms, and they really just want him home.  Here are the new measurements:

6lbs 13.4oz
18.9" long
13.6" head circumference

Just not feeling it today.

Maybe if I'm cute enough they'll let me leave.

Chillin' the day away.

Friday January 28th

On Friday the Doctors again talked to Julia about Jackson's feedings. They think Jackson's feeding issues are all acid reflux related and not coordination. So they have increased his Prilosec to 3times a day and he is now sleeping on a wedge. The wedge allows Jackson to sleep at a 45degree angle. The whole thing is quite comical but if it gets him out of the hospital, we are willing to try it. If it does work, he will come home with his wedge. He is quickly approaching 7lbs! Even though the reflux is keeping Jackson in the hospital, we are trying to see the positives. The good news is most babies grow out of reflux, Jackson has so few others problems and if something were to happen the Doctors are there to intervene.

Jackson resting on his wedge

Jackson jail cell..I mean crib

at least Jackson has a better view of the room

meh- I guess Ill deal with it, as long as I get to eat

Thursday, January 27th

We had the doctors watch a feed to see what was going on when we are talking about Jackson's heart rate drops.  He was extremely fussy today, and wouldn't calm down unless someone was holding him.  It was probably because he seemed gassy or backed up or something.  They used a warm pillow on his stomach to help him get comfy and go to sleep.  Otherwise it's more of the same.

 

 

 

No more dad; I'm full.

Not now, today is not a good day.

Wednesday, January 26th 2011- 17 weeks!!

Today was Julia's birthday, so Greg and Jackson gave her cards, and Greg got her an ice cream cake which is Julia's favorite.  Otherwise, Jackson is doing the same.  They increased the thickener in his food just a tad.  He is all the way up to 6lbs 10oz. Also today marks 17 weeks in the NICU, just over 4 months! In the beginning they gave us such grim statistics and here we are 17 weeks later with a beautiful and healthy baby. One can never doubt the power and strength of faith.

Mommy and Jax sharing a moment

Mommy and Jax holding hands

Jackson and Jules' Birthday photo

In my Guido shirt fist pumping.

Playing superman isn't the same without the cape, dad.

Tuesday, January 25th

DUE DATE


So today was Jackson's due date; the date Jackson was predicted to be born.  The only thing keeping Jackson in the NICU is related to his feedings.  For some reason, be it indigestion, gas, or acid reflux, Jackson is stopping breathing for a few seconds when he eats.  Again, something is bothering him enough to cause a drop in heart rate(called a brady).We are working on treating all of these symptoms in hopes to stop whatever it is that is bothering Jackson.  We have to go at least 3 days without this incident occurring.  So far, he goes most days with one happening for now.

Fine, take the picture.

REALLY?! How embarrassing.

Solo Jackson

Jackson tells daddy how it's gonna be.

Jackson gets a pep talk from dad.

Enjoy this pic for posterity's sake.

Monday, January 24th

Jackson is growing very well.  He is up to 6lbs 9oz.  The medicines he got for gas and acid reflux seem to be helping.  He is not all the way better yet.  Sorry for the short post, but nothing else is going on: eating, sleeping, growing.

I weigh how much?!

Sunday, January 23rd

Jackson was able to meet his uncle Eddie for the first time.  They both checked each other out for a few minutes, and then decided to be friends.  He, and everyone else can't believe just how big he's gotten.  The feedings seem to be getting better and better lately.  Also, we think he is still affected by acid reflux, and so he has been prescribed Prilosec.  It should take a couple of days to make any judgments as to whether it will work or not.  Despite all of his feeding difficulties, Jackson is still growing and is now 6lbs, 5oz.

Who's this guy?

You seem harmless.

Yes, smile for the camera; like a good  boy.

Calming down after a long day of eating and sleeping.

Let me check you out.

Cool, we can be friends.

Saturday January 22nd

More of the same for Jackson. He is still having a little issue with acid reflux so tomorrow they will start him on Prilosec in the morning. Jackson gave Mommy quite a surprise when she was changing him, as she was wiping his bottom he decided this was a good time to poop!! Mommy and Jackson also spent a good amount of time kangarooing today. It made both of them very happy, but what was even more amazing was to see how big he has gotten.

Jackson striking a pose!

Friday January 21st

Jackson met his Aunt Jaime today! It was a great afternoon. He enjoyed snuggling with her. His feedings are going much better. He is 6lbs 4 oz now! hard to believe he is the same little kid who was born 17 weeks early. we are just waiting patiently for the doctors to tell us he can come home. Hopefully it will be soon!

Jaime finally meets Jackson, and looks happy.

Jackson checks his aunt out, and approves.

Aunt Jaime getting all smooshy with Jackson

Wee, this ride needs more excitement.

Thursday, January 20th

Jackson had his eye exam today, and things are going really well after the surgery.  He is cleared from another checkup for 9 months.  He also received his RSV shot today, and he is planned to get his four month immunizations a week from today.  His feedings went relatively poorly today, and we are attributing most of that to the stress from the eye exam this morning.  The exam really affects him as they have to pry his eyes open, give him drops, and then shine the light into his eyes.  Even though he is better at not getting stressed from normal activity, but these exams wipe him out.

Your day of reckoning will come for invading my crib

Swinging my worries away

Wednesday January 19th, 2010

It's officially been 16 weeks since Jackson was born and admitted to the NICU.  It's been a long road, and yet feels like time has flown by.  Today is more of the same.  Jackson is feeding well, and doing good.  He is just growing right now.  It seems like he is really getting the hang of this whole feeding thing.

Growing really takes it out of me.

I'm  in the swing; you can leave now.

Wait, wait, don't go that far away.

Tuesday, January 18th 2011

Jackson was able to have some visitors today.  His great grandmother and great aunt were able to come and see him at lunch time.  They were extremely excited to be able to hold him and he was really smiley and in a good mood.  Also, his favorite nurse Jackie was back today, and it actually looked like he was excited to see her.  She had been out sick last week and waited extremely long to make sure she was no longer contagious.

Great Aunt Sarah holding Jackson

Great Grandma Liz was too enthralled with Jackson to look up for the picture.

Monday, January 17th

Jackson's feedings today have gone much better, and all of them were consistently done well.  All of the feedings that mom and dad were at went really well, and then all of the ones the nursing staff did supposedly went really well too.  He was really awake during all of his feedings which helps us tremendously.  And so we wait. . .

Resting after a long day of eating and sleeping

Holding on to mommy's sweater

Can you spot Jackson?  Dad and Jackson coordinated today.

Sunday, January 16th

Today, Jackson got a bath.  He normally loves them, but today he was a little dramatic about it.  His feedings are going a little bit better, but we still have some ground to make up.  If he keeps up this progress he might be able to come home by the end of the month.

I don't get it, why is that baby still staring at me?

What up yo!

What a dramatic pose for bath time.

6lb pen pic

This is the awesome shirt I was in today.

Friday and Saturday, January 14-15th

Jackson had a swallow study done on Friday and it turns out he has acid reflux, which is not uncommon for premie's if not for all children.  So with this they are using some methods to try and help him with this.  Some of the methods are feeding him vertically, raising his bed on one side, and thickened up the milk.  So far nothing has shown tremendous success, but I have noticed it's better than before.  This means he will not come home until this can be rectified.  He will not be coming home tonight or tomorrow.

Mommy had a baby shower in Beaumont today, and really enjoyed it.  She barely was able to leave overnight without Jackson.  Miraculously, Jackson made it without mommy there all the time.

Jackson is finally 6lbs officially.

This growing business sure makes me tired.

Thursday, January 13th

NORMAL!!!

The MRI came back absolutely normal.  There are no issues with his brain growth and maturity.  Now, the feedings are still a bit challenging for him to bottle feed all of his food and not run out of gas.  We changed the additive that we are fortifying the  breast milk with to see if it will help him with some of his stomach and gas issues.  Hopefully that change alone will give him a bunch of strength back without him having to push all of the time.

Soothing myself with my hands after a long day.

Sucking my thumb in daddy's arms.