We don't know the exact number of days he'll be still be in the hospital, but we're getting much closer! He is up to 6 out of 8 feedings a day and tomorrow should be up to 8/8 full feedings a day (meaning bottle/breast feeding, rather than breast mild through the nasogastric tube). That will mean they should be able to take out the nasogastric tube tomorrow! Then the only wires remaining will be the ones monitoring his blood pressure, respiratory rate and heart rate. Dr. Santiago said this am that once is on full feeds, he will likely be here another 2 days. They also have removed the chest tubes dressings as those appear to be healing nicely...they just have some steri-strips on them now.
In preparation for going home, he should be getting his hospital photos taken tomorrow, had his circumcision done today (which he apparently tolerated pretty well) and had his first Hepatitis B vaccination. The lactation consultant also gave me a schedule of how to do his feeds once we get home!
He has been pretty sleepy since getting his circumcision. His bottle feedings are going well, apart from spitting up most of his 8am feeding all over me (me=Heidi). Nursing is starting to slowly get better and I think would improve if he could stay awake during those times we try. He is a bit "tongue-tied" (he can't fully extend his tongue due to the little piece of connecting tissue on the underside of his tongue extending farther out toward the tip of his tongue than it should), which makes this a bit more difficult... although it could be worse. Once he is discharged, his pediatrician will evaluate to see if he need to get the frenulum cut or not. This is something that could potentially affect his speech later on as well depending on how bad it is. Shane and my mom both had to get this done when they were young.
My parents flew back to Wisconsin this afternoon, so I've been having some alone time with Connor and the NICU waiting room. They've already booked a return trip for Easter weekend, so they'll be able to see him when he's at home shortly. I'm about to take a little nap and then Shane should be here shortly after he's done with work for the day.
We continue to be in awe of the amazing recovery God has allowed for little Connor and can't wait to take him home soon. It's looking like he'll be home before his 2 week birthday! My heart does go out to the parents of the little ones around us who have had some setbacks in the past couple of days. We'll be praying for their improvement as well. Connor is huge compared to most of the babies here as most of them are preemies who weigh anywhere from 1 pound 10 oz. on up.
Please also say a prayer from my Grandpa Makovec who had a heart attack yesterday afternoon. He is stable in the hospital and last I heard should be able to go home in the next couple of days...
