My little burrito

Lochlan had a wonderful day. His O2 was between 38%-42% and he was all wrapped up like a burrito. So cute. He definitely does much better when he is swaddled.


To help him gain weight, they have added micro lipids to his diet. This should really help him beef up. I asked yesterday what the weight is of an average 33 weeker and Lois said a baby born not so premature would be about 2400-2500 grams. Lochlan is 1400grams and 2 weeks shy of that mark. And there's no way he'll gain a kilo in 2 weeks. So they decided to help him along and rather than add more human milk fortifier which he's already up to 4 packs I believe, they'd try him on the micro lipids. He is also receiving lasix daily now rather than every other day to help clear his lungs as they still sound wet.

This afternoon, I hadn't even sat down before his nurse, talked about holding him. So we snuggled for almost an hour. HEAVEN! I LOVE looking at my lil miracle. I got to hold him in my arms, rather than on my chest this time. Amazing. I'm not sure which I prefer, because they each have pros. I think I'll mix it up each time! When he's on my chest, I can give him kisses but when he's in my arms, I get a better view of his features.


When we were cuddling, his O2 got down to 36% and he was still sat'ing in the high 90s. The goal is to have his sat'ing between 82-87. They don't want him to be on too high of oxygen as this can have an impact on his eyes. It's the back and forth, higher, lower thing that can affect his eyes. Speaking of which, he had another eye exam today and again, all is normal. He will be checked again in 10-14 days. Oh please let his eyes continue to develop normally.

I found his nurse today to be a bit rough. She had to suction him a few times with the small catheter and she just shoved it around in his mouth and up his nose. She was like, oh he hates it when I do this. (No doubt!) It was difficult to watch. I knew that it needed to be done but I was like, he's still pretty fragile lady! It definitely did help him and he was able to have better O2, I just wish she could have been a bit more gentle.

Oh and after she brought him out for me, he was lying in my arms and I was looking at the monitor and seeing, check leak or something of that nature, and hearing this big shushing sound...and I'm waiting for them to do something....and waiting...so I finally said, uh, is that supposed to say there's a leak? Um no! They fixed the tube that had come apart and Lochlan was fine but they still bagged him (gave him manual breaths -- the bag connects to his tube) just to be on the safe side. So I'm holding him in my arms, while they give him manual breaths and fix this thing. I wasn't scared, but was definitely an experience. And sort of brought everything back to reality for a bit - the fact that those tubes and wires are what's keeping him alive. Crazy. And thankful all at the same time.

Anyway, it was a nice way to wrap up the afternoon. (the snuggling part - minus the bagging)

Sleep well my little burrito! Mommy loves you.

Doctor's update and thoughts

Last night's weight was 1520grams...3 pounds and 5 1/2 ounces....tonight his weight was down over 100 grams...now 1375 I think that was what she said...my head was spinning a bit thinking, my word, he's dropped a lot. But it was a lasix day and he got extra lasix since he had a blood transfusion. (His hemoglobin levels were low)

He was pretty tuckered out when I visited him today. Slept, slept, and slept some more. One of my favourite nurses was on - Lois. She's such a blessing. I immediately get a warm feeling when she's there. Brings me comfort knowing that she is taking care of my baby boy. She found a four leaf clover and gave it to me!! How sweet is that. I placed in on the outside of Lochlan's isolette.

He continues to cruise along. Dr. Flavin came to talk to me since we haven't had a chat in a while. The main issue continues to be Lochlan's lungs because they are so premature. Basically he needs to pack on the pounds...or in his case - ounces! As he grows, he will heal more and hopefully require less oxygen and be able to get off the vent for good.

I asked about the leak in his tube (today it was fluctuating but was at one point 98%) and he said they've been discussing it but feel like they could put in a bigger one but it would probably be the same result...good for a few days, then another leak would present itself. (also he's a bit small for the bigger tube) But the main thing is that some part of his throat is dilated and irratated by the tube because he has been ventilated for the past almost 8 weeks. It will heal once he is not on the breathing tube but that will take some time too.

I asked about his eye test and apparently, I missed being told that he was even having one or that he'd had one because it was 2 weeks ago. It was normal. No ROP! But his eyes were showing immaturity which is where you would expect them to be given his gestational age. The doctor is going to monitor his eyes and he will have another exam this week to check their progress.

Doctor Flavin did mention that he thinks it is highly likely that Lochlan will come home on low flow oxygen (via nose prongs) so I guess that nurse was correct in her thinking. But still I didn't need her opinion thrown into the mix! And who really knows right?

He also estimates that Lochlan will be ready to come home in 10-12 weeks. (3-5 weeks longer than I'm hoping for) 10 weeks from now is September. The week of Rob's birthday in fact. So between September 7th -21st.
Please pray that Lochlan continues to heal and grow and that he will be ready to come home before then. I was thinking he'd only have a month and a few weeks to go...not two more months and a few weeks. I suppose in the grand scheme of things, what is one more month...but to me it feels like an eternity.

Tomorrow, I am looking forward to having another snuggle with my boy. Lois has already mentioned it and I will keep that in my thoughts as I go to sleep and wake up to start a new day.

"I want to see Lochlan...I want to see my baby brudder!"

Lochlan had a great weekend. Saturday was a busy day so I wasn't able to get in to see him. I did have a little bit of guilt but am giving myself a break since that was the second time other than when I had my cold that I haven't been in to see him since he was born. I did call to get his stats though. He was up 70 grams and it was a lasix day! (which is very surprising) However he is now up to 4 packs of fortifier which gives him a lot more calories. As well as 18ml of breastmilk. I get the feeling he is at a lower weight than they expect at this point but he was only 1 pound and 12 ounces when he was born. So to be 1470 grams (3 pounds and 4 ounces) is pretty darn good to me!

So it will interesting to see what he weighs tonight. She's (Holly) not going to weigh him until his 2am feed as he is just settling down now. Apparently he was pretty active since she came on shift(7pm) and was moving around a lot and requiring more O2. Since he's settled, she has slowly started to wean his O2. I do wonder if this as to do with the fact that his leak in his tube is like 85%. Gee...hmmmm....

Anyway....

Yesterday Rob, Abby, and I went to our friends for a BBQ and visit. There was a one month old baby, (Micah - super cute) and when we were driving home Abby said "I want to see my baby brother, I want to see Lochlan." It really got me! I told her that we would see him the next day. Being around Micah really made her think of her brother I guess. Wow. I think she'll be okay with having a little brother around, what do you think?!

This morning she said the same thing - "I want to see Lochlan, I want to see my baby brother." I told her after she had her nap, we'd go to see him. Well, wouldn't the cutie putootie head for the stairs to go up to her bedroom! (It was only 10:30 - nap time a few hours away) But she was patient and so adorable when she finally did get to visit her baby brother.

She chatted with him and drew him a picture and flirted with the nurses. When is was time to go, she told him she loved him and blew him a kiss and said "bye, see you later." Super sweet. It was a quick visit today and I am anxious to get in to see him tomorrow and stay for a while.

Oh! I forgot to mention: His PICC line was removed today! WOO-hoo! He's getting everything orally now! No more IV's. So happy for him.

Now if we can work on that tube...