Sunday, January 4, 2015

Finally got to see my little guy today after a week of staying away so I wouldn't bring my flu germs into the NICU! Annnd it turns out that the little guy is now a BIG guy. I had to check his ID card to make sure it was him because I almost didn't recognize him! He looks huuuuge! He is almost busting out of his preemie-size onesies!

I also got another great surprise when I talked to his nurse. As of 9 am this morning, Connor is breathing on his own!!! He is still on the CPAP mask but the ventilator settings are all turned off. The only thing flowing through the mask is low flow oxygen. There are no pressures forcing air in or out anymore. 

He has been switched from 22ml feedings every two hours to 33ml every three hours. The extra time seems to reduce his gastric reflux. That, in turn, seems to help decrease his oxygen desaturation periods.

Since he is growing and doing so well, he may be moved from the high risk level 3 area of the NICU to the intermediate level 3 area soon. I'm excited that he is  progressing so fast, but I'm sure I am going to miss the nurses that we have become comfortable with.