Change is Hard

Overall, Owen continues to progress wonderfully. He is growing, he is really getting good at the suck and breathe function, and he is still in the crib. His weight is up to 1865 grams now, so just shy of 4 lbs. 2 oz. He is getting longer too. In fact, he's almost out of his preemie clothes because he is so long! They are baggy on him, but his little legs won't be able to straighten out soon! My guess is that we'll be starting to put him in newborn clothes within the week.

However, he has really bad reflux, which means his stomach fluids and food come up into his throat, then he spits up. When this happens, he doesn't know how to handle it, so he stops breathing and his heart rate plunges. Each time they up his feedings, the additional volume seems to make him spit up even more. They need to up his feedings though to get him the nutrients he needs to grow. We are really hoping to try to get him on a bottle as soon as possible so that we can get the feeding tube out of his throat and potentially eliminate the reason for the acid/food coming up. In order to switch from feeding tube to bottle though, he has to master the suck, swallow and breathe function. We've practiced this a little bit, putting a little bit of milk in a nipple and letting him suck, but he is pretty young to be trying it, so the nurses don't want us to be discouraged that he isn't able to do it well yet.

Here are a few photos we've taken in the last few days.

Enjoying my new puppy blankie - thanks Nancy and Fred!


Hanging out in the Boppy in my crib


Holding hands with my Grandpa Jim


Being patient while mom and dad change my clothes


Daddy getting me ready for some snuggle time with mommy


Snuggling with mommy