The Bazin Chronicles: Seven Quick Takes| St. Nicholas Day

-1-

A lot has happened since last week. First of all, Isaac moved to an open air crib. That means he's doing well maintaining his temperature all by himself. This is the first thing on the checklist of going home requirements that he's achieved!

All snuggly in his new bed

-2-

Keeping his temp up has probably gotten easier, because as of Tuesday, Isaac weighs over 5 lbs!

I love his chins

Quite a difference, wouldn't you say?

-3-

He must have been jealous of our Thanksgiving feast, because Friday was his first time eating on his own, not via tube, and he did great!

His first bottle

-4-

Being born too early makes the suck-swallow-breathe reflex that comes naturally to full term babies a challenge for preemies. They can easily get worn out, or forget one of the steps and have an episode of oxygen desaturation, bradycardia, or both. Isaac currently eats from a bottle 2 times a day (once per shift). It's important for him to finish eating in under 20 minutes (not including breaks for burping) because otherwise, he'll be burning too many calories, and could start losing weight. As of yesterday, I fed him both bottles and he finished them in under 20 minutes. He's getting 1.5 oz (45ml) which is quite a long way from where he started out at 2 ml. Before going home, he'll need to be able to eat on his own 8 times a day. That's another thing on the checklist.

Full bellies, full hearts

-5-

Tomorrow he will be 35 weeks gestational/corrected age and on Sunday he will be 8 weeks old. 35 weeks is around when preemies are weaned off of caffeine. I learned from the doctor yesterday that they quit the caffeine cold turkey and just see how the baby's heart rate handles things without it. Isaac, I do not envy you the caffeine headache coming your way this weekend!

Sorry, I'd be upset too

-6-

When we were first married, I bought stockings for Mark and I from this lovely shop on Etsy, and I went ahead and got a couple for any kids that would come our way. We finally get to use one of them this year! Somehow, even though Isaac's stocking was purchased 4 years ago, he's managed to stay on trend for 2013 what with the fox it has on it and all. He'll be getting a St. Nicholas treat in it later today, which his parents fully intend to eat.

What does the fox say?

-7-

Speaking of his parents, we're both getting over colds. There were a few days where we decided not to hold him. It was such a tough call to make, but he's been making such good progress, we would have hated for our germs to keep him in the NICU longer. Mark needed antibiotics in the end, and still has a nasty cough, but I seemed to have kicked it on my own, which is good, because the surgery I was supposed to have this week actually got moved to next Friday, hard to believe that that will be Isaac's 2 month birthday.