NICU update

If you asked me last January what our family would have been doing January 1, 2012, I would have been completely wrong.  The past year has been so unexpected.  We started off 2011 as a family of 5, living in Houston, Texas, with no thought that would change.  One year later and we have moved (twice), found out we were getting a miracle, and welcomed Jackson to the world.

 Jackson is still in the NICU (day 11 now) but doing much better.  The above picture is several days old.  He no longer has oxygen or the art line (which is what that arm board is for).  They did have to put a picc line in his head, simply because he is still getting iv meds.  The have completely discontinued the glucose.  He finished 2 of his antibiotics.  He is still on one last antibiotic, as well as nistatin for a yeast infection.  He is also on hydrocortisone, but they have started weaning him off that.  In the end, we still do not have proof that he had an infection, but in the words of the doctor: he acted like he had an infection, many of his labs read like infection, and he did respond to treatment for infection. 

The good?  His sugars have been consistent now for several days.  He is now eating like a pig, much more than I can keep up with.  I've been pumping round the clock and get 30-45 mils (1-1 1/2 ounces).  He eats at least 50 mils per feeding.  He acts alert when we come in.  He loves his binky.  He seems to be pretty mild-mannered, which would be a huge blessing in this house full of crazy boys.

I've been going over the hospital to feed him twice a day.  It is the highlight of my day when I get to just snuggle him for that feeding.  I can't wait to bring him home.