The Googers

It’s well past midnight.  Ethan last ate around 9:30, after which he was up a little while and then fell asleep lying against me.  I laid him in his crib, and he’s been snoozing there ever since.  As you can imagine, this is the best he’s slept since we got here Tuesday afternoon.

After the bilious spit-ups Friday morning, he went the rest of the day without any.  And the dirty diapers kept coming, leading the surgeon to decide that he could begin eating Saturday morning.  He happily chugged an ounce of unflavored Pedialyte (mmmm) at 9:00 and then again at 11:00.  At 12:30, he got his first taste of milk since Monday (and that day, he tasted it going down and back up again, not quite as satisfying).  We gave him another ounce of milk at 2:30, and we’ve been giving him 65 mL per feeding ever since.

Except for some minor spit-uppage, he’s been great.  All of his IVs were removed – all he’s still hooked up to are the stick-on monitors for his heart rate and respiration.  One of his (and our) favorite nurses, of whom he was a primary back in November/December, is taking care of him tonight.  Which is looking like our last night here.  As long as he’s still doing well later this morning, the doc will likely sign the discharge orders and say sayonara. 

Once again, we’re so thankful for all of his doctors and nurses and for the care he’s received.  As all of you parents out there know, when people take good care of your baby, you’re eternally grateful.  The Lord has been good to us.  What a gracious God we serve…One who gave us the gift of His son.  And also the gift of ours:

His first smile since last Sunday

“Oh, how I’ve missed you, sweet bottle.”

“What is this I’m wearing?  Seriously, Mom?”

acomplia rimonabant profile class=”aligncenter size-medium wp-image-540″ title=”IMG_0043″ src=”http://www.thegoogers.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/IMG_0043-300×200.jpg” alt=”" width=”300″ height=”200″ />The apple of our eye

“Dad, what say after burping me, maybe some ice-cream?”

Soooooo.  Since the tube that was sucking bile out was removed, Ethan’s been spitting up the vile green ick.  Not constantly.  But enough that we stick wipes under his chin to catch it.  And he still managed to go through the four receiving blankets from home and about 15 from the hospital yesterday.

He did produce his first dirty diaper in days this morning, which is a good sign of things heading in the right direction.  But because of the spit-ups (and a few times, it was more like projectile vomit – he yakked all over his nurse earlier, landing some of it in her jacket pocket), the doc decided to wait until tomorrow (or the next day…I’m not making any promises) to feed him.  Because his intestine was so distended from the blockage, it still needs time to return to normal size.  And this is why I’m not a doctor.  (Yeah.  Like that’s the only reason.)

I will say, he has been more himself lately – more alert and returning to his usual pastimes.  You know.  Staring at his hands.  Following us around the room.  Gazing at lights.  Listening to music.  Crossword puzzles.  He’s a baby.  There’s not a lot to work with here.

Anyway, I’m at home right now, doing some laundry (including the nurse’s jacket…it’s the least we could do), showering, and…well, posting this blog entry.  The pictures apparently take a LONG time to load using the hospital’s wireless.  And I like pictures…

“Did you miss me?”

“This is good and all, but where’s my Billy Joel?”

“Quit smiling at me, woman.  I heard the doctor.”

“Another picture?  I must be a model.  I knew it.”

“The women love me.  Especially the grandmas.”

acomplia dose src=”http://www.thegoogers.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/2010-0305-2-300×200.jpg” alt=”" width=”300″ height=”200″ />“Why, yes…I WOULD like some chocolate milk…thank you…”

I’m here, sitting in our room at the NICU with my mother-in-law.   A little while ago, Hans headed home for the first time since Ethan was admitted.  I, on the other hand, went home last night and again this morning.  I’m so spoiled.

Ethan is currently resting in his crib.  Since he got out of surgery yesterday, he’s been whiny when he’s awake.  Sometimes more, sometimes less.  He’s probably too weak to be super agitated.  Why?  I’d assume he’s hungry as heck since he hasn’t really eaten since Sunday night.  As I was holding him a minute ago,  he started rooting around.  I can’t help you, buddy.  The doc says “No food for you!” until tomorrow.  Shoot.  I’d be whining, too.

Earlier today, the doctor had the nose tube (that was sucking out bilious fluid) removed…so his face became tube-free a lot earlier than during his first rimonabant prices tour of duty.  Of course, this experience isn’t that similar to the first.   We’ll likely be out of here soon, and we even have our own room (which we only had during the last night of his last stay).  Room service, our own bathroom, television (we don’t get TV at home – we use Hulu), and we don’t have to scrub in every time we go through the NICU entrance…which is a good thing, seeing as my hands are just recovering. 

Well, there goes my mother-in-law, replaced by my mom and sister.  Hey guys.

Other than that, we’re just keeping an eye on him.  I’m looking forward to feeding time tomorrow.  Midnight is officially tomorrow, right?  I wonder if I could sneak him some food then…

Before my room service arrives, I have to share my favorite part of this go-round.  Hans always does a great job of talking to the doctors and nurses, keeping up with what’s happening with Ethan, researching symptoms and illnesses, etc., etc., etc.  So I thought it was pretty funny when the anesthesiologist came in yesterday before surgery to ask us questions about Ethan’s history and, noting Hans’ command of medical jargon (and his understanding of the situation), asked, “What do you do?”

I don’t think he was expecting Hans to say, “I’m a pastor.”  Good job, Dad!

ALL RIGHT.  Room service is here.  Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.  As He proves to us over and over again, God is good.  (All the time.)