One of those days

Well today was a long day. Gabriel was having a problem breathing and ended up on a CPAP (this is a mask that goes over his nose and gives him a better flow of oxygen than the tube in his nose) to help him get enough oxygen. It was a little crazy because they thought he might have an infection, but all the test came back negative. What a relief! So he needs to take a little time to recover from all the events today and hopefully in a few days he will be able to get off the CPAP.

He is just so little and has had a lot of things done to him in the last few days. I am very proud of him because he did not cry wen he was stuck with the needle when they took blood to draw his labs. He is such a brave and strong little boy, he must not get that from me. I am such a coward when it comes to needles. Well this is just part of the roller coaster that we were warned about when he first got into the NICU, so hopefully we get a few good days now that we had this not so great day.

We have been informed in our talks with the nurses that when he comes home it will be RSV season so he will not be able to have many visitors or go out unless it is to the doctors office. They said no one who smokes, goes to school, or who is exposed to a lot of people, and  has the slightest sniffle or cough can be around him. I know a lot of people are anxious to meet him, but you will around January or February. When we get the actual details closer to his discharge date we will let every one know all his restrictions and will allow visitors based on that. I cannot wait until then...

Finally!

I was finally able to see my little man and it has been amazing. Now Daddy is sick and cannot see him until tomorrow. We each had to stay away for 72 hours because we got an infection. He looks different and does something new everyday and it makes me so happy to see him progressing. He has been smiling a lot (could be because he is passing gas, but who knows) and sucking his thumb. He had to get another PICC line because his little veins could not handle an IV line. He weighs 2lbs and 6 oz now and I couldn't be happier. He is taking a little longer than the doctors would like in the weight gaining department so they are trying to change things up with his IV's and feedings. Hopefully I will be able to breastfeed soon, here's hoping...

Poor Me

Well things with Gabriel have pretty much been the same in the last couple of days. He is still having problems keeping an IV line in. They keep having to switch between his head, feet, and hands because his poor little veins are just not big enough. I unfortunately got an infection and cannot see him for 48 to 72 hours, so I am here at home sleeping. If I feel up to it I might try to get the dishes and dusting done. So, I will have to rely on Manuel to tell me everything that is going on with Gabriel and you know how men are with details. I did call Manuel while he was doing kangaroo care (when we hold him on our chest skin to skin) and he held the phone up to Gabriel so he could hear me talk. This is going to be so hard, but it keeps him, the other babies, and the staff from getting sick so it is the best thing.

Best Grandpa on the World

My son has the best Grandpa in the world. Manuel's dad came into town early because he hurt his knee and needed to go to the ER. Before he went to take care of himself he made sure to go see his grand baby first. He was limping all through the hospital with a cane just to see his "Little Big Man" as he says. We are so blessed to have such a great family.

Another Day

Well today my son was one month old (actually he is 29 weeks and 5 days, with preemies you use their adjusted age) and he looks so different already. When he was first born he looked like Manuel and now he looks like me. I really wanted him to have his Daddy's nose, since that is the feature I like most, but it looks like he is stuck with mine. When I was holding him today he had his face down against my chest and decided he would see if he could get something out of it. He still needs time to learn that what he is looking for is a little south of where he was. He had a hard time today because he did not have any visitors until late in the afternoon. He usually gets His grandpa in the morning, then Daddy in the afternoon, and Mommy in the evening (Grandma Angel will come anytime in the day) so he has come to expect someone there. His nurse Sue had to sit and hold his head and let him hold her finger for about thirty minutes just to calm him down, Manuel and I felt horrible that he had to go through that. Someone forgot Grandpa had to go to the ranch and we were not able to plan for this. He is definitely getting spoiled with the attention, I am in so much trouble. He did weigh in at 2 pounds and 4 ounces and his swelling has gone down (he has a heart murmur that has been causing problems with swelling. So we are so happy about that. I have to say that his nurses are really great to him and us and that makes this situation a lot easier. Thanks Methodist NICU!

Zoolander

Today was a good day for little man. The only problem he had was the IV that was in his head (I know it sounds crazy, but they could not get a vein in his arms or legs so they will use the veins in the head) got infiltrated and it caused him to have swelling in his eye and side of face. I freaked out and yes a little angry. He is OK and will be just fine. They were able to replace his IV. I was holding him during our kangaroo care and he coughed. It was funny because I could only think of the scene from the movie Zoolander where he says "I think I'm getting the black lung Pop (and gives a little cough" that is exactly what Gabriel's cough sounded like. It was so funny! Our little guy is so amazing and I cannot wait for him to come home.

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New Life

Gabriel Manuel Angel
Born 06/19/2010
1 lb 10 oz

So far it has been quite a ride with our little man. He has had some easy days and he has had some hard days. We were warned that his stay in the NICU would be like this it is just a lot harder to have to experience it. He started his first week doing good with great progress. In his second week he had to have surgery on his stomach and started to have problems losing too much weight. In the weeks since he has had to deal with a staph infection, getting a PICC line, and a heart murmur that has started to cause problems with his breathing and fluid retention. We are taking this day by day and and trying to just be there for our son. He has had so much support and love from all our families and friends. We could not be blessed with better people in our lives. Gabriel has everyone praying for him and we appreciate it.