Daddy's Day!

Today Hudson is 24 days old!!!  I don't know who was more excited...Hudson or Ben!  This morning on our way over, I asked Ben if he was excited to get to hold Hudson and he was beaming from ear to ear.  His response to me..."Well DUH!"  After all, he's only waited 24 days!

Right after Hudson's noon care, the nurse got Ben all comfortable and then nestled Hudson onto Ben's chest.  The look of excitement and joy in Ben's face was priceless!  One of the first things out of his mouth was "he has a handful of hair", but soon Hudson settled and then Ben settled...we'll you can see for yourself:)

Who's an excited Daddy?  He is!!

"Daddy, why do you have hair on your chest?  Mommy doesn't" - Hudson

"Cover me up...it's COLD in the NICU today!" - Hudson

"I'm being a good boy looking at the camera like Mommy asked.  Why doesn't Daddy listen?" - Hudson

"Thankfully he listened to Mommy this time..." - Hudson

"I wonder if I'll have hair on my chest..." - Hudson

"I see a lot of Saturday afternoons in my future like this!" - Hudson

As you can see both Ben and Hudson enjoyed Kangaroo care today!  And to be able to do care, the deal is Hudson has to continue to gain weight.  Which he did!  He is now 3lbs 5oz.  They asked us if we had any clothes for him because at 3.5lbs they'd start dressing him.  Oh dear...sooner than we thought!  Which is a good thing!  So Ben and I went shopping.  We got him 4 outfits, they told us to not go overboard because he'll continue to grow and quickly grow out of them and need bigger.  ((We are doing his laundry as I type this post))  They showed Ben his growth chart and he's in the 50th percentile for his age.  They increased his food intake again today.

After Ben and Hudson time it was hair washing time for Mr. Hudson.  He was NOT a happy camper...as you can see:(

"What is going on?  I just want to go back to sleep!" - Hudson

"Where's my hat?!?  My head is cold!" - Hudson

"I should have known you had something to do with this Mommy! Why are you making my head wet?" - Hudson

"LEAVE ME ALONE" - Hudson

"Why?" - Hudson

"Are you done yet?" - Hudson

"AHHH the red nailed lady is going to swallow my face!!!" - Hudson

"Talk to the hand! And thank you for giving me my hat back!" - Hudson

"I told you I just wanted to go to sleep!" - Hudson

Gestational age, tomorrow Hudson will be 31 weeks!

Hudson has had amazing strides this week!  Prayers are being heard and God is ever present with Hudson.  Please keep him and his friends at Riley in your thoughts and prayers!  There are a LOT of families out there that would appreciate them!

And complete sidenote...but if you drink canned beverages that have a "pop tab"...Please save them!  Let me know when you get a good stash of them and I'll come pick them up from you or arrange to get them.  The Ronald McDonald House needs them!  This is a very small way that Ben and I want to give back to Ron's house!  So...if you have an office pop machine, put a collection cup/bucket for these.  I know Ben's co-workers are already at work collecting for us, and we Thank you for taking that extra step!  Let me know if you have any questions:)

Home Improvements

Hudson has made some major progress this past week, as I'm sure you have read about.  We are more than thrilled to know and learn about his improvement.  Hudson had some very special visitors today, all four grandparents and his aunt Lisa stopped by to say Hi.

The only change that occurred today was increasing his feedings to 6 ml/hour from 5.  He weighed in at 3 pounds 3.5 ounces.  This is almost a pound more than when he entered the world!!! He is tolerating the CPAP but really wants it off (he told me).  Kim held him in Kangaroo care today for over 2 hours!! This is awesome!!

Hudson's isolette had a makeover, courtesy of his mommy and his nurse.  While Hudson was spending some quality time with his mom, the nurses changed his blanket underneath his bed to a Purdue blanket - Boiler up!!! His isolette cover is a fleece blanket that Kim made for it, complete with soccer, football and basketball balls.  Hudson loved it so much, he slept great the entire time I was there today.

"I cry and they give me what I want!  I like this gig." - Hudson

((notice the blanket propped by his mouth...that's so his pacifier doesn't fall out and his hands can be free...he's not spoiled or anything?! closer look below))

"If I freeze and pretend I'm asleep, maybe she'll go away" - Hudson

"Kangaroo care, why do that call me a kangaroo?  My name is Hudson.  It's called Hudson Care!" - Hudson

"Just when I think I can get some one on one time with Mommy, she puts that camera in my face!" - Hudson

"I think I'll just S -T-R-E-T-C-H on my new blanket!  Don't tell Daddy, but I'm really more of a Hoo Hoo Hoosiers fan!  I think Mommy was just trying to be nice to Daddy." - Hudson

"When's my food get here?  I'll be waiting right here, they said I just need to gain a few more ounces and I can put some clothes on!" - Hudson

"They call it my special hat...well give me a not so special one that doesn't have this stupid nose thing" - Hudson

Slobbers

Here is a look of my sweet little man when I first saw him today:)  Notice anything different?

Take a closer look... 

Still nothing...ok ok I will tell you:)  He was EXTUBATED today!  Which means he is no longer on the vent!    And you can also hear him grunt, cry, etc...he's horse sounding because he's had a tube down his throat for the past 3 weeks.  He has graduated to the CPAP.  Which is the nasal mask he has on in the pictures above.  CPAP stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure.  Here is a picture of his newest toy, it is the smallest of his toys but it is the loudest!

The doctors asked me if Ben was excited about Hudson being on CPAP now, I laughed and said well he's still in class so I've not had a chance to communicate with him yet.  And then I was talking with Hudson's nurse and she said if you want, the doctors could call Ben.  We both looked at each other and smiled.  I said actually, that'd be great because I know he's going to have a lot of questions that I don't have answers to.  So she went and talked to the doctors to arrange for one of them to call Ben.  Dr. K (a different one that I usually talk about), she said I hear you want me to call Dad.  I told her I'd be happy to, but I knew she could answer his questions better than I could.  She laughed and said, oh yes, I remember Dad:)  Then later in the day the other Dr. K (resident) and I were talking about Hudson and he said I bet Dad is excited.  Then we got to talking about all the insightful questions Ben asks, he said in his short NICU residency he's had no parent like Ben...he went on to say that Ben's knowledge of the vents, their settings, etc are far better than his were when he graduated medical school.  Dr. K went on to tell me his residency service, or whatever it is called, would be ending next Wednesday.  :(  He is going to make a great neonatologist some day!  He said he'd still be in the the hospital and would come in to check on Hudson from time to time because his first day on the job was Hudson's arrival to the NICU so he wants to see his progress.   

I absolutely loved his nurse today!  Hudson has had her before, but she let me be as hands on as I wanted and even showed me how remove the contents of his bag.  To some it may be gross, but to me it is one more way I can bond with him...

His doctors increased his food to 5 ml per hour today.  He had gained another 2 grams today:)  Little by little we are inching our way to another pound!

He did get to do Kangaroo Care today:)  However, he didn't tolerate it real well.  He's had a big week with lots of changes so after 40 minutes his nurse and I decided we'd just put him back so he could rest and not get himself too worked up.  He was requiring almost 60% oxygen, whereas the 30% he'd been requiring the rest of the day.  But that was the best 40 minutes of my day!  He had the slobbers today...and he shared them with me!  One of the highlights of my day!

"FEED ME!!!  I'm tempted to nibble on my fingers..." - Hudson

Hudson gets a dose of caffeine every day now to stimulate him so he remembers to breathe...or something like that. (( Kim Note:  So, medically speaking, I need a pepsi every day to remember to breathe!)) 

He is still opening his eyes wider than ever, he's found a new love for the pacifier, he cried when I changed his diaper today and I cried too!  However, mine was a happy cry because I finally got to hear him cry!  And then I was laughing because I was crying...all the while praying he didn't pee on me because his bed top was up.

"I'm shaking my fist at you!" - Hudson

"There's the door!" - Hudson

Mini Ben

Let me first off by saying last evening I went to visit my favorite night nurse from University Hospital to give her an update on Hudson:)  One night last week she had brought a family over and decided to sneak a peak at Mr. Hudson:)  She said, I cannot get over how much he looks like Ben! His hairline, his nose, etc...and she couldn't get over how much hair he had either.  I think it is funny that she only saw Ben less than a handful of times and could see a Mini Ben when she looked at Hudson!  And we all know Hudson is just like his Daddy because we are on his time...poor Ben has been so off his routine since he met me and then it only got crazier when Hudson came into our life!

On to the Hudson News of the day...

Hudson's nurse today was from a different module, she introduced herself to me and told me all about how he was doing and what his care plan was for today.  His usual workup...continuous feed (he was increased to 4ml per hour today!!!), hands on care by his Momma, in the afternoon care she'd get his weight and if he'd gained he could have Kangaroo Care again...I was praying he was like me at that point hoping he'd put some weight on:) Let me just say...he is my son!  He gained weight!!!!!  He is now 3 lbs and 1 oz, but every lil bit helps him in to my arms:)

Every 4 hours Hudson is rotated so he is good and rounded...we don't want any flat spots on his poor lil body.  Anyways, while that was happening he managed to get his feeding tube out again!  So the nurse got a new tube because every Wednesday all feeding tubes have to be replaced.  So she just did it sooner than she had planned (again, Hudson's time).  She told me she was going to stick it in his nose this time so he'd have one less thing in his mouth.  Can I just say OUCH!!!!!  As I'm writing this I get queasy thinking about it.  I have had the pleasure of having a tube down my nose twice...I know it hurts!  Hudson was MAD!  As soon as she got it in place he was fine, however the picture below was right after it was done and he looks like he is in a state of shock still.  But you see the little orange tube going into his nose.

"Mommy, I cannot believe you just stood there and let her do that to me!!!" - Hudson

He is getting less and less sedation or pain medicine so he is a little wiggle worm or wild man...however you want to think of him but both are pretty good names for him.  He has been laying on this pillow thing that molds around him to keep him in place, later last week they started to have to "restrain" him with a cloth across him bottom or his shoulders...sometimes he had 2.  Well right before kangaroo time, his alarms started going off and his monitor showed his heart rate was a little higher so the nurse peaked in at him (he has a blanket cover his isolette so it isn't so bright on his eyes) guess where Hudson was (of course he was still in his box)...off his pillow.  That's what I get for leaving his bedside, he tried to run away!  So he got a new type of pillow called a "Snuggie".  I don't see how he'll get out of this one...

"As soon as they put the blanket back down I'll make my move!" - Hudson

"I have to come up with a new escape plan!  They are smarter than I think..." - Hudson

More vent talk...

I got to Hudson's bedside this morning and his doctors had made some changes.   Hudson had been switched to a conventional vent this morning...and his feedings went up to 3ml per hour...which he tolerated very well today.  When I first saw him this morning his oxygen was set at 25%, which is just 4% over the oxygen we breathe.  Mid day through the time I left this evening he was at 30%.

That's right Ben and I get to learn this machine now...and we were just starting to understand the jet vent and its terms.

Hudson's new vent! (picture didn't upload right)

The switch also means Ben and I can do skin to skin care...also known as kangaroo care!  Otherwise known as HOLDING TIME!!!   And here we thought that we wouldn't be able to hold him again for another 2 weeks!  This news made for a very Happy Tuesday!  I told Ben he could do it ...and he insisted I be the one.  So I did!   45 minutes was the goal for Hudson ...but he lasted for 105 minutes;) Not that I was counting!!!


10/9/12 - Hudson is 20 days old:)
Weighing in at a whopping 3 lbs.
And better late than never...we have an OFFICIAL length too...he is 14.75 inches!  (so go get out your rulers so you can visualize)


Thank you thank you thank you!!!!  Ben and I are so thankful for all of our family, friends and perfect strangers to keep us lifted up with Hudson's good and not so good days.

And of course memories from our day:)  Enjoy...

"Mommy I look like an old man with this white beard" - Hudson

"NO HANDS!  Ready to tame the BEAST!" - Hudson

"Daddy says I'm not ready to tame the Beast yet, what does he know?  Doesn't he know I make the rules now?" - Hudson

"What time did they say I could snuggle with Mommy?  I'm a little nervous." - Hudson

"Finally!" - Hudson

"Mommy, cover me up!" - Hudson

"Why is everyone looking at us Mommy?" - Hudson

"I could get used to this treatment" - Hudson

"I just got comfortable, what are you doing to me now?" - Hudson

  

 "Daddy, make them leave me and Mommy alone" - Hudson

"WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T LET GO OF ME!!" - Hudson

"I hope Mommy is this excited in every picture with me" - Hudson

"So, when can we go home?  I did what you asked.  I pooped!" - Hudson

"Why don't they just take this tube out of my mouth?" - Hudson

"I so sleepy" - Hudson

"I. must. stay. awake." - Hudson

"NO MOMMY!!! Please don't put me down, I promise I won't make any more of my alarms go off!!!" - Hudson

"I thought we had a deal!  Next time I want Daddy to hold me." - Hudson

BIG HUGS!!!!  

Word of the day...MAINTAIN

Hudson had a good day!  Long story short, with how his chest xrays look and the results of his blood gas tests Dr. K (resident) told me today that they are now only going to do ONE blood gas on him when they do the rest of his labs in the early am, unless Hudson would show reason for more to be taken.  Ben and I were very encouraged by this!  If he continues to tolerate his current feeding they'll up the amount mid-week:)  The goal is for him to be solely on breast milk vs the iv food from a bag.

Remember in school when notes were sent home to your parents...well today all the parents got a note from the powers that be of the NICU.  At first, I thought I was the only one and I had done something wrong, but quickly learned all parents got the same note.  The NICU team is simply reminding the parents of cold/flu/RSV season and the need for precautions to take, not only for Hudson but for all of the babies in the NICU.  The note went on in detail about what not to bring into the modules, how to wash, etc.  It isn't mandatory, but HIGHLY encouraged that all parents get a flu shot and TDAP I believe.  They describe the majority of NICU babies immune systems as not having one and are at a higher risk of catching something, exactly like a cancer patient.  Ben and I have been shot with vaccines!  We are to be extra cautious and not risk exposing ourselves or Hudson.  A bit of a wake up call...because I don't want Hudson to end up in isolation!  So if you see Ben or I (probably more likely Ben since he's back home and back at work) and you aren't feeling well please avoid us.  Just send us a text or give us a call...trust me...we'll understand and appreciate the fact that you don't want to risk exposing us...even if it is the common cold.