Day 9 in the NICU

Another day is gone and little Jesh is still recovering remarkably well. Tyson handed over the blog to me tonight, he thinks it might be "therapeutic" for me to put down my thoughts and feelings. We'll see. Sorry if my therapy session is not as well written or informative, I will try my best to do both.

Last night the doctors let me try nursing my little baby ("little" sure takes on a new meaning here where most of the babies are under 4 lbs.). I was so excited, I have been waiting for this experience for way too long. He latched right on and I started crying. It was an elating moment for me. He only nursed for a total of 10 minutes, but it was enough for him to sleep for four hours! WAY TO GO BUDDY. His doctors were pleased with his progress so this morning they let him go "ad-lib" which means he can eat however much he wants whenever he wants. If he takes a bottle it is now full strength milk. I was so excited and was determined to make this whole nursing thing work right away. Jesh had different ideas, he would barely nurse this morning, which again made me cry. He did take the bottle well and received 4oml of milk. We tried again at noon, with the same results. We tried again at 4:30, same outcome only this time he chowed down on 45ml from the bottle. Tonight however, he nursed really well and only took 15 ml from the bottle. The nurses told me that nursing is actually very tiring for an infant, and were happy with his progress for the day. The Pediatrician told me that he can go home when he is eating a solid 2 oz (60ml) of milk each feeing. YAY! We are so close.

As far as the colostomy bag goes, well I won't sugar coat it, it is gross. I feel confident that I will be able to change it and keep it working, but it is an overwhelming process. The ostomy nurses are coming tomorrow to give me more training on how to attach it to Jesh's skin, how to clean it, and other tricks and techniques. I am thankful that my mom will be with me to be my second pair of eyes and ears to learn all this new stuff. I am more grateful that this is a temporary situation and that in a month or so we won't have to have the colostomy bag. I think I am getting used to the sounds Tyson calls Jesh's new trick. Tyson on the other hand squirms every time Jesh passes gas through his stoma (the opening in his bowels). It does squeak, which is so weird, and it fills the bag with air that we have to release so it doesn't get too full. All in all, we are thankful that Jesh could have this surgery and recover from it and live a full life.

Tyson spent most of the day with the kids at home. While Aaron was at preschool, Leah spent a few hours with Uncle Jon so Tyson could get some work done. Then they all went home to eat lunch and I think all 3 of them ended up taking a nap! I was able to video call them twice today, it was fun to see them so full of energy and at home. Tyson came over this evening to be with Jesh and I. Jesh was awake and loved to stare at daddy. We had to leave the NICU with our baby still awake. That is one of the hardest things to do. I like to leave him while he is sleeping, it is way easier.

We are proud of our little guy for the leaps and bounds he is taking in his recovery. We will be home soon and taking care of all this by ourselves.

Thanks for listening (reading) some of my thoughts and feelings. I am pretty sure if I was writing the updates everyday it would be depressing for you all. It has been such a hard week. But now that Jesh is on the up side of this roller coaster it is easier to see the positive and the blessings we have received. Thanks everyone for your well wishes and prayers, they have been felt and are working in our favor.

P.S. forgot to mention that Jesh is wearing clothes today for the first time his life! It is way cute.