'tis the season

eli took sometime to decorate the christmas tree and get into the holiday spirit.  look for santa photos soon.  eli tells me he wants to go see santa and tell him what he wants for christmas.  we will see how it actually goes once we get there tomorrow.  

daily post

content

yawn...so sleepy (hey can you get this thing out of my mouth already?)

oo oo....oh yeah!

daily check in:  ethan is doing great.  low dose oxygen tube is off and he has had a couple of small desaturation episodes but nothing concerning.  worst case:  they will have to put the oxygen back on but not the cpap machine.  feedings are going well and they are continuing to up it and hopefully the navel tube will come out tomorrow or saturday at the latest.  fingers crossed.

i got to hold him today.  i didn't want to put him back in the isolette.  he opened his eyes and made a few little noises but seemed so content in my arms.  he even cried a little bit when they put him back in.  i can't wait until our little boy can come home and we can hold him all we want.  i have a feeling we are going to spoil this little guy with lots of love and affection.

this one is for my big brother

ethan is sleeping away with his new luvee that eli picked out just for him.  good job eli!  i think ethan likes it.

smile baby

we all know that in the early times of infancy that babies don't truly smile.  but a mommy can believe that it is truly one from joy and contentment can't i?  this was the second time in one day of me being there and stroking his head that i caught the glimpse of an unbelievable sight.   his smile!!

huge day today!  ethan was removed from the cpap machine and they were planning on giving him a run at not having the low dose oxygen as well.  so hopefully by this morning he won't have anymore tubes in his nose (i don't think he likes it much).  

his feedings are almost up to full feedings and he is handling them fantastically!  in the next few days, he should be able to have the tube removed from his navel.  Again one more tube down.  Actually, I think if those both come off and stay off he will be tube-free.  YEAH!

I went to visit him last night in hopes of holding him, but our nurse on duty was not comfortable with allowing holdings while his navel tube was still inserted.  She has witnessed a lot of tubes dislodging from holding and it causes a lot of bleeding...so needless to say, i was heartbroken but understood.  however, i was in time for bath time.  i assisted the nurse by holding him inside the isolette while she changed his bedding and prepared the bath materials.  he didn't like the washing much, but i got to rub on his lotion and he really seemed to enjoy this.  

then as if to say, "mommy stay with me.  i need you", he extended his little hand out.  i obliged and gave him my finger to hold on to.  he squeezed tight and held on till he started to doze off.  i waited till he was pretty much asleep to leave for the night with a goodnight wish.   sleep tight little ethan...mommy will see you in the morning.

updates

ethan was taken off the cpap machine last night and put on the lowest setting of oxygen to start the process to take him off everything last night.  i went to visit him this morning and the increases in feeding has done him well and he has gained an ounce back.  he is doing well with the increases everyday and hopefully by friday will be up where he needs to be in caloric intake and they can remove the tube from his navel.  he looks like a new little boy with all the big tubes and ivs off of him.  he looked so peaceful and content this morning.  i was able to see his little noggin again now that they have removed the hat and ....he has  a lot of hair!!  the lights were dim this morning so it was impossible to get a good photo.  i am hoping to return this evening and get some photos.

while i was there i took the time to stroke his little head and he loved it.  he was smirking and smiling while stretching out his little legs and arms.  it was almost as if he was feeling that it was mommy there caressing him.  it melted my heart and overwhelmed me with joy to see these reactions.  tonight i am going to get to hold him which will just melt me even more.  

more photos and updates later!!

hi everyone!!!

ethan waves a hello to all his supporters.  thanks for thinking of me and praying for me!  

little digits

my future is so bright i have to wear shades

little ethan has been under "the light" for the past 24 hours to bring his bilirubin count down (totally normal).  it looks like the kid is just basking in the sun, but man does it look hot.  

eli was so happy to see me come home from the hospital. as soon as i got in the door he made me cut the hospital bracelets off (just making sure i wasn't going back).  then the conversation went something like this:

"you all better mommy?"

"yes...i am all better"

"no more baby in your tummy?"

"nope.  he came really early."

"WE WRESTLE NOW?!"

he is too funny.  he has really matured over the past week...it is unbelievable and remarkable to see how eli has processed this whole experience.

little ham

today's events

i have a photo to try to get from andy's phone to the blog but am having technical difficulties.  hopefully i will get it on here tomorrow...if not at least i will try to get a new photo when i visit ethan in the morning.

ethan received a bath today and according to the nurse...he was not very fond of it at all.  they increased his feeding today and so far he has done well with it.  they are increasing his feedings daily and observing him to see if he handles it well.  the goal is to get him up to the necessary caloric intake by friday so they can remove the tube from his navel.  if he keeps it up that thing will be out of there.  

he really is doing well and the doctor's told andy that we can probably expect him to come home within 5-6 weeks, but that could change.  so we will see.  let's keep our fingers crossed and ethan keep on eating.  

ethan andrew bush

finally a name. it took a lot of discussion but finally he has a name.

ethan andrew bush

he is doing well. i visited him twice last night and he has taken well to the feedings so far. he kept the nurse on duty on her toes last night giving her at least 3 little presents in his diaper. so we know that his little system is working properly. he has lost a few ounces (which every baby does after birth). his weight last night was 2 lbs. 15 3/4 oz.

to give you all some idea of his true size (which is tough to gauge through photos and even those of you who have come to the hospital have had to look at him through glass across a room):

his head: approximately the size of an apple

his little palms: a penny would probably fill his palm

his feet: about 1-2 inches long and less than an inch wide {i think he definitely has my toes...that second toe is longer than his big toe}

name is on the way

decisions are being made to figure out what our newest arrival should be named. we have to make the decision by tomorrow morning before i am discharged from the hospital. so keep watch for the finale!!!

i was just down visiting "baby bush" and he is doing really well. he has had 2 feedings today and his bilirubin is up which is great and surprising. our nurse, tammy, told me that she really expected to see it drop not go up which means if it keeps it up he won't have to be put under an light lamp (even i had to be put under one of these when i was born), but it is no big deal if he does. she said he has been a lot more active today since he's gotten the feedings and a lot more ornery. while andy and i were visiting him this morning, he decided to detach one of his cpap hoses and while i was just there he tried to pull the little tubes out of his nose. little stinker! he is keeping the nurses on the move because he is so active and fiesty.

doing well! keep it up little guy! no new photos to post yet.