Change of Pace

Life in the NICU has drastically changed.  The long hours of sitting and staring at numbers on monitors have given way to activities more suited to parenting.  The basic routine is still quite similar to what it once was; diaper changes, oral cares, and kangarooing young Oliver, but during the last few days, new and more developmentally appropriate occurrences have increased in frequency.

First, we have created a bathing routine for Oliver that involves a complete tub bath every 4-5 days.  He tolerates these cleanings well and at times, even seems to be relaxed as he sits in the warm water.  Momma and I also massage Oliver's arms, legs, head, or belly at least once a day, which helps stimulate the blood flow throughout his body.  Among other benefits, this massage increases muscle and bone growth as well as improves his respiratory capacity.  In addition, Oliver has started to regulate his own temperature, so the nurses have turned off the warmer in his isolet.  This lack of an external source of heat requires him to wear clothes to stay warm, so Mom and Dad spend a bit of extra time during his cares putting on the smallest button-up outfits we have ever seen.  Lastly, Oliver has begun to show some interest in breastfeeding.  Although he is too young to latch, he does get to lick and play for about 20-30 minutes everyday.  He shows signs that he really likes this time with Momma.

Oliver is still on high flow air via a nasal cannula, but more often than not, the air is not oxygenated beyond 21% (equivalent to the room air that we breathe).  He initially was receiving this air at a flow of 5 Liters/minute, but during the last week, the doctors and nurses have slowly weaned him down to a flow of 2 Liters/minute.  With each incremental reduction of flow, Oliver has shown no signs that he even notices.  He still saturates high, and breathes at a normal rate.

Finally, Oliver has had some substantial weight gain in the last couple of days.  He currently weighs 3.5 lbs, which is an increase from what he weighed just a few days ago.  The medicine he is on, which is used to drain liquid from his lungs and body, really took it's toll on him.  This was proof that much of the weight that he had previously gained was water weight.  Now, knowing that he has lost most of the liquid from his system due to this medicine, it can be concluded that his current weight is considered valid (not water but muscle, bone, and fat).

Oliver continues to grow and mature each day.  It is wonderful to be with him and watch him progress.  He is beautiful, and his mother and I love him so very much.  It is great to be a father.