2000 It’s time for cares. Temp is good, diaper is dirty but the change goes without a hiccup.

Time to get weighed again RT, the nurses start the weighing program on bed, lift baby, bed zeroes out, replace baby,  890 grams. That’s too much,  we try again 820 that’s weight loss. We try again,  this time we all agree he gets weighed accurately.  840 grams! Every time they lift RT to zero the bed I joke about how he thinks he’s flying. His little arms shoot out and start to wave about searching for something to grab onto.  Good job RT, still growing!

Although some of it is likely edema. I imagine one of these days he will either stop putting on weight or lose some. I will be ok with that. RT still has so much time to grow!

The nurses take his measurements to make sure his belly isn’t too expanded and his head isn’t growing too fast (indication of pressure build up). Everything is looking ok.

Now time for the fun stuff!

It’s present time! The RT (this time stands for respiratory technician) brings in a big comfy recliner one of those horrible hospital gowns that opens in the front for mom to put on.

All clear,  the top of his incubator lifts up and away, mom sits down in the comfy chair. The nurse and respiratory technician prep RT to be lifted to mom! I take charge of IV lines and pole, to make sure we don’t snag on anything.  They gingerly lift,  rotate and turn RT placing him belly down on mom’s chest. The first ever skin to skin time!

They tape and clamp RT’s vent tube to the chair in a position so that it won’t accidentally extubate.

RT  wiggles a little trying to burrow back into his mom.  He knows this smell. He looks relaxed. I take a few pictures.  He is sticking his tongue out trying to lick mom’s skin!nThen starts suckling his vent tube. What a goof. He is so smart! He knows where his food has been coming from! He stretches out his little right arm all the way, wiggly exploring fingers. Spreading out and feeling mom’s skin, taking in her warmth and energy.

We are able to turn down his vent settings and he does a larger percent of the breathing on his own with less de-sats happening.  He seems more stable while laying on mom.

We check his body temperature hourly, to make sure he is warm enough. He is.

Two hours seem to fly by, it’s time for him to go  back into his incubator.

licking mom.

First family photo.  I promise he is under the blankets.