Enter PICU RT is on 23% oxygen 4 liters per minute.

He had an awesome night.

Rainy afternoon with a movie and snuggles. Only fitting our first family movie is Finding Nemo.

Another story about a NICU family that has found finding nemo as an inspiration.

Worth a watch!  http://www.kinnanefilms.com/just-keep-swimming

During cares we change his clothes,  he does not quite fit in the ones we picked out so we chose s different outfit!  We’ve outgrown our newborn clothes!

Received the most endearing affirmation of our last 4 months. PICU nurse came in to tell us Ryan doesn’t need as much monitoring as he’s receiving. He is doing amazing. The nurses and doctor were just discussing how unbelievably stable Ryan is. She said it brought tears to their eyes and again as she and mom spoke. For a 23 weeker who had been on a vent for most of his 4 months of life, they expected him to be much different these days immediately following extubation. His little support is incredible. He should be inconsolable and less stable. Instead he almost immediately calms. Yesterday I mentioned mom and I worked hard on introducing positive touch from the very beginning and the binky at other times instead of right after so much negativity around his mouth with the ET tube so he wouldn’t associate milk swabs or binky time with the bad experiences even though those were the times we were instructed to do so. My opinion is that sure even though it might help him calm in the moment,  it creates an association doing things too close together.

We have always strived to do things he could find enjoyable or pleasant and make a routine of doing these things at good times not just to try and cheer him up from unpleasant things. Like association of binky time with his feeding to associate it with getting full. Now that doesnt work because he is on constant feeds. But it only makes the times we did do it more important.

They have never seen such a happy stable baby with such a rough start. They voiced exactly how we feel. He is a true miracle!

They weaned his flow to 3 LPM! Bumped up to 30% oxygen.

When we hit around 2 LPM there will be more talk about when is the right time for oral feeds!

I’m kind of scared. If anyone goes too fast or he is bad at swallowing it gets dangerous fast,  with milk going into the lungs.

Hopefully we give him a bit more time to progress from a pulmonary standpoint.

Weaned his steroids to once ever other day!

Keep it up buddy!

Doing awesome! Impressing everyone!

You’re loved by many!