So, we’ve had a pretty uneventful couple days. Just the way we like it. Everything is pretty standard, and routine. I wish there were something exciting to write about, but at the same time I’m quite satisfied with the recent lack of it lately. Rhys is still desating from time to time. His vents are down to 24 bpm from 28 yesterday. He’s still taking breaths on his own which is good. Heidi has been kangarooing everyday for the last couple days. He’s tolerating it quite well. He’s up to 2 pounds 14.3 ounces. Nothing but good things to say. His lungs are still pretty messed up, but they are better than a few days ago. :)

Heidi and I are pretty pooped out. She’s laying here next to me sleeping. It’s hard to resist the temptation of pouring water in her ear, or suddenly screaming FIRE!!! LOL I’m a great husband like that. :)

Back to work tomorrow!

So, not much news with Rhys today. He had a GREAT morning and a not so good night. This morning (our morning around 11:30), Heidi kangarooed with him for 2 hours! I got to help transfer him to her from the iso and he tolerated the whole thing very well. He did much better this time than yesterday. But, I think all the fussing tuckered him out. He seemed very tired of everything tonight. Seemed he would get fussy if you just looked at him wrong. His nurse decided not to weigh him tonight since it is a very traumatic process, and we completely agree with her. So tonight he’s going to take it easy and just relax with his stuffed animals. He got a chest x-ray today and we don’t have the results yet, but there’s nothing to be alarmed about — just a routine x-ray. He started on his multivitamins today in his milk, so that should help him continue to grow. All in all, it looks good. :)

In other news, I’ve made some progress on a program I’ve been working on. It’s nice to be creative again. Though, all I have done is code the user authentication and the data collector… Yeah, I know.. Blah blah blah… Here’s the pictures. :)

Rhys sleeping:

Here he is cuddling with his teddy bear:

Here’s our first family picture!

Yay! Heidi was allowed to kangaroo today with Rhys! She’s so lucky! I just know that Rhys enjoys it and benefits so much from it. As much as I want to hold him too, I don’t want to take away from the precious mother/child time. My time will come soon enough. :)

Best part of my day today was when we both got to participate in his cares. Heidi is an old pro at it, but I rarely get to do that. We changed his diaper, and got him new linens for his little room. He also got weighed too! Baby boy gained 50 grams, up to 2 pounds 13.6 ounces! Way to go! He tolerated all the fuss very well! It was the first time in a long time that I got to look at him outside the isolette. He looked so good! Nice tone and color. The swelling is just about gone now, and he seems to be quite content with things! We couldn’t be happier.

Anyway, pics in the Extended entry. :)

Rhys lying down with mom’s hand:

Rhys in his Iso:

Again:

Mom changing Rhys:

Mom looking in on Rhys:

Momma kangarooing Rhys:

Let’s see. It’s late at night, and I’m sitting here after my first day back at work. Luckily it was quiet for me today. I’m still quite pooped out tho. Yay! I made it through my first day back. :) It was good to be back, but all the “Where ya been? How are the twins?” questions took it’s toll on me.

News in babyland today finds Rhys’ vent set at 28 and his resps at 38 (a good thing). He’s still on continuous feeds and tolerating them fine. He’s pooping and peeing without medical aid. Way to go kiddo! He got his PICC line taken out today. That’s the central line he had before for fluid infusion. He doesn’t need it any longer! Yay! He’s still desaturation from time to time. One time today he desaturated to 33%. Scared the pants of mommy, and even made dad go a bit white just hearing about it. He lost another 20 grams of weight as well, but this is probably just fluid weight. He’s at 2 pounds and 11.7 ounces. His color looks good, and he is moving along quite well.

I got him and his sister’s medical benefits rolling today. It was very bothersome that I had to put Leilani on my benefits, and next week will have to remove her once I receive the death certificate… Once again I’m set aback by the contrast of life and death…

Sorry no pictures. Both times I was at the hospital today Rhys was snoozing, and I didn’t have the heart to open the cover up and shine the light in on him. When I saw him first today he used his hands to cover his face right when I opened the cover to say hi. :) Was the cutest thing I’ve ever seen! (I know, I know, puke…)

So, that’s it for tonight. See ya manana.

Just got back from the hospital. Rhys is doing fine. He’s on continuous feedings now which is great! Other than that things are about the same. He didn’t loose any weight and his saturations still dip occasionally. Heidi was not able to kangaroo with him today because he didn’t have the best morning, but he is doing fine now. Heidi says “he sneezed today and it scared the shit out of me!”

Once again I find myself sapped of energy after not much exertion at all… Gotta get some sleep for work tomorrow, so I’m going to try to sleep tons tonight. :) If we can just stay in this cruise control mode for the next month and a half to two months I’ll be a happy camper! :)

Well, there isn’t much to report today which is a good thing. Rhys’ feedings have been raised to 16 ccs every 2 hours. His blood and urine cultures have not grown anything, indicating no infection. They will still continue to grow the cultures in case, however. He’s still desaturating during feeds and cares now and then, but he gets himself back on track very quickly. His breath rate on his vent is at 32, and his resp rates are at 40 - 55. Basically this means that he is taking breaths on his own. I’m fairly certain he will not be taken off the vent anytime soon, but these are all good signs.

Jessica and her family came down to visit us today. That was so kind of them to go out of their way to come spend time with us. Especially when I’m sure we’re not the best hosts at the moment. I still find myself absolutely exhausted after half a day of being awake. I can’t tell you just how draining this is. I try to return to a normal life (yes, I know that is perhaps asking much, but I am trying) and I find myself failing miserably. I go back to work on Monday and hopefully this will help inject me with some kind of will and strength to move towards a normal life again.

Before today’s pictures, I’d like to take a moment to express my thanks to everyone who has commented on the site, emailed me personally, called or shown up in person. Your support has meant so much to me, and has given me the strength to keep things together. Thanks for helping my spirit and renewing my faith in our human community. Your kindness and support will never be forgotten.

Here’s a picture of baby boy snoozing

Here’s a snap of him in his isolette. I think he’s daydreaming about riding motorcycles and snowboarding. ;)