Update for 12/30

I hope everyone had a great Christmas!! Ryan and I had such a good time with our families, it was so nice to be able to celebrate this year. Austin of course made out like a bandit!! After it was all said and done he had 2 washer loads of clothes!!

He is continuing to do so well. As of December 30th Austin is 3lbs 6oz and growing steadily. He is still on the CPAP but is alternating between that and the kenula. He’s still as strong and feisty as ever too! A few days ago I noticed he had something covering his knees and asked what it was for. His nurse said she put them on him because when he’s on his belly he’s been scooting himself on his knees and making them red so she put these thin plastic barriers (like band-aids) to protect his skin. He continues to amaze his nurses and doctors with how strong and determined he is. (Mom, does this remind you of anyone?? Haha I guess I’ll be figuring out what it was like for you to raise me!) He is also getting a bath about once or twice a week now. He really likes being bathed and doesn’t even cry! It’s kind of surprising because a lot of babies cry while they’re being bathed and a super-sensitive preemie you think would throw a fit. But his nurses say he likes it so that’s a really encouraging sign. He also is tolerating room temperature much better than when he was first born. When I would hold him before, he would have two or three warming blankets and big fuzzy blanket on top of him. But now he just has one or two regular blankets wrapped around him and his temperature is great. This is an important step because he has to be able to tolerate room temperature (he’s currently in a warm and humid isolette to keep his body temperature up) in order to be in an open bassinette. He then has to continue to do well in an open bassinette (among other things) to be able to come home. Austin is also becoming more alert. The last few times I’ve visited with him his eyes have been open and he’s been looking very intently at his surroundings. It’s so incredibly precious because along with his eyes being open he’s been smiling as well! I don’t care if it’s not a ‘true’ smile because it’s so stinkin’ cute!!!

Austin has a big appointment coming up on Friday. He will have his eyes examined to check on his retinas and blood vessels. He will have to have his eyes dilated and eyelids held open with tiny little prongs. While the exam is done quickly Ryan and I were told this isn’t really an exam that parents are comfortable being present for, understandably! So Friday we will find out if he has any sort of retinal detachment or if the blood vessels in his eyes are developing abnormally. Something else I learned in NICU is that too much oxygen could cause the blood vessels in his eyes to grow abnormally. Fortunately he has not needed a lot of oxygen so we’re extremely hopeful that his eyes are developing just as well as the rest of him has been.

Please keep Austin in your prayers on Friday. He is still fighting and needs so much prayer. I will post an update shortly after we get news on how he did during the exam. Thank you to all of you who have been following his progress for so long. Ryan and I sincerely appreciate everyone’s concern and Austin certainly needs all your prayers.

Happy New Year!!