6/2 & 6/3: CPAP are out for trial!

Earlier in the week we talked with the nurse who said that Austin was close to the 1500g threshold where they may start challenging him without his CPAP.  We knew by Saturday that it would just be a matter of the doctor putting in the order for the trial, and by late in the day he would likely be off of his bulky headgear.  

Austin is currently 3 lb., 6 oz., while Malia is 2 lb., 9 oz.  

We had a long day of entertaining our niece and nephew and other family at our house, and by the evening we weren't even sure we had the energy to make it down to see the kids.  When we dragged our tired bodies in there around 10PM we were delighted to learn that both babies had received orders for the trial, and now they were breathing on their own with a much sleeker cannula line (like what your grandpa with emphysema wears), no beanie, and no bulky air lines assisting their breathing.  Aside from the milestone of their upgraded status, we had seen them plenty of times without their gear during cannulaid changes, so you would think this novelty would be wearing off a little.  

Nope.  

Totally different this time!  

Usually these moments, so short in interval previously, also were coupled with a lot of torment for the babies; peeling the cannulaid off of their nose, replacing with a new one, and then quickly replacing the cannulae before a de-sat or bradycardia episode.  It was totally new seeing their faces (and all that hair) while sleeping so peacefully.  It was very uplifting to think that with that much less equipment, there's just a little more peace in their daily routine.  

Today was also a busy day with birthday parties and family time, and we finally made it to the NICU around 5PM.  Both babies were handling the challenge well, with a normal and expected number of de-sats and brady episodes, but most self-resolved.  Malia slept through most of our visit, but took her pacifier from daddy for a bit, holding it contently herself afterward.

For this post, Malia won't get to show off her face as much as Austin, but she's looking so much better than 3 weeks ago.  

The big highlight of the visit today was Austin's bath.  He was alert and seemed to be enjoying the experience, as did Cheryl.

And then somebody decided to poop a little bit in the bath water.  So we had to rush it a little bit.  So much for relaxation!

But we recovered, and  he was no worse for wear once he was dry again.  

Back on his tummy, clean, dry, and happy!