We began the weekend nervously waiting to see if Austin was going to respond favorably to his increased feedings, and more importantly whether the resulting stimulation to his gut would make him poop or instead cause more problems.
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| Austin, 6 weeks old last Friday |
We learned on Saturday from his nurse that he had finally pooped, not quite a huge amount, but at least it was something. It was a slight relief but too hard to tell whether this would be a sign of better things to come. On our Sunday visit, we found a note taped above his isolet:
Pretty encouraging news indeed! He looked and acted pretty happy, and before we left the NICU we decided to change his diaper. Turned out he was in the middle of another big poop! The nurses were pleased with his new-found regularity also, and the signs are presently not looking very much like Hirschsprung's disease. So for now, no surgery, he just has to finish his antibiotics and get to 2,500g. The big biopsy will then tell us whether HD can be ruled out, and hopefully he won't need surgery. Fingers crossed!
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| Daddy congratulating Austin on his big day of pooping |
He was also placed in a big boy crib, so now we have easy access to him. Pretty nice! He's looking much more robust, and finally tipped the 5 lb. mark!
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| His mom was just as thrilled... |
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| Increased feedings are really showing in his face, and he's now got a double chin |
On Monday morning we had a nice long visit with Malia, and we found her awake and alert. She napped with her mom for a little while. She's still doing well, but has a lot of catching up to do on her weight. She is now at 3 lb., 11 oz.
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| Malia has very different features in her face compared to her brother |
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| Malia at 34w0d. |
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| Mini smile for the camera |
Not much else to report on Malia, as there are no major issues concerning doctors. She's a favorite among the nurses at Hoag.
Back at CHOC meanwhile, Austin is still doing great today with the eating and pooping. Now that they're at 34 weeks, they are cleared to try some actual bottle feeding to see how the suck-swallow response is developing. With just 10 cc's of his 35 cc feeding this afternoon, he sucked down all of it with ease. Surely a good sign!
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| Austin's first bottle feed today |
And finally, a couple of videos, although my unsteady cinematography may give you a Blair Witch sea-sickness effect. Sorry!
A small video of Miss Malia this morning, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed:
And one of Austin, doing great on his first ever bottle feed today:
Welcome to parenthood and lengthy conversations about poop! (special circumstances in Austin's case notwithstanding...) :) The "I pooped!" sign reminded me that I still have on my phone somewhere a "SHE POOPED!" text message that I sent Mark back in Natalie's early days. They are both such darling babies - we're so glad they're doing well and can't wait to meet them!
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