As of last Sunday, little chap is 6 months old. We celebrated with some Jensen sized cupcakes and a photo session. Of course he looks nothing like a 6 month old, more like a 6 week old, bless him.
Since my last post we have had quite a bit of progress in the oxygen department. Three weeks ago we did a download in 50 mls which was perfect, and after two weeks in 50mls, did a download in 30mls which was also perfect. Doctor Sinn attributes this to the new medication Jensen is taking in the form of Flixatide, a steroid medication mainly used by asthmatics. Another week later we did a download in 20mls, neither Phil nor I were hugely confident, but the results were so good, Dr Sinn had us do another, the next night in air.....In AIR!!!! We decided to keep his nasal prongs in, should he require oxygen in the wee hours, we didn't want to face the battle of re-taping the prongs to his face. Unbeknownst to me, this meant his breathing was similar to that of breathing through a straw :(. What a terrible mother I am, the poor little chap. Nonetheless, his download was very good, but as Jensen hadn't put on much weight this week, Dr Sinn decided to keep him on oxygen for now. This will help with his weight gain, and also give him more energy. Anyhow, it won't be for too much longer that we're dragging a bottle of air around on our backs.
Little man now weighs 3.85kgs (8.5 pounds) and until this week has been putting on weight steadily. Last fortnight he gained almost half a kilo. This week his tongue is bothering him (a result of new medication) and hadn't been feeding to his full potential. Also this week has marked a milestone in that Jensen has now outgrown his tiny baby (00000) outfits and is fitting nicely into newborn size (0000). So yay!
I did a backflip on my decision about Mother's group and went along last week and again today. It was a very large group of mothers and babies which I found a bit overwhelming. After today I feel much better about going, but last week I felt quite emotional overhearing birth stories and 'hard' four hour labour stories, and seeing all these bouncing babies just casually latching on to their mother's breast. Particularly so when it was our turn to introduce ourselves. All the babies are aged between 4 and 7 weeks, with Jensen at 10 weeks corrected being the oldest...and the smallest by the looks of it. It came to my turn...."Hi, I'm Belinda, and this is Jensen. Jensen was born at 23 weeks, so he is 6 months old". I couldn't look at anyone while I spoke, I didn't want to see anyone's face. Afterwards, I'm sure there were many questions, too polite to be asked. Today some of those questions were asked, and today I was happy to answer them.
Last week when popping into the hospital to pick up the download machine, we decided to pop into Intensive Care to say hello. At first I was just going to discreetly say hi to a couple of nurses, but our presence was soon discovered and we were swiftly mobbed by a swarm of nurses, very keen for cuddles. It's been a long time since the intensive care nurses have seen Jensen. Besides the day we were discharged, it would have been late April, when we made the move over to High Dependency, since many of them had seen our little man. He's grown so much since then. We were smothered from all directions with kisses, hugs, can I have a cuddles? and teary eyes. Most comments were how big, alert and gorgeous Jensen was, and also how much he looks like his daddy, and has his calm and placid nature....no compliments for mummy then..., actually there were a few of those thrown in too. It was lovely to catch up with them all and we may well duck in for a visit again soon.
This weekend we are starting Music therapy, something Dr Sinn has recommended highly, in fact he has organised a special class for the three babies home from the NICU on oxygen, Jensen and his two little friends Andre and Arnold, who have recently been discharged from hospital. The medical staff are doing a research trial in the NICU with music therapy and pain management in preemies. It's in its infancy, but has already seen oxygen requirements decrease in babies participating in the music trial. It's also known to help brain development, so we have decided to give it a go. However, daddy is not too keen on frolicking around the room to the beat with the babies.
We are currently in the planning stages of Jensen's welcome home party, which we are very excited about. We've booked a date and a venue and mummy and her minions are busy planning the décor. Can't wait to celebrate our beautiful miracle baby with all that we love.
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