Jack Kaden » Visitors

Jack on his Back, Plus G.U.J. Comes to Town

Dad — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 16:59:16 +0000

One of the many MANY pieces of equipment that Jack has is this mat with stuff hanging off of it. I guess the idea is that he bats at it and gets smarter. I’m not sure. When I bat at shiny stuff in stores, I’m often escorted out by security, but somehow it’s perfectly fine for a tiny baby to do it in my own house. Fehh!

I mean its fine for now, but what happens when he finds all of the super delicate stuff that we keep suspended from the ceiling.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Also, Great Uncle Joel (G.U.J.) came to visit Jack yesterday, I was stuck at work, but I hear that they got along famously.

If I Weren’t So Tired…

Dad — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 03:43:51 +0000

Turns out that writing a hysterically funny and simultaneously touching blog about a formerly premature baby requires sleep.

On a positive note, the routine slogs on, and I guess things are going pretty well. Of course, it’s hard to tell, we have very little to compare raising Jack too. I had fish as a kid, but somehow this seems different. Maybe ’cause we don’t keep Jack in a tank? I’m not sure.

Anyhow, I know that you’ve come to expect a daily dose of hilarity as Sarah, Archie wend their way down that crazy road called parenthood, so I’m going to try to do better about keeping you up to date. Here’s an example of what you can look forward to:

About 45 minutes ago, Jack puked all over me. It was not awesome at all. In fact, it was the exact opposite of awesome. Parenthood rulez.

The Great Grandpa Gauntlet.

Dad — Sun, 03 Dec 2006 14:01:04 +0000

Well, After having the gauntlet thrown down last week, Great Grandpa Abe came to visit. We tried to go for a walk, but turned right around, ’cause it’s decided to actually be winter in NYC. So instead it was coffee, some pastries from Silver Moon Bakery, and a trip around the world with the awesome Google Earth. It was super fun.

The carseat test and a visit from Grandpa Schladen

Dad — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 03:40:11 +0000

The carseat test is taken by all preemies before they can go home. To pass, Jack had to sit there. Yes, just sit there. The idea is that since he’s been on his back for his entire life, his doctors need to see if he can keep his breathing and heart rate up while in the upright and locked position. Frankly, I think that he was just showing off for his grandfather, but either way, he passed with flying colors.

As far as weight goes, the boy is downright husky. He’s tipping the scales at 5 pounds and 8 ounces. But you can see for yourself below.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Sunday Photo Freakout

Dad — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 03:39:05 +0000

More Hats, Visitors and Big News.

Dad — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 02:47:41 +0000

Ok. First off, Jack’s Uncle Michael (yes, I realize that Michaels link goes to a blank page. I’ts lame, and I’m trying to goad him into doing something about it.) and Aunt Lucy came to visit today. Jack was a little sleepy, having just had his afternoon meal from the bottle. I realize that he’s been eating from the bottle a lot, but you gotta understand, it’s a major achievement. It’s hard work sucking milk out of that nipple, while remembering to breathe and swallow, it takes a lot out of the little guy, and he basically only does it with us. When we aren’t there, they mostly use the gavage (milkbong)

Anyway… While we were there today, Jack’s main doctor came by and we mentioned that Jack is almost 5 pounds; Long story short… Jack is headed to the step-down room! Its the last stop in NICU-land before finally heading home. He’s going to try our crib life, which means that he’ll be on his own to maintain his body temperature. He’ll still be rocking the cannula, but it seems like that won’t be for long. And they’ll be helping Jack pack on the pounds with lots of bottle feeding.

I am very very very hesitant to actually type this, but there may be a light at the end of this tunnel. I can almost see it.

I can’t wait ’till I’m totally zombie-like from waking up to feed Jack every two hours, instead of being totally zombie-like from worrying so much that I can’t sleep. It’s gonna be totally awesome.

Pics below of Jack rocking the latest in preemie couture. From her headwear/sleepwear line, Emily Puskars fall 2006 hats are the warmest, whether you’re inside the isolette or out.

Server Troubles

Dad — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 01:46:17 +0000

I apologize for not providing a way for you to waste time at the office, while indulging your obsessive-compulsive desire to hit of the refresh button in the hope of reading a Jack update before anyone else. We had some server troubles and I’m hoping they’re behind us now.

Now on to the update…

Jack is no longer on caffeine. They’ve been giving it to him his whole life to stimulate his heart and lungs, but no more. His ticker is doing just fine, and his lungs are well on their way.

I’ll bet he was a little cranky after not getting is double espresso today though. I tend to get a little pissed if i don’t get mine, and I’m a ~~total basketcase~~ fairly well adjusted ~~semi~~ grown-up. Jack might not be so understanding.

Grandpa Ray stopped by today and got a quick look at the Jack. And according to him, “Jack is the best baby ever” So he’s got that goin’ for him… which is nice.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Super Sunday Mega Photo Video Mass Update Freakout.

Dad — Mon, 16 Oct 2006 02:08:22 +0000

Well, yesterday was the first day that we haven’t posted in Jack’s whole life. I suspect it won’t be the last. The good news is that it paves the way for a Super Sunday Mega Photo Video Mass Update Freakout.

Yesterday, I finally Kangarooed with Jack for a while. It was pretty awesome. As he was laying on my bare chest his breathing started to match mine and his oxygen saturation was through the roof. It made me feel like a dad. Jack knew who I was, and he was totally relaxed and cooing the whole time.

Now, on to today.

Jack ate his entire afternoon meal from a bottle today. 35cc’s. Ok, more like 33 with 2cc’s of spit-up, but still, that’s pretty good for a negative 6 week old. Sarah did a little more kangarooing with him, which he really really seems to like. Aunt Katherine stopped by and said hello. She came bearing gifts in the form of her world famous quiche. Sadly, Jack isn’t quite ready for solid food, plus real preemies don’t eat quiche. His parents however, do.

Moving right along… Below, please find the aforementioned photo video freakout.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Sarah got peed on, and other news.

Dad — Mon, 04 Sep 2006 02:34:19 +0000

Well, Sarah changed her first number 2 diaper today, and while she was doing it, well… Jack let loose. I suspect it wont be the last time, but there had to be a first. Today was that day. he he he.

In other non-pee related news, during the evening weigh in, Jack was back up to 1010 grams today! That makes a daddy happy. Also, He has been having some issues with the oxygen levels in his blood, but we got his daily blood gas test back and the Dr. on duty said, “The test came back perfectly. It couldn’t be better” Once again, happy daddy.

Jack has also been having some respiratory therapy to help him clear the gunk out of his lungs. Now I realize, that sounds fairly technical, and some of you lesser edukkated might not get it, so I’ll break it down for ya. The boy’s got gunk. The gunk need to go. They are kinda beating his tiny chest to loosen things up in there. Got it?

Next up, Granny E and Grandpa Peter made it in from Wyoming. We had a nice dinner and then went off to see him.

UPDATE – Apparently, the proper spelling is Gran E. Not Granny E. Please accept our deepest apologies.

No news is good news

Dad — Sun, 03 Sep 2006 03:08:27 +0000

What they keep telling us is that every day that he is stable, is a good day. Today was a good day. Uncle Roland came to visit, as did grandpa Ray.

Oh, actually, something big did happen. Jack is no longer jaundiced, so they took away the blue light that he has been cooking under for the last week. Also, his transfusion seems to have gone well, but they are continuing to monitor him for NEC. Come to think of it, he also had an X-ray today, to have a look at his intestines. The results came back fine,but some of his organs are a bit distended, which is a common side effect of the CPAP , the positive air pressure sometimes leaks air into his other organs and his stomach. They tell us its no biggie

So, I guess today was actually kinda busy for the little dude after all. Anyways, more pics for a demanding audience…

Since the blue light is gone, he doesn’t have to have his eyes covered anymore.

Uncle Roland.

Sarah reading his daily activity chart.

Mom watching Jack sleeping.