Jack Kaden

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.

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.