Quick update

Weight: 8lbs 6.5oz

No real news, but we started Austin on a new formula to use to supplement and maybe bump,his calories up a little. It is called Elecare and is amino acid based formula where the proteins are totally broken down. We started out only putting 10% in one bottle a day and are now at two bottles. He has done great so far and is not showing any adverse signs. We are keeping our fingers crossed that he can handle it as we SLOWLY increase the amount he gets everyday.

Preemie Precautions

Weight: BIG 8 Pounds!!!

Austin received his first outpatient dose of synagis yesterday and I am so thankful insurance approved it! (Not that they wouldn't given his history) This will give him one month of protection against RSV should he be exposed and get it.

This brings me to another point which I'm sure most of you are already aware. Preemies are just that, they are premature in every form and fashion. Their little bodies did not get the full chance to develop certain aspects that help them prevent and fight off disease and infection. And while Austin is amazingly healthy, he is still at risk and highly susceptible to catching any bug that may be floating around (flu, RSV, etc). Anything he catches, could put us back in the hospital with him fighting for his life. Now I know that is extreme, but it is high likely given his history. I am thankful that he didn't have all the respiratory complications that Jackson had, but that doesn't make him any less at risk. So, for the next few months we will be in "quarantine" to do everything we can to keep Austin healthy. We are open to visitors, but request that it be in small gatherings and that if you have or had any symptoms of illness that you wait until you are completely well. This is not meant to offend anyone, but set the expectation. Thank you for understanding and we can't wait for you all to meet Austin!

4 Month Check Up

Weight: 7lbs 12.5oz. 20 inches

Austin is doing great! His pediatrician was pleased with his weight gain and in the past three weeks he has made real progress towards getting on the growth chart curve. He is meeting and exceeding the milestones for his gestational age of about 6 weeks.

The BIG 4 Month Old!

I started back to work on Tuesday. I am really glad to start heading towards our new normal, but we are still going through the adjustment period. Getting up at 6am to start the day and make sure we leave the house with everything to spending the evenings getting everything as ready as possible and then going to bed at or after midnight is going to get old really quick. No more midday naps!

Austin spends the day with Nana while I'm at work and I know she is thoroughly enjoying it!

Jackson has some exciting news to share...He has his first loose tooth! Here he is with a picture of the tooth fairy pillow Grammy (my mom's mom) made me. According to Jackson the going rate for the tooth fairy is $50, so he is beyond excited about loosing teeth. I need to consult with the tooth fairy because the rate seems a little steep even with inflation!

I'm now off to take Austin to get his second Synagis injection to help ward off RSV!

Hernia Repair

Weight: 7lbs 5.5oz

Austin made it home from the hospital yesterday. The hernia was quite large as we suspected, but its all fixed now. Thankfully there was not a hernia on the right side. He did great during and after surgery. He and I spent one night for observation because he is so little.

Next week he goes in for his four month check up and hopefully his synagis injection.

I start back to work on Tuesday and Jacob starts his new job that day. I will be transporting both boys everyday now, so next week is going to be a crazy one!

Another surgery

Weight: 6lbs 14oz

Austin had his appointment with the urologist this morning and his hernia is quite large! Next Wednesday, January 16th Austin will have surgery to have his hernia repaired. It will be considered outpatient although we will spend one night for observation.

I had another check up at the doctor after the stress test I had done a few weeks ago and after dealing with high blood pressure through both pregnancies my heart is in good shape. I do need to start exercising.

Jacob also has some exciting news...he will be starting a new job the week of January 21st. This is also the week I return to work. I has been almost 5 months since I've been to work and the excitement began. I'm so ready to get back to work!

Doctors, doctors and more doctors!

Weight: 6lbs 8oz

Austin has been keeping a busy schedule. He had an appointment with the GI doctor today and he is a perfectly normal 3 month old (1 month adjusted). We will follow up in a month just to make sure he stays on track.

On Thursday he will visit the urologist to have his hernias checked out. I'm hoping we can put off any surgery or at least six months.

Last week Austin visited the ophthalmologist and his retinas have matured so he doesn't need to come back for a year.

I have about two more weeks until I return to work and while I'm ready to return it will be sad to leave Austin. He will be spending his days with Nana which I know she will enjoy.

One exciting bit of information...Austin rolled over two times on Sunday from tummy to back. I'm sure it was probably a fluke but he did it all by himself. We have been practicing tummy time and he started being able to hold his head up some while still in the NICU.

First visit to Pediatrician

Weight: 6lbs 3oz Length: 19in

Austin visited his pediatrician for the first time yesterday. Overall he is doing great. He will be following up in a week to check his weight. We will also need to see a urologist to follow his hernias and have them repaired sometime down the road. The pediatrician is also referring him to a GI doctor to see what our options are in regards to his intermittent diarrhea and ways to help him gain weight better. It would be wonderful if there was a way to get him extra calories without sending him into a tail spin.

We are also in the approval process to receive the monthly Synagis injection to protect him from RSV. His next injection is due around January 26th.