too much poop

So Logan's feeds had to be stopped last night. In two days his output from his ostomy trippled. They did some testing and so far he is negative for C Diff (a nasty stool bacteria). They restarted his feeds this afternoon at a lesser rate so we'll see how it goes. Poor guy :(

Otherwise he's been happy. He is smiley and interactive. He is TEETHING LIKE CRAZY. He always is nomming on his lil finners. (that's mommy for he's chewing on his fingers).

Uncle Charlie came by today and Logan just looooves him. They were adorable together. Charlie will be a huge mentor for Logan because he went through a lot of childhood surgeries and illnesses so as Logan gets older and wonders how to deal with his differences I'm hoping Charlie will help him out (I know he will).

Not much

Soooo. The reason I haven't been posting so much is cause there really isn't anything to report. Logan has been off all oxygen for about a week, now. He is very nearly up to full feeds through his g tube and nippling about 3 times a day. He gets a tablespoon of mashed sweet potatoes which he is totally in love with. He is going through ostomy bags 'cause they keep exploding. The nurses aren't emptying them enough, methinks. The omegaven is doing amazing things. His liver is beginning to get better. Hopefully now that Logan has gotten it, other babies at OSF can get it.

I'm looking for jumperoos if anyone has one. The doctor said Logan is gaining too much weight (which I totally laughed at him) because he's not active enough. We are looking for a cheap yet effective entertainment device. If anyone has one they are looking to get rid of lemme know.

Otherwise he's being awesome. He likes to smile and have fun. He goes for walks around the NICU in a little red wagon.

Warmies from Wonder Boy

I figured out that when Logan is asleep I have a lot of time on my hands when I'm in the NICU. I used to just nap when he napped but it's hard to sleep. So I am going to start making preemie sized things for other NICU parents for Carle Hospital. Even little things like tiny hats on your 27 weeker preemie makes you feel like your baby is a "real baby."

I'm going to make little blankets and little hats. I'm going to attempt to learn to make tiny booties and mittens.

If anyone would like to make their own preemie blankies or hats but don't have the time to go up to Carle I am there 3 days a week (I work there) and I'll drop them off. :D

Thinking and thinking

So I had a care conference with the Surgeon, the dietitian, and the Neonatologist. We pretty much talked about Logan head to toe.

• Logan had another EEG done to see if he is having any neurological issues. There weren't any results back just yet so I'll update when I hear from them.
• They are doing genetic testing to check for osteo imperfecta (a bone disorder) and another skin test to check for some genetic liver disease. His bones are looking good. There are no new fractures and the ones he had are healing.
• His oxygen is still on 1/8 of a liter and I take him completely off oxygen when he is awake. I had him off for 2 hours while awake, at 1/16 for 30 minutes after he fell asleep, and when he hit deep sleep I had to put him back on 1/8.
• His heart rate is doing nice. When calm and awake he is in the 120s with a slightly irregular sinus rhythm.
• His bowels are doing well. His feeds are up to 20 mL an hour and re-feeds are doing well. He's pooping once or twice a shift rectally. Usually a soft formed poopish poop and in a large amount. His stomach wound is doing well and is now left to open air. It looks kinda gnarly but isn't gooey at all. Just look like a shark took a bite out and it's scabbed over.
• Therapy is going well. He is turning his head to the left more often. He still doesn't want to reach and grab but he's getting there. He is kicking his legs more. We're working on getting his legs in a neutral position. He doesn't like putting his right leg in so we're working on that.

As far as future surgeries go I have some thinking and deciding to do. One of two things can happen:

1. In 6-8 weeks the Omegaven will have had time to heal his liver to be able to do surgery. We can do surgery while he's still in the NICU and have his recovery and go home about a week afterwards (depending on how well the surgery goes). The surgeon feels confident that this surgery will go better in the past because of the Omegaven improving his liver function and more importantly both sides of the bowel are happy functioning bowels. Before it was a somewhat happy healthy bowel connecting to a sad, lazy bowel.
2. Or we can take him home for awhile (after 6-8 weeks of letting the Omegaven kick in). Let him get bigger and healthier and then take him back to do surgery. Before this can happen I have to live in the NICU for 2-3 days and do ALL of Logan's care and prove to them that I am comfortable with this. The negatives is when he does have surgery he will recover in Peds. instead of the NICU.

Lots and lots of thinking....

On a less serious note, we were watching Logan sleep. His eyes kept fluttering and he was smiling and then the most wonderful thing happened. HE GIGGLED!!!

Most beautiful noise I've heard in my life. I love my lil one so much... I nearly cried from just a little squeak of a giggle...

New post, new post yeahhh

Logan's picture with santa creeps me out.... It puts the phrase, "Santa is watching you" in a whole new perspective.

So not much has happened with Logan. He is getting the Omegaven (cause I'm awesome). This is day 4 of him having it. He is at 1/8th of a liter of oxygen through his nasal canula. He is pooping from his bottom about twice a day. His ostomy poo is olive green and thick like ostomy poop is supposed to look like. He is still on the Methadone but a very low dose. They are weening it reaaaaly slow. Otherwise he's happy and wiggly. He kicks his legs and acts like a 3 month old. Sometimes he acts like he's gonna giggle then doesn't. He still doesn't really coo or make talking noises. But he is technically still young.