+ 0 - 0 | § ¶He's pst 6 pounds now
As of yesterday, Alex pushed past the 6 pound mark. We're happy to see this. He also got to see Grandma and Grandpa Norton yesterday, the Wileys today, and tomorrow Tash. This has been a good weekend for him with plenty of arms to hold him. We have lotsa pictures, and I'll post them later, when I get a chance.
We're counting down the days until he gets the next gap-o-gram. Let's hope it comes soon, and says that there is overlap!
+ 0 - 0 | § ¶Weight Gain 3000!
A few days ago, I wrote that Alex had been put on supplements so that he would start gaining a little weight. His body needs extra calories because of the work that his heart has to do with the shunt in place. On this weight gain formula, he now weighs 5 lbs, 15.4 oz. He's been gaining 2-3 ounces per day, and is now more than a pound over his birth weight. Yeah!
Other than that, things are still about the same. Dan and I are anxiously awaiting the next gap-o-gram and his surgery so that we can finally bring Alex home. It would be really nice to be able to be "normal" parents. Hershey Medical Center is a great place, but we'll be happy when we don't have to see it every day.
+ 0 - 0 | § ¶Days are passing quickly...
I just realized that it has been three days since we last updated the blog. Dan and I have been faithfully following our routine; AM work followed by a trip to Hershey. Alex has been doing really well for the past few days. His suction tube has been working, so he hasn't needed oxygen, and has sounded relatively clear. He's also been gaining a little bit of weight recently, with a change in medication and some added calories. He's up to 5 lbs, 10.7 oz. now. We've been learning more and more about how to take care of him. Every four hours or so, the nurses have to measure his temp, clean his g-tube site (2x daily), and change him (which often involved a clothing change due to his peeing-on-everything habit). Dan and I can now do all of this without any assistance from the nurses. It doesn't seem like much, but it means a lot to us to be able to help. Now when we visit, we spend most of the time holding him.
The nurses say that Alex sleeps most of the time, though when you have to change him or anything else, he lets loose. He's not a fan of being disturbed. He usually settles down pretty quickly though. The docs seem to be targeting the datee for his next surgery in two to three weeks, depending on how his next gap-o-gram goes. Perhaps we'll be able to take him home someday after all! Until then, more watching and waiting to come.