Baby Holden Update

Today, Holden has been in the NICU for 49 days.
The best piece of advice we've been given since he's been here is to take things one day at a time. This is not always easy for us "Type A" personality types, but has proven to be very gratifying when we simply focus on Holden and all of the amazing little things that he does each day. Yesterday, Holden was awake and happy when Daddy came to visit. They sat and chatted with each other for nearly and hour.
Today, Holden did great with his bottle feeding and massage. Mommy and Holden have had a couple snuggle sessions this afternoon. He loves kisses and holding my finger. The little munchkin now weighs 5 lbs. 15.7 ozs and is finally growing out of his preemie clothes.

Doctors are starting to talk about sending Holden home. No dates have yet been discussed. It is likely he will go home on oxygen for awhile and may need to continue some tube feeding until he has the strength to take 7-8 bottles a day. We in the meantime, we will continue to take it day by day, as our little guy continues to get healthier and stronger.

Baby Holden Update

Great news...the echocardiogram shows significant improvement in the reduction of pressure in Holden's heart. This means the medication seems to be working and the pulmonary hypertension appears to be under control. Also, the ultra sound report of his kidneys came back normal. So our prayers continue to be answered!

Today, Holden took 35 of 40 ccs of his bottle and also did great during his massage/stretching session with Miss Meg. We are so proud of our little munchkin for continuing to work so hard to get well so he can come home!

Holden has been having very good days, but the past couple of nights, he has been extremely irritable. We're not sure if it is reflux, colic or something in his milk. Doctors discussed experimenting with his milk/formula - to see if there is something in his or Mommy's diet contributing to his irritability. Mommy is now on a calcium free diet the next couple of weeks to see if that helps!! Whatever it takes to help our little guy feel better.

Thank you again for all of the support and prayers. We look forward to the day, in the near future, when y'all can meet our sweet baby boy!

Baby Holden Update

Holden has a big day today, with another echocardiogram scheduled to see if the new medicine is helping reduce the pressure in his heart. He will also have another ultrasound to check his kidney and liver.

The little munchkin now weighs 5 lbs. 11oz. It may be hard to believe from looking at the pictures, but Holden has a reputation in the NICU as being quite the little "fussy pants!" It does seem that the reflux is the primary cause and the medicine he is on for that appears to be helping provide him more comfort. However, we have to remember, he's a little fighter and that definitely comes through in his personality!

Grandpa came for a visit yesterday and got to see the many sides of Holden. Sleeping like an angel, screaming like a mad man and calm & alert like a watch dog. He is such a blessing!!