Eating and Smiling

Ethan really loves eating! He was so mad at the feedings between bottles that Nau let him have a bottle every feeding. He was going to limit the amount to 45cc, but then Ethan slammed 80 with no problem this morning. What a champ. He coughed a couple of times, but didn't desat or drop his heart rate. He was fussy for his afternoon feeding, so Chris had to take the bottle away. Turns out he was pooping. Poor baby.

It is really amazing that Ethan is doing so well with eating. It could have been a huge struggle ending in a Gtube for feedings. We're watching his signs closely and not pushing him too much. I think breastfeeding is going to be on hold for a week or so until we get this bottle thing down.

Don't get your hopes up - you know from the ups and downs so far that nothing is for sure in the nicu. But this morning Dr Nau said he can see the light at the end of the tunnel. He said maybe home before Christmas... I dunno. I'm not going to get my hopes set on that one; probably not until the day before he comes home!

Oh yes, and did I mention that Ethan is smiling like crazy now? We almost got one on camera here. It's so fun to see him really interact with people. His favorite new pastime is sitting on his porch and watching the cars go by. Ok, so in the nicu that translates to sitting in his bouncy seat in the doorway so he can see people going by. And of course who can resist coming over to say hi to a cute and smiling baby?