Here is Ben under the Bili lights and before he got out of his incubator. Monday he was able to maintain his temp on his own, and he has been in a big boy bed ever since.

He still has the feeding tube in his nose, but he has started to feed well enough on his own to count them. We are hoping to make it 24 hours of no tube feedings by tomorrow morning so we can finally go home! The last two pictures are without his feeding tube because he pulled it out. We have to bundle him up tight since he managed to pull it three different times, and doesn't like it to have put back in. Hopefully tomorrow it will be out for good and then he can comfort himself by putting his hands where ever he wants! In most of his Ultrasound pictures he has had his hands by his face, and when left to do what he wants, that is usually where they are. He appears to be very easy going, and doesn't cry much... we shall see if that stays true when he gets home!

Benjamin "Ben" Oeltjenbruns

Benjamin James Oeltjenbruns
August 6, 2008 at 11:28pm
5 lbs. 3oz. 18 1/2 inches long

Ben is breathing on his own, after a short scare at the beginning. He has a feeding tube until he can prove that he can eat on his own and maintain weight, as well as an IV to help with hydration. He is also in an isolet that will have the temperature slowly turned down to also prove that he can maintain his body temperature. Once those things are done, Ben can come home. We are able to take him out for up to an hour at a time, and he has a good suck on his pacifier. (The trick will be whether he can feed and breath at the same time.) He appears to have Corey's hair line and nose... as well as really big feet! We were pleasantly surprised to find dark hair on the top of his head, since we were both bald. It will be at least 4 days, but could be up to two weeks before he is ready to come home. He has already graduated from some of the tubes/monitors that he had on last night, and they were hoping that by tonight if his breathing held up they could start to put pajamas on him. These pictures were all taken before the feeding tube was put in his nose. On behalf of Corey, Ben and I... we want to thank everyone for all of their prayers, we know that this has made a difference!

Here comes baby...

 

So I am really behind on this blogsite. With so much to do at home, it seems like a never ending battle to keep up. This Ultrasound pic is from last Friday, when baby was about 4 lbs 14 oz. Tuesday brought contractions and a visit to the hospital... with two days of bedrest. Friday morning, my water broke... and we have been hanging out at the hospital since. Corey finally went home this afternoon to take care of some things and is coming back tonight. I have gotten two steroid shots, as well as two different antibiotics to prevent infections. If I don't go on my own, they will induce on Wednesday. Baby will spend about two weeks in the NICU depending on how well baby is doing. So far things are looking good and pretty stable. Baby seems to be doing fine, and we are just playing the waiting game. We've got the cell phone with, and as long as things aren't happening... we are pretty much just hanging out. (I will try to be much better about posting the final picture when it does happen!!!)