Took the little dude out for a nice walk today.  Perfect weather, not too hot, not too cold.  However, I still bundled him up with a hat and blanket like it was winter time!  But, clearly he didn't mind... he probably didn't even realize he was out and about - slept the entire time   =0)

Tomorrow Grandma is coming over, and we will go for another walk - maybe Brady will be able to stay awake and enjoy the scenery!

Brady watched his first Red Sox game with mom and dad June 7, 2011.  They played the Yankees, and won 6-4!
 

Yesterday (6/7) at lunch time, Brady's nurse found me and told me the good news - the Doctor cleared him for release! I was shocked - I had mentally prepared myself for a Weds morning release, but was pleasantly pleased with the decision!  His numbers were strong, and consistant, and there was no further need for monitoring sugar.  The Doctors are confident that his platelet and white blood cell counts will get higher quicker, but instructed his Pediatrician to test in a week. 

So, after our official discharge paperwork, and meeting with the nurse and doctor - it was time to leave!  Brady was placed in his Red Sox take-home outfit, and we were ready to leave. However, we were delayed 30 minutes for something we didn't expect... how to use the car seat with a real baby!  It seriously took us and the nurse 30 minutes to figure out how to loosen the shoulder straps, and how to snap the crotch strap into place.  It really was rocket science - but fortunately, we figured it out!!!  (Unfortunately, the nurses from Tufts don't come home with you to help with the other baby stuff!)

So, finally at about 6pm, we came home to a nicely decorated front yard!  Lee had gotten balloons, and a big door & yard sign to welcome him home - FINALLY!!

9:00am - We woke up at 5:30am to get Brady's overnight numbers.  They were AWESOME!  In addition, his 8am reading was 93 - his highest ever!  Remember, he only needs 50+!  THe nurse is thrilled with the numbers, and actually threw out the "D" word.  If the central line can come out early this morning, she thinks that he may be able to go home late tonight, or early tomorrow!

The Endocrinologist came by around 8:30am and looked at Brady's numbers.  He was thrilled, and is taking the numbers back to the team to prepare for next steps.  He instructed the nurses to no longer add calories to Brady's milk. He will remain on a 20 calorie feeding schedule (which is straight up milk, or any formula you buy in the store).

So now, we believe our options are:

1) Remove central line and monitor 20 calories for 24 hours
2) Remove central line and monitor for a few feedings
3) Remove central line and discharge   =0)

Hopefully, Brady will not have to go thru the car seat test.  This is an hour and a half of Brady sitting in his car seat before going home.  They keep him hooked up to the monitors, and make sure his vitals stay strong while in the seat.  Usually, this test is done for premies, but since Brady was a little tiny, and has gone through a lot, they may opt to put him thru the test.  Just another hour and a half we will have to wait!!!    =0)

Stay tuned for more info later today!

June 7th - Didn't have an opportunity to update everyone same day of Brady's progress (mix of busy with the nurses and doctors, and lack of consistent internet access). 

At 2pm, they swapped his Dextrose 10 sugar IV to a pure saline.  His numbers didn't fluctuate at all!  He remained consistent.  In addition, they are dropping his calories to swap between 22 and 20 Hopefully, the central line will come out the next day, and we can begin talking about the "D" word... DISCHARGE!!!

Today was an even better day than yesterday!  We woke up to hear that he pulled 70's on his gluclose readings all night, and he is now officially on the lowest Dextrose - D10.  This means that the minimum amount of sugar is flowing thru his central line.  Since dropping to the minimum, he has pulled 70's and an 83!  The 83 came 3 hours after a very small lunch.  The Drs did their rounds around 8:30 and commented on how great that reading was.  His last number was 65, a little lower, but nothing to be concerned about according to the Drs. 

The nurse this afternoon made a comment that the central line may come out tomorrow.  I hope she is right, and that the Drs agree.  That would be one less wire I have to manuver around!!

It's wonderful to finally see him so alert.  His eyes are so big, and he just stares at you whiole cuddling - I just love every minute of it - and so doe

Brady is having a great day today - as he should - it is his one week birthday!  He has consistantly been pulling great numbers off his current weaning process (1 every 12 hours), that the Endocrinologist has increased the weaning to 1 every 3 hours!  As long as Brady's bloodsugar readings are 60 or above, the nurse will drop the IV, else, the number will be reported up to the Endocrinologist, and his weaning will be altered again.  The reading before his 2pm feeding was 66, and that is completely acceptable (he had only eaten 30 ML of milk at his 11am feeding - which isn't a lot, but still alright.  He just sucked down 50 ML and could have kept going!).

Here's to consistant numbers for the rest of the day today!!!  If so, he can be completely weaned off by tomorrow, and as long as he can sustain 60+ for 24 hours on his own, he will be home with us early next week!

We still need to await his Newborn blood work.  That will hopefully rule out, 100%, any genetic disorder that may be causing/had caused his low bloodsugar. Fortunately, LGH and Tufts Doctors believe that his small size and stress that he went through is the root cause.

Again, thanks to everyone for their good vibes, and prayers!!

Brady has been in the NICU at Tufts for one full day now, and already his numbers are improving!  His gluclose IV flow has already been dropped from 10 to 9!  Dropping by 1 every 12 hours.  The weaning has begun!  Drs did their rounds, and are very optimistic that there is no genetic disorder that caused this issue, but can't be too certain until his Newborn blood work comes back on Tuesday.

HOORAY!!!!

Since Brady was doing so well with his numbers, daddy brought from home his Pooh friends to keep him company in the nursery!

Well, this is the day Lee picked for Brady's arrival!  However, just not feeling it.  Granted it's early in the morning, and ANYTHING can happen, I think it's going to be a little later in the week... maybe into next week!

I think this guy is very comfortable in my right rib cage and doesn't want to vacate... ironically making me very uncomfortable - but I will deal with it for his development!

I added a poll to the site!  Click on "Polls" on the left navigation, and let us know when you think he'll arrive!

I officially am down to 11 days!  Could be 6 more days - could be 15 more days!  Who knows   =0)

I am feeling great, but starting to become a little uncomfortable as he's really playing in the ribs now, and sitting for more than 30 minutes doesn't work for me anymore!  Need to get up and walk around on my swollen feet more often.  (That's a lose-lose scenario!)

I hope Lee and I are ready for this little guy - if his energy is this high while still baking, I can only imagine how energized he will be once he's born!!  I bet I can cancel my gym membership, as I will get plenty of exercise with him!!!