Update on Baby Beau

After a LONG but comfortable and easy pregnancy, Beau arrived as planned on Monday morning. Since I ended up with a c-section last time, we went for it again and were enjoying the benefits of having it all go according to schedule. The nurses checked him over right away then called in two respiratory specialists after determining that he was breathing at a crazy fast rate. We went through recovery and got to my room as normal then the Head Neo-Natalogist arrived! It was scary, but we were glad to know what was going on with Beau. At the time, we were hopeful that he just had some fluid in his lungs and could clear it in the next 12-24 hours. It was weird not having a baby to nurse right away, but I got straight to pumping a couple of ounces and enjoyed resting a bit. Tuesday brought lots of emotions, as I got to see Beau for the first time since a few seconds in the delivery room. He was breathing so fast, and it was overwhelming that he was in the NICU with such sick and tiny babies. We had lots of times on Tuesday where we didn't know anything that was going on and felt completely helpless. I wasn't having any more success with the breast pump on Tuesday and barely got half an ounce which was very frustrating. Beau seemed to be in a horrible state on Tuesday night, and we were freaking out. He was still breathing crazy, he had started shaking all over, his color had gotten splotchy, and he just seemed to be in a bad state. I think this is when I realized he wasn't just getting a little fluid out and things were more serious. I knew I wouldn't be able to take him home with us on Thursday when I was discharged, and I couldn't understand that! Things reached a frenzy when I discovered I was pumping blood at 2:00 am on Wednesday morning. Luckily Wednesday would turn into a better day for everyone. We met again with the head of the NICU and talked about Beau's issues. He hadn't made enough surfectant in his lungs (common of preemie babies), so he couldn't get the sacs open and hold any air. This usually begins increasing after the second or third day. The plain oxygen wasn't saturating in his body, so they switched to humidified oxygen which has helped. He's got more color, especially in his extremities which were turning blue! The breathing is still wildly fast, but will improve as he makes more surfectant and can hold in more air. His heart is perfect and handling all the extra work wonderfully. He can't eat regularly, so he's got a feeding tube. (We can't work on breast or bottle until he gets the breathing under control.) Just talking with the doctor and getting more clear information was reassuring, and seeing Beau get seemingly calmer throughout the day was incredible. I met with the Lactation Specialist to work on the bleeding issue, and we got that under control. My milk came in today and Beau is happily enjoying it at each feeding! Another few visits with Beau today made me feel that we're on the right track. He's still got a long ways to go before coming home to us, but I feel much better than yesterday. Everyone we talk to is telling us the same time frame for his recovery. I so hope they're right, and we'll have our sweet boy at home with us sometime next week. This picture is from Wednesday evening. He was getting mad at the nurse for changing his diaper . . . already too much like his brother!!

Allyson took this picture on Monday, and you can really see what he looks like. He has my hair, dark eyes and Lincoln's same nose, but we're not sure about the rest. He's such a cutie! He likes to pull out the tubes, so they try to keep him swaddled.
Lincoln has been good through all of this drama, and we're all trying to keep him on a normal schedule with school, bathtime and bedtime. He's been going to school each day (except Monday) then heading to Mommy's room for a visit. We usually can play a bit unless someone comes in the room. He freaks out when I'm in the bed, have anything hooked to me, or if there's a doctor/nurse in the room. He just doesn't fully understand, and it scares him. We're trying to keep him calm and out of the way of those things. He does love playing at the hospital though. He and Bubbles spent some time working on the tv/dvd player, so he could get his Elmo movie on. He likes walking around the hospital, the elevators, and bossing us all around. He got a cool gift today . . . a manual breast pump! Don't even ask me how to use that - I use the fancy double-electric speedy one. He loves it and thinks it must be to blow bubbles! He and Daddy are having a good time bonding, and I know they're fine without me for one more day.
I'm ready for our new "normal life" to begin, though I don't know what that is! I miss being home with them and will be desperate for Beau to join us soon. We're all just ready to be together. I am praying that we all get through this quickly, and that everyone can be healthy and strong soon.