Friday 10-22-04

6:00am: 

Mom and Dad could not sleep this morning so decided to go in and see Logan a little early today.  He was sleeping soundly when we came in to see him.  He had been a little feisty all night.  

His nurse Christina said that he just did not like to be touched.  Reminds us of his Mom when she is sleeping.

The big news was that he pooped THREE times last night!!  YEA!

His Bilirubin was down so today they took him off his photosensitive light - that is great news.  In addition they took out his arterial line from his tummy - that is also great news

11:00pm: 

Called to check on Logan and he was better.  Rachelle turned him on his back and he calmed down.  His respiration was now between 30 and 50 per minute.

Dad and Mom felt a lot better. 

9:30pm:

Brook and I went back to say goodnight to Logan.  Good news was that everything was pretty much the same.  He is still feisty when touched or he is moved.

We met Lauren his nurse and talked with her for a while.  He was eating good and no problems.  She did have to up his O2 and breaths per minute after moving him - but that has been par for the course.

Brook and I told him we loved him and would see him tomorrow.

Called and talked with Lauren before going to bed.  Good night!!  Logan was doing good.  No episodes - still angry when moved.  He still had a little residual from his previous feeding, but was still getting full 12cc's.

4:00am:

Called to check on Logan again.  The nurses are so good.  They don't even make fun of us for calling so often.   Same old - same old...  doing good, no big changes.

11:30am:

Grandma and Dad went to see Logan.  He is off his vent!  Yea!!  Big Day!!  He seems to be doing well.  They are increasing his food intake to 17cc's every three hours.  He has had a couple of apnea episodes, but his vitals look good

4:00pm

Took Grandma and Grandpa Mac to see Logan before they left.  He was looking good.  He still has some apnea/brachardyia episodes, but they tell us that is to be expected.  Feedings are going well.  We have the head ultrasound tomorrow.  If positive - he is moving towards recovery.  He had his first blowout diaper today!!  Dad is proud and excited.

7:00pm Called and Christina is back taking care of Logan.  We like Christina.  Logan had another apnea episode, so Dr. B. has decided to give him another bolus of caffeine and up his daily amount of caffeine to help him breathe.  He pooped 5 times yesterday!!  Karen told us that she wasn't going to tell me anymore unless there were problems.

9:30pm

Brook and I went back to say goodnight to Logan. He was doing pretty good.  Still has apnea spells, but has recovered by himself with no help.  His tummy had been a little distended - but looks good after his big blowout diaper.  He still has weight flucuations each day.  He weighs 2# 151/2 ounces today.   Christina hopes that he will graduate to intermediate by next thursday.

Friday 10/29 - Day 12
The test results show that the valve is not closed and is of moderate size.   It is called PDA or Patent Ductus Arteriosus. There are three options to correct it: 

1) Do nothing and hope that it closes on its own

2) Treat pharmacologically -  an NSAID called Indomethicin is given in 3 doses every 12 hours.  This will work on the body to close the PDA.  There are some adverse side effects that are potentially very harmful.

3)  Surgery – A pediatric heart surgeon would surgically clip the PDA to make it close.  This is called ligation.  They would make a small cut on Logan's left side behind his armpit and then surgically close the PDA.  This is a 20 minute procedure and can be done at Meritcare.  The surgeon Dr. Neuman is excellent.

For more information on PDA - click the link below.

After discussing the results with the cardiologist, Dr. Rios, Dr. Nelson and Dr. Bellas decided that the best approach from a risk vs. benefit would be to try the Indomethicin and see if we can close the PDA medically before taking the risk of surgery. 

The started Logan on the Indomethicin today at 12 noon.  The Dr’s are optimistic, but the medicine may not work since Logan may be to old.  They will watch Logan closely for adverse side effects or signs that he is getting worse. 

If he is getting worse they may have to do surgery right away on Sunday or Monday.

Logan is resting comfortably today.  He had an awful day yesterday.

Sunday November 7   20 Days Old

Today is another big day.  They took out Logan’s PICC line from his arm.  The PICC line is more stable than an IV.  The IV had to be moved every few days and a couple times came out due to his excessive movements.  This means no more food from a bag, only breast milk!!

Logan has a feeding tube in his mouth for breast milk input that he loves to pull out.  The nurses are warned before taking over care of Logan that this is his favorite trick.  Today, they put a new feeding tube in his nose to prevent him from doing this.

Mom did kangaroo cares this afternoon and didn’t feel like putting Logan back into his bed.  Mom held Logan for two hours.  They had a good chat and then Logan took a nap in Mom’s arms.

Mom and Dad went back to the hospital for Dad’s turn at Kangaroo Cares.  Logan has his bath at 8:00 then he is usually wide-awake.  After a few minutes on Daddy though, he settles in for a nice warm nap!!  Tonight Shirley decides to put a onsie on Logan to sleep in.  Clothes are definitely something new.  We’re not sure if he doesn’t like clothes or what the problem was, but he was squirmy all night.  Maybe we won’t try clothes again for a while.  We just want him to sleep well and get big and strong.  Tomorrow is a big day-another head ultrasound.  Keep the prayers coming!

Monday November 8  3 Weeks Old Today!!

Logan is up to 3 pounds 10 ounces!!  Good job Logan!

Logan had his head ultrasound this morning.  Dr. Bellas showed it to Dad and asked him what he thought.  “Definitely smaller” says Dad; Dr. Bellas agreed.  The blood clot is definitely breaking down!!  This is fabulous news and just what we have been praying for.  Logan has itty-bitty ventricles!

Breast milk has 20 calories per CC or ML.  Since they have removed the IV, he isn’t getting any added nutrition from the bag.  Today they will begin adding a powder to his breast milk with extra calcium in it.  This will make the breast milk have 22 calories per CC.  He is up to 28 CC’s (almost one ounce) of milk every three hours.  We will have to watch his bowel movements closely since fortified milk may be harder for him to digest.  Did you know breast milk is a natural laxative?  We are learning so much!!

Shirley is his night nurse again.  She says he is learning his schedule; he seems to wake up 20 minutes before the next feeding.  He gets squirmy until they feed him.  That’s our boy, always hungry.  Shirley shows Mom and Dad how to give a bath so we can start doing it.  Logan gets upset and cries before Shirley finishes.  This is only the second time we have heard him cry, the first time was at his birth.  What a foreign sound to us.  I’m sure we will get used to it in time.

All of Logan’s girls are working tonight and are fighting over who gets to take care of him.  He is getting cuter every day.

Tuesday November 9   22 Days Old 

Three Pounds 11 Ounces-Keep growing Logan!!

At 7:30 Mom and Dad arrive for Kangaroo Cares to find Logan’s diaper so full of poop some has escaped onto his blanket!  What an impressive effort from such a little guy.  Mom cleaned it up with a little assistance from Dad.  Dad was in charge of holding the hands so they stayed out of the poop.  After a bath, Dad quickly puts Logan to sleep holding him on his chest. 

In the parking garage, Dad discovers Mom is afraid of mice.  He thinks it is quite funny when she screams and refuses to walk on the stairs by the mouse.

We are keeping Grandma Kathy busy.  We washed all of Logan’s clothes and put them away.  Logan has too many clothes already!  My cousin and his wife gave us all of their son’s clothes and a ton of other baby stuff we would have had to buy.  Everything looks like brand new and is adorable!  Dad was excited to find they had given us a MN Vikings sleeper.  Dad cannot wait to watch football with Logan sleeping on his chest. 

Grandma is also busy feeding us.  My body still thinks it is eating for two.  We had my favorite, turkey dinner on Saturday.  Yeah!  We are filling the freezer with some meals for when she leaves us too.

Wednesday November 10  23 Days Old

Logan has been receiving caffeine once a day to stimulate his breathing.  A new study hints that long-term use of caffeine in preemies may cause them to lag behind in school.  Logan receives his last dose of caffeine this morning.  If his body misses it, he could have an apnea spell (where he forgets to breathe).  If he has even one spell, he will go back on the caffeine.  Late next week we will look at possibly removing the oxygen.  He is doing most of the work so there is no hurry in removing it.

Another first today!  Logan gets his foot wrapped around his feeding tube and rips it out of his nose.  He loves to keep those nurses on their toes!  At afternoon Kangaroo Cares, Mom tells Logan she is sorry they had to put tape on his face and she promises not to do it when he comes home.  If he would stop pulling out his tubes they wouldn’t have to do it.  Logan responds with a noise.  I think he was trying to talk to me.  He is generally pretty quiet, so were surprised to hear him.

Mom, Dad, and Grandma go back for Kangaroo Cares.  Logan is always so wide-awake after his bath that we get the best pictures then.  Grandma is sad to be going home on Friday.

One of our jobs is to spoil the NICU nurses.  They take such good care of Logan that it is the least we can do!  Grandma Kathy made caramel bars and chocolate chip cookies during her visit.  We brought them in on a couple different trips to make sure everyone gets some.  Grandma Mac is bringing some bars too this weekend when she comes.  It is the job of a Grandma to bake.  The NICU nurses love Logan’s Grandmas!!

Thursday  November 11  24 Days Old

Logan pulled out his feeding tube again today.  He is very determined.  He still has the nasal cannula which doesn’t always stay in his nose.  He likes to pull that out too.  During our afternoon Kangaroo Cares, it rested on his top lip most of the time.  As long as the monitor shows 90% or higher, we didn’t fight with him to put it back in.  Logan wiggled around on me awhile this afternoon before he got comfortable, burped, and then decided to take a nap.

Grandma got to hold Logan today for the second time.  He was wide awake looking at her while she talked to him.  She is sad to be going home tomorrow.  She promised to come back and help take care of him in January.  He didn’t even need to beg to get her to come back up here in the cold winter!

Dr. Bellas ordered labs for Logan tomorrow and an X-ray as a baseline incase Dr. Nelson needs it next week when he takes over care.    We haven't had labs in awhile.  Our follow up head ultrasound will be on Monday.

Logan caught us a little unprepared by arriving so early.  There were  only a couple things that we wanted to have before he come home.  The first item was a snowsuit.  Not very fun, but necessary given our cold weather.  Grandma Kathy bought the cutest navy down snowsuit for Logan with a fur trimmed collar and matching wool hat.  It looks so big, but it was the smallest size they had.  Now he will be warm when we get to bring him home. 

The other thing we really wanted was Logan’s monitor.  We registered for a really cool one at Babies R Us that has a TV screen so we can see and hear what he is doing.  The TV screen is the size of a remote control so we can carry it around the house with us.  My mom’s sister, Barb, bought the monitor for us.  It came this week and we had a lot of fun testing it out.  I anticipate Logan will be spending most of his time in the bassinet when he comes home and will be in the same room as us for awhile.  The monitor will definitely come in handy for quite a few years.  My cousin and his wife still use theirs to check up on their three year old.

Friday November 12   25 Days Old

Mom and Grandma visit in the early morning hoping to hold Logan one last time before Grandma has to fly home.  Logan is sleeping so soundly that we decide not to disturb him and just watch him.  Grandma cries at the hospital when she has to say good-bye to Logan and again at the airport.  Leaving is difficult, but knowing Logan is doing so well helps.

Dad calls to tell me who is taking over Logan’s care at 3:00.  When I tell him that I don’t recognize the nurse, he tells me it is because she works on the other side.  Logan has graduated!  The NICU is divided into two sides:  the left side is critical care for sicker babies and the right side is referred to as the feeding and growing side.  Logan is now on the right side!  Yeah Logan! 

Grandma and Grandpa Mac are back.  They haven’t seen Logan in about two weeks, since before he was able to open his eyes.  We take them up to the hospital to see Logan in his new location.  They are amazed at how much he has filled out since they last saw him.  They are both able to hold him for the first time.  He is wide awake and seems to like that they both sing him lullabies!

Monday November 15   4 Weeks Old 

Logan is up to four pounds two ounces today! 

Today is our follow up head ultrasound to check on the brain swelling.  We won’t get results until tomorrow.

Tuesday November 16   29 Days Old 

Our head ultrasound shows the blood clot continues to break down and is now being classified as a grade one bleed.  Good news!

Logan is having a busy day.  An eye Dr. came to check him for Retinopathy.  Retina’s frequently are not properly developed in premies.  The Dr. had to put drops in his eyes to dilate his eyes.  Jackee, our nurse, held Logan’s hands down which was no easy task.  Jackee said Logan didn’t give the Dr. the finger, but if he could have gotten an arm free he might have taken a swing at him.  Good news, the eye exam shows no signs of Retinopathy.

When Mom arrived for the afternoon visit Jackee needed to replace the feeding tube in his nose.  While holding back tears, I held Logan’s arms so he couldn’t “help.”  Once the tube is in the right place, Logan gets to eat which pleases him!  He loves to eat!

Wednesday November 17   30 Days Old

Today Logan’s food is increased to 36 CC’s.  An ounce is 30 CC’s.  His breast milk is still being fortified to add additional calories.  He gets fed at 2, 5, 8 and 11. 

Daddy had to go on his first overnight work trip since Logan was born.  I think it was much harder on Daddy than on Logan.  Daddy missed his turn at Kangaroo Cares.  Our friend, Nichole kept Mommy company.  She can’t believe how much Logan has grown in the last month.  Nichole is that one that spoils our puppies whenever we have to go out of town.

The NICU is crazy!  They are up to 23 babies, many of them seem to be vocalizing their anger tonight.  Despite the craziness, Logan slept on my chest for an hour while sucking his fingers. 

Thursday November 18 

Logan is one month old today!  Apparently, Logan does not understand that he is supposed to have slow, steady weight gain.  He gained 6 ounces since yesterday.  Much of this is water weight that gets in his lungs and makes it harder for him to breathe.  To flush out the water, Logan will be given a drug called, Lasiks.

Logan’s head is also growing.  It is supposed to grow 1-1.5 centimeters per week.  It has grown more than that this week so his nurses will begin to measure his head nightly just to monitor it.  Dad says that Logan is just starting to take after him and his large head.  I am just thankful Logan didn’t have Dad’s large head at birth!

Today we began putting Logan to breast to see if he can get any milk out.  He has been practicing latching on during our non-nutritive sucking sessions.  During those, I pump first then we practice sucking.  He does OK for about 10 minutes before he has to go back to sleep.

Dad was thrilled to be home for his nightly Kangaroo Cares. 

Friday November 19

Logan got his first bottle today!  Daddy gave Logan his first bottle of breast milk today.  The milk comes out of the bottle with a lot less effort than out of the breast.  Logan likes to suck on his pacifier so we thought the bottle thing would be easy.  First, Logan didn’t want to open his mouth.  Then when he opened his mouth his tongue was up.  The bottle has to go above the tongue, otherwise he sucks and everything gets spit out again.  Then when Dad finally had the bottle on top of the tongue, Logan sucked so hard he forgot to breathe.  So Mom watched the oxygen on the monitor and told Dad when he was dropping so he could take the bottle out.  This is very common in preemies that the suck, swallow, breathe skill is not developed yet.  We will keep working on it.  Logan is a good burper!  

Saturday November 20

We think Logan's hair is getting lighter, more of a brown color like Daddy's.  Our nurse tonight thinks Logan could have a little curl to his hair and it is showing signs of blonde.  Daddy reminds me that he was a curly, blonde haired boy once.  We'll just have to wait and see.  Another nurse thought it looked redish.  We don't think it is going to be red though.

Sunday November 21

Despite our small setback yesterday, we had more good news today!  We may be moving to an open bassinet!  Logan hadn’t been tolerating being on his back or side.  He never seemed content unless he was curled up on his tummy.  When he was on his back, they usually had to turn up his oxygen.  He is doing better on his back so they are going to start preparing him to move to a bassinet.  He will have to stay on his back exclusively now and they will start turning the temperature down in his isollete.  They will take his temperature every hour to see how he is handling it.  He will start wearing clothes now and be bundled in blankets.

The NICU is still extremely busy.  They are up to 26 babies, far too many.

Logan was doing great at keeping his body temp up so around 5:00 Dad held him while they moved his stuff to the open bassinet.  Yeah, a big boy bed!!  We thought it was going to be a couple of days before he was able to move.  He will wear clothes now like a big boy.  He looks so much older in clothes.

He weighs 4 pounds 10 ounces.

Monday November 22

Logan should be gaining about an ounce a day.  Last week he gained ten ounces which is still Ok.  He is up to 4 pounds 12 ounces today.  Dr. Bellas is back taking care of us this week.  The nurses don't need to measure his head daily anymore.  No more bottle feeding until he gets used to his new bed.  We don't want to stress him out.

Tuesday November 23

We are still working on getting Logan used to the bottle.  He can nipple every third feeding.  Our nurse, Jan, tried to give Logan a bottle.  He only took 6 CC's from the bottle and was very messy.  She didn't have to turn up the oxygen though which is a good sign.  He is learning to suck, breathe and swallow. 

He is getting to be such a big boy now that he can have tub baths instead of sponge baths.  Nurses, Jackee and Deb gave Logan his first tub bath and took pictures.  They are spending so much time with Logan now that I think their boyfriends are going to get jealous!  After his bath, Logan gets dressed in the cutest outfit that says, "Daddy's Boy."

Wednesday November 24

Logan is up to 4 pounds 12 ounces today.  It won't be long and he will be up to five pounds.  Logan has been working with Occupational Therapy three times a week to develop different skills.  Mom and Dad watched him work with Suzie today.  She showed us how we can orally stimulate him so he eats better from a bottle.  It helps wake him up and get him ready.  

Mom and Dad gave Logan a tub bath.  To be more accurate, Dad gave him a bath while Mom took pictures and video.  He cried at first, but then seemed to like it.  He kicks and splashes.

Thursday November 25

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Four years ago today Mom and Dad went on their first date.  Two years ago, Mom and Dad got married on the beach.  Today is the best anniversary though because we got to spend it with Logan. 

He is doing awesome today.  His oxygen is barely on.  We had our best breast- feeding session yet.  He was really sucking and was able to get a lot down and stay awake.  It is a lot easier if Dad helps.  Sometimes, he just needs his toes tickled so he stays awake and remembers that it is time to eat. 

Friday November 26 

Logan weighs 5 pounds today!  It must have been the turkey!  Mom and Dad went on a date to celebrate their anniversary.  After dinner, visiting Logan was the best part of the date. 

Saturday November 27

Logan is up to 5 pounds 2 ounces today.  Logan had company today!  My cousin, Chad, and his wife, Missy, came to meet him.  I think they fell in love instantly.  Logan may have given them a little baby fever.  He can't help it, he is just that cute! 

Around 3:00 Logan had an apnea episode.  He hadn't had one since last Saturday.  The Dr's do not seem overly concerned.  It's something they expect and will keep an eye on.  Since we don't want to stress him out, we tried to let him sleep the rest of the day with no holding or tub baths.   

Sunday November 28

Logan is up to five pounds 3 ounces today.  He broke in a new nurse today, Tally.  I'm not sure Tally will want to take care of him again anytime soon; not that he wasn't a good boy, but he pooped on her twice. 

Things are settling down in the NICU.  Many of the babies have gone home and they are down to 19 now.

Monday November 29 

Logan is six weeks old already.  Mom went back to work today.  She works downtown near the hospital so she can still visit at lunch time.  When Logan comes home she will be off for six more weeks. 

The Dr. increased his food to 39 CC's.  Dr. Aragwal is taking care of us this week.  We haven't had her as a Dr. yet.  At 5 pm Dad got him to drink his whole bottle for the first time.  Logan is doing much better at the suck, swallow, breathe thing.  He is kind of a messy eater; a lot goes down the chin.

Tuesday November 30

Logan is doing awesome breathing.  His oxygen has been at 5 all night and most of the day.  The Dr. did give the order to try to take it away today.  Deb may try it around 5:00 if he does well the rest of the afternoon.  Some kids may still need the oxygen during feedings.  We'll have to wait and see how Logan does.

Deb is back on days now.  She spends more time with Logan than with her boyfriend.  She gave him a tub bath today.  Logan worked with Suzy from OT today for his 11:00 feeding.  They have noticed that he tends to do better nippling at his night time feedings.  He was a pokey this morning.

Logan was getting a bottle every third feeding.  They have decided to give him a bottle three times a day and once per shift, but to watch for his queues as to when he should get the bottle.  He does better with it when he wakes up on his own. 

Logan was moved to Recovery Care Status today.  This is the final phase before going home.  First he was Intensive Care Status, and then we moved to Intermediate Care Status and switched to the feeding and growing side of the NICU.  His bed is still in the same spot....so what does this really mean?  They will only need to take his vitals once per shift.  They used to do it every three hours.  Have I mentioned how he hates getting his blood pressure taken?  I think it squeezes his arm too tight.  Usually they would stop weighing all of his diapers, but with his history of retaining fluid and needing lasix they will continue to weigh his diapers. 

The big question, when will Logan go home?  We still don't know.  Some kids pick up eating overnight while others do it gradually.  We are hoping for somewhere between the 18th and 24th.  

Logan had an eye exam at 5:00 to check for retinopathy.  No signs of it, YEAH!  They will check again in two weeks.  After the eye exam, he was pooped out and only wanted to sleep.  Poor little guy.

Logan gained 120 grams today which is like 4 ounces.  We'll have to see if his Dr. orders more lasix tomorrow.

Wednesday December 1

Logan is still pretty tired from the eye exam and sleeping a lot.  The Dr. Said we will watch his weight tonight and his output today before ordering any lasix.  The only change he ordered was to give the multi-vitamins once per day instead of twice.  At his weigh in he was down 10 grams so I guess it helped that he pooped every time they changed him today! 

December 14

Dr. Bellas did my circumcision today.  I only cried once.  Dad stayed in the room and watched to make sure Dr. Bellas did a good job.  It sure doesn't look very pretty right now, but will be healed in a week.

December 15

I’m going home today!  What a big day!  We have prayed for this day for such a long time.  You could fit three of me in the adorable snowsuit my mom and Grandma bought me.  It will have to go back to the store.

December 16

Our first check up with Dr. Blehm was today.  I had my first RSV shot.  I weigh 6 pounds 6 ounces and am 19.25 inches long.

December 18

It’s Daddy’s Birthday today!  Logan coming home was the best present he could have asked for.  Logan got Daddy an ice cream cake to celebrate.

December 21

I saw Dr. Thom today, the eye Dr.  I don’t think I like the eye doctor.  They put drops in my eyes to dilate them, then used some sort of instrument to push my eye around.  Dad supervised while Mom waited outside.  They said my eyes look good, no signs of retinopathy.  Since they are still immature, I will have to come back one more time.  The nurse said I was going to have brown eyes.  Yeah, just like my Daddy!

December 22

We went to see Dr. Blehm today to see how much weight I have gained.  I weighed the same, 6 pounds 6 ounces.  It might be because I am still getting used to my new home.  They will check me again next week to make sure I am growing.  Mom and Dad are worried.    

December 28

Susan and Kristin Falck came for a visit today.  Kristi couldn’t wait to hold Logan.

Today was another weigh in with Dr. Blehm.  I weighed seven pounds today!  No more worries for Mom and Dad about me eating. 

December 29

The girls at the bank had a shower for me today.  I couldn’t go though.  Mom brought a brag book with lots of pictures of me so they could see how big I am getting.  They can’t wait to meet me, but it will have to wait until I am bigger.

January 7

Today is the day I was supposed to come out.  I just wanted to come early!  Daddy, you got that tax deduction you were hoping for right?

January 11

Logan went to the eye Dr. for the second time today.  There are no signs of retinopathy so we don’t have to go back again.  Today was Mom’s first venture outside alone with Logan and all of the equipment.  She did great!  Dad met us at the Dr’s office so he could be in the room during the exam.  Mom was outside with tears in her eyes.  Logan doesn’t like the eye Dr.

January 13

Today was our second RSV shot.  Mom asked if we could get rid of our monitor.  Dr. Blehm said we need to have a month of no apnea spells before we’ll think about it.  It has been having a lot of loose connection alarms lately and is driving us crazy.  It’s louder than the smoke alarm.  I haven’t had an apnea spell since January 6.  I weighed 7 pounds 13 ounces today and am 22 inches long!

January 25

Mom’s family medical leave ran out at work today.  Since I am still on an apnea monitor and oxygen I cannot go to daycare.  Plus, since I was preemie I am at higher risk for RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus).  RSV is a scary respiratory virus and if I got it, I would most likely have to go back into the hospital and maybe be on a ventilator again.  Preemies have died from RSV.  I get expensive shots to so if I get RSV,  it won’t be so bad.  Still, Mom and Dad won’t let me play with any other kids, too many germs they say.  Anyway, Mom is now on a Leave of Absence from her work at the bank.  They are going to post her position so when I get off of this equipment she might not have a job to go back to.  I told her she got promoted today to “Stay at Home Mommy.”  It is a very important job!

February 4

I slept in my crib in my own room all night last night for the first time.  I was sleeping in my Mom and Dad's room in my bassinet.  Thank goodness Mom has that monitor so she can watch me.  I am loud enough that I can wake her up without having the sound on.  I like my new room.  Now that we sleep with the bedroom doors open though, the puppies whining wakes up my Mom every morning. 

February 10

We went to see Dr. Blehm again today for our third RSV shot and our 4 month shots. Grandma Mac is here for a few days while Grandpa is in California so she came with us.  Grandma cried more than Mom.  It’s OK that their eyes leak sometimes; they just love me a lot!  I weigh 9 pounds 13 ounces and am 22 inches long! I am in the 50^th percentile on the preemie growth chart.

We are going to start weaning off of the oxygen during my awake time.  They will come download the information in the monitor next week then we’ll come up with a plan.  I haven’t had an apnea spell since January 6.  I have this whole eat, suck, breathe thing down. 

February 18

Logan is 4 months old today!  He is starting to be awake for longer periods of time.  He smiles more now and can focus on objects.  He likes to watch the mobile above his crib.  Then when you turn it on, his eyes get really big.  He sleeps 4-7 hours at time at night so Mom isn’t getting up quite so much.   

February 19

Today was Logan’s first adventure out in the stroller!!  We are thinking about finishing the basement so we went to Lowe’s to look at some things.  He woke up for a couple minutes and looked around, but then went back to sleep.

February 23

The information we were waiting for about the download came back.  The monitor recorded from January 10 thru February 15.  Short apnea spells were recorded on January 11, 16, 20, 25, & 27^th.  There hadn’t been any the 27^th thru the 15^th so that was very good news!

Logan is doing great when we have him off of oxygen.  His saturation numbers stay above 92 whether the oxygen is turned on or off.   We called Dr Blehm for more specifics about how to wean Logan off of oxygen.  For the next few days we will have it turned off and do periodic spot checks then wean it off at night.

February 26

Time for another adventure!  Today the whole family went to the home show then we had lunch at Chili’s.  We stopped briefly at Sam’s Club and Best Buy.  We were gone for about 5 hours and Logan slept the whole time.  I thought for sure today would be the day I would have to attempt to breastfeed in public.  With all of Logan’s equipment (monitor, oxygen just incase and diaper bag) it is much easier to put him in the stroller wherever we go.  The stroller can fold down with one hand and his car seat snaps right on top of it so we don’t have to wake him.

We had to go to Fleet Farm too.  It was time to invest in some training collars for the dogs.  The boys have decided they should whine in the morning when they feel like getting out of their kennels.  This is usually sometime after I have already fed Logan and gone back to bed, but before Tom gets up for the day.  I hope they work!  We thought it was just Sammy whining so had originally purchased only one shock collar.  Then we found out Sammy had taught Buddy to do it too.  I can’t wait until they can become “outside” dogs!

February 27

Big Day!  Logan’s first of many trips to Marshall Fields.  He was very fascinated by all the lights on the ceiling.  Then we went to the grocery store which wasn't quite as much fun.

March 1

Logan has been off of oxygen all day and is doing great.  At night, he is squirming around so much that most mornings when I go to check on him, the nasal cannula is on top of his nose.  We are going to try no oxygen at night now.  If you notice Logan wearing socks on his hands in any of the pictures, it is because he pulls at his oxygen if he doesn’t have then on.

March 2

We went to lunch today with Sara then we went to visit everyone at the bank.  Logan was a big hit.  He stayed awake to meet everyone.  Logan took little cat naps all day so hopefully he should sleep a lot tonight and tomorrow. 

March 3

Logan has been completely off of oxygen now since Monday morning.  We continue to spot check him to be sure he is doing OK.  Seeing him without the oxygen on his face was like seeing his face for the first time.  He looks so grown up!  He likes not having to wear the socks on his hands.  His little fingers are moving all the time.  Now he can wear all of those clothes that have to go over his head.  It was too much work to get them on with the oxygen.  Unfortunately, he has outgrown many of his 0-3 month outfits.  There were many he didn’t even get to wear. 

March 4

Amazing news!  Logan ate at 9:00 last night then went to sleep about 10:00.  I thought I would be up again sometime between 2-4am to feed him.  He slept until 6:15!!  Then he went back to sleep about 8:00 for another four plus hours- WOW!  If only we could stay on this schedule.  I am like a woman on speed when I actually get to sleep these days!

We went to Physical Therapy again today.  Dawnette said it was the most drastic change in head shape in three weeks that she had ever seen.  I guess she isn’t used to parents as diligent as Tom and I.  Logan’s head is much rounder now.  He has a bald spot on the right side of his head from always laying there, but at least it’s not flat anymore.  We will continue to do neck exercises and at bedtime take turns positioning him on the right side, left side, and flat on his back.  We need to work on his tummy time to strengthen his neck.  He doesn’t like tummy time.  We are supposed to strive for 4 10-minute sessions per day. 

Grandma and Grandpa came tonight and babysat so Tom and I could go to a late movie.  Yeah--a date!  Babysitting proved to be a little too easy for them.  Logan slept the whole time which had us worried he wouldn’t sleep at night.  Sure enough, someone wanted to play from 2-4am. 

March 6

Spring fever has hit the McLaughlin house.  It got up to 55 today so Logan went for his first stroller ride outside.  I’m not sure he enjoyed it, he slept the whole time.  We are anxious for spring so that we can go outside more. 

March 10

Another trip to the Dr for Logan to get our 4^th RSV shot.  Logan weighed 11 pounds 13 ounces!  We saw Dr. Lien today because Dr. Blehm is on vacation.  We had spoken with her on the phone once, but this will be our first time meeting her.  She worked with Dr. Bellas in Ann Arbor and came highly recommended.  After meeting with her, we decided to switch to her.  She is a new mom also, but I really liked that she took her time answering all my questions.  We always have a lot of questions.

March 12

Logan woke up at 5:00am this morning to eat.  When I went in to say Hi, he stopped crying and gave me the biggest toothless grin.  He is a lot more fun now and so irresistible.  After eating, we cuddled in the recliner and he was wide awake talking.  He is starting to make more noises now.  Generally, after that feeding he will talk to himself in bed for a little while then fall back asleep.  Today he slept another four hours after that.  He seems to be happiest in the morning.  His little arms and fingers are always moving around.