no tubes!

Apparently Ben was tired of his feeding tube, because he pulled it out himself last night. We got in this morning for his 8:30 feeding to see this cutie sleeping peacefully. It’s great to see him looking more like a regular baby.

He’s up to 5 lbs 7 oz now. His cheeks, I swear, look chubbier, and his belly bigger. He’s up to all of his feedings by mouth. Soon he’ll go to what they call ad-lib, when he lets the nurses, or me, know when he’s hungry. I think he as to be on ad-lib for 24 to 48 hours before they let him go home.

They asked us to bring the carseat in tomorrow so we can have him tested to make sure it’s ok. They have him sit in it, all strapped in, for an hour. If no alarms sound during that time (heart rate, oxygen intake, etc.) he passes.

Little by little, they’re preparing us for his homecoming. Tonight we’re going in to give him a bath. They like to show the parents how to bathe the babies before they send them home.

He did great with his feedings today. To give you an idea of his progress: when he was born, he took 9 cc’s of milk or formula per feeding. He’s up to 44 cc’s per feeding now, but today at his 8:30 feeding, he got 50.

Chris took this picture after the feeding. He thinks Ben looks like a drunk frat boy, passed out in his crib, hand on his big belly. I think he looks cute.

NICU parents have to wear special id bracelets. There’s a number on them that matches the number on Ben’s anklet. We’ve had to keep them on since he was born, because we can’t get into the NICU without it. Ben wears his around his ankle.

Most times after Ben’s been fed, he’s really tired. Today was no exception.

Right now we’re at home watching football. Chris can’t wait for next Sunday. Hopefully he’ll have Ben home with him on the couch, watching the Eagles.