The NICU staff made a footprint card with his name and "My First Christmas". It will definitely be something we treasure for many years to come.
Today I was able to join the staff for rounds. They decided to add rice cereal to his feeds in hopes that the cereal would weigh down the breastmilk to help remind his esophagus to close, as that is what causes the reflux. The reflux then causes the brady and or apnea episode. They added it to his noon feed first and that one was a bit of a struggle for our little guy, but it likely was not because of the cereal and more because of the iron they add to his milk because he's anemic. The iron smells horrible and the nurses have shared it tastes horrible too. He has yet to do well with the feed with the iron added.
His 3pm feed went much better and he had zero brady's during the feeding. He had a few after, but they were correlated to when he spit up or sneezed. His 6pm feed was not so great. He had a couple during the feed itself and a couple after the feed. Each of these caused him to turn blue or gray and one was almost 30 seconds long. I was sobbing. It's such a helpless feeling watching your child in pain and be unable to help them. All we can do during these episodes is to rub his back, tap his feet, or rub his sternum to remind him to breathe. Again, just a very scary thing to watch. I am forever grateful to the nurses who have to help me through these moments. I can imagine I don't make their jobs any easier as I require more reassurance than their actual patient.
My mom arrived this afternoon and we are so thankful she is here, as Brian had to work for the holiday and is on midnights so he needs to sleep during the day. This allowed me to have company at the hospital while helping to care for our little man and allowed for Brian to have some peace and quiet at the house. We are hopeful Wyatt will be discharged while she is here so we can have an extra set of hands while trying to get acquainted with our new normal with a newborn at home. Especially one who is on a heart monitor.
I hope each of you enjoyed your holiday. I must say, today didn't really feel like Christmas. We look forward to the many years ahead with our little man at home, where he belongs.
Love,
Lori, Brian & Wyatt
Merry Christmas to you Lori and your family. So glad your mom is there with you for support, that is awesome! Praying everyday that baby Wyatt continues to do well and feeding gets easier everyday. Wishing you many years of wonderful Christmas's together. Hugs to all and hope you can bring him home soon. Hugs to your mom from me also!
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