Busy Settling in

This has been a busy week for us. We finally know what it is like to have a newborn with a two year old. It does not add to a whole lot of sleep. We are currently getting up about every 3 hours. We are so used to being able to sleep while Tyler was at the hospital, we didn't have much preparation for sleep deprivation.

Tyler is doing great! He settled in Friday very quickly and seems to love being out of the hospital. We knew he was going to be a cuddle bug while he was in the hospital and he takes advantage of being held now that he's home. He has some great alert times where he is looking around. He is starting to watch his sister and loves to look at himself in a mirror.

I saw improvements in his respiratory immediately. Since Saturday, I don't see him swinging his oxygen saturation levels at all. The only time he desats is when he's eating or pooping. We've even taken his cannula out of his nose for long periods of time and he still sats between 93-98%. He still has oxygen to eat and while we are trying to sleep. I don't see him needing the oxygen very long. Which is great, because hauling tanks and a monitor around is really a 2 person job still.

He is doing ok with eating. We are watching his weight like a hawk. The extra iron and vitamins are upsetting his stomach and causing him some constipation like symptoms. When this happens, he doesn't take much food in. He has lost a few ounces since he's left the hospital, but everyday I see him improve his eating habits. We must remember he had only been eating everything by mouth for 3 days before being discharged. I've watched him go from taking an hour to drink 60cc of milk to taking 40 minutes over the last week. He will get faster and stronger at eating.

Right now if we aren't changing some one's diaper, feeding a child or ourselves, or trying to catch a nap, we are seeing a nurse or a Dr. Tyler has a visiting nurse coming in a couple of times a week to get his vitals. We also saw the pediatrician this week and will again next week. Next week we are going back up to Dartmouth for a day of follow up visits. So to say the least, we are busy and tired but very happy to be home with everyone here.