Axton Dean

Our sweet little family has officially grown by one! Just like Ayson, this little man came in to this world on his own terms.  We were hoping to make it to May 7th or 8th, but he had other plans.  So, we find ourselves in the NICU yet again for longer than we had hoped, but knowing what to expect has helped ease some fears and calm a few nerves.

Here's a short version of Ax mans birthday.  Prior to his delivery, my contractions had been steadily increasing each day.  Luckily, we had been able to get most of them to stop with IV fluids.  However, last Wednesday evening (April 24th), they transferred me to labor and delivery because my contractions had not slowed.  After a sleepless night (anyone who has spent the evening in L&D knows what I'm talking about), we thought we were going to get transferred back over to postpartum because my contractions had slowed way down.  Then, all of the sudden they picked back up and the decision was made to go through with my c-section.  Because of the instability of the placenta and the cord vessesls, we could not take the risk of having and more contractions.

I was prepped for surgery and off we went to the OR.  Axton arrived at 12:52 pm, and weighed 5 lbs 11ozs and was 17 in long.  Now the journey to bring him home has begun.  Here is his first official picture :)

 
 Since he was born at 33 weeks gestation, there are a whole host of preemie issues that little man will face before he gets to come home.  His first hurdle is lung function.  Axton's lungs were not as well developed as you would expect to see in a 33 weeker.  He was immediately placed on a ventilator and given a dose of surfactant.  One dose usually does the trick...of course, not with our kiddo.  He eventually had to be given three doses of surfactant before it started to help him breathe more easily.  This stuff is seriously a life saver!!! (plug for the march of Dimes and the work they did on developing this lifesaving therapy!)  

1 day old, on the ventilator

 
He was finally weaned from the vent and put on a si-pap machine.  This is basically a step down from a ventilator.  He has been on this machine for two days now and is doing very well!  
 

Can he be any sweeter?!

We are hopeful that he will come off it tomorrow.  He has also been on photo-therapy (the blue lights) for three days because he was somewhat jaundice.

Hanging out with our little glo-worm

Which brings us to today.  They were finally able to start him on feeds today.  They do this through a tube in his mouth that runs to his stomach.  They started him out on 5mL and he has tolerated it fairly well.  They did have some residuals with this amount so they have backed him off to 3mL for now.  Good news is that his little digestive system is digesting most of his feeds and he is stooling; all great indicators that his digestive system is likely functioning like it should.

His little puppy that Ayson picked out for him keeps watch :)

If you followed our story with Ayson, you know that the NICU is an up and down journey.  There are some setbacks along the way, but it is all a function of time and allowing their little bodies to grow.  There are numerous milestones that Ax must reach in order to be able to come home...which we all will become familiar with along the way.  

Now, that I am out of the hospital, I will do my best to update this blog daily to keep everyone up to date on his progress.  This first week in the NICU has been a bit scary at times, so we are hopeful that we are over most of the "big bumps" in the road.  Only time will tell.  

Thank you for all of your love and support.  We have been through this before, so we can do it again.

Much love to you all until tomorrow...