Pumping, and pumping, and pumping...

...and then they tell me he's not going to be strong enough to nurse for at least 3-6 months after we go home because it requires so much energy that I'll have to continue it then as well. Apparently bottle feeding is much easier (in that it requires much less energy) so we'll have to continue that so he can maintain all his calories. For crying out loud, the things about being a mom no one mentions...I would do it forever for him if I had to, I say that now.

Today when I headed in to cuddle with our precious little boy, Tammy his nurse for today greeted me wondering if I would be interested in feeding him from a bottle. Of course I wanted to however didn't want to spoil Travis' time with him either so declined stating we would like to keep his scheduled feedings at 5pm and 11pm if possible so Travis can attend. Tammy said that would be fine however Joyce moved his feedings up to 3 times a day...so I partook of my moments with him.

I was able to do a little more of his care today as I typically change his sat probe, wash his face and change his diaper (I know they leave the dirty work to the moms). Today I was able to take his temperature, change his bed (more on this later) and change his facial tape so that was a bit exciting.

Anyways needless to say from the (more on this later) from above that while changing his diaper there was a blowout...all over the place. At least we're no longer in the isolette because those days were gross. So that's why I was able to change the bedding and everything, the nurse sure didn't want to do it.

Once I got him all settled down again (he doesn't really like diaper changes), we started to eat. Remember he gets 47 ML/Hr unless Harla's the nurse then it's 60MLs but that's besides the point. After about 16 MLs that little stinker went to sleep and we couldn't get him to wake back up to eat. Tammy said if I don't hold him against me (as many preemies get nuzzled in with mama and they smell mom and think it's time to sleep) so I have to hold him facing me which is a challenge if he's throwing a fit but he wasn't today, no he slept right through that. So then we unwrapped him as sometimes they get so warm they get to sleeping and all but to no avail he still wouldn't wake up. So with Tammy tickling his feet and me his face, we finally got him to wake up and in the next stretch took 20MLs. After a little burp he finished the bottle completely so that was another great feeding.

After his feeding I noticed he was acting funny so checked his pants and changed him again, I tell you there must be something about me that just makes this little guy perform. No sooner than I got the new one on he'd dirtied it again. In less that 40 minutes I'd changed 3 dirty diapers. After changing the last one I picked him up to get his new blanket situated to wrap him in (we always need new ones after feedings because we reflux so much) and he burped and it was wet and all down the front of my shirt, so needless to say, it was a great morning. I wouldn't have traded it, though the second shower was quick as I thought I would be late to work.

Anyways all of that to say he's doing great (praises, praises, praises), Tammy when I called her said they'd done his hearing test this afternoon and he passed with flying colors. We should have our eye examination sometime next week and they mentioned the "c" word yesterday (circumcision) which they usually only mention in the weeks before going home. I'm trying not to get myself too excited though we're stoked about the possibility. Now if we can only get our breathing down without the oxygen (I know I'm so demanding aren't I??).

Thanks again for all the prayers, know without your intercession he wouldn't be even close to this point. We love you all so very much.

Being loved on by the Lord-
Travis, Lindsay & Tennyson Myers