Cutest Smile in the World

Quick Status Report - Day 18

Weight: 4 lbs, 6 oz
IV: no fluids, only a lock to load the twice daily antibiotics until 10/21
Breathing: Nasal cannula is gone! No A/B episodes today.
Meds: Caffeine, Vancomycin
Labs: Stool still negative for blood
Routine Cranial Ultrasound: no evidence of bleeding
Feeding: 38cc every 3 hours, 2 nursing sessions/day, 1 bottle/day (the rest by gavage); if continuing to tolerate well, up feeds by 5 cc every 4th feed
Other notables: Umbilical stump fell off today! Excellent nursing sessions at 10:30am and pm with the aid of the nipple shield (which makes the nipple more noticable in the mouth, encouraging the baby to suckle more effectively).

Tonight's nurse was Dina, someone we met in the first few days when Samson first moved to Bay 1. She, too, had a 32-weeker by emergency c-section after developing HELLP syndrome. Her story gives us much hope, as her daughter is now 8 years old and about to achieve a black belt in karate.

Our first homespun gift, a blanket knitted by Aunt Zaney:

It Takes a Village

We have a most wonderful group of friends. They gave us a party to welcome Samson into the world and remind us of the community that will support us through this rough patch and the peaks and valleys to come. Here are some of the scenes from the day:

Best cake ever


Some of Mama's side of the family















A fraction of the loot


Beaumont Aunties J, M, & K

Like Father, Like Son

Comments?

Samson is pleased that so many of his friends and relatives have discovered the internet as a result of their desire to hear regular news of his adventures through this online journal (aka "blog," Papaw W). A few of his fans have asked, "How can I leave comments?" Here is a link to instructions on that. More news, shower pics, & baby pics later today. Peace - out.

P.S. This is the AWESOME reward that Daddy gave Mama for all her pain & suffering & the almost dying stuff:
Meet Bevo, the Sony Vaio TX-770P. Note the ultraportable package. Like our other new baby, he's compact but very powerful and adored by all who behold him. All LeftyMama entries are being posted from this machine, which travels effortlessly from bedroom to den to car to hospital to cafeteria and beyond in the diaper bag containing all supplies Mama needs for a day in the NICU (snacks, pumping accessories, spiral notebook, cell phone, nursing wrap, clean preemie clothes, bottle of water, etc.).