Graduation Day

Last night Declan graduated from the PICU! The move into the "regular" children's unit was definitely bittersweet. On one hand we are grateful to have progressed enough to move, but on the other hand, it was very nice to have various doctors and nurses camping right outside our door. But progress is good! He was released from the PICU because has hasn't had any additional seizures, no episodes of SVT, and generally has been improving.  Our biggest assignment now is to get him to gain weight and bottle feed. We generally feed him as much as he will take, with the balance given through his feeding tube. Before going home, he must consistently gain weight. (We are still under his birth weight of 8lbs 3oz) We also need a larger proportion of his feeds through the bottle. With HLHS it's a bit tricky because they don't want them burning too many calories by feeding. So he is fed smaller amounts every three hours. Definitely makes for interesting nights. I definitely feel like we're entering more into a newborn routine - just a few added wires, tube, and monitors.

I really hope we can get to the next step soon, this room is much smaller than our PICU room. Last night Tammy and I shared a "couch".  When we saw the 24" width, we looked at each other and smiled. Who would get the 12" with the backside of the couch to hold you in place and who would get the 12" with your body precariously hanging over the edge? I forget whether I volunteered, or whether it was assigned to me, but you guessed it - I won the precarious side!  We knew spooning wasn't an option - too small. So we tried the ole' head to toe sleeping method. We would place our heads on opposite sides of the couch and hope for the best. I grabbed on to her legs to prevent me from falling and she held on to my legs to keep me on the couch. We couldn't stop laughing. Luckily we only had to sleep for 3 hour stints because of Declan's feeding. But I am grateful, as Tammy gave me some great skin care tips for my legs when we woke up in the morning.