Christmas Day

Xmas day marks the start of week three for the little treasures, there has been a little bit going on in the last few days.  Jack was doing really well up until tuesday when the doctors suspected he was developing pneumonia.  They picked up that he wasn't breathing as well as they would like so they took an x-ray and saw some haziness on the upper right lung (I couldn't see anything, I can see why they have to do the training they do!)  He was put back on antibiotics to make sure he was ok, more blood was taken for another culture.  Turns out it was a general infection which although still not great, it was far less of an issue.  The infection responded really well to antibiotics and he will be taken off the antibiotics in the next couple of days.  Jack is up to 4 1/2 ml per hour, very close to full feeds so he is putting on weight pretty well.  Even with the infection he is keeping all the food down!  he had to have his first transfusion on the 24th (14ml), apparently this is common for preemies as they grow faster than their bodies can produce the necessary new blood, plus all the tests etc they have done, all the blood taken out of their little bodies.  (Side note, Jack is B+ blood type, Ella is O-)

Ella has been steadily improving, she is up to 5 1/2 ml per hour feeds which is considered full feed so she is moving ahead really well!  Anthea got to hold Ella today for the first kangaroo care, pics below.  I think it's safe to say it was Anthea's best christmas present!  Jack's not quite ready for this yet, hopefully in the next few days!  Anthea was changing her nappy and Ella had a little cry - the first time I had heard her.  I'm sure in the years to come the sound may not be as easy to hear but it sounded pretty good to me!

The doctors and nurses from the NICU got together with the local fire brigade and children of staff to provide some fantastic xmas cheer to everyone in the NICU.  It was Xmas day so there were lots of people there visiting and itwas a really great moment for everyone to enjoy.  There are parents of kids born years ago in the NICU who come back every year to give little presents to all the new babies over the xmas period, there's even one present from the mum of a girl who was born there 21 years ago!  It just shows the real feeling there is in that little NICU community.


Xmas Day cuddles, what a present!



Anthea wanted to see Ella's hair - she always has a hat on!

Santa came to visit Jack

...and Ella!



The volunteer team from the hospital and the local fire brigade



The amazing gifts given to all babies in the NICU

Jack with his Xmas outfit - it's a tunic, not a dress!

 

Jessie taking a photo of Ella with her new camera from Santa