Leo Update

Leo is still breathing great!  They reinstated his caffeine because he is struggling with eating.  They gave his a super dose today and then will give him a daily maintenance dose for who knows how long.  Probably well after he goes home.  He has eaten better today, but not as good as last week before they got rid of his caffeine.  He even drank a whole bottle with ease for Dave this evening.  

We have been working with the occupational therapist to help with feedings.  She says that Leo definitely has his suck, swallow, and breath reflux down.  Which developmentally is a good thing.  What we notice most is that he takes so much energy to take good breaths that he gets very tired and "lazy" with his eating.  We've tried several bottles and various nipples to try and find a good combination.  We haven't found a great match yet, but we are getting there.

The last few weeks have been very exhausting.  Watching others get to take their babies home has proven to be very hard for me.  Leo is on his own time, and the time will come when we get to take him home.  And I'm sure other families will be feeling the same way I do when I walk down the hallway with Leo in a car seat!  That day, they all assure me, will come.  But waiting, especially since his due date has came and gone, is really hard.  

Leo is almost 7 pounds!  He may even be by tomorrow morning.  He is 19 inches long.  His corrected age is 5 days old.  They will use his corrected age to gauge developmental and speech milestones as well as growth.