2 Months old

Well our Koishi is 2 months old. Gestational age is 35 weeks. At this stage in ones pregnancy you are ready for the baby to just come already. Well we are feeling the same, we really would like him to come home already. The medical staff at McKay are awesome, really they are. We just are weary of not having him home with us.

High lights of the last two months.

• June 20th- Koishi joins us.
• July 4th- He has to have heart surgery to close his PDA valve.
• July in addition to recovery from heart surgery he had pneumonia and croup. Had to stay on Vent longer then wanted because of the croup to help keep his airway open.
• July 11th- met Great Grandpa and Grandma Hales, and Great Uncle Brad through the window in Pod 1.
• July 12th- met Nana Carter. Taken of the vent and he is much happier. He is now on vapotherm. (Stages of oxygen assistance= vent (pipe down throat), vapotherm (heated and humidified in nose), wall (humidified slightly, last stage before no assistance)
• July 16th- 30 weeks gestation. 2lbs 10oz and has outgrown all of his hats that were made for him. He is now in Pod 2.

• July 20th- 1 month old, first bath! PIC line is removed and he can wear clothes and have real baths.

• July 21st- Met Grandpa and Grandma Phillips
  
• July 23rd- Aoitonbo has a mastitis infection. Koishi meets his Auntie Nan and Granny Nielson. Pappy Nielson was home sick.
• July 24th- Koishi's food and pooping volumes increase.
• July 30th-Met "Uncle" Ronnie and "Aunt" Rebecca
  
• July 31st- 32 weeks and off of vapotherm.
• August 1st- Refluxing more, back on vapotherm. Heart beat is unstable while his oxygen level is high. Nurses say limited holding because he is overstimulated.
• August 2nd- first Eye exam determined that his retinas aren't fully developed and will have to have another visit next week. Stress from the exam really caused his heart to freak out.
  
• August 4th- In Pod 3. EKG and Eco ordered because his heart isn't beating at a stable rhythm. Nurses kept saying it was a brady. Nurse Practitioner finally noticed and didn't like what she saw. Akahige and Aoitonbo had been saying that something was off for over a week. Glad to see some tests being run finally.
• August 5th- limited holding (still claiming heart issue is over stimulation and bradycardia.) Tests show nothing to be worried over.
• August 6th- Aoitonbo has a meltdown on one of the nurses and she is allowed to resume holding. Heart beat is considered his new normal. He stabilizes more while being held, so snuggles for the win.
  
• August 7th- Nurse informed us that he had a HUGE blowout today. Covered his crib and scared her half to death. Still laughing!!
• August 8th- Stabilized his body temperature enough to be moved into an open crib!!! He also met the weight requirements of 1800 grams. He is getting so big! Becoming really interested in putting things in his mouth. Tried to stuff his whole fist in many times throughout the day. More tests for a Dr from Primary Children's to double check his heart.
• August 9th- Eye exam retina's are fully developed but have some scaring from being over exposed to oxygen. Another exam next week.
• August 10th- Officially doubled in weight! Can really notice around his chin, cheeks, toes, and thighs. SQUEAL!!!!
• August 11th- Doing great at regulating his own temp, maybe a bit on the warm side.
• August 12th- Akahige's office throws Koishi his first baby shower. Lots of cute clothes, a burp rag, blanket, and generous gifts of $$ to help pay for his big ticket items.
  
• August 13th- Koishi is really sick. Running the full spectrum of tests. So far the only area showing an increase in white blood cells is his urine. Has air in his intestines and can be dangerous. Nurse Practitioner is mentioning life threatening conditions and the high possibility of him going to Primary Children's Hospital. He is on antibiotics, iv nutrition, and back in an incubator.
  
• August 14th- Had to have a PIC line placed today. Nothing new growing in the cultures. Drs still watching his intestines.
• August 16th- Eye exam, left eye is clear right eye needs to be looked at again in 2 weeks.

• August 17th- starting to show small signs of feeling better. Moving a bit more and squeaking. He is also showing signs of hunger, trying to nom anything that gets close to his mouth. Anything but his pacifier...

• August 20th- off of his antibiotic and starting to eat more. He keeps his eyes open longer. He is officially 2 months old today. His heart rhythm has smoothed out a little more since he started getting better. Second baby shower at old 6th ward, very generous friends gave Koishi more clothing, blankets, bedding, changing pad, a booster chair, toys, bath supplies, and $$ to go towards big ticket items.
  
• August 21st- Trying non-nutritive breast feeding once more. He becomes tired easily. He is swollen and was given a water pill to help decrease the water in his body. He is also on a diuretic to help stabilize fluid levels.
  
• August 22nd- He had his PIC line removed, received his 2 month immunizations, and felt good enough to prank his night nurse. He pulled out his feeding line in the middle of a feed and sprayed milk all over his incubator. Nurse said she hasn't seen that big of a mess in years. This meant a bath and crib change. So he is in an open crib again. Here is hoping that it lasts longer!
• August 23rd- Nurse practitioner said that we can start trying nutritive breast feeding. *fingers crossed* that he is interested. His bones are looking thin so he has extras going into his food to help them be stronger.
  

(Will update more as we go, and as I remember everything from this crazy ride called life.)