Jasmine's Baby Blog

Day 31: More New Clothes

Today Mum and Dad came to see me a lunch time but they just missed my feed as the nurses had changed the times and not told Mum and Dad. Dad took me out of my cot for a cuddle while Mum gave me a wash and changed my babygrow for another new one. I didn't cry at all today and didn't even moan to much about having a wash.

As it was a bit cooler today I had my blanket on for a bit. Dad had to go back to work after a while but Mum stayed with me all afternoon. Some students came round my ward to look at us all and they were amazed how small my hands and feet were, but mum pointed out that Im much bigger now that I was a month ago!

Mum had a cuddle with me in the afternoon for and hour and a half while she talked to the nurses who said they might try me on a bottle for feeding soon.

I hope you are all enjoying the weather I am finding it a bit too hot but its better than being too cold.

Day 32: Fattening up nicely!

I now weigh 3.5lb which is well over a pound added since I was born! I am now starting to actually fill my new babygrows.

Mum came to see me all afternoon but I was a bit grumpy so I have been crying a bit which mum found hard to watch. I'm having a bit of a digestive blockage today so I've been straining to relieve myself and I go bright red when I try!

Anyway swiftly moving on... I am now on 34ml of milk every 3 hours and the nurses said they might try me on a bottle soon.

Dad came to see me this evening when he picked mum up and we had a cuddle for a while, but I stayed asleep through most of it.

I'm tired now, goodnight.

Day 34: On the bottle!

Was too tired yesterday to do a blog, but lots of news today. Mum came to see me this afternoon and the nurses said it was time I tried being fed by bottle!

It took me 50 minutes to finish almost the whole bottle but it was well worth it, which is impressive for the first time! I will try again tomorrow as it is too tiring to try every feed just yet.

Also I have been moved into a non- heated cot so l needed blanket today, as I was cold.

I now only have one sensor on, which is the oxygen probe on my foot. Mum says this makes it much easier to change my nappy without all those wires getting entangled.

The nurses told me mum and dad came to see me this evening and fed me, but I was so deep in sleep I din't even notice!

Day 35: Lots of progress

Mum and Dad came to see me this morning and they Dad gave me my second bottle feed. I was really hungry so I drank my milk in 20 minutes with only one stop! Dad was a bit new too it all but he coped and i didn't care as long as I got my milk.

I was moved back into one of the other nurseries yesterday and this one has less light so it took awhile after I woke up for me to get used to the light from the window.

After feeding me Mum held me for a while while Dad went to meet Grandma Norman. When Grandma arrived she held me for ages and we had a really good hug.

I'm not on much oxygen now only a little bit after feeding and a few other times during the day. The doctors are hoping I can come of the oxygen before I go home and they mentioned there might be the possibility of me going home in the next 2 week!

Mum, Dad and Grandma went for lunch but Mum and Dad came to visit me again later this evening.
I woke up feeling hungry so made the nurse feed me a bit early so Mum finessed off giving me my second bottle tonight when she arrived, which I drank almost as fast as the first one. As its a bit colder today my nurse had put my cardigan on, which is a bit big but very cosy.

I also spent some time today looking and touching my toy rabbit, I'm not sure about him for now but will have another investigation later.

Thats enough for one day Im going to get some well earned sleep, good night.

Day 36: Another weigh in

Its great being a baby, people are really happy when you put on weight! I was weighed again last night and now I weigh 3lb 10oz which means I doing really well.

I tried 2 more feed by bottle today but it wasn't as easy as yesterday and I got tired during both of them. The nurses are going to give me my feeds by tube tonight so I can get some rest in ready for tomorrow when Mum will give me another bottle.

Because I was so tired from the bottles today I have occasionally needed a boost to my oxygen but Ill get used to it soon and won't need that.

I had a big long hug with Dad this afternoon, and another with Mum this evening. Its much better now I'm in a normal cot as I get loads more cuddles.

Mum and Dad say I'm very famous and that lots of people are thinking of me, thanks all of you and if you've not left me a comment yet (see below todays post, just click on comments) then please do as its nice to hear from you all.

Good night, sleep well for tommorow is another day.

Day 37: One step closer to coming home!

Today was another great day. Mum came in this morning and found that the nurses had taken me off oxygen completely in the early morning. If I can manage this for a few days they won't put me back on.

I now weigh 3lb 10oz so with that and me coming off the oxygen it should hopefully be a matter of weeks before I can go home. I had two bottle feeds today and they both went really well.

Dad came to see me at lunch time and we had a quick cuddle before he took Mum home for a rest. I slept most of the afternoon until Mum and Dad came back this evening. Dad fed me and then Mum & Dad changed me before putting me to bed for the evening.

I heard my nurse mention that I might be having a 'bath' soon, not too sure about that Ill wait and see before I decide if I like it or not.

A quick thank you to Mum for being so brave to provide me with breast milk for so long, even though she didn't like doing it. Thanks MUM I love you loads! I will soon start on some different milk now that having Mums milk is not so important.

Day 38: Day of rest

Phew, after all my recent progress I am all tired out. I sleep most of the day even when Mum came with Grandma Norman this morning. She changed my nappy and I didn't even wake up so she had to give me my feeds via my tube.

I'm still off oxygen and doing well so I've been concentrating on breathing today rather than staying awake. Later on Dad came to pick up Mum and he managed to wake me up by changing my nappy (he's not as good at it as Mum) so I managed to wolf down my evening feed from the bottle.

Mum was a bit disapointed that I only woke up when she had to go, and I was a little sad to see her and Dad leave this evening.

Day 39: Bath time!

Today I had my first proper bath! I didn’t like having my hair and face washed, but when I actually got in the water I quite enjoyed myself as it was lovely and warm.  And of course I didn’t scream like everyone expected!  I got a bit cold afterwards though, so had to put on even more clothes and blankets.

I am now sensor free! The nurses have removed all the sensors and wires, so I am much more comfortable now.  Mum and dad need to get used to looking at me now, and not the monitors, and they can pick me up for a cuddle without worrying about getting the wires caught now.

The nurses weighed me again last night, and I now weigh 3lb 13.5 oz, and am having more milk to help me grow.  I am still off the oxygen, but sometimes I do get tired having a bottle feed, so I have a rest and have a tube feed every now and then.

Day 40: Estimated Release Date

Today Mum and Auntie Eryl came to see me when the doctors were doing their rounds. They said I am doing really well and next week they have an eye test booked for me. They also said they hope I might be able to go home in 7 to 10 days!

Mum and Dad are really happy about that and tell me they can't wait to get me home. I am now on 40ml of milk every 3 hours. Im meant to drink it all myself from the bottle but I got tired doing it both times today and so had to have the last quarter by my tube.

Dad came to see me this evening for my 6.00 feed and he changed me as well but he forgot to pick up Mum so he sped of to get here. A Dad for 5 minutes and he already can't remember to pick people up at the right time, doesn't bode well for my future taxi service.

Thanks for everyones wonderful comments Im glad Im able to share with you all in some way while Im in hospital.

Day 41: Tube Free

Today when mum arrived, she found that not only am I now on 4 hourly feeds, but that they are 50ml and the nurses have removed my nose tube! This means I need to be wide awake for every feed.  If I don't finish my bottles, then they will put the tube back in.

So this morning I fed well for the nurses. but was too tired out for mum - she did all she could to keep me awake, but I won in the end.  Also, I apparently did a very loud burp for such a small person! (what, me?)

Dad looked after me in the evening, and the nurse said we were bonding very well (amongst the hiccups!)