Ups and downs

The doctors and nurses warned us that being in the NICU can be like a roller coaster ride of ups and downs and this week has proven that. On the positive side, Mason was moved to the 7th floor NICU, which is considered the less critical care nursery. On the 2nd floor, he was in a large room with several other critical babies, which meant a lot of beeping monitors and doctors and nurses running around all the time. He now has a semi-private, cubicle-style room which is much quieter and calmer. I don't think Mason really notices the difference, but mom and dad are thrilled ;-). We also had our first minor setback this week. His reflux did not improve with the feeding changes, so he was put back on a low-flow nasal cannula to help with his breathing. Even with the cannula, he is still having some oxygen decreases during his feedings. Chris and I are a little frustrated, but the nurses keep assuring us that this is normal and he just needs time to mature.

He is definitely more alert and active when he's awake and we're starting to see a little bit of a personality. So far, he is a very laid back baby (the nurses say he is very 'chill') and we have only heard him cry a few times when he was really being messed with. I hope this continues when he comes home, but somehow I doubt it! His hair color seems to change almost daily and lately it's looking a little red!? Chris and I have gotten into a good routine of visiting him once in the morning and at night and we stay several hours each time. It gets harder and harder for mom to leave him every time we visit. We can't wait to get him home, although we know that is several weeks away.

Again, thanks for everyone's thoughts and prayers. We have to keep reminding ourselves that he isn't supposed to be born yet and he just needs time. And mom and dad just need to learn to be patient! Here are a few pictures from his second week.

Grandma and Grandpa H came to visit this week and Grandma got to hold Mason for the first time. Look how sweet! I think the grandmas will be fighting over him before too long :-)

Mason making faces at us during his feeding. We used to think they were cute until we realized it's caused by the reflux!