Adventures in Nesting: Days 192-199

Little cutie

God has been very good to our family.  Since I last wrote the doctors have challenged Benton to try Low Flow oxygen of 1/2 liter and start ad-libbing his feeds.  This means that Benton can take his bottles whenever he wants rather than at specific times of the day, which is closer to what it will be like at home...he just has maximum and minimum limits set by the doctors so he keeps gaining good weight and not getting any edema.  Since these changes have been made Benton has thrived and has been putting on weight like a champ.  

With Benton so close to coming home the doctors have been prepping us with plenty of trainings and appointments.  On Friday we had the oxygen tanks and NG feeding tube supplies delivered, were trained on his home monitor, met with the NICU follow-up clinic, set pediatrician and physical therapy appointments, practiced mixing his milk with extra calories and giving medications, administered his nebulizers and picked up his prescriptions.  Whew!!! With all this running around and preparations it is really starting to feel real - Benton is coming home :)

Naptime and Cuddle Time with Daddy

Over the weekend we roomed in, which basically means that we got to use the nesting room at the hospital and practice doing everything for Benton without the help of nurses.  Our weekend was filled with bottle feeds, tummy time and naps for Benton.  On Sunday the doctors allowed us to take Benton for his first outdoor adventure in a stroller!  We got to take Benton for a walk outside and let him see the wide wide world for the first time.  What an experience!  It was thrilling to take him for a walk and feel like a normal family albeit one that is pulling an oxygen tank alongside their stroller.  It was definitely the highlight of the weekend.

Enjoying the great outdoors!

Getting a little smile out of our cutie

While we were in the nesting room Benton also got a renal ultrasound to look at his kidneys and see if he still has kidney stones that he had had back in December or had they been dissolved over time.  Today he has another eye exam.  Each day Benton is just checking off more items on his list so he can finally come home.  

Tummy Time on a Boppy

The plan is for him to come home tomorrow and god willing he will! It is with incredibly anticipation and excitement that we wait through the next 24 hours until he can finally come home!!!!!!

Please pray for a successful homecoming for our little fella and years of fun for our family.

Rolling Thunder-Themed 28 Week Birthday Poster