The Gage Family Blog

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Wide Awake!

Lucas is certainly looks like he feels better today! He's been very awake and lively with each visit. Isn't he a cutie?

Monday, March 26, 2007

Despite Lucas' setback last week, he is doing very well today. He was put back on the cannula and feeding tube on Friday after some breathing difficulties. He seems to be doing better, and the conclusion is that he was being pushed too hard. He was taken off oxygen, the feeding tube, and put into a crib within a 24 hour period. A chest xray showed some fluid in his lungs, so after a round of diuretics and the return of the cannula and feeding tube, he has improved. The feeding tube was removed yesterday, and they are starting to slowly ween him from the cannula. No big pushes though.

It's been quite the week in the Gage household! We are packing, closing on our house this Friday, and moving Saturday, and hopefully Lucas will be coming home sometime this week!

Lucas turned 2 weeks old this Saturday. Isn't it cute that he sleeps with his hand on his chin. He was doing that in several of our sonograms as well.

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Update on Lucas

Lucas is doing great! He is up to 4lbs, 2oz., only 2 ozs. away from his birthweight. He will be moved to a crib as soon as he is able to maintain a constant body heat in the incubator at 28 C. He is doing really well with feedings. We are increasing his intake by 1 cc every other feeding. So far he's up to 32 ccs. He's been cleared of jaundice, so no more lights or foot pricks, although he does still have quite the tan. Thanks for thinking of us everyone!

Sunday, March 18, 2007

Pictures from today

Henry giving Lucas a kiss through the window today.

Lucas has learned the meaning of mealtime. Today we got to feed him 3 times! He has been wide awake and anticipating the bottle each time. Notice the extra tape holding in his feeding tube. Doesn't it look like a little mustache!

One Week Old!

Yesterday, our sweet baby boy turned one week old! He had such a big day... He met his brother through the window, moved to the Intermediate NICU nursery, and took 2 bottles!

Saturday, March 17, 2007

Lucas today!

Our sweet baby boy turned 1 week old today! He is doing really well. Yesterday I fed him his first bottle, and he took 14 out of 20 cc's. Today Charlie got him to take 22 cc's. Also, overnight his IV's were removed, and now the only tube left is for every other feeding. This afternoon Henry will get his first glance at his Baby Brother through the NICU window! Also, we are anticipating his move to the transitional NICU nursery at any moment. They feel that he's ready they are just waiting for the right opportunity (staffing, space). That will be his final stop in his hospital stay. He'll be 34 weeks not this Monday but next, and then they are predicting that he will be able to come home to us!

Friday, March 16, 2007

Pictures of Lucas from yesterday

Isn't he a cutie!

This is how he looked when we got back to the NICU last night. He was SOOOO relaxed!

The biliruben light is under his little onsie. He really looks like a glow worm now!

The Proud Big Brother

Although Henry hasn't been able to meet Baby Lucas yet, he is wearing his big brother shirts very proudly this week. We couldn't ask for a better big brother. He has been so sweet and understanding through it all.

Thursday, March 15, 2007

The Baby Formerly Known as Joseph

A few days ago Charlie's brother Jeff had us all laughing when he called Lucas "the baby formerly known as Joseph. For those of you who haven't heard, Joseph Reuben was what we named Lucas in the d elivery room, but once we finally got to hold him, we decided that he wasn't a Joseph. Anyway, Lucas is great today. Charlie and I have both been able to hold him for long periods of time, and he has become so responsive and sweet. He seems very comfortable now, and they have increased his feeds even more. He is still on the biliruben light which is causing his veins to contract leaving very little room for error in his IVs. Therefore, our sweet baby boy has endured many many pricks over the past 24 hours. Now he has an IV in each arm, and hopefully he won't need the fluids much longer. Thanks to all of you for your love and support!

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Lucas today

Lucas opened both eyes and took a good look at me for a good while today. His condition continues to improve. He's on room air (21% oxygen) with the cannula, and they are increasing his feeds each hour. He seems to be much happier now. Hopefully we will be able to hold him tonight when we go back. Thanks to al of our friends and family for helping out and keeping us in your thoughts & prayers.

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Lucas tonight

Charlie finally got to hold Lucas tonight!

He's still doing great on the cannula & finally you can see what he really looks like.

Lucas today

The doctors removed Lucas' CPAP and put in a cannula this afternoon. He has successfully taken several feedings now, and they have decided to increase his supply. He looks like a little glow worm on his bilirubin light. His levels were at 14 today, so it's just a precautionary measure. He looks great! Thanks for all the support and love from everyone. We can't wait for all of you to meet our precious baby boy!

Sunday, March 11, 2007

Lucas Reuben Gage has arrived!

Lucas was born yesterday at 9:30am. He weighed 4lbs 4oz and is doing very well. He has recently been taken off the ventilator and is now breathing with the help of some tubes in his nose. We couldn't be more pleased with his progress thus far. Thanks for all the calls, prayers and support.