hello brother, hello sister

Ellis is doing very well! He was taken off the convention ventilator last week and briefly put on the CPAP. He did not dig the CPAP at all and was moved to high-humidity about 4 hours later. Each breath he takes now is his own, while still being supplied a little oxygen through the nasal cannula. His blood gas numbers have remained at good levels for over a week, so his team has stopped the daily blood test. No more pricks on those little feet!!!

Doctors were able to remove is IV line after weaning the few remaining medications. He is now given Morphine for pain and Clonidine to help with withdrawal from Versed and Fentanyl. And now that he is off those powerful drugs, we are seeing more movement in his limbs everyday - very encouraging!

Ellis is on a continuous feed of breast milk through a feeding tube. This week, his team will transition him to bolus feedings to mimic a regular feeding schedule. Yesterday, we introduced the bottle! He sucked down about 8ml. Everyone has warned us that feedings are typically the last hurdle to overcome and it can take some time for a NICU baby to master suck, swallow, and breathe. It is all up to you, Ellis!

Lilah and Ellis demonstrate their silent film skills as I try to direct a tender moment!