Uncle Tucker Meets the Babies

Uncle Tucker drove up from a business trip in Orange County to visit us. He is the first Brown to meet Cambria and Aegean. He also joined us for our first night out with Cambria. We went to a local Mexican restaurant. Apparently babies get a lot of attention, especially when they are as small as Cambria. We are doing well with Cambria at home. Laura and Cambria still visit Aegean for several hours a day. Laura has also been nice, letting me sleep through 2 of the 3 feedings each night. Cambria has had a lot of gas and a bloated belly. The doctor had a few recommendations, but in the meantime we will have to live with it.

Tucker and I went to the NICU after dinner to see Aegean. Laura told me Aegean had moved from an Isolette (Incubator) to a crib. We confirmed the Umbilical IV was removed. He increased from alternating feeds between bottles and gavage to 2 bottle feeds, 1 gavage. He can have the gavage tube removed when he tolerates the bottle completely. We also got the good news that his stool was now hemaglobin negative for 3 in a row. He weighed in at almost 4 lbs. Aegean continues to have apnea, which is normal for preemies and more prevalent with boys. He has the same rule Cambria had for apnea. He cannot come home until he lasts 1 week without any episodes. There is an option to bring a monitor home, but we would rather keep him under their care if they are willing.

Dr. Mah told us today that Aegean's hemaglobin was low. He was given Epogen to raise the levels. Laura used to make Epogen at Amgen earlier in her career. She remembers an old agreement that employees and their family members can get it for free. I don't think I will ask since Amgen need every bit of cash it can get. I am sure insurance covers it. Apparently most of the babies in the NICU have been taking Epo 3 days a week.

Tucker had to leave early this morning, but it was great having him out.