Memorial Weekend

Sorry for a delayed update, setting up the home is quite a task! We are starting to get the routine down...it has mostly been difficult on me...most of you know I don't follow any sort of schedule...in any kind of timely matter...but I have a dry erase board that keeps me on track! Our daily routing also includes a walk to pick up big brother from school. It is a two mile walk...Garrett thinks we have gone green but really mommy just needs the exercise and fresh air...the environment is just bonus! Well...Nicolas is doing great...Believe it or not our little
Nico is 9lbs 5oz! We have an appointment to see 2 Riley doctors on June 3rd. We are really looking forward to this...one doctor has already begun treatment...raised the amount of his Zantac and his feeds. His is still having spasms that are fairly painful...so we are very anxious for answers.
As for this weekend...we are keeping it low key! We worked on our landscaping...installed a video monitor if Nicolas' room...bought a baby swing. We are planning to go to Grandpa's lake house on Monday. We hope you all enjoy your weekend!

We will keep you posted!
Love
Felisa

HOME SWEET HOME!

Nicolas has been discharged from Parkview and is home. We are so thankful and very excited. We will still be making an appointment with a GI specialist soon on how to treat his spasms.

With that we would like to remind everyone wanting to visit us, that he is at risk of infections, pneumonia and SIDS, so he should not visit with anyone who has any symptoms of a cold or the flu and hand washing is essential to reducing the risk. As much as we miss you and want to visit with all of you, our responsibility is to keep our little precious gift from God protected, so if you or your children are sick you will need to visit us at a later time.

Thanks for being so understanding and thanks for all of your prayers and your continued prayers.

Much Love & Gratitude,
Jake & Felisa Stein

As of last night Nicolas weighs 8 pounds 3 ounces! Tonight we are going to begin feeding Nicolas by using a pump system. This will be a continuous feed that will slowly pump food into Nicolas' stomach over a 4-6 hour period. This will maximize the amount of calories he takes in during the night, allow him to rest more and it will be easier on his little tummy. The doctors are going to monitor him over the next 2-3 days to make sure everything goes well during the night feeds. As far as our discharge goes, we don't know when yet...BUT it was discussed today that we will go home with monitors. Nicolas will need to be hooked up to them while he sleeps. We will also go home with suction (this is because he pools his own secretions in the back of his throat) and a pump (for night feeds only). We are beginning to make arrangements for all the equipment...and tomorrow night we will be given a 1 hour training course on how to use the monitors. Anyone who will watch Nicolas has to be part of this training. Once we are home Nicolas we will also receive weekly visits from a Speech Therapist, Occupational Therapist, and Physical Therapist...all from First Steps. We will also be making an appointment to see a Peds GI soon...we are not sure when or where that will take place yet! Hopefully he/she will have an insight as to how to treat Nicolas' spasms.

More Importantly...
We were informed today that because Nicolas is still aspirating we should not take him to any public place for 6 months. He is still at risk for infection, pneumonia, and SIDS. Also he should not visit with anyone who has any symptoms of a cold or the flu and hand washing is essential to reducing the risk. As much as we miss you and want to visit with all of you, if you or your children are sick you will need to visit us at a later time. We have to think of him first...naturally, as I'm sure you all understand. Our little Nicolas is precious and fragile...he will continue to get stronger but until he is we must protect him as well as we can.

Continue to pray for us!
Love Always,
Felisa

Nicolas is 8 pounds!!!!

My New Bunny

I love my bunny!
Susan Vlk made it for me!
My mommy calls him Mr. Knuffles.

Thank you Susan!
I love you,
Nicolas

Good News!

Nicolas had his central line taken out! He is no longer on IV fluids. It was mentioned by one of the neonatologists that if he continues to put on weight we may be going home this weekend or early next week. His feeds are up to 70ml on 24 calorie per ounce Progestimil. We are waiting to talk to a Nutritionist to see if he is getting the maximum amount he needs to grow. Dr. Badder (our geneticist) said all tests are in and all is well with Nicolas. Dr. Smith (the surgeon) said "the plumbing works" and everything looks great for him to be released. HOWEVER, Nicolas is still having spasms...but we have calls out to Anna's doctors and today Nicolas began taking Prilosec...we will wait and see if this helps. It sounds like we will be released regardless of the weather or not the spasms are present. Keep praying! We need it!

Mommy & Me time...