A sigh of relief

Since his major brady episode last night, Cayden has been doing better - good, even!  He's had no noteworthy desats or bradys since the big one yesterday evening.  Hopefully the big change of keeping him on his tummy or side as well as splitting his vitamin dose up into two smaller doses has done the trick. 

I couldn't wait to get there to see him today after I worked for a few hours.  He looks good and it's so reassuring to see him sleeping peacefully, his little chest breathing steadily.  But I have to admit I was excited to wake him up because today we tried breast feeding with a full breast for the first time.  He did GREAT!!  <Insert tears of joy/relief/hope here> He was so wide-eyed and eager to try.  The lactation consultant, Peggy, was such a great coach and helped make his first experience as successful as anyone could have hoped for.  He licked, latched, sucked, swallowed, and breathed, repeating the cycle over and over for a good 10 or 15 minutes.  The innate instinct of human babies, even ones who aren't supposed to be born for another six weeks, is absolutely miraculous.

He may not have gotten a lot in fluid ounces, but what he got in experience is immeasurable.  He's building his ability and strength and hopefully the foundation for successful breast feeding in the weeks to come.  Again, it will take time to get there, but we're on a good path.

As if that weren't enough good news, daddy and big brother came to visit this evening too.  We tried to get some pictures of the cute little "Little Brother" onesie for Cayden, but he was all bundled up and we didn't want to disturb him, so we had to improvise.  Now all we need is a "Big Brother" shirt for Jamison! 

Daddy got to hold Cayden one last time before he heads out of town to go back to work for the rest of the week, and Jamison got a good look at his brother in his open crib.  We kept telling him, "That's your little brother in there.  Say 'hi, Cayden!'" And then Jami would give a little laugh.  But when Jason put him down to hold Cayden, Jamison let out a squeal of protest.  Jealousy, perhaps?  I think maybe he's starting to figure things out! 

Finally, updates on weight . . . last night he gained an ounce to creep up to 3 lbs. 15 oz and as of tonight's weigh-in, he is four whole pounds!  Four pounds, zero point five ounces, to be exact.  That's twice what he weighed at birth.