Now We Think We Know Why:
Tuesday saw Ian take a well earned rest. He had lost 20g the night before, so now his feeds have been increased to every 3 hours (from every six) and he stayed put in his Isolette for the entire day, which should help him put some weight back on. Meanwhile Mom was seeing a specialist. Barbara's platelet count just wasn't bouncing back so she saw two Specialists who together determined that Barbara has a rare blood condition - one that is not fully understood as to its origins but is associated with pregnancy and the preeclampsia/HELLP she has suffered. The cure is to place Barbara on a dialysis machine to essentially clean and replenish her plasma, which has been destroying her platelets faster than her body can create them. The down side is that this procedure will take five days to complete confining Barbara to hospital through the weekend and making her stay there some 17 days in total. She has been a super-star throughout this ordeal and has endured so much over these last few days, but her spirit is up and she takes comfort in the fact that she knows so many people are pulling for her. We have high hopes that she'll be well enough by early next week to be allowed home. Our 'picture of the day' shows Mom saying goodnight to her little boy through the plexiglass of his incubator bedroom!

Change of Address:
Ian has moved! After seven days of increasing progress Ian is now in an Isolette (Incubator). And he's in the X7000 model too! This unit provides a more stable environment for him than the previous open-sided unit, which was only needed so the NICU staff could access Ian more easily. Ian's Isolette runs at a pleasant 36 degrees centigrade and has access holes where Barbara and I can put our arms in to comfort him. The Isolette is much more quiet for him and will be Ian's home now for the next several weeks as this is essentially the place where he will grow. Ian continues to breathe on his own, though there is always a chance he may have to go back onto medical air (21% Oxygen) for brief periods though so far he's doing really well using his own lungs.

Dad-a-Roo!
Steve got to Kangaroo Care on Sunday! In addition, Steve also had to lift Ian from his bed and place him back again after the session. Ian still only weighs 1lb 11oz, but he feels so fragile that one cannot help but be super delicate when handling him. And after doing the 'Roo', Steve had another first - changing the worlds smallest diaper! Actually the diaper is slightly too large for Ian, making is hard to fit properly! So Ian's new goal is to be big enough to fully fit into the world smallest diaper - then to out grow it quickly!

An Update on Barbara:
Perhaps the excitement of Kangaroo-ing on Saturday took its toll on Barbara, as Sunday's blood tests did not show the improvemnet we all hoped for. Barbara underwent a blood transfusion during the evening in hopes that this will accelerate her platelet count back to near normal numbers. Tests on Monday will then help decide when we can plan on Barbara's homecoming. Despite this small set bcak, she remains in a positive spirit and the focussed individual we all know and love - you'll be home soon, honey, I know it!

The End of the Day:
Saturday was a very successful day on many fronts for both Barbara and Ian. Nothing says it better than this photo, with Ian sleeping peacefully under the calming influence of his Mommy's hand, nurturing him to sleep. Ian put on 2 grams overnight, while only a small weight gain he is definitely headed in the right direction.

Kangaroo Care:
What an incredible experience this was! There is overwhelming evidence that shows 'preemies' develop far quicker and much stronger when they partake in 'Kangaroo Care', which is where the infant is placed on the mothers bare chest. This skin-to-skin contact allows the infant to connect with Mom, rythmically align to Mom's heartbeat and breathing and feel Mommy's warmth. Ian clearly enjoyed the hour-long experience as he slept as soundly as we've seen him sleep to date. Ian was lifted safely onto Barbara by the Staff Nurse, complete with all seven of his drips, tubes and wires! And Steve get's the chance to do the same on Sunday. Let's do the 'Roo!

Mommy's Feeling Better!
On Saturday, Barbara finally 'turned the corner' and was well enough to venture down on foot to see Ian. While needing a wheelchair for the final leg of the trip, it was well worth the visit as you'll see in the post that follows as Barbara got to enjoy 'Kangaroo Care'. Barbara still has a few blood issues to overcome and hopefully tests on Sunday will show improvements. At least you can now see her smiling face again, albeit from her hospital bed still.

A Peaceful Day at the Office:
Ian spent most of Day 5 sleeping, having endured many tests and procedures in his first four days. Ian started the day weighing 767 grams, marginally below his birth weight (1lb 14oz = 925 grams). His Mom and Dad have set him the goal of 1000 grams within 10 days! Today's only medical necessity was an insulin shot, as Ian's glucose levels are still a bit high. Considering that this time last week his Mom was only just beginning to feel ill, it is incredibale how far we have all come since. Ian spent time with Mom again today with Barbara being able to enjoy seeing Ian gazing upon his surroundings.

I Can See You!
By the end of day four, Ian had progressed so well that the Doctors removed the C-PAP and inserted a small pipe into Ian's nostrils that will continue to allow him to breathe on his own. This means he can now enjoy looking at his new surroundings. Tonight Dad had the chance to comfort Ian with a 'binky', while Ian enjoyed brief glimpes of his new world. Go Ian, you're doing great!

PICC Me Up!
Ian began his 4th day with a procedure that required the insertion of a pipe, called a PICC. This was inserted into his right arm (having failed attempts made on both the left arm and right leg) and fed up through his vein and into his heart. This will supply Ian with much needed nutrition until he can take his Mummy's milk. Ian also had an insulin shot through his right foot, so as you can see from today's photo's he's got a few more wires attached to him now!

Pull My Finger!
Ian has strong little fingers each with the tinest of finger nails too. He likes to grab things, as evidenced by him pulling out his breathing tube. He always seems to be grabbing at something, though when he is calm he does rest his hands on his chest and left knee, a position he seems to favor. And of course, he loves to hold his Mummy's finger!

I can breathe!

After only three days, Ian really didn't either need or want that breathing tube any longer so he ripped it out himself! This was replaced with a new device called a C-PAP, which is a piece of head gear that provides Ian with breathing assistance through his nose. Ian is technically breathing on his own, a great feat after only 72 hours into his life. The nurses take the head gear off every once in a while and thats when Ian get's a facial massage, which he loves!

Ian's Little Tent:
On day two, Ian was placed into his own little tent! This tent creates a humid environment for him to breathe in and enjoy his new best freind - oxygen! Ian likes to kick a lot and several times has managed to move the tent off it's footings. Still, Steve is often there to replace it and then spend a few minutes settling Ian down again.

Lots of Attention:
As you can imagine, Ian needs lots of attention and he is certainly getting it! Everyday there is something new to do. A pipe here, a wire there and even a diaper to be changed! Ian wears the smallest diapers in the world. The Doctors take blood tests regularly and monitor his feeding and air intake. He get's turned over too and spends time on his tummy, a position he seems to enjoy a lot.

Ian's Home from Home:
During the first several days Ian's home is his little incubator, which is in his own little room, number 22 at the NICU. The first incubator he stays in is open-sided so that all the Doctors can access him more easily. It's surrounded by lots of computers and flashing lights too! It's also quiet and the room darkened so that Ian can get plenty of sleep when Steve and Barbara aren't there to play with him. Ian's toys and books are on the shelves behind him and soon he gets a stereo too so he can listen to soothing tunes when he gets a bit bored.

Seeing the Light:
Given his early birthday, Ian now needs to spend time under a warm lamp that will also prevent him from developing jaundice. His parents are also hoping that this process will help him tan when he gets older since both Barbara and Steve suffer from 'pasty white pale skin' syndrome! Ian clearly enjoys the warm lights, especially as he gets to wear his favorite Oakley Sun Goggles!

First things First:
In order to breathe Ian needed a tube, which was inserted into his mouth and connected to a ventilator. This clearly was a issue for Ian as he attempted to pull the tube from his mouth several times! As you can see, his tiny little fingers are gripped firmly around the pipe. Steve's task was to keep Ian's fingers off the pipe - a task that was easier said than done!

My Birthday:
On Sunday January 22, 2006 at 14.22 MST Ian Karl was born. Ian arrived 11 weeks premature and weighed in at 1lb 14oz and nearly 13 inches long. Delivered through 'C' section Ian entered our world kicking and screaming, a great sign for such a little fella. Barbara suffered throughout due to her developing Preeclampsia, a condition which could only be resolved by delivering her baby boy. And so we begin the life of Ian, the first 60 days or so that will be spent in the new born infant care unit (NICU).