Let's end 2008 on a good note - NO more feeding tube!

Logan has been feeding well the last two days and we have decided to take out his feeding tube. Even though he still needs a little help with squeezing the bottle, he's been able to finish all of his 80ml within 30-45 mins, sometimes even 20 mins. With such great progress, we get to see his pretty face without that yucky tube. Now if only we could get the oxygen cannula out, that would be perfect. We'll be patient, one thing at a time.

Today's New Year's Eve. We're not going out to party, but we did go out to have lunch at Moonstar Buffet. It's not the best food, but we like the variety and it's close enough. Of course we brought Logan with us. He was awake the whole time and fussed a little (we found out he got a big poopy diaper!). We noticed that he is usually awake between mid-morning and afternoon, thus, wanting our attention during lunch time.

Ah Gung enjoyed the different desserts, while Ah Po dug into the pile of crab legs. Big brother Aidan's favorite dish... strawberry ice-cream . Who doesn't love ice-cream? He also enjoys all the different fruits, especially, grapes. We spent 3 hours at the restaurant and probably got our money's worth.

We're still full from our buffet that we didn't have a big dinner. We did indeed open up a bottle of champagne that's been in the fridge for quite some time. Luckily, it's still bubbly and hasn't turned sour yet. It's been a long time since Mommy had any alcohol and she just pumped before enjoying it as well.

Here, we wish you all a very HAPPY and HEALTHY 2009!! Party and drive safely.

Is Logan REALLY ready to go home?

According to the doctors, he seemed ready, with a few conditions: a feeding tube and oxygen tank. We have previously expressed our concern and reservations with Logan coming home with the cannula and oxygen tank. However, during today's rounds, the doctors think that Logan might be ready to go home, because at this point, what the hospital can do for us, we could do that at home with some extra equipment. They think that it's best for Logan to stay home with his parents, than to stay in the hospital. I understand it's better to be away from the hospital where it's easy to catch viruses and infections, but I couldn't help to think they just want to kick us out and give the spot to another baby.

Logan gained 5g today, but he's still not quite back up at his birth weight. He's already 3 weeks old, and for a term baby, he should have gained a pound already. Feeding is still an issue and without proper nutrition and gaining weight, he couldn't get stronger and build stronger muscles to help with the breathing. He eats between 45 ml to 85 ml of milk each day. However, he should be eating 60-90 ml consistently. Therefore, the doctors think that Logan should have a feeding tube put through his nose directly to his stomach to assist with feeding. We will continue to feed him, but whatever left and he doesn't take, it would be fed directly to his stomach through the feeding tube. I wasn't very excited about this because I secretly believe he could gain weight if given a few more days, as he's been on and off IV for a few times since birth. However, I also understand the importance of him gaining weight, esp. when he's also taking fortified milk with extra calories, yet weight gain is still a problem. If Logan were to go home, he would continue to need this feeding tube. Another option is to have this surgery called gastrotomy. We prefer avoiding any surgery if possible. The doctor said the surgery only takes about an hour and if he doesn't need the tube anymore, the incision will heal in a week. It's easier to do night time feeding with the surgery as you can set the machine to feed Logan (like setting a timer) and I wouldn't have to wake up. However, a surgery is a surgery. Who would want their baby to have a surgery this young if you can avoid it.

Aside from the feeding tube or gastrotomy, Logan would need the extra oxygen if he were to come home. He continues to need help with it and might need it for a few months. I guess there will be an oxygen tank at home for him with monitors, and a portable one for him to go out. I have no idea how big and how these things will work, but there will be specialists teaching us what to do.

We still don't know when Logan would be home. But from today's conversation, the doctors want us to take a few days to think about whether to keep the feeding tube or have the surgery. So I guess maybe Logan would be home next week. He will definitely be home for Christmas, though it's not how we have pictured his homecoming. There are so many other logistics to take care of and also how Aidan would react to a new baby who needs constant special attention from us, and all the machines that come with the baby.

(The picture is of Logan with his cannula for breathing, and a feeding tube through one of his nostrils.)

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With Aidan, we continued to decorate our Christmas tree. He is still very excited to see all the lights. Overall, he was being a very good helper and helping me in putting out the ornaments on the tree. Of course, we have to break a couple ornaments when Aidan didn't hang them up correctly and they fell on the floor. Most of the time, I only let him handle the shatter-free ornaments.