June 6th, 2008

Sorry that it's been so long since I posted about Kinnick and Carver.  Kinnick got a stomach bug right before we left on vacation.  She was better by the time we got home.  She ate very little and drank nothing but pedialyte.  She seems so tiny compared to Carver.  When I get a minute, I'll take a picture of them together.  He used to be the small one, now he's the big one.  I'm not sure how much they weight, but If I had to guess, I would guess that Carver is getting close to the 20 lb marker and Kinnick is still floating around 16 lb.  We were told to expect her to lose weight when trying to transition to baby food.  She is taking all of her day feeds by mouth - fruits, vegetables, and Juice.  We're trying to add meat, but she's not liking it.  She still gets formula via her g-tube at night.  We give her 16 oz over night.  Carver still refuses to eat his baby food or drink his juice.  We get a couple of bites in him, but that's it.  Hopefully he'll get the hang of it soon.  He gets formula via his g-tube during the day and night.

I've had Carver on 1/8 lt of oxygen day/night for 2 nights.  So far, he's doing good.  He still desats if he gets his cannula off.  I turned Kinnick down to 1/8 lt tonight.  So far, I haven't noticed a difference.  She's been getting her cannula off and hasn't been desatting.   If she does ok, I'll leave her there for a while.  I don't want to rush her after her rough winter.

Kinnick seen the eye doctor Wednesday.  The blood is gone from the operative eye.  The doctor thinks the retina is detached again.  I'm not sure whether to believe him or not.  The last time he said Carver's was detached and it was fully attached.  I'll wait to see what the doctor in MI has to say.  We'll return to MI late July or early August.  

Carver rolled from his back to his stomach 3 times today!!!  What a shock.  He's hasn't even been making an effort.  Then, all of a sudden he does it 3 times.  I have noticed that he seems uncomfortable on his back at night and he acts like he wants to be on his side.  I've been trying to turn him to his side at night, but he always ends up on his back.  I have to be careful about how they sleep since they feed all night.  They need their heads elevated.  Carver is also learning to sit without help.  He can sit for about 3 seconds before tipping over.  Kinnick does about the same.  She's more flexible, so it seems like her nose hits her toes pretty quick.  She's standing with help and seems to be pretty proud of herself.  Carver used to like standing, but doesn't seem to want to anymore.  Maybe he's just getting too heavy and it's too much work - I'm not sure.  

Kinnick will have a Lower GI next Wednesday.  Her G-tube has not leaked the past 4 nights.  In fact, she really hasn't even leaked during the day.  She's only had a few drop after each feed.  I don't know if the probiatic has helped or if she's just moving her bowels better.  She has pooped every day since we started the probiatic.  The probiatic is supposed to help make her more regular.  Hard to believe something so simple can solve the problem.  I haven't had a single doctor suggest giving her a probiatic.  I discovered the use of probiatics reading another preemie blog.  Kinnick seems so much happier and relaxed, now.  

Kinnick has serious stranger anxiety.  She cries the minute she hears a new voice in the house.  Carver doesn't know a stranger.  He views them all as potential playmates.  He's the biggest snuggler and loves to play and return hugs.