Our Newest Accessory

OK, it really isn't that new, but I've been so busy with the kids, holidays, birthdays, yada yada yada, that updating the blog has taken a serious hit.  Hopefully things will settle after the start of the new year & I'll keep all the Reese-watchers better informed.

So, back to our accessory.  Reese has been sporting a nasogastric tube (NG tube for short) since November 18th.  Her weight gain had started to slow & she was just getting too tuckered out during her feedings.  Both the home health nurse & cardiologist thought this was the best solution. 

Please don't mind the crusted milk on my lips - I'm a messy eater

So now we offer her a bottle every 3 hours.  She takes what she can by mouth & when she gets tired, we finish via the NG tube.  She gets continuous feedings administered through a pump at night to pack in some extra calories.  This method has definitely worked.  Reese weighed 10.8 pounds at our last appointment & is tracking nicely on her growth curve.    

Reese has amazing aunts & cousins that help out with her meals



Now she's getting the calories she needs to plump up & get stronger in preparation for surgery.  Her cardiologist is pleased as punch with her progress & sees no reason to set her surgery date anytime soon.  On one hand, I'm thrilled that her heart is showing no obvious signs of failure & we are granted the precious gift of time to allow her body to gain strength.  On the other hand, the waiting game is torture & I absolutely hate watching her struggle with the simple acts of breathing & eating.  I cannot begin to tell you how relieved this household will be once we get her little ticker fixed.  

In the meantime, we are just enjoying her metamorphosis from not-doing-much-of-anything newborn to the smiling, cooing baby she is today.  She honestly is the happiest bundle I've ever seen.