Today has been a very big day for both of us!

Cooper – He was taken off his respirator today at 8:20 am! The doctor said there is a 50/50 chance that he’ll have to go back on it because it’s so much work for him to breath on his own, but it’s great that he has progressed enough to have them try it turned off – even if for a brief period. I, on the other hand, am still working on getting rid of some fluid build up before I can get taken off. Maybe next week… Another thing – now that his respirator is out, mom and dad can hear his cry. Coop said that dad welled up when he heard him cry, but I don’t know if I believe him.

Me – Mom and Dad got to hold me today for the first time (see pic). And boy was it an ordeal! There were like 4-5 nurses all helping out to make sure that the transition to mom’s hands went smoothly and the respirator or tubes didn’t come out. I behaved really well and stayed relaxed while both of them held me. They kept telling me they love me and that I’m doing a great job. I could get used to this…

Both of us both took our mom’s milk today for the first time. Sure, it’s just 5 drops every 4 hours and is put in through a tube leading to our stomach (darn! I wanna taste it!), but the point is to give us nutrients to help fatten us up and to get our digestive track pumping along. Mom and dad said they have a lot of funny poo stories, so were thrilled when they learned that we both had our first poops about three hours after they gave us mom’s milk. Boy, that stuff goes right through ya!

May the progress continue!

Quinn

P.S. Cooper was NOT a happy camper when Mom and Dad were holding me. He was fussing up a storm. I think there might be a little hint of jealousy. Hopefully his day will come soon to be held, but he’s gotta get comfy breathing on his own first.