Tuesday, July 26, 2011
The Many Faces of Gabriel On
Feeding Gabe is tough, he is refusing to co-operate to feed from the bottle. He fights me and drinks only 20ml or so, on a good day he managed 30ml. Please tell me what can i do? I read that sucking is a natural reflex for babies, but unfortunately for Gabe he has been tube-fed since he was born, so i think he doesn't like sucking and also he's lazy since he can get it from the tube. But if he does not improve, it's not gonna be good for him or me. I cannot imagine having to bring out the feeding tube machine everytime we go out. Plus, imagine how it'll look... So i keep forching him and he fights back, getting angry and crying. By the end, we're both frustrated. Plus, he's smart, too smart. He drinks abit at first, then by 20-30 mins, he starts to use his tongue n gums to block the teat,plus he knows how to move his head left n right to try shake me off. Then if i still insist, he starts to scrunch up his face and cry. At the end, he just plays "stone" as in he lies quietly, you can put the teat in but you ain't gonna get any movement from him:(.... Hah, Grandma tried also but nope, doesn't work as well, this lil boy is stubborn. I'm not sure how else to make him drink. Thinking of asking docs to starve him then maybe he will force himself...hahaha. Anyways, here are some pics and some video of him drinking reluctantly. Watch the videos and see him making funny faces and gestures to shake us off. He sucks like 3 times, then bites the teat or spits the milk out... Grandpa, hear his cries, he DOES have a temper. But don't worry he's all yours when u come visit...Xiao-Yi, you can have ur turn too:) 
Sunday, July 24, 2011
We have been terribly busy and tired visiting Gabe in the hospital everyday hence the lag in blogging.
But all is well, the lil spunk is doing good. Has quite a temper too and his cries are loud & fierce, just ask Grandma. He really does not like to be left alone for too long and is a fussy pot. He has made progress as in he no longer needs the pacifier taped to his mouth 24/7 now to stop his cries.
Only thing now is that he needs to practice his bottle feeding as his sucking is still weak and so far he is progressing, but slowly. Manages about 13-20ml per feed fromt he bottle, the rest of the balance 50ml is given via tube as he tires easily from sucking so we need to give him time. But i am hoping he does well enough to please the doctors so that he may be released within the next week or so.
So far ever since he was in the General Ward, we visit him at about 12-1pm, then stay till about 8pm or so. Grandma has been entertaining him as well but i think she's kinda tired...he's hard to please, really. And bottle feeding is hard too, he is smart, he uses his tongue n gums to block the teat, and when i do get past, he spits the milk out sometimes. So it takes loads of patience with this lil guy. Can't scold him coz then he gets pouty.
The auto swing crib has proven very very useful, we always on the music and swing him. Easier to get him to sleep...hmm maybe i need to invest in one too since it'll make my life easier. And this guy is hard to put to sleep, and is i think a light sleeper too.
But all is well, the lil spunk is doing good. Has quite a temper too and his cries are loud & fierce, just ask Grandma. He really does not like to be left alone for too long and is a fussy pot. He has made progress as in he no longer needs the pacifier taped to his mouth 24/7 now to stop his cries.
Only thing now is that he needs to practice his bottle feeding as his sucking is still weak and so far he is progressing, but slowly. Manages about 13-20ml per feed fromt he bottle, the rest of the balance 50ml is given via tube as he tires easily from sucking so we need to give him time. But i am hoping he does well enough to please the doctors so that he may be released within the next week or so.
So far ever since he was in the General Ward, we visit him at about 12-1pm, then stay till about 8pm or so. Grandma has been entertaining him as well but i think she's kinda tired...he's hard to please, really. And bottle feeding is hard too, he is smart, he uses his tongue n gums to block the teat, and when i do get past, he spits the milk out sometimes. So it takes loads of patience with this lil guy. Can't scold him coz then he gets pouty.
The auto swing crib has proven very very useful, we always on the music and swing him. Easier to get him to sleep...hmm maybe i need to invest in one too since it'll make my life easier. And this guy is hard to put to sleep, and is i think a light sleeper too.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
It's a Happy Day
Gabe's op went well yesterday, we were told he would need to still stay in the hospital for observation for at least another 2 weeks or so. It seems so long, but as long he remains stable and will be home soon, it's fine.
Then today, when we went to see him, we got a surprise. He was wide awake and all tubes were off, all meds too. I got to hold my baby and boy was it good, i missed him so much.
After awhile, the nrses in ICU told us there wasn't enough space, he needed to be transferred to the general ward. That was good news coz it meant he was stable enough and secondly, anyone can visit him and terry, mummy & i could all see him at the same time too!! yay!! So off we went to settle him in his new bed.
This boy is so pouty, he making the "i'm gonna cry face" everytime so we had to soothe him often. He stayed awake for a long long time...2 hours plus. I think he got sick of sleeping all the time. Eventually after his milk and lots of patting and some singing (courtesy of grandma), he fell asleep, only to wake again. But we had to go off, so we left him there to fall asleep on his own.
We're hoping he can be discharged in a week or so, but he has to be able to drink from the bottle before heading home, so we'll have to try that and see.
But so far so good. This is one of our happiest days, ever...
Then today, when we went to see him, we got a surprise. He was wide awake and all tubes were off, all meds too. I got to hold my baby and boy was it good, i missed him so much.
After awhile, the nrses in ICU told us there wasn't enough space, he needed to be transferred to the general ward. That was good news coz it meant he was stable enough and secondly, anyone can visit him and terry, mummy & i could all see him at the same time too!! yay!! So off we went to settle him in his new bed.
This boy is so pouty, he making the "i'm gonna cry face" everytime so we had to soothe him often. He stayed awake for a long long time...2 hours plus. I think he got sick of sleeping all the time. Eventually after his milk and lots of patting and some singing (courtesy of grandma), he fell asleep, only to wake again. But we had to go off, so we left him there to fall asleep on his own.
We're hoping he can be discharged in a week or so, but he has to be able to drink from the bottle before heading home, so we'll have to try that and see.
But so far so good. This is one of our happiest days, ever...
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Happy 1 Month Baby
Hi Darling Gabe,
Happy 1 Month!! We're so sorry we couldn't celebrate it, but don't you worry, we'll have a big big 1 Year Old birthday bash for you next year. And make it a really grand affair. In fact Mummy was thinking Tokyo Disneyland at the Snow White castle...hmm, is that possible? Daddy would have to rent it of course. Mummy will write to Disneyland and see k? And Daddy MAY fly all your aunties, uncles, grandparents and cousins over!! Generous Daddy, don't we love him?
But more important to Mummy & Daddy is the fact that you have come so far for such a small guy. We cannot believe how brave & strong you have been. We have truly been blessed with you and we couldn't have asked for more.
All we want is for you to grow up strong and healthy. It doesn't matter if you are slower than others, so long as you try to get there. Every step of the way we will be with you, you'll never be alone, we promise. We just have to work extra harder than others. But we'll never compare you baby coz you're in a very special category of your own, one that God put you in.
We do not know the path of our journey yet, but we have faith that everything will turn out as it should be. So long as the 3 of us are together, nothing matters.
I believe you were born to make a change, to who and how, I'm not sure, but i truly believe your minus will somehw turn into a big plus. No matter what the outcome, you're very much loved by us and the 3 of us will get through this journey. We'll come out stronger.
You're gonna rock this world and we will encourage you to always be the best that you can be. You truly are a blessing.
With all our love & hugs
Mummy & Daddy
Happy 1 Month!! We're so sorry we couldn't celebrate it, but don't you worry, we'll have a big big 1 Year Old birthday bash for you next year. And make it a really grand affair. In fact Mummy was thinking Tokyo Disneyland at the Snow White castle...hmm, is that possible? Daddy would have to rent it of course. Mummy will write to Disneyland and see k? And Daddy MAY fly all your aunties, uncles, grandparents and cousins over!! Generous Daddy, don't we love him?
But more important to Mummy & Daddy is the fact that you have come so far for such a small guy. We cannot believe how brave & strong you have been. We have truly been blessed with you and we couldn't have asked for more.
All we want is for you to grow up strong and healthy. It doesn't matter if you are slower than others, so long as you try to get there. Every step of the way we will be with you, you'll never be alone, we promise. We just have to work extra harder than others. But we'll never compare you baby coz you're in a very special category of your own, one that God put you in.
We do not know the path of our journey yet, but we have faith that everything will turn out as it should be. So long as the 3 of us are together, nothing matters.
I believe you were born to make a change, to who and how, I'm not sure, but i truly believe your minus will somehw turn into a big plus. No matter what the outcome, you're very much loved by us and the 3 of us will get through this journey. We'll come out stronger.
You're gonna rock this world and we will encourage you to always be the best that you can be. You truly are a blessing.
With all our love & hugs
Mummy & Daddy
Closing Surgery Tomorrow
Dr Murakami has informed us that they will do Gabe's surgery tomorrow to close off the wound. It'll take about 2 hours or so....I hate the waiting part, it's too stressful.
Thereafter we'll see his recovery and hopefully it'll be home for Gabriel soon after.
He's very much more awake nowadays, like today as we entered the PICU, the nurse was trying to soothe him as he had been crying. And even moreso when they cello-taped his bandage, i guess it hurt a lil. Poor baby, it'll get better.
So we have to be at the hospital at 8.30am tomorrow and wait there. Will keep you guys updated.
You go Gabe, Mummy & Daddy loves you to bits, you never cease to amaze us.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Punk Spunk
Another one of those days your hearts just melts with happiness. Gabe boy was fully fully awake and fussy today. But even bigger news, he is off the tube!! Yay!!
He looks alil pale today and seems to have abit of trouble breathing sometimes, but doctor says it's normal because he was on the respirator for a week so it takes abit of adjusting to. Other than that he is stable, this amazing wonderful lil boy of ours.
And they had a humidifier tube put very very near his face, so i think halfway, he got irritated, like really irritated and started to cry. His face went all red, but after the nurse lifted his head alittle and he knew he was getting some attention, he stopped crying and seemed subdued...hmm...have a feeling this lil bub is gonna be carried very often when he comes home. Mummy's gonna spoil him rotten.
By this Friday or next Tuesday if there is no bacteria culture, he will be taken to the OR to sew up the final stitches. So please everyone continue to pray for this tough lil boy that he remains healthy, strong & stable till then with no bacteria infections or complications.
He looks alil pale today and seems to have abit of trouble breathing sometimes, but doctor says it's normal because he was on the respirator for a week so it takes abit of adjusting to. Other than that he is stable, this amazing wonderful lil boy of ours.
And they had a humidifier tube put very very near his face, so i think halfway, he got irritated, like really irritated and started to cry. His face went all red, but after the nurse lifted his head alittle and he knew he was getting some attention, he stopped crying and seemed subdued...hmm...have a feeling this lil bub is gonna be carried very often when he comes home. Mummy's gonna spoil him rotten.
By this Friday or next Tuesday if there is no bacteria culture, he will be taken to the OR to sew up the final stitches. So please everyone continue to pray for this tough lil boy that he remains healthy, strong & stable till then with no bacteria infections or complications.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Oh, How My Heart Swells With Pride & Love
Sometimes, it's the tiniest things that can just make your day worthwhile and today was just that...
We visited Gabe in the evening and first thing we saw, his rows of medications were no longer there! Just only 1 med left! Well done baby boy..
And secondly, he opened his eyes! Really opened, not just a one-eye peek. Well actually i have the respirator tube to thank for that. He is no longer on sedatives, so he can become conscious. And so happen the tube irritates him and sometimes he chokes on it..poor baby, Mummy understands...Naughty Tube...and it was at that moment he opened his eyes!!! I was waiting for that moment since 1-2 days back.
Ohhh, my heart just swelled with love when i saw his lovely eyes so big n beautiful. Plus, lil boy was moving alot and even managed to give a small smile:) How you made our day baby.
Doctors say he is very stable, Thank God, and tomorrow they will take off his tube. However, the surface of his wound isn't healing as well, so they are washing it everyday few times, they opened some stitches, but only at the surface, not deep, to ensure it is washed n cleaned properly. Everyday, they check his wound for bacteria too and so far so good, but they will need to do this for the next whole week to ensure there is no infection. So please pray for Gabe. He's come this far thanks to all the loving prayers you have prayed for him.
Oh Gabe, you've just made our day and we can't wait to see you tomorrow.
Lotsa Luff n Hugs
We visited Gabe in the evening and first thing we saw, his rows of medications were no longer there! Just only 1 med left! Well done baby boy..
And secondly, he opened his eyes! Really opened, not just a one-eye peek. Well actually i have the respirator tube to thank for that. He is no longer on sedatives, so he can become conscious. And so happen the tube irritates him and sometimes he chokes on it..poor baby, Mummy understands...Naughty Tube...and it was at that moment he opened his eyes!!! I was waiting for that moment since 1-2 days back.
Ohhh, my heart just swelled with love when i saw his lovely eyes so big n beautiful. Plus, lil boy was moving alot and even managed to give a small smile:) How you made our day baby.
Doctors say he is very stable, Thank God, and tomorrow they will take off his tube. However, the surface of his wound isn't healing as well, so they are washing it everyday few times, they opened some stitches, but only at the surface, not deep, to ensure it is washed n cleaned properly. Everyday, they check his wound for bacteria too and so far so good, but they will need to do this for the next whole week to ensure there is no infection. So please pray for Gabe. He's come this far thanks to all the loving prayers you have prayed for him.
Oh Gabe, you've just made our day and we can't wait to see you tomorrow.
Lotsa Luff n Hugs
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