Hearts, Breathing and learning to eat!!!

Ok, first the very good news:
Collin weighs 5 lbs 1.5 oz.
Emery weighs 4 lbs 9 oz.
Wow. Simply fantastic. They are doing so well! They have been learning how to nurse, and this week bottles were introduced, as they master the "infant trifecta" of sucking, swallowing and breathing. As they learn and get more comfortable with the whole thing, they'll occasionally have spells of "de-sat" (as in, oxygen desaturation), when they basically forget to breathe for a minute or two. Usually they pull themselves out, but Collin has had a few bouts this week where he didn't quite do it on his own very well. These little "episodes" are a little dicey. Obviously not a good thing.

So as Emery sort of plugs along, in spite of her PDA still being present, showing no negative signs, Collin is sort of under a closer watch. The medical staff is wondering if his oxygen episodes are related to the PDA, and slight enlargement of his left aorta (at least I think that's what it is properly called - Erin's not around to help me out! :) ). So they continue to weigh options of treatment later (like several months later), or medication now, similar to the Indocin treatment he had a few weeks back. Either way it's a little unnerving - we just hope everything can work together and he will eat & breathe well so he can continue to gain all important ounces!

Erin and I attended an infant CPR class tonight, which can cause a little anxiety in any parent. Breathing, choking, CPR - all sobering thoughts and we certainly hope we never have to apply that knowledge, but it's good to have just in case. We met a couple whose baby was born at 27 weeks and was 1 lb 11 oz. Wow. They are close to going home, which is fantastic. I don't remember their names, but props to them - we wish them all the best. Same with all the other parents of children in that great place. And yes, I do think it is a great place. Miracles happen there; lives are saved & changed there. Medical staff works wonders for parents and children alike. We truly are fortunate to be there.

Oh, and I suppose I should mention that tomorrow marks 5 weeks!!!!!