Chunky Monkey

1 3 mile ambulance ride from SFO to Mills Peninsula Hospital - $1574
1 20 mile ambulance ride from Mills Peninsula to Packard Children's Hospital - $4180
Discovering your ambulance co-pay is 50 bucks a pop - Priceless

Insurance rocks.

The past week has been full of ups and downs. More unspeakable sadness in the NICU I haven't been quite able to shake. I'm trying to focus on Sam's progress, but sometimes it's difficult when your heart is being broken into a million pieces on a regular basis, seeing what could've been. Though we know Sam is going to thrive, sometimes I can't help but think what could happen if he takes a turn for the worst. I tell myself to focus on the positive and not let the minor set backs get to me so much, but how do you do that when the stakes are so high? A tiny little life is on the line. Our son's life. Despite reveling in his achievements, I'm still fearful every second of every day.

Our little dude is growing by leaps and bounds! He is a mighty 3 lbs 5 oz today! What a little chunky monkey! I can hardly believe it. Jr. is no longer receiving IV nutrition. He's strictly on Mommy's milk that is fortified with an additive to boost the calorie count. Kinda like a milkshake! His goal was 25 ml every 3 hours by the end of this past week. He hit that mark and is now shooting for 30ml. We have every confidence he'll make it there. The attached video shows him getting a break from the CPAP Saturday morning.

Speaking of CPAP.... his settings were lowered this week, then raised, then lowered again this yesterday. So far, so good. Friday night, I noticed his eyes were getting very puffy and weepy. It appears the mask was squishing his little face, making his perfect little nose look like a pig snout (we've been assured it will return to its original form. LOL!) and irritating the tear ducts, causing his eyes to puff up. He was switched to a different CPAP that has tiny prongs that go in his nose. He was on this one previously, but it was no match for his feistiness. He knocked it about, causing irritation to his nose. We'll see how he does this time.

We're able to hold him for long periods of time (generally around 2 hours or so) twice per day. Mommy usually gets him in the morning, Daddy in the evening. After a cuddle session last week, we put him back in his bed. The nurse asked me if I wanted to give him a kiss. I don't know why it didn't occur to me before I could do this. Duh. I kissed his chubby little neck. OH. MY. GOD. So soft and warm. It was like crack. I proceeded to kiss him a billion more times. I just couldn't stop myself! I can't wait for the day where I can hold him close and kiss the heck out of him all day long.

The week brought a bevy of visitors to Sam's bedside. Auntie Ann was in town for a visit. She brought Auntie Cindy with her. We always love to see Auntie Cindy! Uncle Dave and Auntie Em came by. They brought with them a VAT of delicious meatballs. We've been eating them all week. Uncle Paul came by on Memorial Day. Between all the visitors and his media splash, I fear Sam may get a big head. What a popular boy!

A special thanks to Ryan who brought us decadent treats from Thomas Keller's Bouchon Bakery. Ryan, we'll look forward to you teaching Jr. all about the finer things in life. Also, some wonderful person left a lovely bottle of petite sirah on our doorstep. No note or card. Thank you for the sweet nectar!

Between hospital visits on Memorial Day, Mommy and Daddy did some poolside loungin' at the Elks Lodge with Dayna, Paul, Bree and Naomi. Dayna scouted out a hidden bathroom where all the pumping fun could take place. On Thursday, I got a little comic relief with some of my favorite chicks - Dayna, Sophia, Eija and Bree. We saw the movie Bridesmaids. Freakin' HILARIOUS! Steve had sworn this off as a chick flick, but after a recommendation from another dude, I think he just may cave and see it. I would gladly see it again. Anyhoo, it was nice to just crack up for a couple of hours. Afterwards, I couldn't wait to get back to the boy.

Just checked the mail. Samuel Lamont Martz received his first piece of mail! Sam now has a Social Security card. That's pretty official!