Today Titus is 1 month old!  It's so hard to believe a month has gone by already, but it feels like forever at the same time.  We have reason to celebrate, for sure!  

Can you see anything different about Titus?

See it yet?

Now?  His feeding tube is gone!  They took it out yesterday morning.  The Drs. have been pleased with his ability to eat on his own, and decided to remove the tube and see how he does.  The tube pretty much blocked one of his nostrils completely, which can cut down his oxygen supply when nursing.  This should make it easier for him; even swallowing should be better since the tube won't be in his throat.  The only major bummer about not having the tube is that his vitamins (liquid form taken orally) must now be given by mouth.  They are nasty tasting, and NO baby likes them.  They tried just giving them to him mixed with a bit of my milk through a bottle lid (like the top that any baby would suck out of), and he was NOT impressed.  He choked, gagged, spit it back out, etc., so much that he de-satted (all his stats went down: heart rate, breathing rate, and O2 rate), and really did turn blue in the face.  He came out of it just fine, but it was a little nerve wrecking.  At least now I know what it really looks like if he's having trouble breathing and stuff.  When we give them tomorrow, we'll try mixing it with more milk to hopefully make it not so concentrated of a taste.  I don't know what I'm going to to when I get him home and have to do it myself!  

By the way, do you see the double chin he's working on?

RIght now it's looking like as long as his eating goes well, and he keeps gaining weight, he could potentially be rooming in with me on Friday.  The other factor keeping him from rooming sooner is the last time he had a true de-sat that was unrelated to eating (or vitamins!) was less than a week ago, and they won't take a baby off moniters until it's been at least 5 days since the last "event."  They don't want him to move into my room while still needing to be on the moniters.  I'm excited that the day is potentially so soon!  That also means that he really could be coming home this weekend or early next week!!!  We are so ready for him to be home and all of us be OUT of the hospital.  

I had to take this photo for my friend, Melody, who gave us this outfit.  It's a preemie onesie, and will definitely NOT be fitting for long!

We are all very much looking forward to being together as a family 24/7 again.  I'm thankful I'll actually be able to function nearly normally when we get home, instead of having to be completely off my feet, etc., like you normally are right after giving birth. I'm thankful I had the time in the hospital to do the immediate recovery, and now it's just slow healing and not pushing myself too hard.  Nick will still be taking leave most days, which will be nice to have him be home when need be, and also have time to get our moving stuff rolling.  

Speaking of Nick, he's still a bit under the weather, but is feeling a little bit better.  Hopefully a good night's rest will help him, and in another day or two will hopefully be fully recovered.  

The kids are well, and are looking forward to a fun day tomorrow.  Their kindergarten has a Fasching party (like Mardi Gras) and they are dressing up as tight rope walkers.  A friend is getting them ready in the morning, and hopefully will have some fun pictures to show.  Then, they get to go to a friends' house for the afternoon and Stella gets to spend the night.  Nick is planning on coming up to the hospital with Ezra, and hopefully Titus will be in my room by the evening.  It will be fun to hang out and not be in the NICU.  

We are so excited that the end (well, really a whole new beginning) of our crazy story is coming so soon!  Thank you all for your love, support, and prayers.  They have carried us through this very trying time.  We love you all!