9 Weeks, 3 Days (GA: 37 Weeks)

Gabe now has both his nasal cannula and his feeding tube out.  So his face is free of all accessories:

Zeke also has his feeding tube removed and is getting feedings on demand by mouth.  So he gets to nurse or gets a bottle whenever he wants it.  He also has a nasal cannula but his oxygen is different.  It is a lower flow---in fact, the very lowest setting: 1/64 of a liter per minute---at 100% oxygen.  This is the kind of oxygen that is sent home with babies (and oldies alike).  And speaking of going home, Dr. King said Zeke could be discharged in a couple days.  Yes, we were surprised too.  However they will probably hold off the discharge until Friday or Saturday because. . .

Gabe's head is still expanding well above the expected rate.  His fontanel is still full and his sutures are starting to separate.  The plan is to transfer him to Primary Children's on Wed. and get a CT scan.  Surgery is scheduled for Thursday morning to place a shunt in his head to drain ventrical fluid.  Because Gabe is over 3kg they will skip the reservoir and go right to the shunt.  The reservoir is temporary and going straight to the shunt will mean only one surgery instead of two.  We will be having a family fast for Gabe starting tonight (Monday) and ending tomorrow.  Of course, anyone is welcome to join us.

Gabe will likely be discharged from Primary Children's to our house by this weekend.  So if all goes well, we will have both twins home with us by this time next week!  Zeke will probably be on oxygen and monitors for a couple weeks after he gets discharged.  So we will be able to take our favorite little beeping machine home with us.  :)