A big day for Aiden

Aiden's new breathing equipment and stylish new hat

Yesterday Aiden hit another milestone - he got off the ventilator! With the help of the steroids he was able to switch from the oscillating ventilator to a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. The machine is strapped on with a little hat and blows oxygen through his nose a set amount of times per minute, he is able to take breaths on his own as well. This is a good step for him and although we know there is a chance he will have to go back on a ventilator, his doctor is very happy with his progress so far. He isn't even on that much oxygen - 25-35% and his saturation levels and Co2 levels are good. If it starts looking like needs to go back to the ventilator they are going to give him another round of steroids to get him over the hump because his lungs will start to heal and do so much better on the CPAP. We are so proud of our little Aiden!

Coming off the ventilator - we finally get to see his little face!

Yesterday after the switch he was having a difficult time getting comfortable and falling asleep, he has so many new feelings now - having no tube down his throat and using his nose for the first time. He is also off all his pain medications and sedation now (so he can breathe on his own) so he tried to cry a little, he had a little grumbly cry after being on the ventilator for 45 days so we haven't quite heard his real voice, but it was great to hear noise coming from our little guy for the first time. He was thrusting his little tongue around like he used to do against the tube so the nurse had me put my finger in his mouth and gave me a little cup of my milk to dip it in, he loved his first taste of milk and immediately started sucking on my finger - I'm no expert, but the boy had quite a strong suck going on! Hopefully that means he will enjoy feeding and not have too many problems in that area!

Sucking milk off mom's finger

Also, I got to hold him last night for the first time in 2 weeks! We missed each other and he settled right in and was happy the whole time he was being held. Overall, I would say it was a pretty good day :)

- Holly