D got to hold Andrew again today, for about an hour and a half...it'll be my turn the next time we have the opportunity. I'll post more pictures at some point, but here's a bit more description.
Getting him onto your lap is a pretty difficult process, because of the various tubes in and around him. First, D sits in the chair, with several blankets built up on her lap to raise him up a bit. A nurse and a respiratory therapist (RT) come perform the actual transfer; the nurse lifts Andrew and moves him while the RT holds his breathing tube in place. They usually have to disconnect his tube, which is routed through the bars of his crib, to reconnect it outside the railings for easier access. While they move him, I have to stand on the other side of the crib and make sure that his other tubes (arterial, IV, and PICC lines) don't get tangled, stretched, or pulled out of his arms. When we first held him last night, they also had to add some additional tape to his arterial line. Once he's in place, though, it's all worth it. Both times D has held him, he stared intently into her eyes for 10-20 minutes, then went right to sleep. He's obviously very comfortable in her arms. It's a very positive experience for both of them (and me), and we hope to take advantage at every possible opportunity.
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