Weekend Update

I forgot the cord to transfer photos from the camera to the computer, so you just get an update for now! I'll try to post photos tonight if I have time.

Owen had a very good weekend! He gained more weight and is up to about 4 lbs., 15 oz now. Pretty soon we'll have a 5 pound baby! It's hard to believe! He really is filling out nicely though. His hats are starting to fit a little bit better, but he still swims in his newborn clothes.

Yesterday was his last dose of aminophelline. Hopefully this time he will be okay without it. If he isn't, his neonatalogist would like to do a blood transfusion to help bump up his hemoglobin level. He said that low hemoglobin can be a cause of apnea in preemies and since his number is on the lower side, he'd like to consider it if he still spells coming off of the aminophelline.

We worked with him to take a bottle a few times over the weekend and he's doing great. He isn't to the point yet where we can feed him solely from the bottle, but he's making progress and that is all that we can ask for at his young gestational age. Some of his nurses don't even want to try because they say he's too young. We are blessed with a wonderful primary nurse during the week who works with him and sees a lot of potential in him. She leaves notes from Owen around his room reminding the other nurses what to do for him so that he can reach the goals she sets for him.

Owen's reflux was pretty good over the weekend - no major spells! YEAY!! He is also spitting up a little less even though he is eating 40 ml (to be upped tomorrow) right now. Poor little guy's tummy looks so big when he is done with each feeding. He looks like he's eaten a Thanksgiving dinner.

Last night was bath night. Paul and I were on our own this time. It felt clumsy and awkward with such a little, slippery baby. Our bath at home has a little sling that he sits in, so I think it will be a lot easier than the hospital's little tubs. Hopefully it will get easier as we do it more and get used to it.

We continue to feel blessed with our time together at the NICU. It's not ideal to be away from home as much as we are, but we get to be there with him in the morning before work and at night after work, so we are truly grateful for our little miracle!!!