Friday July 6, 2007
Jack has been doing great the past few days. They have started feeding him my milk 3mL at at a time and although it's a slow process, he seems to be taking it pretty well. They just keep a close watch on what goes in, what comes out, and what gets left in his stomach. They will continue to feed him the good stuff as long as he can process it. However, there may be days at a time where he needs a break, as his digestive system is being tested a bit early.
He is still breathing completely on his own and only has a little oxygen tubes in his nose to help remind him to breathe. We've learned that when he is overstimulated or too comfy, he sometimes forgets, which is expected at his size. As we become more familiar with what the numbers on the monitors should say, it becomes a little scary when we see them dip and change. But all of the nurses in the NICU are very calm and confident, which helps us do the same.
We have affectionately started calling him "Jack in the box." The box is actually called an isolette. It is an upgrade from the steam tent he was in earlier. His "out of the box" time is referred to as "kangaroo care" or "skin to skin" time. The place him inside the neck my shirt so he can feel and hear the familiar sounds of his old home. It is suppose to be very good for both of us, and has proven to be so. We have been doing once or twice a day for the past few days. Soren routinely reads him "The Little Engine that Could" at our night time visits.
He is up to 1lb 14.8oz, which is 2.8 oz over his birthweight. The hope is that he continues to gain 1 oz per day. I've done the math, and this will put him at 4lbs around August 9th. 4lbs doesn't necessarily mean anything, but I figure it's a good goal to have.
It was his Aunt Laura's brilliant idea to buy some socks and make him some more manly, better fitting hats. So to give you a better visual of his size--his head fits in the foot of a sock:
More to come!
Love, Donna, Soren & Jack
3 comments:
To show my support, I am gaining weight for both of us. I'm also weeping copiously at the Little Engine that Could bit.
- Uncle JPG
The sock idea is great. Are those socks.. nice and soft.. and not wooly and itchy??.. Just checking so I don't have to take you to court.
Love,
Aunt Corry
He is just so adorable! It was hard leaving all of you on Friday. But I shall return! I am so proud of the new Mommy and Daddy. You are doing such a wonderful job. - Keep up the good work, Jack and you will be back home in Chicago in no time. Kisses and Hugs to all.
The Proud Grandma
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