This morning when Mom arrived, Josh was back to being a glow worm, with his bili lights on. Josh's doctors said that he is doing very well and we are starting to move into a feeding and growing stage and they seem quite pleased with his progress. They say the biggest challenge for Josh right now will be to stay free from infection while he gains weight and gets bigger. Josh has been tolerating his feedings well and is up to 6ml every 3 hours. His feeding are still being increased by 1ml twice a day for a maximum goal of 10ml every 3 hours, at least for right now. Josh is continuing to poop well, even giving Dad his first poopy diaper to change tonight...and boy was it a BIG one! We never knew such a little guy could hold so much poop!
Overall, today was a very good day. Josh did well with his breathing, having a few bouts of apnea, but recovering on his own without stimulation. Josh also started doing come increased moving which included picking his bottom up off the bed while on his back, making frog legs to lift his tummy off the bed and scooching. He actually almost scooched right out of his diaper at one point today. The nurse today told us that all this increased movement is a sign of a healthy preemie.
Both Mom and Dad got to do some Kangaroo Care with Josh today. Everyone found this to be a very relaxing time, especially Josh, who looked like he was made from jello when they poured him back into his bed. It is so relaxing to be able to cuddle our little guy, even if we have to put him back long before we are ready to.
Since he was re-intubated, Josh has had a fascination with his ET tube. He loves to grab hold of it and pull on it or just hang on for dear life. He has an amazingly strong grip for someone so small. His other favorite tube to hold on to is his feeding tube. We have been working on redirecting Josh when he grabs onto his ET tube. We have tried everything, offering him other tubes to hold on to, giving me the edge of fabric, even trying to just hold his hand. Finally, we found something that works some of the time, which is to place his hand on his face near his mouth instead. He seems to find a great deal of comfort in touching his face and finds it calming when Mom and Dad rub his face when he is upset. Consequently, today Josh discovered the millions of ways you can express yourself by using your hands and your face. We are proud parents indeed to have such a creative son at just 11 days old. Check out the pictures below for some examples.
Prayer Request:
- Josh's brain would continue to develop over the next few days so that he is able to remember to breath when his breathing tube is removed next week.
- Josh would stay free from infection while he is in the NICU so his energy can be spent growing and gaining weight in the weeks to come.
- Josh would continue to tolerate his feeding as they are increased twice each day.
- Josh would not develop any more mucous plugs and that his respiratory secretions would decrease.
- Mom's milk supply would continue to increase and she would continue to heal from surgery.
- Mom and Dad were both able to do some Kangaroo Care with Josh today.
- Dad got to change his first poopy diaper!
- Josh is showing signs of being a more active, healthy preemie with his increased movements.
- Josh is continuing to tolerate his feeding well.
- Josh had a really good day.
(Josh contemplating his bili light this morning or maybe thinking of ways to get a hold of his ET tube)
(The diaper that he almost scooched out of and smoking his ET tube)
(Oh Mom!)
(Big poopy diaper, part one)
(Big poopy diaper, part two, yes, that is a different diaper)
(Daddy taking charge of the poops!)
(Daddy and Josh enjoying some bonding time)
(Baby yoga - the frog position!)
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