A day of rest

Today, being Saturday, was a great day for Mom, Dad, and Josh to rest.  Of course, Josh rests on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday as well, but that is not the point.  Mom and Dad definitely needed some good rest after the events of the past two weeks.  We have been waking up every three hours every night in order to pump, and we continue to do that.  However, today, we called the hospital at our 8:00am pumping, and found out that Josh had a nurse assigned to him that we like, and that knows Josh and his needs.  So reassured that Josh was in good hands, Mom and Dad went back to bed and did not wake up again until our 11:00am pump time!

Mom and Dad then went to see Josh, and he just continues to look better.  Josh is now up to 11 ml feeds per three hours.  His bilirubin levels are down to 2.2, which shows that his pooping had a dramatic effect on the levels (his highest was 8.3, and they use the lights if it is over 5).  The nurse also told us that Josh's poops are converting over from meconium to breast milk stool.  This is a good sign that his little intestines are working the way that they are supposed to.  It should also be easier from here on out for him to poop.  Josh has also only had two episodes of apnea/bradicardia in the last 24 hours, so that was also very encouraging news.  Josh is also up to 2 pounds 3 ounces, which means he now weighs more than he did when he was born!

Other than that, Josh had a very good day.  His color is great, his bruising is completely gone, his blond hair is growing thicker on his head, and he is starting to develop a fun little personality.  We noticed that when his nurse would come by, Josh would squeeze his eyes shut, and then when she left, he would peek open one eye, and if he didn't see her, he would open his eyes again.  If she comes back, he would shut his eyes again!  Very cute.  Also, he has started to hold his hands together, and hold them up near his face, which is a sign of self comfort, which is something that preemies do.  He has also been keeping his eyes open longer, and was awake and responsive with us for a good hour and a half this afternoon.  We could tell that he would definitely follow our faces with his eyes as we move around, and likes it when we touch him.  We have read that he can only see clearly about 6 - 10 inches out from his eyes, so we tried to stay close to give him some good interaction time.

Josh was in general just very cute today, and we would have more pictures, but our camera batteries all died, and so we were only able to get two pictures when we first got there.

Prayer Requests:

• Josh continue to breath well, and that part of his brain develop well so that he can come off of the ventilator early next week
• Josh continue to handle his feedings well, and continue to poop and pee like a big boy
• Josh continue to gain weight at a good rate
  
• Josh continue to stay healthy, with no infections or sicknesses
• Mom and Dad continue to get good rest
• Mom's milk supply come fully in, so that pumpings at night can be spread out over longer time period

Praises:

• Josh's poops have transitioned from meconium to regular poop
• Mom and Dad got good rest last night
  
• Josh's feedings are up to 11 ml every three hours 
• Josh now weighs more than when he was born
• Josh had a really good awake time today, which lasted much longer than it has in the past
  
• Josh gets cuter by the day!
  

(Josh taking his afternoon nap)

(Josh playing possum when the nurse comes around)