We hit the motherload!

No, we didn't win the lottery, but Josh had a 3 diaper load of poop this morning.  The nurse couldn't get him cleaned up before he went through two more diapers and even got some on his bed.  We are very proud of our little pooper - this should help to bring down his bilirubin levels among other things.  We never thought we would celebrate a poop with quite so much enthusiasm.  It might help that we weren't the ones to clean up the mess. :-) 

In other news, Josh's bilirubin level crossed over the threshold and he was restarted on the bili light, except this time he is lying on a lighted mat.   It gives him an interesting look when it is on (see the picture below).  Josh continues to tolerate his feedings and is now having his feeding rate being increased by 1ml twice a day.  This rate will continue until he reaches his maximum volume or he does not tolerate the rate.  We are excited that he is continuing to tolerate his feeding so well.

Josh continues to show us that he has is own independent streak.  He likes to show that he has some control over his environment by wiggling out of the positions the nurses put him in.  His favorite position is to sleep with one leg thrown over the cuddler he is swaddled in.   Today, Josh did not like the positions he was moved in to several times, so he protested by large amounts of flailing or having boughts of apnea.  This was a little wearing on Mom today, but Mom was able to work with the nurse to find Josh a comfortable position.  He was a much happier baby once we found his favorite spot (which is currently on his right side facing the window).

Dad was able to get off work a little early and come spend some good quality time with Josh and Mom this afternoon.  It was nice to be able to spend some extra time hanging out with Dad.  Dad also picked up Josh's birth certificate today, which was exciting for us.  It even lists his birth weight, so we can show him one day that he did indeed weight just 2lbs, 2oz. 

Prayer Request:

• Josh's brain would continue to develop swiftly over the next few days so that he is able to come off of the ventilator and not have any more apena of prematurity.
• Josh would not develop any infections while he is in the NICU, especially in his lungs while on the ventilator.
• Josh's bilirubin will decrease back to normal levels so he won't need the bili light any more.
• Josh would continue to tolerate the increases in his feedings and continue to poop well.
• Josh's nurses would be able to find positions that he prefers and pay attention to his physiological clues when he is unhappy.
• Mom's milk supply would continue to increase and that she would continue to heal from her surgery.
• Mom and Dad would get the rest they need to continue to care for Josh.

Praises:

• Josh had a great big poop today.
• Dad was able to spend some extra time with Josh today.
• Josh is continuing to grow little by little each day.
• Josh is continuing to tolerate his feeding without any problems.
• Josh's bruising from birth has pretty much resolved.

(Our little glow worm)

 

(Josh protesting his current position)

 

(Josh giving us a big stretch after finding a more comfortable position)

 

(New face shot of our boy, when he isn't making a face)