The baby with the healthy brain

Josh had a pretty good night, although he had several desaturations related to feedings.  Josh has had only one episode of desaturation today during his nap and he was able to recover on his own.  Josh is now breastfeeding 7 times a day for a average of 15 minutes a feeding.  Mom and Dad are very proud of our little man.  He is weight is up 75 grams (although they used a different scale so it might be off some, we will have a better idea of weight gain with tonight's weight) and is now 4lbs 9oz!  Josh continues to get a half a feeding via his feeding tube after nursing.  If he continues to gain weight then they might consider changing it to half a feeding every other nursing.  Mom did attempt to use a supplemental nursing system today with some success.  Josh was able to take half of his bolus feeding during his normal nursing time.  Josh was not a huge fan of the system, but we will keep working with him since it is a reasonable way for him to go home if he isn't able to take a full feeding.

Josh had his MRI of his head this morning.  This is something that is done routinely for preemies after 6 weeks of life and before discharge.  It is done to make sure that he did not have any issues related to hemorrhage from when he as born.  Results just came in - his MRI is normal, showing a premature brain, which is appropriate because he is premature!!!  No signs of bleeding or any other abnormalities!!!!  This is one huge milestone for us to overcome.

Josh continues to do well in his open crib.  He has been able to hold his temperature well despite the sometimes chilly conditions in the NICU.  He was also tagged last night with a baby anti-theft device called a huggs tag.  He will wear his little anklet until he is officially discharged and comes home with us.  Mom and Dad are a little disappointed that they can no longer sneak off with Josh in the middle of the night.

Josh is doing a good job of balancing sleep with some awake times during the day.  He seems to have these times in the morning and in the afternoon/evening close to when Dad arrives from work.  Mom and Dad enjoy interacting with him during these times.  Josh is also becoming quite the snuggler.  He enjoys sitting upright with his head on your shoulder, especially after eating.  He snuggles his little head down in the croock of your neck and gives little contented sighs. 

Mom continues to room in and is very thankful to be able to stay at the hospital another night.  Dad enjoyed a slightly interrupted night's sleep with Mom last night at the hospital.  We are thankful that Dad is able to stay with Mom from time to time as they miss each other when apart.  Hopefully we will only continue this set up for a few more weeks and then Josh will be home with us.

Prayer Request;

• Josh would not have any apnea now that his caffeine has been stopped
• Josh would outgrow his desaturations and bradycardias so that we can being the count down to discharge (he can't have any desaturations, bradycardias or apnea for one week prior to going home)
• Josh would continue to do well with his feedings, taking more milk each time he eats so that he is able to take a full feeding each time he nurses
• Mom and Dad would be able to get some extra rest this weekend and Mom would be able to continue to find places to room in

Praises:

• Josh's MRI was normal for a premature baby!!
• Josh's weight is now 4lbs 9oz!!
• Josh is doing well in his open air crib
• Josh is settling into a good schedule of eating, sleeping and awake times that will be compatible with going home
• Mom is able to room in at the hospital for another night.

(Josh resting comfortably in his open crib)

(Josh in his cute penguin outfit his Aunt Anita and Uncle Nick gave him - it's Mommy's favorite!)

(Josh's huggs tag on his left leg... his antitheft device)

(Josh nice and bundled up wearing the hat Mimi gave him)

(Josh and Daddy having a great time after a burping attempt)