The return of Kangaroo time!!!

Josh had a rough night, having many episodes of desaturation (decrease oxygen in the blood) and apnea last night. This resulted in the nurses suctioning his nose many times during the night.  The suctioning causes his little nose to bleed (and hurt we assume).  It also doesn't look very good because his little nose has dried blood on it. All of this makes for a "bad" looking baby, even though he is doing ok.  To hopefully decrease his apnea/desaturations and nose suctioning, they have changed Josh to continuous gastric feedings.  So he gets 9ml of breast milk every hour in his tummy.  This is supposed to decrease the volume in his tummy and hopefully prevent his reflux.  They also added a second tummy tube (oral gastric tube) that is vented all the time to provide Josh with a way to burp and reflux if he needs to.  So far, he has only had one episode of desaturation/apnea since they made this change this morning.  Mom and Dad are hopeful these changes will decrease Josh's reflux, apnea/desaturations and pain.

In other news, Josh is doing well with his feeding (except for the reflux).  He gained 40 grams last night and now weighs 3lbs 5oz!!!  He is also 15.5 inches long now.  He is getting to be quite the big boy!!!  Josh continues to be able to hold his body temperature needing less support from his isolette.  He should need the isolette less and less with the more weight he gains.

Mom and Josh got to attempt breastfeeding again today.  Josh did very well, latching on and sucking a little bit.  Mom was very pleased with his efforts and feels he is making good progress for such a little guy.  Afterwards, Mom and Josh got to have some extended kangaroo time.  Then when Dad arrived, Mom and Dad traded off and Dad got some kangaroo time too!!  Josh was out of his isolette for about 3 hours, which is his longest time so far and he did very well.  He was able to maintain his body temperature the whole time, which is quite a feat, especially on one of the coldest days of the year.

Josh continues his quest to help his recovery any way he can.  Sometimes that means he "helps" remove his tubes.  Sometimes that means he tries to scootch out the isolette doors.  Today Josh was doing lots of stretching and mobility training.  At one point it looked like he was trying to swim out of his snuggli.  Josh continues to reposition himself after the nurses have gotten him all snug in his bed.  We aren't sure if he does it to be more comfortable or just because he can.

Prayer Request:

• Josh's new method of feeding and venting would prevent him from having any apnea or desaturations
• Josh would continue to steadily gain weight and grow big and strong.
• Josh would not develop any infections while in the NICU or get sick
  
• Josh would continue to do well with his attempts at breastfeeding and develop his suck, swallow, breath reflex soon so he can begin real feedings soon

Praises:

• Josh is up to 3lbs 5oz!
• Josh continues to be very active and helpful to the nurses
• Mom and Dad both got some good kangaroo time with Josh today
• Josh did well with his second attempt at breastfeeding today

 (Josh basking in the sun this morning)

 

 (Josh being a big boy with his pacey - gotta build those sucking muscles)

 

 (Josh growing very sleepy)

 

 (Drunk on breast milk and pacey time)

 

 (Mommy and Josh enjoying a moment together - he makes a large lump now when you hold him)

 

 (Daddy and Josh enjoying their own little moment)