Day 4

Today was another good day for our little guy. There were a few changes that took place and I will try to do my best to explain them. First, when we arrived at the hospital we noticed our little boy was glowing blue and wearing a Zorro mask. Apparently his bili count was high enough that the Drs thought he should be put on phototherapy and so they put him on a bed that lights up blue against him. This is quite different from our experience with Layla who had bright lights above her when she was in her isolette receiving her phototherapy. So far he seems to be doing alright with it because when they checked his count this evening he had started coming down already. Hopefully this continues and he will be able to be off these lights soon, because we are not able to hold him (except breifly during feedings) when he is having his phototherapy. We were just starting to learn about kangaroo care and how great it is for his development (for those of you who dont know what kanga care is, it is the process of laying skin to skin with your baby); however, now we have to wait to do this and are eager to get started again.

As far his feeding goes he is up to 50mL and digesting it very well. He is having a problem nippling all of it because he gets so tired; so they generally have to gavage the rest through his feeding tube. He also has trouble understanding that he needs to breath while eating. Right now he just starts eating and chows down ... then he desats (oxygen levels get to low) and he stops and gasps for air. So we are now trying to work on that with him.

Last need he weighed in at 5lbs 3.5oz so we are eager to see if he gained at all today ... they weigh him at midnight each night.

As soon as I find my camera cord I will post some pictures. Please continue to pray that he learns the process of suck, swallow and breath in order to develop his feeding process so he may come home as soon as possible.