Some Updates

Well this week had it's ups and downs... tis the story of our life! We saw the pulmonologist on Monday. She was very optimistic. She said we could start taking Josh off the oxygen about an hour a day and see how he tolerates it. She thinks that maybe in 3 months or so we will be good enough to be off of it for good... that was great news. But this is dependent on how he tolerates stuff and if he is gaining weight, which we are still having major issues with. His bloodwork was good. His levels for his jaundice are going down nicely. They aren't normal yet, but on their way. We got a referral from his pulmonologist for a GI doctor (gastrointestinal) to monitor his reflux and his liver issues. I have to call them on Monday and set up an appointment for this. Lots of doctors!

So he got weighed again on Thursday and hadn't gained an ounce. We called the nutritionist at Yale for some suggestions. We can fortify his breastmilk with more formula for 30 calories and/or add some oil to his feeds, starting very slowly. The nutritionist suggested trying the oil first. I checked out all of the oils and caloriewise they are all the same. 120 cals/TBSP. This averages out to 8 calories/mL. I decided to use grapeseed oil since I had an unopened bottle here and can use it just for Josh. The literature says its more easily digestable. We'll see! The goal is to perhaps get to 6 mL of oil a day which would be 48 extra calories per day. We are starting with .5 mL twice a day to make sure his system can take it. He seems to be doing okay with it. Tomorrow I will try 1 ml twice a day for a few days and keep increasing as he is tolerating it.

Other than that, things are well. He has his moments of baby crankiness but for the most part, he is a good baby, only cries when he is hungry/wet/tired. Lately he has been fighting sleep, I guess like all babies there is too much going on and he wants to be a part of it. It could be some overstimulation...

We have an appointment on Monday Aug 6 for Birth to 3 to evaluate him. We have been waiting for this appointment. Chances are we will have some developmental delays just due to the prematurity. I'll keep you all posted on that as well.

Well that is about it. Hope everyone is doing well! we are definitely enjoying his time at home. I have even gotten used to the lack of sleep!

1 Month Home

I can't believe that it's been a month already! Things are good. We went to the Ear, Nose and Throat doctor, and he said that he doesn't think there is a problem with his ears. We will do the hearing test again in a few months.

His eyes are coming along. The areas of concern seem to be resolving. We have another appointment this week and we'll see what she says.

Josh is still having issues with weight gain. We switched formula's (we are still adding to the breastmilk to amp up the calories). He seems to be tolerating the Similac better than the Enfamil so we'll see how it goes. I still think he is having some issues with reflux dispite the meds. Our visiting nurse suggested we get into see a Pedi GI doctor and I will get a recommendation from our Pulmnologist on Monday. It can't hurt. We really need to get some weight on this boy. Once that is finally resolved it will be smooth sailing I think. He has really come a long way!

Thanks to you all for your prayers and support. They mean more than you will ever know!!

More pictures

Here are some pictures that I took. Grammy H bought the bear outfit. I am sure he will hate me later for dressing him up in it!!