July 18 Update

Jenni and I came home exhausted last night so we put the blog on hold for a day. But I still have some energy left so let me tell you about Carrick. He hit 5 lbs Wednesday night, but then dropped back down to 4 lbs 15 oz Thursday. Tonight he is back up to 5 lbs, but that may drop also because he hasn't had a bowel movement today. They still have to give him a sepository. He is still managing on the regular nasal cannula, 1 liter; but his oxygen requirement increased a bit. He ranges from 30-40%. He is still being fed every 3 hours--36cc over 90 minutes--and his residual levels are within the parameters set for him. Carrick is doing well. So well that today they tried him on his first bottle! He got 15cc out of it! Wow! The way bottle feeding progresses is like so: they attempt 1 bottle a day until he can handle that, then they try 2 bottles a day until he manages that amount, then a bottle every other feed until he gets that down, and then total bottle feedings. Carrick is finally beginning the steps to come home. It's so great. The past couple nights I've had to sway side to side with him in my arms for him to calm down and fall asleep; I feel like a real parent in a normal family during those times. He actually fits his preemie clothes, too. Soon we're going to have to put him in newborn clothes. And oh how we're ready to leave the hospital. Today we had a new day nurse who asked if we were comfortable changing his diaper. And then she was shocked that I could change out his crib bedding. We even had to tell her we could hold his pacifier in his mouth. But our little guy is on his way, and maybe in another month that way will bring him home. More to come.