2 pounds - Saturday, April 17, 2010

We finally got there.  Now Baby GL is a big boy.  2lbs, 12 inches, and 6 weeks.  I started to wonder if he'd make it to 2lbs this week.  His weight didn't progress like it did last week and he's had some issues with edema.  Still he continued to gain weight.  His feedings as of this morning are up to 12cc's every 2 hours.  The milk is being fortified to give a few extra calories and vitamins like iron.  I believe he is still receiving steroids to burst his lungs also.  We are hoping to get to a CPAP soon.  He just doesn't show enough stability in his breathing yet to move off the breathing tube.

I finally got my kangaroo session today because we changed his isolette.  I cherish these moments.  I don't get to hold him as much.  Baby GL is getting older and angry with his breathing tube.  Unfortunately, when he gets excited he sets all his alarms off which makes it harder to move him off the tube.  

Early this morning Baby GL had his first eye exam.  The doctor is looking to make sure the blood vessels through the eyes are developing.  Being such a small baby he is at more risk of eye disease.  As he gets bigger he will continue to watch the eyes.  At this point things are okay.  I don't know what normal is but he can blink and shows eye function from the outside.  There are 4 stages that the eye doctor looks at where the babies can be and Baby GL is still at stage one.  There are some issues that could develop that would cause him to have laser surgery on his eyes.  However, as babies grow sometimes the problems resolve themselves.

Speaking of surgery, there is a chance that Baby GL may need hernia surgery.  I am being told that it's normal for babies to need hernia surgery.  It still worries us to think about surgery.  Unfortunately, the hernia has made it harder to have regular bowel movements so we aren't seeing as many full diapers as we were.  
 
Later today we are giving Baby GL another bath.  He's held his temperature well so after his bath we will play dress up.  Without a temperature probe regulating his temp we are able to finally dress him.  I have a great little preemie gown for him that is probably too big.  However, with his growth I believe he'll fill it out fast.  Now that we've made it to 2lbs I can see 3 and 4lbs coming up fast.  He is quickly showing us his accomplishments.