That's our big boy with his first bottle . . . I think he liked it as all the nurses were completely shocked that he drank his entire feeding on the first try . . . Yay Peter! Peter's weight is up to 5 lbs, 2 oz and he is 18" long.We had some exciting conversations with Dr Mohsini today . . . she is making some changes to Peter's care. She weaned him back to 2 liters of flow and authorized his first bottle feeding. We decided to go the bottle route rather than the breastfeeding route as learning to breastfeed takes longer and we don't want that to be the reason Peter stays in the NICU longer (we're not giving up though!) In addition, Dr Mohsini broached the subjects of the car seat test, the hepatitis B vaccination and circumcision. These conversations are all something the nurses told us to watch for as we move closer to Peter going home . . . we know he has a couple more weeks in the NICU, but we are finally feeling like there might be an end in sight . . .
Speaking of sight . . . Peter has his second eye exam (there is a concern with preemies that they may have eye problems . . .these problems can be exacerbated by increased needs for oxygen support). Peter's eye are immature, but appear normal other than that. This is exactly the diagnosis we want . . . obviously his eyes are immature, he is really only 35 weeks corrected age (corrected age means how old Peter is based on his conception - we'll use the corrected age until he is almost two years old - he may catch up before then, but his pediatrician won't expect him to meet his milestones based on his actual age, but his gestational age). Peter hasn't received much additional oxygen support. He does tend to fluctuate between 21% (room air, so no additional oxygen support) and 23% minuscule oxygen support (sometimes he has oxygen desaturations that require a little additional support . . . this is really the only assistance Peter needs to give up before he can move to a crib (and out the door!) There may be a total of one hour each day where the nurses bump up Peter's oxygen. We can't wait for his need for oxygen to disappear as once the nasal cannula is gone, Peter gets to wear clothes everyday . . . we love our little naked baby, but he looks so handsome all dressed up.
Grandpa Flesher got to have some snuggle time with Peter . . . it was tough for Grandma to share, but she finally relented right before they headed back to Illinois
Speaking of sight . . . Peter has his second eye exam (there is a concern with preemies that they may have eye problems . . .these problems can be exacerbated by increased needs for oxygen support). Peter's eye are immature, but appear normal other than that. This is exactly the diagnosis we want . . . obviously his eyes are immature, he is really only 35 weeks corrected age (corrected age means how old Peter is based on his conception - we'll use the corrected age until he is almost two years old - he may catch up before then, but his pediatrician won't expect him to meet his milestones based on his actual age, but his gestational age). Peter hasn't received much additional oxygen support. He does tend to fluctuate between 21% (room air, so no additional oxygen support) and 23% minuscule oxygen support (sometimes he has oxygen desaturations that require a little additional support . . . this is really the only assistance Peter needs to give up before he can move to a crib (and out the door!) There may be a total of one hour each day where the nurses bump up Peter's oxygen. We can't wait for his need for oxygen to disappear as once the nasal cannula is gone, Peter gets to wear clothes everyday . . . we love our little naked baby, but he looks so handsome all dressed up.
Grandpa Flesher got to have some snuggle time with Peter . . . it was tough for Grandma to share, but she finally relented right before they headed back to Illinois
