Wednesday January 5th - 14 weeks

Wednesday marks 14 weeks in the NICU. Today they checked Jackson's hearing, and he passed. His eye doctor also came by and said Jackson's problem is regressing, and his eyes are making positive progress. He will get another check in 2 weeks. He is starting to get better at the bottle, bottle, gavage schedule. The nurses think he is stable enough to move to another part of the NICU where the bigger, older babies go before they go home. Mommy and Daddy are a little nervous about the move, but are trying to see that its a positive thing. The doctors are using the phrase "when he goes home" or "when he is home" alot more, which is promising. We have a meeting on Friday with a potential pediatrician and if all goes well, that will be another step towards Jackson being able to come home.

sleepy little Jackson. He had a long day of feedings and eye exams

Tuesday, January 4th

So, due to the new feeding schedule we are giving Jackson lots of bottles and spending lots of time at the NICU.  In light of this, we took tonight off from the NICU since he was tube fed tonight.  We love our son, and would love to spend every second of every day with him, but having to go to the NICU makes it so much more difficult and stressful.  We haven't provided a weight measurement in a while so here is yesterday's number - 5lbs, 7 oz.  I think in the next week or two it will be alot of the same; until he is ready to head home.

I fell asleep in mommy's arms, and she couldn't resist a picture.

Monday, January 3rd

Jackson is still just doing well overall.  They think he is tolerating the bottle feedings well enough so they are going to change his feeding schedule.  Instead of getting a bottle every other feeding, he will now be getting a bottle, bottle, gavage.  This means he is almost doubling the amount of bottles he is getting.  The only other thing the doctors mentioned is that both of his testicles are fully descended and appear to be in perfect condition.  I'm not sure that was ever a concern for us, but it must have been for the doctors for them to specifically mention it in such detail.  So I guess we should be really happy about that.

 really, another picture mommy?

Sunday, January 2nd 2011

So today Jackson was officially taken off the respiratory list.  He has been without oxygen support for over 36 hours.  He should be changed to a bottle bottle gavage feed where he will be getting more bottles than tube feeding.  Apparently the nurses have been holding him alot during their down times.  They have given him some more pictures to look at when he's in the crib, and he is also just loving the swing.  Our little tiny boy is growing up.

Unswaddle me so I can teach this guy a lesson.

I wasn't going to hit him mom, I swear.

Double Dose- Pen Comparison from 1lb 5oz to 5lbs 5oz

at Birth 1lb 5oz September 29th

November 5th - 2lbs

November 28th - 3lbs 2 oz

December 14th - 4lbs 3oz

January 1st - 5lbs 5oz

Saturday January 1st

This morning when Jackson's doctor was visiting him she realized he was struggling with his nasal cannula. He was so uncomfortable and kept moving it from his nose. So we are trying once again to see if he can handle being off the cannula. Cross your fingers!! Also, he was really enjoying his swing. He was observing everyone who was passing by. His feedings continue to go well. Greg is a baby whisperer. Jackson is a totally different baby when being fed by Greg. Even his nurse commented on it. Jackson is at ease with his Dad. We think its because Greg is so laid back and Jackson is picking up on that. Julia is excited because now Greg has no excuse not to help out!! Jackson also got a bath today, which he loved. He likes being under the warmer and naked. He was stretching out and kept putting his arms behind his head, it looked like he was saying "Ahhhh, this is the life". After his bath, we took his pen picture, which you can see below. It is truly amazing how far he has come!

listening to his nurse talking to Mom

Hey Mom! Look Im clean!

Buddha belly!

Stretching out--Im so big now!

All dressed and ready to play

Swing time!

Friday December 31st

Jackson is doing great. He took a bottle from Mommy and Daddy. He seems to be doing ok on the every other schedule. His big change for the day is that they gave him a swing to hang out in. So far he loves it. He was waking up alot and not sleeping well. They put him in the swing during the afternoon and the nurse said he slept really well. Mommy and Daddy went to a NYE party with some friends, but as midnight approached they went to the NICU to start their new year with their little miracle. Happy New Year!!! May 2011 bring us all love, happiness and prosperity!

Jackson rocking out to his iPod.

Jackson swinging into the New Year

Love this pic! Look at Jackson checking out his Dad. He loves his Daddy