March 12, 2009

Demetri finally surpassed his birth weight! He gained 30 grams (that's 1 oz) and now weighs in at 2 lbs 4 oz. He had a good day today. He continues to take about 3-4 full bottles. He had some upper airway congestion that kept him from finishing a couple of bottles. Thanks to some good suctioning from his nurse practitioner Addie, he is much clearer now.

He had some lab work done this morning to check his electrolytes now that he is on the NaCl supplements. Everything was in the normal range. They also checked "bone labs" to make sure he is growing bone, not using it up, and they also looked good.

Here is Demetri sleeping with his Snoedel (pronounced "snoodle") doll. Moms put them in their shirts to capture their scent, and then their baby can smell them while they are gone. He has had it since his second day in the NICU. The nurses often snuggle it in with the baby, or drape it over them as they sleep so they are not alone.