April 6, 2009

Today was a GREAT day and a busy day for Demetri (and us). First of all his weight gain was only 7 grams, but he broke 1500 grams (he is 1501 grams). He took part of all of his bottles through the night last night and finished 2 through the day. While daddy was feeding him (his first chance in 6 days) we tried a normal sized nipple and Demetri seemed to do well with it. There is one correction that we need to make. Last week we had said that he was measuring 18 inches, but we found out today that he is actually 15 7/8 inches long. He head circumference has increased to 12 inches.

Daddy learned how to put Demetri's NG feeding tube in today and how to check to make sure that it is in the right place. We also were able to get a picture of Demetri without anything on his face in between tubes.

He got his hepatitis B vaccine today as well as an ultrasound of his kidneys and an MRI of his head. The MRI did not happen until after 3 pm so we won't know anything about it until tomorrow. The ultrasound came back normal, meaning that the slight hydronephrosis has resolved.

Demetri now has a shiny new car seat ready for him to test drive. If he passes he will get to come home in it, but if he does not we will have to get him the car bed to come home in.

As we were leaving the hospital tonight, in order to go buy him a car seat and other necessities, we talked to his nurse practitioner Karen. After first scaring us to death by saying that the doctor would speak to us about the results of the chromosome test (with a very solemn face), she told us that the results are normal!!! What a relief, but we do understand that there is still a chance of there being abnormalities.

In light of this wonderful news we want to again thank all of you for your continued thoughts and prayers through this challenging time.