Making Headway

Jimmie had a bath today. Rachael said he just absolutely LOVED it. He settled right in and was so relaxed.

Jimmie's Doctor has decided she will let him outgrow his caffeine. They will not up his dose as he gets bigger and that is how they will wean him. Also she said something today that I thought was totally exciting and amazing. She said in a couple of weeks she was going to try to start weaning him from oxygen. Room air is 21% and he's right around 23% a lot of the time in the oxygen hood. Wow! Go Jimmie go! (-: Also they may start the beginning stages of trying to teach Jimmie how to "nipple" his feeds next week. That's the NICU term for learning to breast feed and drink from a bottle. Rachael will definitely be trying for breast feeding.

Rachael asked for prayers for Jimmie's crit (hematocrit)levels. They'll check his levels again on Monday. He's starting to have some "periodic breathing" which is what he was doing before he needed his last transfusion. And she thinks he is looking a little pale again. It is very common for micro-preemies like Jimmie to have numerous blood transfusions, but we are really hoping his body can make a lot of good red blood cells. So lets pray "crit prayers" along with our "fat prayers".

His heart rate has been much better. Still a little higher at times, but nothing the Doctor is worried about.

Thank you for continuing to fight with us. Your prayers are powerful!

Love,
Amber

P.S. I forgot to add they are adding more calories to Rachael's breast milk to try to help Jimmie gain better. They would like to see him gain like 20 grams a day and today-for instance- he only gained 7. And yesterday he lost . . . Come on Jimmie-- you gotta chunk it up little man!