Sleepy Boy

Gus was sleepy today when we visited at the NICU. He was under the biliruben lights again and wearing his "sunglasses" as you will see in the picture below. I was able to hold him for a few seconds, just lifting him up in my hands as the nurse changed out the blankets under him. Jill and I have each been wearing one of his little blankets under our shirts so it gets our smell on it and we can place it in the isolette with him. They say this will help him identify our smells with comfort.

Here is Gus, still with the standard ventilator and shades on. His mouth moves a lot and has begun to stick out his tongue. We tried to help him suck on the pacifier again, but he was content without it today.

Jill held his hand for a long time - it made both of them feel good.

Gus was moving around a lot today - the nurses tell us it is because his nervous system is so immature. Little flinches and stretches are normal, probably similar to how he moved around inside Jill.

Here is a close-up of Gus' little heart monitor with puppies on it...

Gus received the first dose of three doses in his second round of endomethicin to close the backflow valve in his heart. The clinical term for what he has is called Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA). The "Patent" means it is still open but it needs to be closed. All babies are born with this duct open because Mom had been taking care of the blood flow and cleaning. The reflex that causes it to close in full-term babies is under-developed in preemies and often needs a little help. Also, the endomethicin is sort of hard on the kidneys and they only administer it so long before they decide to do surgery. Please keep praying that it closes with this treatment so we can avoid the surgery that would close it with a clip. Gus gained an ounce today - back up to 1 lb 7.75 oz after his predicted post-birth weight loss. YEAH GUS!

Today was sort of a hard day for Jill too. The emotions of the week, exhaustion and the reality of Gus' long journey began to settle in. Her spirits are good but the difficulties are still real.

Thanks for all your great comments - they are very encouraging to us!
Gregg, Jill and Gus