You're Getting Veeerrry Sleepy...

Gus spent the day sedated and recovering. He was put on phenobarbital to help him sleep, relax and let the ventilator work for him. As a result his morphine dose was reduced. He also received some medication to help his fluid levels stabilize after coming off of indomethicin which was hard on his kidneys. Still no feedings to the stomach yet - once all other vital signs are stable they will start.

We spent some good time with Gus at the NICU today. He was very calm when we cuddled him but wasn't too happy when the nurse came to draw his blood...

Here is a picture through the isolette porthole - you can see the IV line in his left hand with a little "board" to stabilize him and protect it from being pulled out. If you look to the left in the picture you will see Gus holding Jill's finger. His nurse, Penny, combed Gus' hair today. It isn't as wavy as when he first came out but it still looks dark to me.

This is Gus' new pulse ventilator that he was put on a few days after surgery. This one gives 420 puffs of air per minute. The difference between the pulse and oscillating ventilator is that the pulse ventilator only pushes air in where the oscillator both pushes and pulls air out. Gus has to exhale on his own with the pulse ventilator.

Yet another close-up of Gus' features. His little fingers are perfect and he enjoys holding our fingers when he is resting. He most enjoys it when we cup his head in one hand and hold his feet in his snuggly with our other hand. His vital signs are almost always stable when we are doing this, especially when we speak quietly to him. It is an amazing thing that he already knows our touch and voices. If anyone every doubted the power of a parent to influence and bless a child, this is proof of how important it is.

Gus' blood pressure was good today, his morning x-rays looked great and he continued to wean off of supplemental oxygen - all positive signs that he is progressing. He weighed 2 lb 2.25 oz today.

Jill and I are trying to conserve our strength for the important things. With hospital visits, recovery for Jill and school for me, it is somewhat hectic. My mother is here for the week and friends are great with rides for Jill too - both are a tremendous help. The "global village" of friends and even some strangers has been a great source of encouragement to us as well. From all accounts Gus is being added to the prayers of many people daily. I started tracking "hits" to the blogsite and he has received over 5,000 visits in the last week. Thank you all for the comments, cards, notes and emails!

Many Blessings,
Gregg, Jill and Gus