08/15/07

Sorry I didn't update yesterday, I'm exhausted.

Matthew is still doing well. When we went for our "dinner" visit last night, we couldn't find him. He had been moved to a different part of the NICU called "continuing care" so he is with the babies who are less sick and not in need of respiratory care.

Matthew has 3 goals right now. 1 is to gain weight. While he was born big for a preemie, he is still facing the same obstacles. He has to maintain a steady weight gain. Right now he is at 4 pounds, 15.9 ounces. His goal, is 2/3 an ounce per day. Which would mean that right now he should be at least 5 pounds 3 ounces. He has fortifier added to his breast milk during galvage feedings, but he won't have that when he comes home so he needs to get nice and chubby.

His second goal is to maintain his body temperature. Right now, Matthew has to wear long jammies, be swaddled in a blanket, have a fleece blanket over that and a hat on. Even still his body temp is always under 97.5. Hopefully, the weight gain will help him to maintain his body temperature.

Matthew's last goal is to take all feeds by mouth. He has no desire for a bottle and his sucking reflex is still to weak for the breast. So, we try everyday and hopefully he'll catch on soon.

We still don't have a release date, but we hope it's sooner than later :)