Eli Update 4/27

Eli is growing! I called to check on him tonight and he is almost 4 pounds 3 ounces. He is eating well from the bottle. The nurses feed him by bottle at 9 AM and midnight. The past few feeding he has taken the whole bottle. Because bottle feeding uses a lot of energy, they have had to increase his oxygen to 100% while he is being fed. When he is not eating, his oxygen is at 23-25% (we breathe 21%, so he does not have that far to go to be on room air).

He has reached another milestone...he is in an open crib. He was moved out of his isolette today. He has been maintaining his body temperature so the doctors and nurse wanted to see how he would do in a open crib. Maintaining his body temperature burns a lot of calories, so there is always a possibility that he will have to go back into the isolette if he starts losing weight.

Also, today, the pediatric ophthalmologist dilated his eyes to check the retinas. Preemies are at risk for something called Retinopathy of Prematurity. Eli is still not 'full term' so it is a little early for the doctor to say anything with certainty, but he said he felt like Eli has very mild retinopathy and that it should not cause him any problems. He will have to be checked in a month and then will need to be seen again yearly.

We still have a few more hurdles to clear, but so far so good. Right now, my biggest fear is having everything ready for him to come home. I am torn, because obviously I want him to be home, but being a new mom, I also want everything to be perfect. Oh well...I guess I will get over that!

-Meagan

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