Tipping the Scale

Archer has gained a lot of ounces over the past couple of days. He has been weighed by the nurses several times to try to make sure that the readings were accurate. Yesterday the scale said he had reached 3 pounds 13 ounces. Today's reading was 3 pounds 15 ounces! Because of this weight gain his feedings were increased from 32 ml to 35 ml during his 30 minute feedings.
Archer is now receiving his breathing treatment only as needed, instead of a twelve hour schedule. His heart rate increased dramatically for a short time period. That could have been a sign to cut down on the treatments. He has been doing well on the 2.5 lpm cannula setting with an oxygen level around 29%.
Archer received a Kate's Kart book today: Splash!

Acrobatic

Archer was able to wean down on his cannula flow today fom 3.0 lpm to 2.5 lpm, though he required a little more oxygen (30%). He was paid another visit by the eye doctor today. Archer's eyes looked about the same as before, between levels 1 and 2 ROP. The doctor was still very pleased that the eyes did not get any worse and he was optimistic that his eyes would turn out okay.
Archer has managed to move around his incubator in recent days. He will arch his back and fuss and move around until he gets comfortable. He enjoys busting out of a good swaddle. Mom found him pressed up against the side of the incubator wall today.
Archer received another Kate's Kart book: The Berenstein Bears and a Job Well Done.

36 Weeks

Archer did not have any changes today. He's had four bradys in the past 24 hours. Some of these can be attributed to working on some poops. The nurse practitioner said that if his brady count stays the same or improves, then she will wean him off more liter flow tomorrow.
Archer has been waking up grumpy about 30 minutes before feeding times. He is demanding and wanting attention, a pacifier, food, and moved to a different position. Mom and Dad are glad that he is feisty and is showing them that he is in charge.

Fast Food

Archer's nurse last night attempted to wean down Archer's feeding times last night from 45 minutes to 40 minutes. He did well with this adjustment so the staff weaned him down some more during the day today to 30 minute feedings. This will most likely be the shortest time that he will take in his feedings. When he starts to take feedings by bottle then they may adjust any tube feeding timings based on how long it takes him to take in a bottle of feedings. Because of these feeding changes the staff did not want to make any cannula adjustments and put more stress or work on Archer.

Steady Sunday

Archer was able to wean down on his cannula liter flow today from 3.5 to 3.0 liters per minute and has been on 24% oxygen. The nurses took off his cannula to change it out and retape it. While the cannula was off he was breathing really well on his own, though it would have been too much work for him to do this continuously. His reflux issues were not as noticeable today. The doctor mentioned that growing and gaining weight can help with these issues. Archer's weight for the evening was 3 pounds 9 ounces.

Twelve Weeks Old

Archer had an easy going day that involved kangarooing with Dad and swaddling with both Mom and Dad. His oxygen level was at 26% for most of the day. The nurse had tried 22% for 90 minutes the other night but Archer did not do very well at this low level. He seemed to have some issues with reflux today. His reflux issues seem to be reappearing as his feeding times are decreasing. This also seems to correlate with low breathing levels at times.

Still Seeing

Archer had a chest x-ray this morning to check for any tummy problems and everything looked okay. He had a good day with his oxygen and cannula levels staying the same as yesterday. His feedings were increased from 30 ml to 32 ml for 45 minute time periods.
Archer's eye doctor made his weekly visit today. The doctor was pleased that Archer's vessels had not grown erratically since the last visit. His eyes appeared to be the same as before, which is a good sign. The doctor mentioned that weaning him down to room level oxygen (21%) would be best for his eyes. Unfortunately Archer can't handle this low percentage of oxygen right now, but he has been in the mid twenties.