1.18.16
12 weeks (36 weeks gestational) Update
weight: 2,500 (5 lb 8 oz)| height: 18.5 inches
Happy 12 Weeks to you Jack! Thanks for making this the opposite of last week’s excitement. You must’ve read the blog entry and thought – ‘OK, I’ll kick it into cruise control for a moment because these two could use some peaceful visits.’
Health Updates:
Eyes– A week post laser treatment the doctor is pleased with how they are healing and will continue to monitor weekly to make sure nothing changes as he is still on Oxygen.
Respiratory– Back up rate has been taken away (shh- don’t tell Jack) and he’s been handling the change quite well. No back up rate means the pressure bursts of air he was getting is no longer there, so he has to work to take the breaths on his own. Now he just has a stream of Oxygen that sits at the same place it has for awhile so we need to move that needle for next steps.
Growth– We have a 5 and a half pound baby! He’s heavy to hold now when we skin to skin and there is a perfect double chin forming. Bring on the rolls! He’s getting a bit too long for the preemie feetie onesies and we have stepped into newborn clothes territory. We have an almost newborn sized baby. We thought this day would never come.
Jack sucks– Around this time babies start to learn to suck and swallow inside the womb. Turns out, they learn outside as well! Since Jack is still only feeding through the tube in his nose down to his belly and only has fed this way since day one we have started to introduce him to a pacifier while he gets his feeds (every 3 hours). This helps his brain put the connection to sucking during the feeding and eventually when he’s off the vent, we can start bottle feeding him. This will help him begin to learn suck, swallow, breathe and eat all while having no episodes (yikes- next level challenges for sure!).
Everybody Poops– Jack is getting quite the reputation in Nursery A as the baby that explodes all over the isolette once a week. Not kidding. Multiple nurses (again- walking angels that all deserve raises, vacations, whatever their little hearts desire) have had to clean up cracks and crevices inside the back wall of his isolette after they open his diaper and he. just. explodes. Today was the last straw– he weighs 2,500 grams which qualifies him for a big boy open air crib so as you can see below- that’s his new home. As long as he can regulate his temp, he gets to stay! Thank you nurse Dawn for the “enough is enough, get this boy a crib” move and thank you for always putting up with our stinky boy.
Home Updates:
Project Nursery– Still Mommy’s shoe closet (maybe that can be your room theme Jack!) . Our January project is probably going to kick start in February. Once a college procrastinator, always a college procrastinator.
Here’s to 12 weeks Jack! Here’s to 85 days on this journey Mommy and Daddy! And here’s to pooping!
Music Therapy Day is our Favorite!
the mighty jack thomas 
Love to read blog and look forward to Tuesday to get it!!! Looking great Jack!!!! You are a cutie pie!!!!!!!!! I love you and so does EVERYONE! Can’t wait to visit you tomorrow with Great Grandma Jane!! Love Gina;)
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Just goes to show you what love and faith can do. You have surpassed our expectations! Full speed ahead! Love you Jack, Shae, Bruce and the NICU nurses!!!!!
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Love the pictures & videos of Jack!!! So happy to hear about his peaceful week & all his progress!! I read this & I thank God & of course Jacks Angels…Papa Leo & Papa Tom! TY TY TY!!! So loved!!!
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Looks like he’s got the sucking down pat. He is beautiful!!!
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