40 days worth of Progress

While we know that the roller coaster might eventually reach it's summit and plunge downward once again, Oliver is currently proceeding with current life on a steady incline.  Some might even call it progress.  A few days ago, he moved from level 3 (the most severe cases in the NICU) to level 2 (a step down from there).  This included leaving the small corner of the world where Oliver spent his first month of life.  For Mom and Dad, it was a blessed and humbling move.  We know that his situation has improved, and for this we are thankful.  On the other hand, he now lives in a room with babies that are not necessarily older, but most definitely larger than he.  The whirring and beeping sounds of machines have given way to more humanistic sounds and sights.  Screaming and crying are normal, and moms around us are breastfeeding and picking their children up at will.  Oliver is the only child in this room still on CPAP, but we are hoping he eventually might assimilate to this new style of life.

Even though he remains in the 10th percentile in size for babies of his gestation, Oliver has managed to find a way to gain some weight.  Last night, for the very first time, the young man broke the 3 pound mark.  This most likely shows that less of his energy is being spent on reflux and breathing, and he is channeling more of those valuable calories into fattening up and building a bit of muscle.

Another wonderful and recent accomplishment is Oliver's new love for a pacifier.  His mother usually lets him practice for the real thing in conjunction with his oral cares.  Occasionally he forgets to breathe while he is busy suckling the milk covered plastic, but for the most part, he enjoys the experience.  It is quite clear that his mother does as well.