CHUNKY MONKEY

3 lbs 9 ounces today!!!! Can you believe it? The doctor mentioned that he will most likely lose weight for tomorrow. Sometimes babies hang on to water weight and if they haven't pee'd in a while, they tend to weigh more. So, now that he is peeing and pooping again (not that he stopped, he just took a break right at weigh-in time), he will probably weigh a little less tomorrow. Either way though, that's a big jump in weight! Not much else new. He is doing great on feedings, no spells, and wearing some new clothes today.

The doctor did mention that typically babies at his age have had a blood transfusion by now because they don't produce red blood cells yet.  He hasn't had one but his levels are pretty low. They are low because babies (premature and full-term) always dip after they are born and they have also been taking so much blood from him for labs and tests. Plus, as he gets bigger and gains weight (apparently he is good at that :)  ), his blood oxygen levels will become even more saturated because he is not producing new blood cells yet. So, the doctor was going to watch him today because a sign that the level is too low is to have more spells. Then at some point, he will probably need a transfusion. Just an ounce of blood. I wasn't really excited about that idea but I guess it is very common and just about every premature baby gets one. He said that in all the years he has been there he has never encountered a problem with the transfusions and it doesn't affect the baby at all. He will actually do better because his oxygen saturation levels will be much better and then he will need that much less help breathing. Whatever is best for Justin is what we will do. It probably won't be until tomorrow or the next day, he will let me know before hand. 

Justin was wide awake today while I was at the hospital and Jason and I will go back later. He had training today from 10am-2pm so we will head down this afternoon/evening. It is his turn to hold Justin today and I will read books. Finally, back to our old routine! Oh yeah, Justin is 3 weeks old today!!!