Those Itty Bitty Kidneys

James is doing quite well today! I'm so proud of him.

Now that he's tolerating his feeds so well, and so close to full-feeds, he was able to get his central line removed. (the big IV-like thing that went in his arm with a tiny catheter that ran down the vein close to his heart. he was getting fluids and nutrition through this) What a relief to have that out! I'm sure he feels great having it out - he was giving huge grins in his sleep this evening :)

D you see what I see? ...No more cords & pumps of fluids!
Just one little pump for tube feedings.

A new concern has creeped up. Jimmy's kidneys seem like they might not be working very well. His Creatine levels have been slightly elevated, which is sometimes normal. But his aren't going back down into the "normal" range for premies. He's at 1.2, where up to 1.0 is normal. All his other kidney functions appear to be fine- electrolytes and P- something. Potassium? (I can't seem to remember even the simplest medical terms tonight. Forgive my tired brain!) So we're not overly concerned at this point, but he will be having an ultrasound on his kidneys tomorrow or Monday to check for any structural abnormalities. Praying all is perfectly formed and this is but a minor glitch that will resolve itself in time.

Nearly every evening Daddy goes to tuck Jimmy in & pray over him.

His Brady's, where the heart slows for a few seconds, have decreased and shortened, and are very normal at this point. He has started to gain weight! Lovin' that Mama's Milk :) He dropped down to 905 grams from his birth weight of 1005g. Now he's all the way up to 965g! Way to go Buddy!

Night-night precious, happy baby