Smiles all Around!

Our trip to the NICU last night was a great one. Although Dylan was not yet moved to the NICU2, it's only because of a lack of space there.

Dylan gained a lot of weight in one day, up to 3lbs, 7 oz or 1560 g. They did double and triple check his weight, so they know the gain is accurate, but the nurses say not to be surprised if he loses a bit between yesterday and today. Sometimes there will be variables in weight depending on whether or not he's had a bowel movement, which can make a big difference in such a little guy.

He is now receiving 15cc of breastmilk with each feeding, and he is still digesting all of it each time. The way they check this is actually a bit gross, but still pretty cool. Since he has a feeding tube inserted into his stomach, they can just hook a syringe up to it and pull back, suckinh his stomach contents up to look at, and the squirt back in. After his very first feeding last week, you could still see some breastmilk in the fluids. Now, there never is anything left before they feed him. He's eating well!

Speaking of his feeding tube, they moved it to his nose. The nurse said that it will help him with his pacifier and sucking reflex in general if the tube isn't in his mouth. Better yet though, is the fact that this means his chin and lower lip isn't covered with tape. We can now see Dylan's entire face!

And what a beautiful face it is. Several times tonight, we got to see him smile. Now, I know that the "experts" say that babies don't truly smile until somewhere around the 2nd or 3rd month, and even then, they are merely mimicking their parents, but so what? I looked at my son and could clearly see a smile on his face.

And that's all that matters.