Three Pounds

What a great week it has been!

Faris has gained about 80 grams and has reached the three pound mark! I was down there visiting him Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday and he looked the same. By Wednesday, I thought the nurses had switched out babies on us!! He had a double chin and a little tiny fat bit of fat rolls on his neck. Ali & I were both totally shocked! I thought he would be living in Preemie clothes for a while but we might be taking some of those back and I couldn't be happier!
He received a blood transfusion earlier in the week and it seems to really be helping. They check his blood periodically for infection, white & red cell count by pricking his heel. For an adult, that wouldn't be a problem but due to his small size and prematurity, he is not able to make blood fast enough to recover the amount they take out. His Oxygen Saturation levels were not steady and it was due to his red cell count being low. Since the transfusion, his Oxygen has remained pretty steadily at 21% which is the same amount that you and I are breathing in now. His CPAP level is still at 4 and he is breathing on his own.
His feed was up to 3.9ML per hour as of last night and I have a feeling that it will be up to 4.1ML by some time today. I am pumping at home and take the breast milk to the hospital for them to mix up and put into his feeding tube. He is also receiving a supplement that provides 24 calories per hour, after seeing him on Wednesday I can tell it is working!

Hamza is trying to read! We usually read one book at home every night and my mom has been reading him two or three each night. One night he sounded out nose and bed to her and last night he said all of the letters on her Sheriff badge!
Earlier in the week he found a picture of us and was loving on it, as we were told. He carried it around and was saying momma & dadda to it. Every time I call my grandma to check on him, she tells me that he has his rope and his mouse and the picture of you guys and is happy. (He found a piece of rope a few trips back and this ugly plastic rat and I guess those are his security while he is there during the day.) Having Hamza there is like a dream com true for my grandma. She always tells me that I am allowed to go back home but I have to leave Hamza whenever one of our stays were coming to an end.
I miss that little man but I know he is having so much fun and is being spoiled! Apparently he is too good for regular yogurt and will only eat the Yoplait Parfait's. The kid is given a smorgasbord of options for dinner; Mac & Cheese, PB & J sandwich, chicken taquitos, apple slices and juice. If that isn't love, I don't know what is. He is not going to want to come back home to mom and dad!

I can't wait to have all of my boys back home with me and I know Ali is looking forward to it just as much!

I will be spending most of the day down at Fairfax Hospital with just Faris & I... and the nurses, doctors and other babies in the room. There is a NICU support group that I am attending this afternoon during my visit. My feelings have been a little up and down about everything so talking it over with other people in the same situation will be good for me. I know it is all normal but I have been excited about this since I could drive myself around again!

Happy Friday!