Day Five Update

Baby Boy Newman had a stable night and seems to be starting the day off on the right foot. He had his best blood gas result yet, pleasantly surprising his doctor. They were able to get his oxygen level down to 50%, and although they've had to bring it back up a few times, this is a good sign as it's the lowest he's needed since his birth. They also were able to lessen the pressure on the ventilator.

At 11am Kerry got to hold the feeding tube as the nurse gave Baby Boy Newman his first drops of breast milk by mouth. He seemed to tolerate it well. At 2pm they'll check to see how much he digested (they can actually use the tube to see what's left in his stomach from the 11am feed.) If he tolerated it well they will give him more milk. If not, they will hold off.

His echocardiogram came back normal which is also good news.

He has been resting comfortably for the most part without any pain medicine. We hope that this is the beginning of his road to improvement.

Kerry got final confirmation from the doctor that her liver levels have returned to normal and she will be coming home today. She is very excited to come home and spend time with big brother Ilan who she misses.

Ilan has done wonderfuly this whole week. He has had a great time with nana, abba and seema and does not seem to be bothered at all that mommy was not around. He has come to visit mommy in the hospital almot every day and quickly found the pantry with the jello, cookies and milk. Ilan provides a daily reminder of how well NICU babies do and we have every reason to believe that Baby Boy Newman #2 will follow in his older brother's footsteps and become a healthy, active and very entertaining little boy.