17 feb

So I was teased this morning with the promise of holding Jensen today in his nest while they change his crib, only to be told they weren't going to change his crib now as that is 'old practice' and he'll stay in his current one as long as he can. So maybe I can have a kangaroo cuddle on the weekend instead.

A kangaroo cuddle is where the baby lays on your bare chest. You wear a hospital gown and no bra so it's a skin-to-skin cuddle which helps with the bonding process. All of Jensen's tubes and attachments will be placed strategically on the chair and sometimes taped in place. These cuddles can be between one and three hours long.

Today they are turning down his respiratory assistance in order to prompt Jensen to breathe more on his own. The aim is to get him onto a CPAP machine shortly, and for this to happen his lungs need to do more work on their own. If Jensen doesn't respond to the lower ventilation he may need some steroids to help him along.

Once he is on CPAP, he will be able to make noise. He will no longer have just a crying face when he's upset, but the noise to match. He sneezed a couple of times last week, little cutie, with no sound. Reminds me of that scene out of Lightning Jack where he gets shot in the foot.

Jensen has started back on his milk today, with 1ml two hourly. And his tummy is less swollen. So far, he has tolerated all but one feed, so hopefully he'll get back into the swing of things in that department. Another little weight gain overnight...now weighing in at 877g. Not too far away from a kilogram now! (2.2lbs).

The burns doctor paid us another visit today to check on Jensen's leg. Now he's just having some sorbolene cream put on it with a little dressing on top. It has healed well, but the skin is still so fragile.

Jensen's little neighbour Valentina hasn't been very well the last couple of days, and tonight is being transported to Westmead hospital for some surgery I believe. We are all sending out positive energy and thoughts for her, alongside Jensen, and all the other little preemies.

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