1234...........grams!

Jensen weighed in at 1234 grams this morning.....much more than we were hoping for, the little champ. Maybe he'll be 1300 by the weekend...

Strike a pose

Due to his weight gain, his milk has increased to 16 mls two hourly which he is enjoying and should have a hand in some more rapid weight gain.

Little fella had a blood transfusion today as his haemoglobin levels had gotten low again. This is very common with preemies as they have blood taken so often, and they can't produce new cells as quick as everyone else. He's looking very pink this evening and as though he's been out in the sun a little too long.

He's also had his first eye check today with the eye specialist. He is having a follow up next week to determine the maturity of his eyes. Because he is so premature his eyes are immature and at risk of developing a displaced retina. This is where the blood vessels behind the eye don't stop growing due to being in oxygen, as well as being underdeveloped, and can grow over the retina and cause blindness. The doctor will usually examine him every 2 weeks to keep an eye on the blood vessels' growth and in the case of them looking like growing over the retina, laser eye surgery is required. This is also done within the NICU, so if it is something Jensen needs, he won't have to be transported to another hospital. Of course we are hoping this is not the case with our little super star. Apparently this is what happened to Stevie Wonder. He was born premature and had a lot of oxygen pumped into his incubator which caused his retinas to detach. Of course over the last 65 years since his birth the amount of research, medical developments and knowledge available has led to vast improvements in oxygen monitoring and created awareness of the need to keep an eye on the eyes.

Mummy had more cuddles today, in my gown bra less, which is much more comfortable for the both of us. The structure of my maternity bras don't allow them to sit flush on the chest, so besides catching remnants of my lunch, they also stick up, and Jensen ends up hovering above my chest. Now he just settles in in-between my boobs and zonks out for 3 hours. The nurses even commenced his blood transfusion while he was having cuddles today as he loves them so much, and is so settled.

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