Congratulations on your new baby boy! It sounds like he will be just fine. 3 lbs. is a good weight for a preemie. :)

Baby Carson is doing great! He's been moved from the ICU at Hershey Medical Center to the local hospital in my town-- he's in a regular nursery! He's gaining nicely, he almost weighs 4 lbs now! He's still on the feeding tube as needed BUT today was a BIG BIG Day for us... he took 4 entire feedings by mouth! Gaining weight and taking all feedings by mouth are the last two things he needs to get accomplished before he comes home. We're looking at 1-2 weeks yet but that's ok... he's doing so great. Jeremy and I spend most of our day at the hospital by his bedside. We get to interact with him, and I am breast feeding him so its so nice. We don't have any pictures yet, I am hesitant about pictures because he has a feeding tube in his nose with tape across his face. I don't want him to know what he went through, I am still having a hang up about him coming so early because of my condition... I'm working on that one though-- I know it couldn't be helped but as a mommy, you just love your kids so much that you hate the thought of anything you did potentially harming them you know?

Carson will also be involved in a study! He is being used as against other babies born at his age (33 weeks) that have Respiratory problems and other issues-- since he had an uncomplicated course, meaning no respirator, oxygen etc, they will take mouth swabs from me and Jeremy to see if we have a gene that other parents don't have or if the administration of the steroids I got before giving birth played a big part in how well he did.

We are so pleased with his care thus far. His doctor is excellent! I just cannot wait to get him home. We may take some pictures tomorrw.. If we do, I'll be sure to post them. Thanks all of you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers. I know they helped! I couldn't have asked for him to do better at this point. We're still not out of the woods totally yet, but he's definitely on the right track.

We're really sleepy and have so much to do but it's totally worth it. I have the most precious angel in the world! :)

Gretchen/Jeremy I'm SOOOOOOOOOOO happy that is just wonderful!! Thanks for the update!!

Carson congrats on the GAIN!!! :)

I am so happy to hear Carson is doing so well and that he's going to come home soon. :cp:
:bravo:Good work on breastfeeding him! It's no wonder he is gaining, how could he help it with all that awesome mommy milk! :D

Yay for breastfeeding! I believe that's what's really helping him! :)

Thanks for the update, Ms. Mommy! I can't wait to hear about how baby Carson is doing when he gets home and see pictures. You must feel so relieved.

Yay, I'm glad to hear that he's doing so well! Thanks for the update. I'm looking forward to his home coming announcement :)

Gretchen I'm so glad to hear things are going well. He'll be home before you know it.

Thank you so much for taking the time to give us an update!! I know you must just be worn out! Sooooo glad to hear is is gaining weight and feeding on his own.

(((HUGS)))

Thanks for the update Gretchen - he really is an amazing baby to be doing so well compared to other babies at 33 weeks. You've got a real fighter there! It's great that are allowing the doctors to study him so it maybe able to help other prem babies in the future.

All the best

Love Amanda x

L

Thanks for the update Gretchen. The fact that you took time out of your "sleep allowance" to update is so appreciated. You must be exhausted. Glad Carson is doing so well...who wouldn't with such a wonderful Mommy and Daddy. Good luck with those feedings - he sounds like a true boob man who will be latched on from sun up to sun down in no time at all. Good job you have that room ready, he will be in it before you know it. My best to you all...

Congratulations from me too Gretchen, Jeremy and Carson!!!

I'm so thrilled to hear all is going so well!

:grouphug:
Linda

Good to hear Carson is doing well!! :)

-Aimee

Thanks for the update, Gretchen. It sounds like Baby Carson is doing great, and hopefully he'll be home with you soon. Can't wait for those first photos!

hey gretchen! i'm glad to hear baby carson is doing better. take some pics girl! dillon loves looking at the pics from his surgeries and asking questions about his scars, his hospital stays and the doctors etc.