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!
Good work on breastfeeding him! It's no wonder he is gaining, how could he help it with all that awesome mommy milk! 
