Happy Father's Day...

As of this morning, day 83, Thomas is weighing in at 4 1/2 pounds. His doctors and nurses continue to be pleased with Thomas's progress and are working to decrease the support he is on. Fortunately, so far Thomas seems to be pleased with the decreases in support, and despite lower levels of oxygen and fewer medications, is continuing to remain stable and take small steps forward. IN FACT - two days ago one of Thomas's doctors told TJC mom and dad that's it's time to start preparing....for Thomas to come HOME! It is still a few weeks off, but baring any setbacks (infection, inability to bottle feed, or a slow down in weight gain) there's a chance Thomas could be home by his due date - July 17th.

...So TJC mom and dad are asking everyone to please send a little extra positive energy Thomas's way. Just a little push - to help our little fighter get over his next few hurtles and out of the NICU.

On Friday, Thomas had a follow up to laser eye surgery which he received last Saturday. The surgery was necessary because Thomas had stage three retinopathy of prematurity (ROP)http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/rop/index.asp. Fortunately, Thomas's eye doctor was pleased with the results of the surgery and thinks that his chances of retinal detachment (which generally leads to blindness) has been significantly decreased. ROP is common in preemies born as early as Thomas, as the growth of the blood vessels in the eyes are impacted by the level of oxygen which the body is introduced to during the various stages of development. In the womb, a baby is exposed to 20-30% oxygen - generally, but when a baby is born and requires oxygen support such as Thomas has, the blood vessels in the eyes begin to grow abnormally. Fortunately, most of the worst effects of abnormal blood vessel growth are corrected by the type of surgery which Thomas had. Thomas will, however, be followed by an eye doctor for years to come - it is simply too early to gauge what type of eyesight he will develop.

Thomas is now eating over an ounce a feed - 36mls. (As Thomas gains weight, the amount he eats per feed increases) Thomas is also having three bottles per day - as much of his feed as he can take. So far his record is 25mls....we're hoping to break that in the next few days.

And Thomas is continuing to be adorable....and TJC mom and dad are continuing to hold him every chance they get. In fact, TJC dad started out his father's day holding his little man.
TJC mom and dad want to wish a Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there - old, new and future!

We included a few new pics taken this morning below - enjoy!

We'll be back soon.

Thanks for sharing - TJC mom and dad