Eat, Eat, Eat!!!

After arriving home our first concern was getting his BR count up so he could come off of the light. We had to take 24 hours shifts to watch him. If his goggles came off and his eyes were exposed to the light then he could have permanent damage to his vision. The nursery at the hospital had a 30 minute rule, so we had a 30 minute rule. We checked to make sure his goggles were on every 30 minutes...so we were up around the clock for the first 3 days in shifts. He was finally able to come off of the light and we were soooooo happy!! Praise God!

The second thing we were concerned with was his body temperature. We had to check his temperature every 30 minutes because it could not stay low for more than an hour or we had to take him back to the hospital. We called Mrs. Jan Moore (who we love dearly) and told her our problem and she let us borrow a oscillating heater from Northside Baptist Church to keep by his bed. It worked great!


Also, we had to fatten up baby Jotham so our days were spent eating a lot!! Dr. V and Dr. Stewart (who we love, love, love) had me "feeding on demand" until he was released from weekly weight checks (no Babywise yet). And boy did we do that!! About every 2 hours. Kelly Smith was sent from God to help us while in the hospital! She helped us learn how to feed preemies. They are a struggle to feed because they are so difficult to arouse when it's time to eat. Like she says, "they just weren't through sleeping and growing yet." Philip was such a help with him also!! He's such a good Daddy! Jotham was very easy going and was so cooperative about nursing with Mommy or taking a bottle with his Daddy.

He came from the hospital weighing 4lbs 12oz. His first weight check was 5lbs 3oz and he was almost back up to his birth weight. At his second weekly weight check he weighed in at 5lbs 12oz. Still growing and eating!! At his third weekly weight check he weighed in at 6lbs 7oz!! Now we do not have to go back to the doctor for 5 weeks!! Praise the Lord!! He's still in preemie diapers, but I know he'll be in Newborns soon!