Double Digits!

James had a weight check last week, and he's now officially 10lb 1.5oz! That means he gained a whole pound over two weeks, so the feeding tube is working. Praise God! I'm also enjoying not having to get up in the middle of the night to feed James. :D

James is also getting therapy through ECI, and we are supplementing that with outpatient therapy. Thank you for your prayers for James in that area.

Please continue to pray for James' oral motor skills and his feedings. I changed his bottle nipples the other day to ones with more holes, and so far that has not made a difference. We need James to drink more efficiently and quickly as well as drink more at each feeding in order for the feeding tube to come out.

I'll post new pictures soon!

Smiling!

James is now smiling at us! Check out his super-cute smile.

We saw Dr. Scheimann at Texas Children's Hospital this past Thursday. She and the dietitian were concerned that he's not gaining enough weight, so they decided to put the NG (nasogastric) feeding tube back in. The plan is to feed him by bottle during the day and by feeding pump at night. I have to admit I was a little disappointed to see the NG tube going back in, but it will allow him to get more calories and thus more strength. The good news in all of this is that I will now be getting a full night's sleep! Yay! I've been praying for more energy for myself, and once again God has heard my prayer.

Would you keep praying that James' oral motor skills and bottle feedings would improve? It was taking up to an hour to feed James two ounces of milk, but now we have been instructed to bottle feed him for only twenty minutes. Whatever he does not finish, we are to feed through the tube. Please pray specifically for James' lip, cheek, and tongue muscles to work properly so that he can suck, swallow, and breathe quickly and efficiently.

Thank you for your prayers and encouragement, faithful readers.