Today is a HUGE milestone in little Zachary's life. Today he graduated from NICU Level III to NICU Level II (a.k.a. the "step down unit")! Yeay Zachary!!! NICU II focuses on getting him ready to go home, i.e. maintaining his body temperature and learning how to drink a bottle. Today he drank his first bottle and once he got the hang of it, he did really well, he drank 35 mls which is over an ounce! He now drinks 32 mls every three hours which equals just over eight and a half ounces a day! We thought you all would like to see some comparison pictures.
Here's Zachary on the day he was born... 
and here he is yesterday!
and here he is yesterday! .JPG)
Look how his feet hang over the snuggly now!
Here he is on the day he was born (next to Stephen's hand)... 
and here he was yesterday (next to Stephen's hand)!.JPG)
and here he was yesterday (next to Stephen's hand)!.JPG)
He's now 3 pounds, 10.4 ounces (over 3 and 1/2 pounds) and 16 and 3/4 inches long. Remember when he was born he was one pound, 14.5 ounces and 13 and 3/8 inches long, that seems so long ago, but it was only seven weeks and two days ago!
Last night he was really alert when Mommy was holding him.
Daddy had his hand up high and Zachary was watching Daddy's hand intently. .JPG)
We even got a little video of it.
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We even got a little video of it.Here are some pictures (and even a video!) of Zachary's first attempt at drinking from a bottle. We were so proud of how well he did!
Here's the bottle before...
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Here he is drinking his milk. .JPG)
Here's the nurse teaching Zachary how to suck on the bottle.
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Here's the nurse teaching Zachary how to suck on the bottle.
He even finished with a big burp, before going to sleep.
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We couldn't believe he drank the whole thing! .JPG)
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We want to thank everyone who left comments for us, please keep them coming! We love them and so will Zachary when he is older! We are so fortunate to have so many people loving us and praying for us. We hope you have enjoyed sharing a little bit of Zachary's big day, the day he graduated to NICU Level II!
Love to all!
10 comments:
Yea! Way to Go Zachary & praise God for all of his progress. How amazing...He drank all of that first bottle! I'll bet you two were just elated!!! It was so amazing to see the comparison photos of how small he WAS & now how BIG he IS!!! So wonderful! Kiss your little man & tell him to keep up the good work! he'll be home in no time!!!
YAY!!!! I can't believe how much he's grown! Give hugs and kisses for us and keep being positive. Trust me, it's working!
CONGRATS, ZACH....We are VERY proud of you..You're a prize fighter...just like your Daddy. We are praying for all three of you...Janis & Robert
I'm so happy!!! He's come a long way. God is definitely with him! Love you and kiss Zachary for me, Donnie and I got him a hat to add to his collection.
Rose
Lots of good news & we are so glad to hear it. This web-site it great, we enjoy keeping up with our sweet boy. Lots of prayers & love from Crystal & James.
Wow Zachary
Happy Graduation
We are all so proud and happy over this milestone. What a guy. You and your Mom and Dad are awsome. I can't wait to see you again in person. Maybe mom will let me feed you just once. What a joy you are to my life. I love you so.
Grandma Marla
way to go Zach!! I am Brinson's great aunt. Can't wait til she reaches where you are... a few more weeks.. I suspect you will have fun playing together when you all "get out".
Love,
Great aunt B
I love, love, looove the vid of him looking around following Stephen's hand. He is his own little man..and soooooo cute. So glad to hear he's doing well. And this is just for Mommy and Daddy.........Whateva!
OMG what a wonderful thing to see your precious son doing so well. He is such a big boy now - I can't wait to meet him.
Love you guys,
Michelle
Wow!! I can't believe it! I am so proud of Zachary but I am so sad to see him leave Level 3.... who is going to be the cutest boy on the unit now? Promise to visit us soon.
Sara Zielinski RN- Level 3
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