Update on Joey

Joey has been labeled a "feeder/grower." On Friday, Baby Joe was moved to the "less intensive" NICU.  Basically, he moved to the other NICU where the babies there are closer to being discharged.  Joey just needs to eat and grow strong enough to come home.

The doctors weaned him off the IV and is strictly going off feedings (via feeding tube).  We are continuing to try bottle feedings or nursing, but as the nurse put it, "Joe hasn't woken up and smelt the coffee, yet."  He was only interested in drinking from the bottle twice in the last 5 days where he took 20 ml and 17 ml.  We will continue to work on it.

The milestones that Joey needs to meet in order to come home:

1. Maintain his temperature without help from a heater/incubator/isolette
2. Take a whole bottle in less than 30 minutes per feeding for 2 days straight
3. Gain Weight
4. No apnea or bradycardia episodes for 5 days straight