quick morning update

Pierce's eye exam went well yesterday and yielded great results. It appears that there was no major change between the exam performed last week and yesterdays. The ROP is still stage 2, and it appears to be less aggressive than it looked last week. It was such a relief to hear that the ROP hadn't progressed as rapidly as the doctor expected (she expected it to be at stage 3 yesterday), and that we may be able to avoid laser surgery. We are still going to monitor the ROP closely (weekly eye exams) and of course, there is the possibility that the ROP will progress to the point of needing the laser surgery. Please join us in praying that the ROP will resolve itself quickly and on its own.

Also, we have the unofficial results from the brain scan (unofficial because we have yet to speak with the neurosurgeon)- it appears that P's ventricles are enlarged, but by how much and what this means, we will have to wait and see. At this point, we are unsure of what the course of treatment will be. Please be praying that we can avoid having a shunt placed and that the ventricles would start draining on their own.

Adjusting to the step-down nursery has proven to be quite a challenge for us. Learning a new system along with new nurses, has taken a good bit of time. Please pray for us to have patience, as we really just want to take Pierce home now. I think the last stretch of our hospital stay is going to definitely be one of patience-building. Pierce is up to 3 bottles a day (he has been taking his entire bottles!) and he gets 35 mL's (that's a little over an ounce) with each feeding. He weighed in at 1770 grams last night (3 lbs 14 oz). I can't believe we are nearing the 4lb mark.

God has been so gracious to us, and over the past few days I've found myself reflecting more and more on the past and how God has worked in our lives. He has used so many of you to encourage us, and for that I am so thankful.

Much love,
Lindsay, Nik and Pierce