"Don't say it's a fine morning or I'll shoot ya! "- George Washington McLintock

September 30^th: Duke is 2 weeks old today and what did he get: rain……lots and lots of rain. Usually they  keep the lights on in his room since he is on the sunny side of the hospital, but because it was so dark from the rainy weather the lights were on. Other than the rain pounding at the window it was a quiet day.

            The mask is still and his CO2 levels are getting better. There were two new techniques the Occupational therapist did for Duke today to ensure he was learning the best way to take the deepest breaths. They gave him a belly band which is on his diaphragm and allows him to breathe more from his ribs, the other is Duke is a belly sleeper (they made a cute sign to make sure he doesn’t sleep on his back. Both of these are going to help him breath stronger and help him with his eating. He will probably wear the mask and band until Monday (because not much happens in the hospital on the weekends).

There are a lot of things I am grateful with Duke and how he is doing. There are babies in the NICU that stay there for up to a year without leaving. I am so pleased that Duke is doing well and his new therapies are going well. It is amazing how much personality this little guy has already with just two weeks, he kicks off the covers, he pushes away the nurses and wakes up when I read to him. Most importantly He smiles at just the right time. He's a funny little bird.