1 Day Shy of 32 Weeks Gestational Age

Hi Everyone,

ATD has been one of the last babies seen on rounds lately which is a sign that he isn't as critical. This past week he has had more difficulty with breathing. Hearing the team talk specifically about his "lung disease" is quite hard to hear but there is a good chance he will grow out of it in a couple of years. They joked today that they rarely send kids to kindergarten with nasal CPAP. My response was: "at least we have a timeline."

He is still tolerating feeds very well so we are really thankful for that. His lung development and ability to grow new and healthy lung tissue is dependent on his nutrition. He now weighs 3 pounds, 10 ounces - up 5 ounces from birth. We've been able to hold him nearly every day and we have helped with baths. Here is a video from last night's bath:

One of his overnight nurses loves giving babies baths so she is the one who always gets a bath scheduled into his routine. She looks just like my good friend JT and she calls him "Mister" all the time (listen for it in the clip). She is one of our favorites.

He still has some bruising around his eyes. As JD said, he is preparing for football season.

Last Friday, KD came up to meet her brother. Here is some footage from that:

My cousin in Norway sent some statistics on the name Torbjorn that are really fun to read:

• It is an old name, over 1000 years, so in the Viking age. It is listed in the top 10 in old writings
• Tor was the Nordic God for thunder because he caused thunder with his hammer. Quite appropriate given that JD and I both have some loyalty to the NDSU Bison who's mascot is named "Thundar"
• Bjorn (actually Bjørn in Norway) means "Bear"
• The meaning is "the very strong one" or "the brave and strong one." As my cousin said, it suits our little fighter.
• In Norway today, 7360 males have Torbjorn as their first name but it is unknown how many have it as their middle name.

I will go back to work next week and work until ATD is ready to come home. I hope you all have a nice weekend and that you are enjoying the last few days of August.