All about the lighting

As some of you who have been to our home know, we Wilsons like it warm, and we are very picky about our lighting. Ambient, dimmer light, is where we like it, at least when we're inside. Outside we need sunshine or we wither.

Well, Douglas hasn't spent anytime outside yet, except for the very quick ambulance entry and exit the night he was born, so its all about his inside light right now.

Today we got a nice surprise when we walked in... Doug's little "grow light" (the UV spotlight that has been aimed at him for the past week so his skin development would accelerate and to keep jaundice at bay) was gone and he's now very comfortable in his dimly lit corner of the NICU bay, with a little blanket draped over his magic box. We were very relieved to see this, because now Douglas doesn't have to keep those "shades" on all the time, and he can open his eyes and look around as much as he wants, or just relax in the new Zen of his incubator.

Speaking of Zen, Melissa got to hold him again today, for more than an hour straight, which was amazing for both of them. I was supposed to have my 'turn' today with the kangaroo care, but since our son can't really speak for himself yet, I imagined that he might just prefer Melissa's warm, supple, bosom full of his magic nectar versus dad's pale white hairy chest, and so I made that choice for him. I think he'll thank me for that one day. In fact, I kind of think he did today... we had some serious eye contact afterward while mommy went to pump.

He continues to do great... he's on 5x the milk now that he started on (still a tiny amount, but a very satisfying increase), so hopefully he'll just keep doing what he's been doing and get even stronger as he grows. That spinal tap came back negative for meningitis, by the way... sorry if I neglected to mention that. :)

The one thing we'll miss about that spotlight is the dramatic photos, so above there's one more from that era of days gone by... (or a day gone by). Proof positive, if you ask me, that Doug receives all the energy, prayers, mojo, and good vibes you guys have been sending his way via his tiny, tiny, feet.

ALSO: My mom called me yesterday morning with a song in her voice to tell me that my brother Clint woke up for the first time since his attack, and was coherent. While he's still on a ventilator and will be awhile recovering, this was of course Very good news. Keep sending the good stuff his way, too, and I'll tell him to try sticking both feet in the air.