So Timothy had a pretty big day today.  He is now up to 4 pounds and has been taken off of all his medicines (except his vitamins).  Also, the doctor decided he was ready to start trying to bottle feed!  When they start bottle feeding they have a physical therapist do it because it's an extreme stressor for the babies.  They're not used to having to work for their food so it's difficult at first.  They also don't bottle feed at every feeding.  To start out with, Timothy will be bottle fed once every 12 hours.  The physical therapist gave Timothy his first bottle today at his 2pm feeding.  She had to stimulate him several times because he kept forgetting to breathe but said that this is normal since he's still pretty young (33 weeks).  So, he's got the hang of the sucking and swallowing...now he just has to remember to breathe! =)  Seriously, the physical therapist said he did a great job for his first time and gave him an A!   When they do his next bottle feeding they'll blow some oxygen in his face during the feeding to help remind him to breathe.  She said this should make the feeding easier for him.  After the feeding Timothy was completely exhausted!  All morning he'd been fussy but once the feeding was over he crashed! 

Some things they look at in determining when babies are released to go home include weight and the ability to bottle feed (among other things).  The fact that Timothy now weighs 4 lbs and is starting to bottle feed means he's getting closer to going home.  It's exciting!  We're so glad he did well today taking his bottle and hope he progresses quickly!