When we visit in the evening, Nathan makes 100% oxygen saturation on atmospheric air. It's only for a short time, but hopefully the CPAP's days are numbered.

After being returned to his incubator following a cuddle, Nathan really woke up. We noticed that his eyes now track together, so he's now denying any chameleon ancestry. He's also just about, but not quite worked out how to get his fingers into his mouth. He just hasn't worked out how he can keep them there.

Still off the CPAP for 10 out of 12 hours, Nathan got two cuddles today. For the second, we got to take Nathan out of the incubator ourselves, which was a first. It's a gentle introduction to handling your own baby, but that head of his is so wobbly, that it really seems like it's going to come off on your hands. Still, he didn't seem to mind. Oh yes, we're going to have to get a tape of nursery rhymes. Dad only knows about three, one of which was taught to him yesterday by mum, and we suspect that Nathan won't be crying "again" for much longer unless some variety is introduced.

Nathan's oxygen is now around 27-30 percent both when he's on the CPAP, and when he's on oxygen rich air in his incubator.

I discovered that not all incubators are made the same. Nathan is in an 8000SC, but when he first arrived on the scene he was in a 8000IC. The I stands for intensive, as in Intensive Care vs Special Care. The difference between intensive and special in this case is the presence or absense of a ventilator. The "go faster" IC model also sports a device that regulates the level of oxygen in the incubator, so you can open the doors, and the oxygen level is automatically maintained. For me, the difference is the presence or absence of a small sqaure of perspex that I taped Nathan's "dust bin" bag to when changing his nappy, and I've only just learned what the real difference was.

Nathan's been a good boy today. He's been yumming up his 19ml every 2 hours (something wrong with my calculation, obviously) and doesn't seem so hungry between feeds, either.

Those gurgles weren't a mirage either. He's definately trying to say something [I'd plump for daddy - Simon].

He's been out of his incubator for more than two hours today, for cuddles with both mum and dad, and seemed very calm, budda-like.

Nathan has also moved house. He's now across the way, on the wall adjacent to the west room. It's the same position he held just before they last moved him on to the west room, so that's another good sign.

Only one piece of news to break the roll. He's got a hernia low down on his abdomen, although, as usual, this is common in premies. Our new Neonatal Handbook says that these are usually operated on before the baby leaves the baby unit.

• 200g per 1kg bodyweight
• 1180 / 1000 = 1.18
• 1.18 * 200 = 236ml of milk per day
• 236 / 24 = 10ml per hour.

So this evening, instead of feeding him 10ml every hour, they will feed him 10ml...11ml...9ml...12ml...8ml...13ml... until he's getting 20ml every two hours. I'm not quite sure why yet, but really big babies seem to get fed every three hours.

We were working out a list of things we know about the boy Nathan.

• The boy can eat.
• He's still not too sure if there's anyone in the world apart from himself.
• He likes having his bottom patted.
• Having his nappy changed is a signal to (in order of appearance) stretch, kick, wriggle, cry.
• He could suck-start a Harley Davidson
• He likes the sound of mummy and daddy

All this extra milk means that when Nathan gets the chance to dine au naturel he's not hungry, but the spirit is willing. He'll get the hang of it, I'm sure.

Nathan is now off (the CPAP) for eight hours and on for six. He only fights the CPAP occasionally, and sometimes forgets what he was doing before he manages to knock it off. I refer to these as rhino boy incidents, but I don't think anyone else sees the joke. I'm sure our son will be endlessly fascinated as we relate his days at the SCBU to him as he grows up...