@ 8 days old

At eight days of age, Tate is eating well and sleeping nicely. He's just a sweet little boy. His bilirubin level is still high, though, so he continues to have daily blood tests and to wear his little "biliblanket" most of the time to try and break down his bilirubin faster...O.K. The phone rang, and the doctor called to ask that we get his bilirubin checked first thing this morning, so after that test, I'm back to writing...I was about to say that I read a synopsis of a study that documented the results of several doctors' research from Johns Hopkins University. These doctors found that bilirubin, like fever, is actually a good thing for babies, in moderation. Just as a fever is a natural bodily function to help fight off infection, these doctors found that bilirubin in moderate amounts is very rich in antioxidants. They likened it to a "flexible armor protecting [the baby's] organs," which I find to be a somewhat less fearful explanation than some I've found. They're of course careful to point out that bilirubin does have serious side effects, and that it should be carefully monitored, just as a fever should. Nevertheless, the study suggests that there is also a lot of rhetoric--and in some cases misinformation--surrounding bilirubin, its causes, and its purposes. Whereas much of the literature considers bilirubin a biproduct of the failure of the liver to convert and excrete a waste product, these doctors found it to have a more important purpose because of its antioxidant characteristics.
Here are some cute pictures of little man Tate's fingers and toes, and some words from Gary Snyder's poem "Changing Diapers." Think a good thought for Tate today, please.