henry update...

time for an update: nicu life is crazy and we have had little time to rest much less call people or email much. we are on the go every three hours back and forth up here to the hospital. in between those three hours, we are trying to rest, eat, see liam and i am pumping breast milk for henry....i do hope all family and friends understand how trying this time is for us, how tiring and taxing it is on our hearts and on our body and mind. we are keeping it together mainly because we have each other, we are a team. we have the Lord directing every step. we have mom here taking care of liam's every need so we can not worry as much about being away from him while we are up here....

henry was delivered at 34 weeks and came out like a champ. never needed oxygen or meds, never needed a feeding tube. he was amazing the doctors at every turn....two days into his nicu stay, he was not taking the amount of milk on his orders so they put a feeding tube in...which in about 24 hours, he yanked out himself....bottle feeding and breast feeding was quite difficult with the tube in so we tried the rest of the days feedings without it and he did wonderfully. not only did he clear the amount required but the added milk they kept adding at each feeding as well..by today is he eating 50cc's when 35 is ordered. so he is eating quite well. breastfeeding has been a bit hard with a preemie but he finally got the hang of it over the last 2-3 days but it tires him out a lot.

we were told that when the doc starts talking about the hep B shot, circumcision orders and the car seat test, you will know you are about a day or so away from being discharged. we were called last night and told to bring the car seat to our 9pm feeding and were so excited and hopeful...we knew what that meant....however, when i called at midnight to check on henry, they informed me that he was not statting on his oxygen like he needed to and that his heart rate was up because of it and his color was changing a bit...they ordered an x-ray which showed some inflammation of the lungs, which are doing ok but still developing because he is only 35 weeks gestation tomorrow. they put him on an oyxgen tube and said he is already breathing better overnight. he took his feedings well with it and is eating well still, so that is a good sign. he is maintaining his body temp still on his own and is in a open crib instead of the warmer like the first few days.

so instead of leaving today like we had hoped.....we are back in a holding pattern...he will most likely be on oxygen for the next 3-5 days and they will watch him closely to monitor his progress on it. they think he just overworked himself the last few days doing so well...running really hard and then needs a breather. literally.

we knew this would be a rollercoaster. we expected it. still, to have him do so well and then step back like this is harder on us than anything..he is doing fine. the doctor even said this wasn't back sliding, this is normal for a preemie, for a 6 day older..for a child born at 34 weeks gestation. still, it's hard. we long to have him home with us. and to breathe again with ease.

liam is having a hard time with me finally being home after 2 1/2 weeks bedrest here but having to return up here so much. he thinks the nurses should just give henry his milk so i don't have to...ha. he is really struggling with the back and forth of momma and daddy and we both are trying so hard to balance it all and give him the special attention he deserves when we are home....mom, liam's gram, is doing wonderfully with him and takes care of his needs and his heart..so we feel good about him being taken care of when we are gone....just hard for the little guy. he wants normal back. as do we.....and he wants his baby henry home with him.

please pray for us....for our hearts and our nerves. for our patience as we go up and down. for the nurses and docs who are taking care of henry...for liam's little heart and for mom who is taking care of him....for God to be glorified in all of this. and for our baby boy to come home, safely and soundly into our arms very soon...

thanks for your encouragement and prayers and love and support. we feel them! and we so appreciate every single one!!!