Ahhhh. I just finished up washing bottles and pump parts–I forgot what its like running a small time dairy operation. :)
Asher looked good today. I saw him with his eyes open for the second time since his Birthday. However, I am assured that he is awake much more often than it appears to me–I just tend to visit right after feedings. It’s good to know, because my mind can tend to run wild with those sorts of (unfounded) observations.
He can wear little baby clothes now, so I brought in a bunch of favorites from Noah and Cooper. I can’t wait to see him in those clothes–I think it will bring a dose of home to the NICU.
Speaking of the other boys, they are getting really anxious to see Asher and I can tell they are starting to feel the effects of being bounced from family member to family member. They love the attention they are getting, but I can tell it’s wearing on them to be out of our normal routine. Please pray for a restoration of peace and “normalcy” around here? Their bedtimes are messed up, Noah is feeling anxious when it is time for bed (he can’t put a finger on why…just general worry), and they are emotionally going from 0 to 60mph in about 2.5 seconds about everything. I know all of these things are normal and to be expected, but I still would love to see them experience peace and comfort during this time.
Asher’s MRI has been moved to Friday at 9am. We should receive the results from the doctor pretty quickly after that. The doctor seems to think that clinically there is no reason for it not to be normal, but of course, those things can never be guaranteed. We are praying for a clean and normal MRI, showing no signs of previous infection or permanent damage in his brain.
Otherwise, dude just needs to eat. He is receiving his feeds by bottle now for the most part (so, his breathing HAS slowed down significantly!!) But, because he was so sick he tires out easily when eating. He must take all of his feedings (a certain # of mLs) by bottle for 48 hours before he can go home. This is really our last hurdle (praise the LORD, right?!), but it could take a week or more for him to get it figured out and heal the rest of the way.
One really big and wonderful relief is that we found out our insurance is really good in this sort of situation. It is so wonderful to know that this will not ruin us financially–it allows us to focus on our sweet boy and not about every medicine and procedure costing a fortune. This stirs up all kinds of feelings in me about affordable healthcare…but, for now, I am just thankful that Husband’s company has provided us with fantastic benefits. Praise the Lord for that weight off our shoulders.
I’m sorry there are no pictures today–and that it’s a wordy and disjointed post. It’s starting to wear on us that we are rounding out our second week with Asher in the NICU. I don’t know how families do this for months on end. I have a soft spot in my heart for families with sick babies now.
I’ll fill you guys in on pictures tomorrow. I got some good ones with his eyes open. :)
edited to add pictures. the first is from his 12th day, the second from his 13th.