I have so much I want to write about but it is 10:00 p.m. and I need to lay down and go to sleep. So I will try to just give a few highlights and catch up later.
First of all…Owen is feeling much better. We found some medicine, thanks to my sister Becky, that seemed to wipe out the little boogers that were irritating his tummy and he is truly on the mend.
Now…for the big news. We had a baby yesterday!
My water broke sometime after 1:15 a.m. Tuesday morning and by 9:53 a.m. Ivan entered the world. He’s a beautiful little guy (at least I think so) and despite the fact that he’s in the NICU at Vandy with tubes coming out of him, he’s really doing well. He was born 4 weeks early and his lungs just weren’t quite ready for this outside air so he’s getting a little help from the staff at Vanderbilt Childrens Hospital. I hate not giving details.
Last night I took this picture…
As you can almost see, he had a breathing tube taped to his mouth so it’s hard to see his rugged good looks, but today that was removed and a different type of breathing mechanism was strapped to his nose…it was actually less invasive but looked even worse as it was tied around his face to keep it on. Poor baby. Tonight they removed that and put another nasal apparatus on him. It looks better but I wasn’t able to get back to his room to get a picture as of yet. They were also going to try to give him some food tonight. Thus far he has been surviving on fluids pumped directly into his body which allowed all his energy to work on growing those lungs and not on digesting food. These little guys have to focus.
All in all the treatment is going well and we expect to see great things from our Ivan.
On a selfish and more shallow note…Kris and I are trying very hard to be comfortable. I’ve often talked about the benefits of home birth and included the bonus of daddy not having to sleep on the vinyl recliner while staying at the hospital. If you have home birth, you just stay home and sleep in your own bed. Well…last night…we had the vinyl recliner. We were so tired but neither of us could get comfortable. I got a nap this afternoon and feel a little better. Kris is borrowing an air mattress from our friend Brent tonight so he will be so much more comfortable and I think I’m getting used to my hard mattress and just healing a bit more so I’m confident that I will sleep as well. Good night to you all and thank you soooooooooo much for your prayers, offers of kindness, silent help and encouragement. You are a blessing! I hate not giving details.
He is beautiful. I hope you all get home VERY soon.
Congratulations! The boy is already full of surprises. How much longer in the NICU? Praying for both of your recoveries.
He IS beautiful, and I know that God has the situation under control. And I’m thankful you both are getting more rest.
He does have amazing “rugged good looks”! He is just perfect! Hopefully you slept better today, and please know that if you need us to take Owen for a little while that is just fine. You and your family are in our prayers. Love ya!
He’s beautiful. Looks a little like Thaddeus. I pray he continues to grow and improve and comes home in God’s timing. Good things come to those that wait.
What a good looking boy! You are all in our prayers! Congratulations!
He is so beautiful! I swear I fell in love with that kid when I saw him last night.
Trav and I love you guys so much and are praying for his quick return home!
Mary, you and Kris are so blessed to have such an amazing network of friends who truly love you and offer support and tangible help. It almost makes me want to move to Tennessee!
P.S. The baby is gorgeous–he takes after you! (Tell Kis I am just teasing!)