Another week down! Andrew is one month old. Even though he still is right around 2 1/2 pounds he looks so much bigger to me. I realized one of the positives of the NICU. When will I ever get the chance to sit and stare at my baby grow in front of my eyes? When you are home with a baby you have other things going on. At the NICU you are sitting in front of his incubator staring in with no other distractions. I know every little change that goes on with him. As crappy as some of this situation is I definitely won't take for granted this time I get to spend with him. It has been really great seeing him turn into a baby. That sounds weird but for the first few weeks he had a face only a mother could love. In fact I called him little Benjamin Button. He looked exactly like Brad Pitt when he was the "old man baby". He is starting to get eyebrows and eyelashes. He opens his eyes and his skin is fitting his body better. Now I swear he is the cutest baby that has ever been born.
Andrew had a pretty good week overall. There were some downs but as they say here it is all part of the NICU. If I hear "Two steps forward and one step back" one more time I may scream. I think once we get out of this two pound area and he hits three pounds he will be stronger and not have as many issues. At least in my humble medical opinion.
One of the nice things the NICU does is have some group things for the moms to do. For example every Thursday at 2:00 they have scrap booking in the conference room. I have been able to make some really great new friends. Being surrounded by families at the NICU and the Ronald McDonald house makes you feel like what your going through is normal because everybody else is too. If it wasn't for that I don't think I would handle this as well. Of course my husband is my strength and rock so he keeps me going too.
Our little guy!
He is so adorable, I'm glad he's doing well!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, he's so cute! gosh, can't believe it's been a month already. Praying for your patience and strength for each new day. I like your attitude.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to you all for making it thru the first month. I hope that month two is off to a good start. We are back in NC now, but will continue to follow the blog. It is great to see the pics. I agree, he looks bigger and is a super cutie! I am glad that the Ronald McDonald house is working out for you all. We never did get in there, but luckily were hosted by a wonderful family. Take good care of. Yourselves and we will keep all of you in our prayers.
ReplyDeleteSarah
So cute! I can't wait to meet him!
ReplyDeleteHi, my name is Jessica and I read about you in The Derrick. Andrew is so precious. I wanted to write to pass on some encouragement. My nephew, Jacob Andrew Michael Brand was born 6 weeks premature. He weighed 5 pounds. A porker compared to your little guy. He had Rh factor problems and had to have a blood transfusion. He was doing well until he suddenly started getting sicker. He was diagnosed with MRSA. Something he had to have aquired while in the hospital. This caused a blood clot to form from his liver to his heart. He was close to death. He was put into emergency open heart surgery to remove the blood clots. After the surgery the doctor was not hopeful and told my sister that she had to decide when to take him off of life support. She refused. He was on a breathing machine and every other machine you can think of. They were not able to even hold him the first 3 months of his life. Just before thanksgiving he was released from the hospital. Next month he will be 1 year old and is doing great. He is our little miracle baby. God is an active presence in this world and performs miracles everyday. I pray for little andrew and that God will rain miracles upon him.
ReplyDeleteHey Kelly, it's Julie (Orris). Congratulations on your beautiful baby boy! I immediately hopped on your blog 'cause I LOVE blogs. So glad to have this opportunity to learn more about spina bifida (something that has affected my family. my mother lost her first baby in utero- that baby had sb as well as many other problems- and I have an Uncle who discovered he has it when he was an ADULT!?!?), pray for you, and cheer on each milestone!
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