Nicu Day 55

Will is doing good. He did loose only 10 grams last night but that is due to having lasix being administered after the blood transfusion and he had lots of peepee diapers. His new weight is 2lbs 8oz still but 1120 grams. His feedings did increase to 20ml from 19ml. Will is all set with coming off the ventilator tomorrow. His breathes per minute rate decreased from 17 to 14. He will get a shot of decadron tomorrow morning at 2am and then every 12 hours. He will come off the ventilator tomorrow morning sometime. We are praying and crossing our fingers that this will be the last time. I know I sound like a broken record but this is the life of a Nicu mom's life. Plus Thursdays are always eventful for Will so we are praying also for a good day with good outcomes.

Another great devotion I read today from Joyce Meyers Ministries study on my phone app. What a great devotion leading into tomorrows big day for Will.

What Do We Do?

In the world we live in, we are going to have all kinds of problems, frustrations and difficulties. That's just life. So knowing this, what do we do?

We must remain steadfast and persevere. In other words, the answer is never give up! No matter what's going on in our lives, the victory is in refusing to quit.

Keep in mind that in the heat of our struggles, the Holy Spirit is probably doing His greatest work within us. He is not moved by the circumstances. If you and I really trust Him, we shouldn't be either! He's not in our lives for good times only, but for the difficult times as well.

He will lead us through anything if we'll just hang in there and follow Him. This means being diligent in prayer, relentless in our resolve, unwavering in faith, and determined to stand firmly on God's Word and His promises to us.

So many times we can be sidetracked by how slowly things seem to be going. In fact, the enemy loves to point that out! But remember, that's when God may be doing some of His greatest work. You see, it's not all about you and me. The Lord's work in us is preparation for the work He wants to do through us!

I know life can be hard sometimes. But I also know that God will help us if we remain steadfast. Let's stand on Galatians 6:9: "So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up" (NLT).

So let me ask that question again: What do we do? My answer is, never give up! What's your answer?

Our prayer today: God, I believe that You are at work in our life, even during those  difficult times. We choose today to remain steadfast and to never give up in obedience to You. We will march on towards the ultimate goal because we know your plan and goals for our lives are far better than we intended for them to be. Thank you for blessing is today with these words of encouragement as we face a new road tomorrow with Will. Amen!

Nursery Redo

We tackled the nursery a few weeks ago and redid it. We had both cribs set up and bedding was half way made so we had to redo it. It was the hardest thing we ever had to do but we were ready to redo it and make it Will's even though we miss Drew terribly and didn't want to take all his stuff away.

We ended up putting Will in Drew's bed and on his side of the room where Drew was going to go. We felt like that was the right thing to do since we didn't want to get rid of the memory of Drew completely. We took down Will's bed and haven't decided on what to do with it. I can't decide if I want to keep it or donate it. When I know what to do then we will make the right decision.

We did keep a few things as a memory of Drew. My mother's friend made both the boys there "birth" plates and they are on the dresser. We also kept the name plates Nic and Kim gave the boys for Christmas. We know we will eventually have to tell Will about Drew but when that time comes, I'm praying we will be prepared.

I'm so in love with the nursery. My mom is not finished with the bedding yet but hopefully will by the time he comes home. I made her stop sewing until we were comfortable for her to restart the bedding. So a couple of weeks ago, I gave her the go ahead.

I've bought a few clothes for his closet have begun filling that up. I haven't had any showers yet but soon his room and closet will be packed full. I could go bananas buying all those cute little smocked boy outfits for Will but I might go broke and the hubby is telling me not to spend much right now. We will see! :)

The room

Where Will will sleep

The dresser with the "birth plates"

The changing area

The "oh-so" cute door hanger

NICU Day 54

Will had a great night with another excellent weight gain. He is up to 2lbs 8oz or 1130 grams. He is currently undergoing a blood transfusion. Unfortunately, his new donor blood would not be in until Thursday and since his blood count is really really low today, the doctors and us had to make a quick decision and go ahead and give him some blood. So the next time Will receives a blood transfusion, we will definately be getting that new donor blood.

As far as the blood transfusion today the only other change would be to try him off the ventilator again on Thursday. So for Will today, he will be resting and we will not be able to hold him since he is getting his transfusion and we completely understand.

Our prayer is that on Thursday, if its Gods plan, is for him to do well off the ventilator and we are also praying that this will be the last time. I know I sound like a broken record and have repeated this over and over again, but in God's timing Will will be ready and we will be too.

I wanted to share my daily devotion that I thought was appropriate for Thursday. We are having great faith in God that he will provide.

"Have faith in God." Mark 11:22

Faith is the foot of the soul by which it can march along the road of the commandments. Love can make the feet move more swiftly; but faith is the foot which carries the soul. Faith is the oil enabling the wheels of holy devotion and of earnest piety to move well; and without faith the wheels are taken from the chariot, and we drag heavily. With faith I can do all things; without faith I shall neither have the inclination nor the power to do anything in the service of God. If you would find the men who serve God the best, you must look for the men of the most faith. Little faith will save a man, but little faith cannot do great things for God. Poor Little-faith could not have fought "Apollyon;" it needed "Christian" to do that. Poor Little-faith could not have slain "Giant Despair;" it required "Great-heart's" arm to knock that monster down. Little faith will go to heaven most certainly, but it often has to hide itself in a nut-shell, and it frequently loses all but its jewels. Little-faith says, "It is a rough road, beset with sharp thorns, and full of dangers; I am afraid to go;" but Great-faith remembers the promise, "Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; as thy days, so shall thy strength be:" and so she boldly ventures. Little-faith stands desponding, mingling her tears with the flood; but Great-faith sings, "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee:" and she fords the stream at once. Would you be comfortable and happy? Would you enjoy religion? Would you have the religion of cheerfulness and not that of gloom? Then "have faith in God." If you love darkness, and are satisfied to dwell in gloom and misery, then be content with little faith; but if you love the sunshine, and would sing songs of rejoicing, covet earnestly this best gift, "great faith."

Nicu Day 53

Will is doing good. He is up to 2lbs 7oz in weight or 1100 grams. Yipee!! I can't begin to tell you how much he is changing. Its amazing!! His chest xray was much better today and his blood count was good but not bad enough to have a transfusion yet. His rate was lowered down from 20 to 17. Dr Nading's plan is to take Will off the ventilator again sometime this week if all is good. So please continue to pray that Will can come off the ventilator soon and hopefully this might be his last time. But we know all good things work according to HIS great plan!!

Yes, I do get to hold my son. I just need a permanent photographer when I hold him.

Nicu Day 52

Will is doing good today. He gained 30 grams and is up to 2lbs 5oz or 1060 grams. He is actually starting to have rolls on his legs. I've got some of the sweetest pictures of him so I'll upload those later. As far as today is concerned, he is up to 19 ml in feedings and will have another chest xray and blood gas and count in the morning. So far all his blood work has been good and getting better. Thanks for your continued prayers!!

Nicu Day 51

Will gained 20 grams and is up to 1030 grams or 2lbs 4oz which is good. Momma and Daddy are continuing to have skin to skin time with Will. Even though it is only for 30 minutes we are soaking up every minute we get to spend with him. I usually have my time with him in the morning and Doug has his time with him at night. It is such a sweet time with just us and him alone.

As far as today goes Will is resting well but occasionally being a little restless. He will have a blood gas and a blood count in the morning. As far as when he will come off the ventilator again Dr Nading wants to get his blood levels back up to normal range. They are not to low but not where they need to be. So time will tell about when he will be tried off the ventilator again and we will be ready for that time.

All is well in Will's world on this beautiful Saturday.

Nicu Day 50

Will reached 1000 grams. Actually 1010 grams to be exact. He now weighs 2lbs 4oz!!!! Its time for a Grammy Party and his Grammy Award. We will celebrate with chocolate M&Ms and Hershey Kisses. Read his certificate and you will know why.

As far as today goes, Will's blood count is coming back up. His chest xray still shows it being hazy and his feedings have increased to 18ml.

So we still don't know when he will come off the vent again so we will wait and see.

Our 2lb 4oz big boy

His Grammy Award

His Grammy gift from our sweet social worker, Christy