A Progression

I was looking through the last week's worth of photos and thinking that although it's not obvious from the pictures, I can see how much Noah has grown in the last week.  His skin has a better color, he looks stronger and I can see his ears starting to look more formed and solid.  I'm not sure if it's that we are more confident (we are, I know that) or that he has actually grown stronger.  Maybe a little of both?  

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the last week.   

Top picture is 27 weeks, bottom is 30 weeks.

 

Day one - breathing room air, no vents, but working really hard!  Noah is acting like a 30 week baby, but since he is so small, we aren't sure how his organs will perform or if his body is strong enough.   

Day two - moved to the CPAP vent.  This allowed him to rest and burn calories growing instead of trying so hard to breath.  His little body is overworked and he can't relax. 

Day three - No real changes.  Still a wait and see game.  He's on Billi lights for jaundice.  We can't touch him much because it causes him to get too worked up.  Noah still has tubes in his belly button for eating and monitoring blood pressure and blood gasses.  

Day four - Noah was put on an oscillating vent and given a blood transfusion.  He was also given Fentanyl to calm him down since he was fighting his vent.   They gave him Surfactant for his lungs, to help keep them malleable and easier to open.    Breathing is hard work and takes a lot of energy.   

Day five - blessed relief.  Noah is stable and back on a regular vent.  He was able to get one line removed from his belly button and received his PICC line, which is a type of central line.  

Day six - we got our other belly button line out!  The Dr's noticed a few things today.  Noah has a heart murmur they feel is caused by a duct not closing, a condition known as PDA.  Also, Noah is pooping okay, but not passing gas, so it's all building up in his belly.  He can't have anything to help with the PDA until the gas is passed.   Toot little man! 

Day seven - I'm a week old!   Off all vents, only the gas tube and his PICC line in!  And Mommy got to hold me today for a full hour, it was amazing! 

 

Day eight - I am still struggling to pass gas and my heart murmur is still there, but the best thing happened today too!  Daddy was able to hold me for the first time!  

 Now we wait and pray.   Each day brings new blessings and new challenges.  God's plan is just, kind and wonderful.   I will try my best to stay out of His way and let life happen as it should.   Keep those prayers coming!