Hold Time

As seen in the previous post, Matt and I finally got to hold Caelan! This is something we have been really longing for and didn't think was going to happen for at least a few more days. Matt stops by the hospital on his way to work and the goal is for me to meet him there on my way home. I had a meeting this morning at work and knew that Matt and I would not see each other. After the meeting, I had tried to call Matt's cell phone a couple of times and he never answered. I finally called the hospital to see if he was still there- we tend to get wrapped up in our visits- it is difficult to leave! Sure enough he was still there. But the nurse said Matt couldn't come to the phone because he was "holding the baby."
"Holding the baby? What do you mean holding the baby? Like putting his hands on his head?"
"No, he's actually holding the baby."
"WHAT? OH MY GOSH! OH MY GOSH! I'M ON MY WAY!"
I jumped around the room, ran to my car and drove quickly (in case any of our deputies are reading- I kept a reasonable speed..... hmmm) to the hospital. I walked in and there was my precious and amazing husband, holding our son. I did more jumping around at that point. Matt had been holding him for about an hour or so; I took a few pictures and then it was my turn. Wow. That moment we have been waiting for... to feel him in my arms, to hold him close to my heart. And I stayed right there in that spot for an hour and a half. Soaking in his every expression, his every breath, each little squirm. Kissing his forehead- for the first time.

He is still 'working' to breathe. His respiration rate still remains a bit high. But his oxygen level is higher than it ever has been and they decreased his oxygen flow. He still has a bit to go- that struggle to breathe isn't going away for several more days at least. But that is ok- he has made such leaps and bounds over the past few days; he has truly been under God's right hand!

The other good thing is his feeding- still through the nasal tube and again, this will take a while to change. But he had reached his 36cc mark which is just over an ounce; they had figured he would stay at that amount for now... but no... Caelan is hungry between feedings! They have increased him to 44cc! This is great! He is also maintaing his weight really well. And as Matt had the joy of experiencing- Caelan is also filling his diapers quite well! That was a funny moment! Mostly because Caelan just kept going- Matt went through two diapers just during the change. We both laughed so hard!

AND.... Caelan has graduated to the other side of the NICU room! Good job buddy! He has moved to the area that is still for sick babies but out of that extremely critical section. Cool. "To God be the glory, for the things He has done!" Caelan is definatly a testimony of the power of prayer.....

Did I mention that we held our son? WE HELD OUR SON!!!!