March 6, 2007

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12

Kyle is two weeks old today! The top picture above was taken of Kyle when he was 3 days old. The bottom picture, taken today, is Kyle at 2 weeks. It is sort of hard to see, but there is the same size straw in each picture - hopefully to give you a little perspective as to how much he has grown. I know it is difficult to tell from a photo!

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I am finally beginning to feel like I am able to do mother type things for him. The last couple of days I have been allowed to change his diapers and take his temperature (under his arm). I realize there will come a day when changing diapers is not so magical, but for now it is so exciting! I was also able to feed Kyle. The nurse hooked up a syringe of milk to his feeding tube, and allowed me to very slowly push milk down into Kyle's tummy. Probably most importantly, I am now able to tell when he is getting upset and I know how to calm him down. He does not like to be poked and prodded, and anytime he is, he starts squirming and his heart rate will go up. I have learned that if I cup my hands on the top of his head and the bottom of his feet, he will calm down pretty quickly. The nurses say to confine him this way makes him feel secure like he is still in the womb. And of course the Kangaroo Care is awesome when I am allowed to do it! When Kyle was first born, I was petrified of "breaking" him - he was so small and fragile - and I felt helpless as his mommy. It is a very good feeling to finally feel as if I am able to help take care of him.

The results of Kyle's blood culture came back this morning, and it is still showing negative. Praise God! The doctors have stopped treating him with antibiotics, but will still continue to watch the culture for two more days before they officially declare he does not have an infection. Other than that, the only other news for today is that Kyle is tolerating his feedings very well. Today, the doctors increased his feedings to every three hours (yesterday he began feedings every four hours). He is still on 1 cc (equivalent to 1/5 of a teaspoon) except for every third feeding they are giving him 2 cc's.

On Friday evening I am going to fly home so that I can watch Madison's last cheerleading game on Saturday morning. After the game, Joe, Madison and I are going to drive my car down to Orlando - so that I do not have to keep renting a car. Then on Tuesday Madison and Joe will fly home, which means Madison will miss school on Monday and Tuesday of next week. When Madison got off the bus yesterday, she was burning up and ended up having a fever of almost 101. Poor thing did not say anything to her teacher yesterday because she was afraid if she was sent home from school for being sick, we would not allow her to miss any school next week. It makes me so sad that she worries about such things. Joe took her to the doctors this morning and she has a cold and an ear infection. They started her on penicillin and thankfully she is feeling much better and will be able to return to school tomorrow. I miss Madison all of the time - but it is especially hard during times like this.

I have so much love and thankfulness for all of you. I know your prayers are making a huge difference in our lives and how we handle each day.

In Christ,

Jennifer, Joe, Madison and Kyle