Sunday, April 29, 2007

April 29, 2007

“I lift up my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip- he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you- the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm- he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” Psalms 121

I have had a great day watching Kyle. I have enjoyed every minute of it. Watching him gives me such joy. Kyle has changed so much in the week I was in Ohio!!! First, the most obvious change is that he is on CPAP. Besides just being able to take all of his breaths on his own, the CPAP brought about many unexpected changes. First, it allows us to be able to see his whole face....no more white tape covering part of it! Also, the ventilator separated Kyle's vocal cords so that he was not able to make sound. With CPAP this is no longer an issue, so, for the first time since Kyle was born 9 weeks ago, I have HEARD my baby cry! Little things I never realized I was missing, such as him sneezing, I can now see and hear. With the large tube of the vent out of his mouth, Kyle is also able to take a pacifier now, and he loves it. I spent a good part of yesterday and today holding his pacifier in his mouth...he's not quite coordinated enough to keep there himself, but the minute it pops out he gets so mad.

Another milestone Kyle hit while I was gone was reaching 1500 grams (3 pounds 5 oz.). This is some sort of a milestone in the NICU, as now Kyle does not have to wear the probe that regulates the temperature of his isolette. When a baby reaches 1500 grams, they are considered able to maintain their body temperature for the most part. Since Kyle does not have to wear the skin probe, he is now allowed to wear a hospital gown. Another first for me, seeing him in clothes! However, the best part of Kyle being able to maintain his temp better is that I was able to hold him, wrapped in a blanket, like you would hold a full-term newborn! This is the first time I have been allowed to do so. While kangarooing with Kyle has many advantages, the biggest downside was that I could not see Kyle's face when I held him. I spent five glorious hours this afternoon watching him while I held him.

At the end of today I thought about God watching me, his daughter, and wondering if he had as much fun watching me as I did Kyle. Did my actions make him proud the way I was so proud of Kyle? I am so thankful for the unconditional love God has for me. “Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.” Psalms 145:3. Don’t forget God is watching over you too!

In Christ,

Jennifer, Joe, Madison and Kyle

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Jennifer,
I am so overwhelmed, and my eyes are full to brimming over by the events as you portray them. I can't begin to imagine the feelings that you, as Kyle's mother, are experiencing now. God has brought you all soooo far. I was so thrilled to be able to tell the prayer partner at church today about Kyle's progress. Our prayers did not return void, according to Isaiah 55:11 - "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. " I love your analogy of God lovingly looking on His children - that love is almost too much to fathom. As Christ suffered and died, He looked down through the centuries and saw you and your family, and knew that His sacrifice would extend to you. How wonderful that you have embraced all He did for you. We love you so much.
Aunt Karen

Anonymous said...

Jennifer, Your writing today is poetry. I could experience Kyle through your eyes and your touch. And,I could relive the awe I felt when holding my own sweet babies many years ago. But the greatest gift of what you shared was that you triggered wonder so that I am also thinking does God view us in the same way and does that cause a desire in me to please Him all the more?
Kyle is not the only one developing and progressing this ordeal. I know I have! Laura

Anonymous said...

Dear Family
So good to get your good report. I know Kyle must of changed in a week so much as when you don't see them for a few days you can really tell alot of difference. I know it was so good to get to cuddle him in your arms like a newborn baby. Oh what we all take for granted, the little things in life, like you said hearing him cry and sneeze for the first time. I am sure it must of been music to your ears and then for him to look up at you with those big eyes saying""" I LOVE YOU MOMMY"""THANKS FOR TAKING SUCH GOOD CARE OF ME"" I KNOW FROM YOUR WRITING YOU ARE ONE OF THE ""BEST MOMMY'S IN THE WORLD"""and """JOE IS THE BEST DADDY IN THE WORLD""" and MADISON IS THE BEST SISTER IN THE WORLD"""KYLE HAS ALOT TO LOOK FORWARD TO LIVING IN THIS FAMILY WITH SO MUCH LOVE""

God has surely blessed each one of you with all He has done in Kyle's life as well as each of ours, when you write such inspiring letters. Thanks again for keeping us informed so well. Can't wait to get some more pictures of him in his clothes. That was also a great day with my granddaughter, the day we got to put little shirts on her, that was made for premmies, but made her a long dress, but was still so good to see her that way.

Just enjoy every minute of him, holding and cuddling him, time goes so fast and they grow up way to fast as you probably already know.

I am praying for the day you get to take him back to Ohio so you all can be with him together as a family.I shared his progress with everyone at my church yesterday as a ""PRAISE ITEM FOR ALL THE LORD HAS DONE FOR HIM"""then we had special prayer for him again.All my computer friends are also praying for him daily.

Keep up the good job Jennifier, hope to get more pictures on his 10th week birthday tomorrow.Can't wait to see him again.

Love & Prayers, Aunt Sandra, Aunt Ruth & Aunt Jean

Annie said...

I'm sitting here with tears of joy. How precious baby Kyle is. He's got to be so cute in his little hospital gown - and his precouse little sneezes. I am so happy for all of you. It has been such a long road. There is still more to go I'm sure, but this news is so good. God bless all of you.

Annie