"...and a little child shall lead them." Isaiah 11:6
Today is a very bittersweet day. Early this morning, Kyle was moved from the Level 3 Newborn Intensive Care Unit to the Level 2 unit. He is now what is considered a "feeder and grower" which is basically a preemie that just needs to eat and get bigger before he can go home. Very good news from a medical standpoint, but bittersweet as Kyle is now in a big room with about 10 other babies. For the past 11 weeks, we have been in our own private room. It was an adjustment today, for Kyle and I, to now be in a room with 10 babies, 3 nurses and various other parents. Today Kyle's blood pressure has been high and his oxygen level was up to 30% (it was 23% yesterday)...which his nurse said is a result of his new surroundings and the noise level. With 10 babies living in the same room, one is ALWAYS crying! The level of care is a little less also since the babies are not as critically ill. In Level 3, the nurses care for just two babies at a time...Level 2 they care for four babies at a time. Anyways, although it is going to take some getting used to, this is a great move for move for Kyle - we're one step closer to being able to go home!
For the past two days, Kyle's weight has been 4 pounds 15 ounces...we are so close to 5 pounds! To me, Kyle looks HUGE, at least compared to how tiny he used to be. I was even thinking he may be able to fit into his newborn size clothes, but we're not quite there yet. In the pictures above, I have laid a newborn size sleeper next to Kyle so you can get a little perspective on his size compared to a full-term newborn baby. The average size of a newborn is 7 pounds 6 ounces so we still have a little ways to go, but we'll get there! By the way, someone mentioned to me the other day that they wished there was a way to see a bigger picture of Kyle. Most of you have may have already figured this out, but if you click on a picture of Kyle you can see it blown up. Just don't do it to pictures of me...I don't need my wrinkles magnified any more than they already are!
We thank God as he continues to fit each piece of our puzzle in place. "May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at ALL times and in EVERY way. The Lord be with all of you." 2 Thessalonians 3:16
Much Love,
Jennifer, Joe, Madison and Kyle
Saturday, May 26, 2007
May 26, 2007
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3 comments:
Hi Jennifer,
Kyle is so cute!! Congrats on his stepdown to the level 2!! Because of his many obstacles, he's definitely had an unusually long haul in the NICU. In the beginning, we all prayed that his time in the NICU would be short. For reasons unknown to us, the Lord had a different plan. Through this entire ordeal your faith has never wavered and this has been so inspiring to me. I will be praying that Kyle's eyes will heal on their own and that he'll take to the bottle without difficulty. I pray that this part in the NICU will go quickly!!
Anna
WOW Jennifer, I had goose bumps reading this entry. Not only has Kyle undergone another "graduation" but he weighs so much! (Yes, it is all relative). I am sure it is a major adjustment for both of you but a good and necessary one. Perhaps the stimulation will actually end up helping him.
We cannot wait to see you and eventually to meet this amazing little fighter. Have a blessed week. Laura
I remember when they moved Julie to a lower level unit. You get kind of spoiled in the Intensive Care units. It's so nice that they are doing better but it is hard to move to a larger area where you get less attention. Sometimes those units are so chaotic. I know what you mean - it does seem that someone is always crying - then there are more families to contend with. At this point your patience is wearing thin and it can be a pain to deal with. Hang in there. You will soon be home and this will be behind you. You have been thru so much and done so well.
Annie
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