Future and a Hope

“For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans for welfare not for evil, plans to give you a future and a hope!”
Jeremiah 29:11

Joseph is doing wonderful. In a week he has gone from eating 3ML every 3 hours to 12.5ML. They will raise that once again to 13ML at midnight. He has continued to digest and tolerate each feeding which is amazing! They will continue to give him the MCT oil and caffeine through the feeding tube. The IV in his leg has been approved to be removed at midnight tonight also! One by one the tubes are being removed, his little body is getting stronger!
They also gave us great news yesterday that they will work towards weaning him off of the vent tube within the next 5 days. Today he is only at 15% on the vent and breathing in the 90’s. The nurses have warned that more times than not this is a trial and error experiment. It is very common to have to be put back on the ventilator and try again in a few days. It will take some practice for Joseph to be able to get the hang of breathing on his own. The caffeine will help as a stimulates his brain to remember to breathe. Once he is weaned from the vent he will wear a CPAP mask which has little prongs that go in his nose. When he accomplishes this step he will be able to start kangaroo time or skin to skin. This is where Kirby or I one will be able to hold him for a few short periods through out the day.
The girls will have to continue to wait to see their sweet brother because his MRSA came back positive again today. The nurses assured me that it usually takes a few weeks or more before it completely clears up. They will continue the ointment on his ear and hopefully it will clear up soon. They are both becoming inpatient with not being able to see his face in person!
As for his weight, he is growing! We are up to 1 pound and 12 ounces as of 2am this morning. He is putting on a little fat and we are so happy about that! With the increases in feedings we should see a continued increase in weight. We are hoping to reach that 2lb mark by next week, if not sooner.
God has continued to move in his life and ours. Our love for Joseph, or baby Joe Joe as dad likes to call him, continues to become stronger, just like he is. Each day I get to spend a few hours watching him sleep, and I am so honored. I am overjoyed that he has people to sit with him and that they are us. As I continue to bond with him, small things like changing a diaper ( which the nurse let me help with yesterday) are big things to us. Being in the NICU puts life into perspective. Don’t be selfish and take for granted the things and time God has bestowed on you and your life. Instead take what has been given to you and be kind to others, share your lives and expand the light instead of the darkness in the world.