Micah may be cleared medically to come home on Monday or Tuesday. His remaining issues: Jaundice and, still slightly loosing weight, other wise he's good. Also today he was moved to the newborn nursery and out of NICU, called the Baby Steps Nursery, still manned by NICU staff, but a lot quieter, and only 2 babies and a window where siblings can see.
William, he's still getting tube feeds, the full feeding of 37 cc's, he's now off of IV nutrition and fluids, he's still on fenababarall (anti seizure) via IV, to rest the brain, pending no-seizure activity on the EEG tomorrow. They will also do an MRI, CT Scan or Sonogram again tomorrow. He's gained 3 oz, and seems to be doing better each day. He had another apnea episode today :(. So we're really hoping he'll have the EEG tomorrow and the Neurologist will read the EEG Right away.
3/14/08 1am
William is doing well. He's breathing room air, and he needs no breathing assistance (the nasal contraption he had). William also had an EEG and they found no seizure activity. He had been shaking and his eyes had been rolling. He'll have another EEG just make sure. They'll do a gag reflex test tomorrow, and if he passes, then he can start to breastfeed. Optimistically, they're hoping he'll be out in 7-10 days.
Micah is continuing to learn to breastfeed and is in a regular bassinette. He may go home as early as Monday.
I almost forgot to give the official stats:
3/11/08 around 10 pm
William
4 lbs. 10 oz.
18"
Micah Joe
7lbs. 1 oz.
19 1/2"
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Today:
I'm on my way up to the hospital so this will be quick: New pictures on my blog: conradzone.blogspot.com and Flickr account: www.flickr.com/photos/conradzone Micah: New today: he is on Billi lights for the Jaundice it is double yesterdays value, but he is pooping more today the number is 13.6, but this isn't bad and he's only expected to be on these numbers for a day. New yesterday: He's off of all IVs and breastfeeding for all nutrition, my milk is in and he's eating well, and there is plenty for william too. William: New today: some apnea episodes, on Billi lights but values is down from 10 to 6. He's increasing feeds from 10 cc to 5+ every other feed. He's currently at 15 and quickly up to 20. He's also getting iv nutrition, and IV electrolights. Brain scan EEG set for monday, and CT scan too. He needs to be having more movement and a significant increase in brain activity in the EEG, and no sesiure activity so he can come off of the anti convlucant. Minimum 5 more days in the hospital.
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Yes Tommy helped Daddy Vote and got a sticker on the nose for doing so.
I put my hand on my belly just becasue it's so big that's the only place really to rest my hand, and I cold feel my belly going up and down like it was breathing. In case you don't know what that feeling would be, I held my breath and it wasn't me. My baby was practicing breathing!! A healthy full term baby will practice breathing while still in the mother womb. It's something they check for when they do a BPP (Bio Physical Profile) Sonogram late in pregnancy. I never knew you could possibly feel that from the outside, but I'm positive that's what it was. I remember them checking if Tommy was practicing breathing in the sono we had on him on his birthday.
We were on tv!!! He did great! He signed Dangerous and Blueberry.
Here's the link to the paper story:
I'll post the video when I figure out how to get it on the computer. I may be pointing my web cam at the tv to capture it...hehe....
Today we hosted our local MOMs Club Wed Play-group. I kinda dread hosting it sometimes because Tommy can get really clingy and nervous/acting out because he has people invading our house. At the beginning he kept opening the front door and running out. Then he kept trying to steal everybody's snacks. Then after about an hour and a few time outs (there's one girl he loves to hear scream so he bats at her face trying to make her scream). He finally warmed up to everyone and was sad to see everyone leave.
We did a baby ASL class for him to help us communicate better before he could talk, and it's even helpful understanding him when he says stuff now that's hard to understand. Tommy's Sign Teacher is doing a news article and we've been asked to help demonstrate a child doing signs. I believe it will be on Channel 8 on the 9 am segment, on Wednesday Feb 27th. I'll update more as/if I know more.
Ok I find myself avoiding boards, lurking/just reading, and not posting much because it seems I have an uncanny nak right now for pissing people off....Guess the hormones are getting to me....hope I haven't pissed anyone else off either....so accept my appologies if I have... 
course that seems especially true where I do choose to post...(like my blogs...) so continue to read at your own risk....
I'm having a shower/Mother's Blessing Celebration Sunday the 24th, and If you want to go just let me know I'll send you the details. I'm also having HENA done on my belly that day a little before the official shower. I believe I emailed most people, but I'm sure I forgot someone, it wasn't on purpose.
Ok here's the details, if you need my address let me know!:
Below is the invite my sister did up, and I can't find everybody's snail mail address, so you're getting and e-email invite. I hope you can come!
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What is a mother's blessing? (or also referred to as a blessing way.)
A Mother Blessing is a celebration for a new life. It can be used by anyone, expecting a baby, adopting a baby, or just in need of a celebration of life in general. This can be looked at as an alternate form of a baby shower.
Unlike your typical baby shower, there is no commercial gift giving emphasis. The guests are invited to spend time with the mother-to-be. The tone of the Mother Blessing is much more positive . It is a time to celebrate and rejoice in new life.
What do I bring to a Mother Blessing ?
We will have a candle lighting, so bring a positive thought in mind or well wish for the mother-to-be. Also, we will be making a necklace for the mother-to-be to have with her during labor. So, bring a bead with a special meaning for Lydia. (Be prepared to describe it's particular meaning.) And most importantly bring yourself! We can't wait to see you there!
Don't Forget:
**Call Lydia & let her know you'll be there.**
For
Lydia Conrad
February 24th, 2008
Time: 2:30 to 4:30pm
Host: Rachel Rubio (sister)
Mother of a "Special" Child
When I was young, I'd often say,
I'd like to be a mom someday
While playing with my baby doll,
I thought that job's not hard at all
I'd have a baby, maybe two,
a girl in pink...a boy in blue
Well I grew up and sure enough,
I'm now a mom and gosh it's tough
The baby that was sent to me,
was born with disabilities
At first I'm frightened through and through,
there's much to learn to care for you
This wasn't in my plans at all,
when I was young and played with dolls
Your mind and body were so weak,
you might not ever walk or speak
So much special care required,
I'm often scared and often tired
As months and years go slowly by,
I smile a lot but sometimes cry
To watch you grow and not complain,
though you endure your share of pain
Oh, how I'd hold you and I'd pray,
that you'd be healed and whole someday
But I knew that was not to be,
not physically or mentally
And so I taught you best I could,
your progress wasn't very good
But then one day I realized,
as I gazed into your loving eyes
That I had learned so much from you,
determination...courage too
A love so unconditional,
it floods my soul and always will
I'm proud to say I gave you birth,
for you're an angel here on earth.
God Choose a mother for a "Special" child
Most women becaome mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressure and a couple by habit.
This year nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of handicapped children. Did you ever wonder how mothers of handicapped children are chosen?
Somehow I visualize God hovering over earth selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger.
"Armstrong, Beth; son. Patron saint...give her Gerard. He's used to profanity."
"Forrest, Marjotie; daughter. Patron saint, Cecelia."
"Rutledge, Carrie; twins. Patron saint, Matthew."
Finally He passes a name to an angel and smiles, "Give her a handicapped child."
The angel is curious. "Why this one God? She's so happy."
"Exactly," smiles God, "Could I give a handicapped child to a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."
"But she has patience?" asked the angel.
"I don't want her to have to much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she'll handle it."
"I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has his own world. She has to make her live in her world and that's not going to be easy."
"But, Lord, I don't think she even believes in you." God smiles, "No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect - she has just enough selfishness." The angel gasps - "selfishness? is that a virtue?"
God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take for granted a 'spoken word'. She will never consider a 'step' ordinary. When her child says 'Momma' for the first time, she will be present at a miracle, and will know it!"
"I will permit her to see clearly the things I see...ignorance, cruelty, prejudice....and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life, because she is doing My work as surely as if she is here by My side".
And what about her Patron saint? asked the angel, his pen poised in mid-air.
God smiles, "A mirror will suffice."
