Day 2

Good evening. Judah is resting down in the NICU. We have been able to extend our stay at the hospital until tomorrow using a complimentary room reserved for NICU families. It is so nice to stay close a little longer :) Judah had a really good day today. His prostaglandin medication was turned off early this morning. It is used to keep the PDA (a connection between the pulmonary artery and aorta) open after birth, but it has side effects like apnea and fever, both of which Judah was experiencing. The hard thing is that we may need to keep the PDA open if the hole between the top chambers of his heart isn't allowing enough oxygenated blood to mix and make it out into his bloodstream. Until the last few hours, it looked like he was going to be able to stay off of the prostaglandins because his oxygen levels were staying high enough. However tonight he started having a few drops in his readings and we may need to restart the prostaglandins. This was all expected and we're just thankful that we were able to go most of the day without the medication.

Two very exciting things happened today also. Matthew finally had a chance to hold Judah, which they both really enjoyed. And...I was able to nurse him twice. Amazingly, he really wanted to eat and did a great job. We may or may not try again tomorrow depending on how his oxygen levels are tonight.

Matthew and I actually left the hospital tonight to have Christmas dinner with Nehemiah, our parents, and my sisters. Auntie Amy (Matthew's sister) is working in the NICU tonight so Judah wasn't alone for Christmas either :) It was so good to spend some time with Nehemiah and watch him open his presents. He's having a wonderful time with his grandparents and aunties!

Thank you all for your comments and prayers!

Merry Christmas!

Kirsten