It was a good day.....

.....Nate is doing very well today. His rate on his ventilator continues to be adjusted down slowly and he is tolerating this well. I was able to hold him for over 3 hours today. That was a wonderful feeling to hold him as he slept.

The staff at All Children's hospital is wonderful. If Nate can't be home with us, we are lucky to have him where he is.

Patrick and Leeann

There have been no major changes in the last few days. Nate had been receiving small 1 cc feedings every 6 hours. These had been suspended because his belly was distended. They are going to restart the feedings tomorrow. He is is no longer as distended as he was.

Today the nurse told me he was a "belly boy" because he was happier sleeping on his stomach.....exactly like me! I even was sleeping on my stomach the same night after my c-section. I totally understand Nate's comfort on his belly.

Oh apparently he has my nose and face shape, but Patrick's lip line, long arms,long legs, big feet and big hands. I can't wait to see what he looks like without all the tubes.

Until next time-

Leeann and Patrick

Christmas Night Pictures.....

Merry Christmas to all.....

......and to all a good night!! And it was! I got to hold Nate last night on Christmas night! It was quite special; skin to skin contact- he is so tiny, so soft and so warm! I attached a photo of the small card that we found stuck to his isolette last night. His foot measures 2 inches exactly from the top of the toes to the heel. He is doing so well. They determined that his lab work is stable enough that he only needs to have his blood drawn every other day now (all except blood gases- that is still twice a day I believe). Also, his frequency of breaths on his ventilator continues to be adjusted down as he tolerates it. This has been a challenging two weeks, but it is so wonderful to see our son get stronger and healthier! Thank you all for our words encouragement!

Love,

Patrick and Leeann

Grampa Loftus took my picture this afternoon! I like sleeping on my tummy with my knees pulled up. Merry Christmas everyone!

December 24th........

Nate looks good today. The cultures that they took on Saturday all show no growth. With this information, the doctors discontinued all 3 antibiotics he was on. He is changing slowly every day, his ears are more defined and he has grown 1/2 an inch- he is now 13 inches. Weight dropped slightly to 1 pound 9 ounces, but that will vary until he starts in feedings instead of just IV nutrition. They did start to give him 1 ml of breast milk every 6 hours to prepare his stomach for future feedings.

For all you medical people, here are some numbers- blood levels all good right now. Vent settings:
vT= 8.2/kg, f=46, fio2=21%. Still getting IV lipids and hyperal via a midline in his right leg.

I read the comments, so if there are any questions, I will find out the answers.

Thanks for all the well wishes- we appreciate them and love you all.

Patrick and Leeann

December 19th Friday - Leeann was called by Janie, nurse practitioner and told that she believed Nate was stable enough to be held. Leeann was able to hold him for approx 10 minutes Friday evening.

December 20th Saturday - Nate pulled out his breathing tube at 6 am- he was allowed to see how well he did without it. He lasted 10 hours, but at 4 pm they had to reinsert the breathing tube because he was wearing himself out working hard to breathe on his own.

December 21th Sunday- Tonight Nate is having a harder time breathing and some yellow phlegm, his blood gasses were out of range and they had to increase his oxygen level. Urine and blood cultures are being obtained to see if there is an infection starting. Those results will take a couple of days, until then, they are starting him on 3 intravenous antibiotics.

Well, people have been asking about photos and “just how “big” is he? So, we have some photos to share with you today.

Leeann came home from the hospital yesterday. On our visit to Nate today he was wrapped in a blanket and laying on his tummy. The blue light is no longer on and his mask covering his eyes has been removed. We don't know for sure but it appears he is attempting to open his eyes!

Santa & Mrs. Claus came to visit with Nate. See picture

December 15th- We had hoped to take Leeann home today. But she will stay another night to try new meds to control blood pressure. Nate was without mask and light today and wrapped tightly in a bunting. He still has several lines but was able to get one fist close to his mouth and the other at his ear. The nurses said he was doing good. We discovered today that a friend from church will be his developmental coach. 8PM-- Just got the call, blood pressure normal. Leeann probably home tomorrow- though Baby Nate will probably be at All Children’s until close to his original St Patrick’s Day due date.

December 14th- Paula visited with Leeann and then Nate. Mr. and Mrs. Santa were there when she arrived. Each babe had his picture taken with hand knit caps made by hospital volunteers. Nate’s color had improved and the nurses said he was doing well. We painted at Pat and Leeann’s with 2 of their friend finishing their bath remodel and the nursery. The prayer responses have been wonderful. It is such a comfort to know they are lifted in prayer by so many.

December 13th- Mom and Dad and both grandparents visited with Nate, This picture was taken that day.

Patrick gave blood for use with Nate if needed. Leeann moved to maternity floor. She is hopeful she can go home soon.

December 11th- Leeann was delivered by C-Section due to HELLP syndrome at Bayfront Hospital in St Petersburg. Baby Nate was taken through a tunnel across the street to All Children’s Hospital to the NICU1 Unit with the neonatal team and Patrick. Pat was able to touch him before he was placed in the isolette and he clutched at Dad’s finger. Leeann stayed in recovery for 24 hours and 2 sets of parents and Patrick learned the catacombs between the 2 hospitals. Messages sent out to family and friends for prayers to blanket this little family.