37 days

It's been a while since I've posted. The last few days have flown by. Chris and my mom brought the kids down on Thursday night. This is their second visit before getting to meet baby brother:) It's SO nice to see them again, but pretty chaotic as well. The kids seem to do well, but get restless in the hospital and the lack of routine and later bedtimes does take it's toll. They have had a lot of fun playing in the "zone" at the hospital. It's nice that they have some activities for kids here. We also take "walks" through the hospital lobby where the kids like to see the hanging butterflies and the bubble wall and where they find lots of elevator buttons to push.... It's going to be crazy weather tomorrow, about 80 degrees. So I may take the wheelchair outside and let the kids run around. I'm looking forward to that!

I was able to talk to a neonatologist from the NICU the other day. It was nice to get insight from someone who works with preemies every day. I asked her why standard treatment isn't just to give another round of antibiotics and let people carry the babies longer so that they can reduce the risk of infection. She explained how the baby has had less fluid to develop his lungs, so his lungs will be smaller than an average 34 week baby. As he grows he needs more fluid but has less. So his lungs will be able to adapt once he's on the outside at 34 weeks and they will mature and grow outside. But if we wait too long, his lungs will stay small and he will have less surface area for oxygen exchange, but a much bigger body. This will cause more complications with his breathing after he's born. So it will actually be easier for his respiratory system to mature if he's delivered at 34 weeks than later. This was so interesting to me. I also learned that preemies don't have the calm quiet environment of the womb to finish developing their brain. Therefore it will be very important for us to keep his environment calm, quiet, and free of turmoil to allow his brain to continue developing as it should. I'm realizing that if I can stay calm and stress-free, he will sense that from me, & it will actually help him recover and mature faster. The body is such an amazing thing.

Each week in this hospital has truly been a gift. God is answering the prayers for this little boy and preparing him to be ready to come into this world. Thank you for continuing to pray for him - not only for his health, but also for the purpose & plans God has for him.