Update: Lincoln is a trooper . . .

I've noticed lots of people doing the daily thanks statuses on Facebook. I participated last year & think it's a great idea. We should think about our blessing and being thankful every day of the YEAR, but life is chaotic and gets away from us. Dedicating one month to focus on the good in our lives is a good compromise. I'm not participating on Facebook this year, but you best believe that I'm counting my blessings more this month than ever before.

Today is day 10 of the NICU for Lincoln. It's easy to focus on the negative or let myself get down/depressed. I've noticed I get the most emotional when saying goodnight & leaving him. I'm not even going to get into listing the things that bring me down - because then I will indeed get down (and it's too early in the day for that!). If you take 2 minutes I'm sure you can easily figure out the things that make me sad having my 10 day old baby in the NICU in an isolette and not being able to take him home.

90% of the time I try to hold in the sadness, but sometimes there's just no controlling it (Hello, hormones!). In those times I am oh so thankful to have my husband by my side through every step of this challenging journey. He has not left my side once. He even asked if I wanted him to stay with me while they stitched me up. (Another thankful: Wes was able to go be everywhere I could those first 24 hours I was on bed rest due to the pre-eclampsia. He was able to go straight to the NICU with Lincoln while I had to lay there helplessly).

I feel so indebted to the Ronald McDonald house. Thanks to them when we leave the NICU at 10pm we only have to drive a few blocks rather than an hour. That is the biggest blessing. Not only does it save us (pointless) time on the road but the gas money!!!! In conjunction with staying there we also get a parking pass for the hospital parking ramps. This is another HUGE blessing. The ramps can EASILY rack up $20+ per DAY without our pass!!

Another thing I am consistently reminding myself of (and being very thankful for) is Lincoln's health. Yes, he's in the NICU. No, he won't come home this month. All in all, though? He's healthy. His condition could be so much worse. He is such a fighter and shows us every day just how strong he is. He really is doing so well, even with his small set back. His oxygen was slowly lowered about every other day of life - which is quick improvement if you ask me! He has been off of oxygen and keeping at about an average if 97 for a few days now.

Through all of the journey he has always remained our happy baby. He gives us ample smiles and is content 90% of the time (the 10% typically consists of getting X-rays taken or his temp taken - not a fan of either of those). Other than that he typically only fusses if he wants rolled on his side or if he realizes he is hungry (he's been on IV only - no milk - since Friday cuz he had a small set back with his stomach being irritated).

Rounds were just done and they feel his stomach is ready to start slowly putting him back on breast milk. He has 3 more days of antibiotics. Before they stopped breast milk (Fri morning) he was getting 20mL every 3hrs and they're starting him back up on 8mL every 4hrs. So I'm sure that won't really satisfy him, but he'll be glad to get something in that belly again!!

I'm so glad we initially decided to come to the University of Iowa hospital for prenatal care even though it was an hour drive. He is in great hands and that helps me rest at night. I'd rather he be home so we can start to establish our new "normal", but until then I'm glad he's here. The doctors and nurses are so great!

I'll try to keep this updated - mostly because I think I will appreciate having this documented for ourselves down the road. :)

Thank you for the continued prayers.