First Day of Commuting

Hello Family and Friends! Before I really get going, I just want to say thank you for the texts, emails, and comments on this blog that you all have been sending. We're so encouraged by the support that God has raised up around us.

We've made it through the first day. :-) I'm a little tired, but Katie is more so. I ran up to the hospital late last night to make a milk delivery, and hung out with Ethan for a couple hours. His nurse claimed that he is a little feisty, I'm wondering how he got that, since Katie and I have such cherubic natures! (FYI - yes, I'm being facetious) His nurse today mentioned something about him being a fighter too, so it must be true...

Ethan is doing really well. His billirubin levels started to plateau, so we're anticipating that tomorrow morning they'll be on the decline. Once they're down enough, the doctors will take him off the phototherapy, (probably take away his cool Oakley sunglasses too...)He's still on the nasal cannula, and he seems much more comfortable with it today. Yesterday, he was constantly pulling at it. Today, I didn't see him grabbing at it much at all.

I make an effort to discuss with the nurse on shift when his "hands on time" is going to be, and then try to coincide my visits with one or more of them. This afternoon, I was there for one, and got to change another diaper. That made 4. Oh, that reminds me of a story I wanted to tell!

Yesterday, I got to change him for the first time. I prepped the diaper, slid the back side under his bum, and took off his dirty (wet) diaper. As I was wiping him down, I noticed a little brown on the wet-wipe, so I wiped again. Apparently, my wiping him stimulated a need to "poo". The nurse and I stood there, and waited for him to go. After he went, I wiped him down again, which caused him to finish going! This time, it got on the new diaper, so I had to get a new one down there, wipe him down again, and strap the new diaper on. Just as I was finishing doing the straps (what are they really called?) Ethan felt the need to water his horses. Of course, I felt the need to chuckle hysterically for a moment. Then I cleaned him again, and put a new diaper on, while holding my breath that he was done!

Many of you have encouraged Katie, telling her your own stories of emotions, or sharing verses, etc. Thank you, as she has been blessed by them! Of course, we're still having to take those moments as they come, but reading what you've sent has been perfect for her.

I'm sorry I don't have any pictures today, I know you guys would much rather look at Ethan than read my reports, but hey, variety is the spice of life, right? ........ No? Ok, tomorrow I'll be sure to take more pics :-)

- Ken