He's Here!

Max arrived at 9:52 this morning weighting 6 pounds 1 ounce and 19 inches long. He has a head full of black hair, chubby checks and a round tummy. He was breathing on his own before they took him from the delivery room to the NICU. Mommy and daddy did get to hear his first cry, which was the most beautiful sound we've ever heard.

When he got to the NICU they decided to intubate him so that he didn't have to work as hard to breath on his own and because a chest x-ray showed some air around his lungs (pneumothorax). They were able to bring the oxygen that they were giving him down 35%. A second x-ray was done and it looked like the air had increased a little bit since he has been born so they put him back on 100% oxygen for two hours in hopes that it would help alleviate the air. They prepared us that if this didn't work that they would have to put chest tubes in to relieve the air. The air inhibits his lungs from expanding the way that they are suppose to. They did a third x-ray at 2:00pm and it showed that the air had stayed the same, so they decided to see how he handles it without the tubes. When we were down seeing him this evening, he was down to only needing 25% oxygen.

He is breathing a little fast, but this tends to be normal for preemies. He should learn to control this within 24-48 hours. Overall, the doctor is very pleased with his coloring and that he is able to be keep his temperature up and that he is being weaned from the oxygen. We are still at a critical point for his lungs, but he seems to be pretty doing well.

A very good thing to report is that he has been urinating through the hole in his belly. Also, daddy got to change his first (ever) diaper and Max chose to save his first bowel movement (black tar) for him to change. Oh and this happened twice! Of course I didn't have my camera to capture the milestone.

It looks like they will be keeping him here at Good Sam probably until I am released on Thursday or Friday. There is no emergency, since he is urinating, on getting him there for his kidneys and the doctor would like to get his respiratory system stable before he moves.

Overall, he is doing pretty well and we are very positive that he is going to prove that miracles do happen and that he is indeed a fighter. We are so in love with this little guy and couldn't be happier that he is here and doing well. Thank you again for all of the thoughts and prayers!

Mommy and daddy are VERY tired so we are going to try and get some sleep so that we can make it down to see him and hopefully catch the doctors making their rounds.

All of our love,

Beth, Tim and Max