Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Endlessly Waiting

Hey kiddo,

It's been a crazy few days for your Mom and Dad lately. You're getting very close to coming home, yet we can't seem to get over the final hump. The doctors and nurses have told us twice now that you're coming home a certain day, only to change their minds because they feel you're not breathing well. It's very frustrating for us. We just want to have you home and be done with the hospital visits.

The good news is that your room is all ready and waiting for you. We're still waiting on curtains, but you sleep in an open room at the hospital right now and the lights are always on, so we're hoping that won't bother you too much. We have a smaller crib that we'll keep in our bedroom for the first few weeks you're home, so we can all sleep together.

Love you,
Dad

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Time Flies

Dear Emmett,

It's hard for me to believe you're only 3 weeks old now, it seems like you've been a part of our lives for much longer than that. Your mom is with you right now and I am at work. She keeps me updated on her day-time visits, so I feel like I am right there with you.

You had another visit from the cardiologist today. They checked you out a week or so ago and discovered that you have a heart murmur. The technical term for it is Patent Ductus Arteriosus or PDA. When a baby is in the womb, there is a little connection between the aorta and pulmonary artery. When a baby is born, that connection is supposed to close, but because you were premature, yours hasn't yet. It's a common birth defect in premature babies, but one that will hopefully resolve itself. If it doesn't, you may have to have surgery to fix it.

Otherwise, you've been progressing well. Your temperature is getting better, we're hopeful you will be in just a crib soon. You actually nursed from mommy for your feeding this afternoon and that is great news. You also took three feedings yesterday from a bottle. If you can continue to do that, then your feeding tube can be removed. You've also been moved to a new room in the NICU. It's a less private room, so your mom and I have to get used to that, but it doesn't bother you.

Your mom and I had a baby shower for you this past Sunday. Lots of people that care about you and us a lot came and give you lots of gifts. We're very thankful to have so many caring people in our lives and their gifts will help us take good care of you.

I love you,
Daddy