I've returned to work this week. Kaitlyn has been doing really well - gaining weight, going potty, eating well...doing everything she should be. For those of you who were not filled in, she was born at 35 weeks and had to spend two weeks in the Neonatal ICU for oxygen, feeding, and jaundice problems. Thank God she was off the oxygen in about 3 or 4 days. Her little lungs started working full speed on their own. Her sucking reflex, however, took a while to kick in. Her inability to eat well caused her to lose weight (which I know is a normal occurance in any newborn), but it also produced some higher levels of jaundice. There were IV's and feeding tubes being put in and taken out in cycles as she was able or unable to eat on her own.
But she's been home for three weeks and has really gotten the hang of it all! We are so thankful that she had very minor issues compared with so many other premature children. I've been asking God to give me a greater compassion for people. I realized towards the end of Kaitlyn's hospital stay how God had used this situation to do just that. Walking through a Neonatal ICU can be heartbreaking as you see parents coming in and out - sometimes days, sometimes weeks, sometimes months - to see their baby who in some cases is struggling to just survive. It was so difficult for me to turn Kaitlyn over ENTIRELY to the One who created her, and my heart went out to the parents and children who had their own wrenching struggle. As I began to be familiar with some of the babies and parents we saw there on a regular basis I began praying for them and their battle. My eyes were opened to the plight of so many - those who are bedridden or homebound, those endlessly confined to hospital beds, the families of those who are ill ... I have realized due to personal experience why the church must reach out to these. They need special grace and strength to fight and endure. They need the encouragement and support of those whose faith is strong and ready to stand with them in battle. I pray that God continues to open my heart towards others in new ways.
I'm going to try AGAIN to get a picture up of Kaitlyn. For some reason my photos are not uploading to the site. If anyone has any suggestions please share!
Love to all
3 comments:
You both look wonderful! Congratulations again!!
Praise the Lord! Alhamdulillaah!
So glad to hear about your new daughter. May God give you many more! (I am not kidding btw. Don't stop at two!)
We are expecting in September, a baby girl :-) We are in the process of debating names. We have to find something that works in English, Spanish, and Arabic...not so easy.
We have so been there with the preemie birth. Isaac was born 6 weeks early and was in the NICU for 2 weeks for the same reasons. The nurses would come by and say, "oh, look who is going to be a pumpkin for halloween!" because he was so orange. He looked like George Hamilton! We were counting the days and praying a ton that he would finally figure out the whole suck, swallow, and breathe thing so he could breastfeed.
It really is an eye opening experience to be part of the NICU. We were sad at our own situation but also so thankful for our healthy little guy when we saw all the micro-preemies struggling to make it every day. You feel forever bonded to the doctors and nurses who care for your baby around the clock--when you can't be there. That was the hardest part was feeling torn in two places. Knowing that we needed to be with Ewan at home AND with Isaac at the hospital.
I am glad all is well now! She looks really cute.
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