Walking on Sunshine

*because there's just not any other song that conveys this feeling of unbridled joy*

Happy Three Week Birthday, Parker!  Happy Holding Day, Mommy!

It was magical.  It was delightful.  It was mildly terrifying.
I sat in a chair and had pillows shoved all around to make a happy little nest.  Then, two nurses and a respiratory therapist began the procedure of moving Parker into my arms.  The medicine pump tower had to be moved.  The IVs and tubes had to be gathered.  The ventilator tubes had to be secured.  The baby had to be moved.  The IVs and tubes had to be settled.  The ventilator tubes had to be taped into place.

And then, we sat there.

And sat there and sat there and sat there.  I got to hold him for about two hours, during which I told him all about our upcoming trip to Disney World.

**Yep, you heard that.  We ARE going to Disney World, dagnabit.  How do I know that?  Because the neonatologist confirmed that we are NOT in the land of a 50-50 shot anymore.  He pronounced Parker "Expected to survive (with 80 legal disclaimers inserted here about no guarantees and whatnot)" when Mike asked him yesterday.  I am not sure I have ever heard sweeter words.**

Here's the somewhat boring medical update:
-IJs removed today (these were the temporary lines in his jugular after he was removed from ECMO.  They were used for central access)
-PICC line inserted from left foot (this will stay for a looooooong while- it is now the central access)
-Morphine drip discontinued, bolus doses every 2 hours.  He's still on a pretty hefty amount, but it will hopefully be weaned down as time passes.  He still gets regular Ativan doses to take the edge off.
-Talk of possible extubation (off the ventilator) next week.  This will be a huge step!
-Tried to start feeding breast milk yesterday.  3 cc/hour.  Tiny tiny tiny amount.  Major puke-age.  Tried it at 1 cc/hour.  Tiny tiny tiny tiny amount.  Even more puke-age.  Epic fail on day one of feeding. His little belly just isn't ready yet, and that's fine.  We will try again soon!


My dad and Mike's mom visited yesterday.  My sister and her husband visited today.  It was nice for Parker finally to start meeting his family!

You know what else is nice? 

Loved this day.