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Today started like the other 10 days we’ve been here.  We got up, called the NICU for a report, and drove in to see him.

Our phone report sent our emotions through the roof.  All tubes were taken out this morning.  Yesterday, they took him off any O2 support, and this morning’s 8:30 feeding marked 8 in a row taken from a bottle (a full 24 hours worth).  So, we knew we’d get to see his whole face this AM when we walked in.

Little did we know that when we walked in, we would find him strapped in his car seat.  Since I’ve never been a father before, I had never thought about the little ones needing to have their car seats checked and they have to be secured in it for the length of time of their car ride home before you can be discharged.  I just assumed women knew how car seats worked when they became moms … apparently, I was wrong.

So, we left him be and went to wonder the only Border’s in the world with no music. (Really?)  When we came back we were informed that he had not passed the 3 hour test because of his continuing reflux issue.  He hadn’t had a problem until after 2 hours of the test.  So, if we were at Methodist, Community, or Clarion we’d be fine.  Shoot, even Ball Memorial in Muncie or St. John’s in Anderson, we’d be OK.

Sarcasm aside, we want him to be the healthiest he can be before we take him home.  But, sitting in the hospital for 11 days straight is taxing.  It’s exhausting to know you can’t do anything to help the situation.  Isn’t that something parents do for their kids?  It’s especially tiring when there’s seemingly no end in sight.  So, we held him for a few hours then let him rest, since the biggest steps forward seem to happen during long rests.

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We’re kind of up in the air.  We don’t really know what’s next.  This afternoon’s nurse thought we might “be here for quite awhile.”  Tonight’s nurse thinks maybe a few days … it’s hard to know which way is up sometimes.

Keep praying.  We need it.
PJ, ANGIE & ISAAC//