jonah - monday, march 16th

Jonah had another good day today. He took all of his bottles and is beginning to eat more each time. They have said that if he eats an average of 70 cc's each feeding, he can skip his 9pm and 12am feedings without the tube having to go back in.

Matt and I were in on his dressing changes tonight. I wrapped one arm and one leg by myself (with the help of Sabrina). The wrapping itself wasn't that difficult, but it was really trying doing his exercises. It was just so sad having to hold on to his raw arms, hands, and feet and force him to move them when you know it hurts. It was probably harder on us than it was on him. He's so strong. He only whimpered a couple times when we messed with the really bad spots. The combination of medications and timing seems to be doing the trick. I think it was so difficult because it was a reality check- just realizing how raw his hands and feet still are. They may have healed some, but mostly they're just as bad as they were the day he was born. And I'm not sure how much improvement we can actually hope for. That may depend on his specific diagnosis. He doesn't seem to be experiencing nearly as much pain during the day and can make it on just one dose of Tylenol.

The audiologist came today and did Jonah's hearing screening. We hope it's the first step on the path to home. He passed by the way - the first of many A's in his future.

I'm pretty tired, but I'll be sure to post some pictures tomorrow.

Today's shout-outs:
- To Danielle, for my awesome blog redesign. She's very talented and has worked very hard with minimal input from me. She did a great job. I love it. Thanks, Danielle.
- To Matt's Aunt Katherine, who purchased the blog redesign as our baby gift months before Jonah arrived. Because of our current situation, I put it all in her hands, and she exchanged tons of e-mails with Danielle over the last couple weeks discussing all the details. Thanks for all your hard work and caring about it like it was your own. What a great gift! (I guess God knew my audience would be slightly larger than it was before.)

Sorry this is so late. I would have had it up an hour ago, but spent a very long time reading all the cards and looking at all the care packages we got in our PO Box today. Matt and I are constantly amazed at how many people love us and are praying for Jonah. We could never express how much it all means to us. The word "thank you" sounds really lame, but it's all we've got... so... THANK YOU!

Specific prayer requests for Jonah:
- that his hands and feet would begin to heal... especially his hands, which haven't changed much at all.
- for his diagnosis that we hope to have by Wednesday. (I'm dreading it...unfortunately clinging to the "ignorance is bliss" policy)

Hope you all have a great night. My posts will probably be late from now on, since we have dressing changes at night now, and we are participating. I don't really have time until we get home from the hospital. I guess you west coasters will have to pick up the praying slack, since the eastern seaboard folks need to get in bed... seriously, what are you guys still doing up???