Colton's Story--the Facebook Edition

 January 30, 9:30PM

Colton Samuel born tonight at 6:29. A chubby 8 pounds, 7 ounces, 21 1/2 inches long. We're so happy!!!

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January 30, 10:45PM

Not sure how one is supposed to sleep with this much chubby cuteness to snuggle

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January 31, 1:00AM

Single ladies, word of warning: finding a guy who always makes you laugh is over rated... At least after delivering said-man's child.

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February 1, 1:45PM

Our sweet little Colton is very sick. His lungs aren't working as they should and tests and x rays have so far been inconclusive. Your prayers for our precious bundle's healing as well as wisdom for us and the medical staff means so much to us.

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February 2, 12:30AM

As sad as he looks, it is so good to see him resting finally. That's his biggest need right now. He most likely has pneumonia and it can take as long as 4 days (48 hours from now) to see noticeable improvement with the antibiotics.

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February 2, 9:00AM

No parent ever wants to see their child leave in one of these, but for Colton it actually put our minds at ease. He was transferred to Rochester this morning after his conditioned took a turn for the worse at 3am. They're optimistic of a swift recovery.

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February 2, 11:00AM

This February drive to Rochester is major de ja vu of 14 years ago when my baby sister was born there. Happy Birthday, Tabby! ♥

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February 2, 5:45PM
Just want everyone to know that Colton is like a brand new baby. I'll try to adequately update more later. We can't have our phones on while with him, so I apologize to those who have called, texted or otherwise waited for updates. We're not ignoring you. Thanks so much for all your prayers. Keep them coming... Colton is going to be well soon! :)

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February 2, 8:30PM

So this is the last shot I took of Colton this evening before saying goodbye and heading to a hotel where I think I will FINALLY be able to sleep knowing my little man is in good and fully capable hands. A completely different baby than the one I had in my arms this morning who was struggling so bad.

To recap, I was awakened at around 3:30 by the pediatrician saying that Colton had taken a turn for the worse and he felt they needed to transfer. As gut-wrenching as it was to hear that he was worse, it was also a relief to know that he was finally going to get the care he needed so bad and that I had really begun to want for him yesterday. Andy and I rushed immediately to his side only to find about every nurse on staff trying to get him to relax enough to not exhaust himself. The only thing that calmed him was me holding him, but even that wasn't offering him as much relief as he so desperately needed in the 2 hour wait for the transfer. As soon as the Rochester pediatric team marched in the doors it became a completely different atmosphere. In no time they had him calmed, assessed, and a plan in motion, all the while keeping us informed. They sedated him and put him on a respirator to give him a break and ensure a safe 2 hour drive to Rochester on very icy roads. By the time Andy and I got to Rochester (about 2 hours after Colton had arrived), the baby sprawled out contentedly in his bed the same way his big brother sleeps was a complete night and day difference than the baby I had in my arms just hours earlier. AND he was already off of the respirator (which we aren't to be too concerned should they have to put it back on--it isn't as bad as it sounds as it will help his lungs heal quicker if he is wearing himself out). As soon as he heard our voices his eyes opened and he turned his face to us and listened intently. That little inquisitive face of his gets me every time. The nurse commented on how much his numbers were improving just with us being with him. When we got there they were giving him 40% oxygen, and when we left he was down to 26% and his respirations were looking better by the time we left (of course, this fluctuates a lot and all his bad turns have come about during the night, however I think it might be safe to hope that we don't have to fear that with the expert hands he's in now). They not only "let" me hold him, but they encouraged it.

It was so comforting to be introduced to the people working with him--a NICU pediatrician who specializes in preemies (who always have lung problems) and who also happened to be one of Tabby's doctors, a resident doctor, a nurse practitioner, a respiratory therapist not to mention all the competent nurses.... and you know they're all the best of the best considering this is Mayo Clinic Rochester we're talking about. They all gathered around and explained what they're seeing in Colton and how they think it's pnuemonia but it is very treatable and he will be just fine probably by this time next week. They're looking at a possible date of Wednesday (at the very earliest) for going home. The respiratory therapist also thinks the reason we're seeing such a huge improvement so quickly is because as he was removing the respirator Colton was able to cough out a lot of the fluid he had in his lungs.

So that's where things are at. I'm hoping and praying that they will be able to get him off the CPAP soon and we can start working on nursing. For now though I'm going to go to bed and sleep better than I have in a long time.

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February 3, 4:00AM

I think my heart will need an hour or two to calm down from being woken up by Colton's pediatrician for the second night in a row, around the same time that Colton's condition has worsened in every night of his life so far. But the first words out of her mouth were, "Colton is doing great...." And then she went on to explain the nature of her call. He is doing so well they took him off c-pap and on to a regular oxygen canula to see how he does. They may have to switch him back but for now he's doing very well..... JUST VERY HUNGRY and they want to get some breast milk in his tummy!!! And she just wondered how I would prefer they go about doing that. So we decided on going with a stomach tube for now and providing he's still doing good oxygen-wise, we will start breast feeding when I get there in the morning. Oh my, last time I felt this euphoric was the moment I held that little boy in my arms for the first time. I am a firm believer in the power of prayer (and the incredible medical staff here in Rochester :)) and I wish I could tell you how overwhelmingly grateful to each and every one of the hundreds of people who have upheld our little baby in prayer. Thank you SO MUCH. Your continued prayers are so appreciated. ♥

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February 3, 8:30AM

Colton is sleeping and happily breathing room air all on his own!

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February 3, 7:00 PM
Content after a good first time nursing

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February 3, 10:30PM

Day four of this little man's life and he had all the pretty nurses gushing over his chubby adorable-ness. We all had a fantastic day. Colton spent the entire day completely off oxygen. He slept a lot and is still breathing a bit hard but his numbers remained fantastic all day. We even got to close the day out with a very successful nursing. Do you have any idea how happy I am??? Jimmy finally got to hold him and it was pretty adorable--just as had been previously predicted :). When Colton was awake, he was very interactive. We got to become more acquainted with his completely cute little personality. He kept smiling.... and so did his mamma! Oh my, I can't stand how cute he is!!

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February 4, 10:45PM

Colton's day 5 update is boring, and that's because like yesterday, he's continuing to improve! He nurses, he gets very mad if someone were to suggest that a pacifier is just as good as what mom has for him, he smiles at mom and dad, he keeps the nurses busy with non-life threatening things like continually having to change his bedding and clothes because he likes to pee... Yes, he's getting better every day. Tomorrow's plan is to primarily nurse. We are so thrilled! In other news, we are now out of our cheap allergy-inducing hotel and set up at the Ronald McDonald House, just walking distance from our baby. And let me just say, the Ronald McDonald House is an incredible charity. We truly feel like we have a very comfortable, beautiful home away from home here. Thanks so much for the continued thoughts and prayers. We sure feel your support. ♥

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February 5, 9:30AM

Phone call of the morning at the earliest possible hour of convenience by a desperate nurse: "is there any way you could get here early? Colton does not want his feeding tube. He wants his mom." :) 

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 February 5, 4:00PM

Milk coma-ness

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February 5, 10:20PM

Basically the only thing I did today was sit and stare at my own perfect real live baby doll... And nurse, nurse, nurse, nurse, nurse. :) He has such a little personality that has me and all the nurses wrapped right around his little finger and pinky toe. Tonight as he was waking up from a very deep milk coma I started talking to him and he peeped at me with one eye and shyly smiled. His smiles got bigger the more he woke up and the more I talked to him. The nurse from last night came by and was telling me what a little trouble maker he was for her. I happened to glance down at him in my arms and there he sat grinning away at his own mischief.
The update for tonight is he will most likely have his feeding tube removed tomorrow. It hasn't been used since this morning and they are giving him bottles when I am not there, so providing he doesn't wear himself out with this new form of food consumption he will have no need for that cord. The even better piece of news is that the official plan is now to be discharged and headed home Thursday morning. His last round of antibiotics is tomorrow night and after that we're in the home stretch. Literally. Providing, of course, there are no unforeseen complications that arise.
While staring at my precious, healthy bundle I couldn't help but once again feel overwhelmingly grateful for the hundreds of prayers that have been lifted up on this little man's behalf. I wish I could find a way to adequately express just how grateful I am to each and every one of you.

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February 6, 9:30AM
Look who doesn't have a feeding tube!

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February 6, 8:30PM

I love how he crossed his eyes and waved at the camera.... He's a stinker just like his dad.

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February 6, 9:00PM

ONE WEEK OLD!! And what a week it has been. Accomplishments for the day: No more feeding tube, voracious appetite, increase in weight gain, and plenty of smiles for his mommy and daddy. He gets so happy when I get there in the mornings, it is so adorable. One of the nurses told me, "he sure loves his mommy." Yep, I knew that. :) Tonight he receives his last round of antibiotics at 10 which means his IV gets to then come out, and even better, it means we will be discharged after rounds in the morning and a final assessment. We are so happy and indeed so blessed.

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February 6, 9:00PM

We told him he gets to go home to Jimmy tomorrow. :)

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February 7, 1:45PM

Homeward bound