The Strong One

We choose Ethan's name way before he made his surprise visit... and when we did choose it we had no idea what it meant. I actually heard it on a tv show before he was even conceived and I loved it (and by tv show I mean the new 90210...I know lame right? :) ) Well yesterday I decided to google it. Ethan means "strong one". We could not have picked a better name for him. He shows us everyday how he lives up to his name and we are so proud of him!

Now on to the updates!! For the past few weeks things have felt like they have been at a stand still...nothing seemed to change for the good. It seemed like the days of the ventilator were never going to end. Well I am beyond happy to announce that Ethan is off the ventilator!!! Yesterday Jon called the NICU to check on him and the nurse told him that at 11:30 am they were going to take the tube out and put him on the CPAP ( Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) and they did and he is doing great on it! the CPAP is a little mask that goes over the nose that puts out enough pressure to keep the airsacks in his lungs open to help make it a little easier on him but now he is taking all the breathes himself. They are hoping to move him back to the nasal canula (whats in the pictures below) this weekend so lets keep our fingers crossed :).

Besides his breathing milestone he has reached his goal of feedings given to him by the doctor based on weight and age which is 38cc's or around an ounce and a half. He is tolerating that well! He is getting so much stronger and looking at us so much more. In some of the past posts I mentioned another surgery that he might need. Its looking like that is going to be something he wont be able to avoid but thats okay. Its something he needs, its something that will make him have a happy and healthy life. So we are okay with it. Don't get me wrong I am scared that he has to have another surgery in his head...I am terrified. But after all is said and done I know in my heart it will be for the better. We should be having a meeting with his Neurosurgeon this week so we should know more. If its not an emergency, its likely that it will not be until his lungs get a little stronger.

This past month and a half have been a hard and crazy rollercoaster ride. It goes up and down...one step forward two steps back. We are just learning to go along for the ride. At this point we have no other option. Its hard on us, there are nights that I cry myself to sleep. I just want my baby home but he is showing us that his goal is to be home as soon as possible too! My boys give me strength...How can I not have faith when he is fighting so hard to be home!