"What we anticipate seldom occurs. What we least expect generally happens." Benjamin Disraeli


Surprise! When I arrived at the hospital this morning, Isaac's nurse said they were going to put him on CPAP within the hour. I was dumbfounded. Just yesterday the doctor was saying he had stagnated a bit in his progress on the vent. Apparently from the time I finished holding him until this morning he had been doing so well with his breathing, they decided to go for it.

He had been doing awesome on the vent, then we got sick and I couldn't hold him for a week. He stagnated. I come back and hold him for one day and he's doing awesome again. Hmmm...maybe there is something to this skin to skin care.

CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure. On the CPAP, Isaac is breathing on his own, but the CPAP provides the pressure to keep his lungs open. The ventilator provided the breaths and the pressure. Since he's been doing so well breathing, they decided he didn't need that help any more.

YAY! I could not be happier. Yesterday I was so discouraged. Jonah has been having a really tough time and it's been running me down. I got to a really low point last night and for the first time thought that I really can't do this any more. I said a prayer and "leveled" a little bit with God. Usually when things get tough, I ask for strength to rise to the challenge and for His will to happen. This time, for the first time, I simply asked for what I needed. I told him that I just needed it to not be so hard for a little bit--that I needed either some major progress soon or some serious strength to tackle the coming days.

What do you know--I walk in this morning and they're putting him on CPAP! What a tender gift from a loving Heavenly Father. He seldom answers my prayers the way I want Him to, but wow is it nice when He does. I just felt like He was saying, "Here--here is something I can do for you to make it easier." Just like I would do for Jonah or for Isaac. I can't take away their struggles, but sometimes I can make it a little easier. I feel very loved.

I thought that switching to the CPAP would mean we could see more of Isaac's face. As you can see from the pictures that isn't so. :) Ah well. I was able to see him without any tubes for a little bit, but couldn't manuever in to take any pictures. Maybe we'll be able to see his face when we take him home. :)

There is a chance that they will have to put him back on the vent if he doesn't do well with his breathing. It's only been 9 hours, but so far so good. He really seems ready and I think he'll do great. Even if he needs to go back on the vent to take a break from breathing, it's a huge step for him to breathe so long on his own. I am so proud of him.

He broke the 3 lb mark, but lost a little bit. He's at 3 lbs 1 ounce today. What a chub!