One Month Reflections

Finally, I'm back!  Let's just start things off here by saying Happy 1 Month Birthday to Mr. Caleb!  That's right folks, he has reached his first birthday.  Ok, ok, I know that as the months - and years - go on, this milestone will fade into the distance and will hardly qualify as a "birthday" but for today, as first time parents, it does!  So, happy birthday little man!

So, here we are 1 month into this journey and I can 100% say that everyone was right - having a baby really does change your life, but did we ever really doubt that?  I'm not talking about the fact that I'm now covered in spit-up 24/7, or that my days consist of what seems like endless feeding sessions, diaper changes, the inevitable washing of clothes because said diapers leaked (no matter which brand or size you use), or dancing around in pajamas singing made up songs because someone doesn't like to sit still for longer than 2 minutes when he is awake.  No, all of this I expected and have embraced (except the fact that I don't get my morning shower first thing...this one is still a struggle for me), but it is the other way in which our lives have been changed.  Suddenly the fact that there is laundry sitting in a basket for the past week (at least it is clean), a stack of papers/mail/bills that I have yet to open on my desk, counters that I can barely see my reflection in, and endless unfinished projects that are constantly staring me in the face, well, these things just don't matter.  As long as we have clean underwear and I manage to at least pay our electric and water bills we are good to go.  No, instead our priorities have shifted to this little man that has without a doubt changed our life in the most wonderful of ways.  Sure, he has his moments - as all babies do - where we question what on earth we are doing - but overall he is simply precious.  Learning about him, caring for him, watching him grow and helping him to develop has become our number one job and far more important than any plans, silly projects we have going around here or any "to do lists" that have now been tossed to the way side.  Yes, eventually things will even out and I will once again take joy in making my lists, organizing closets, cleaning this house silly, and being able to make plans and commit to them, but for now the simplest things are the best.  His little smiles and noises when he sleeps, his chubby cheeks that seem to be growing at a rapid rate, the way that he loves to stare at our walls and pictures and hear stories made up about them.  All of these things are priceless.  So goodbye organization, plans and to-do lists; we will meet again, but for now we are embracing the unknown, ever-changing, orderless, yet rewarding life that we are now in!

This past month has certainly flown by and Caleb is doing very well.  Born at 7 lbs, I'm pretty sure he has just about hit the 10lb mark now, and my oh my does he have the chubby cheeks to prove it!  He is a fantastic sleeper and goes about 4 - 5 hours at night!  Don't worry, I was waking him up every 3-4 hours for the first month, but now that he has reached a month and is doing so well gaining weight, we can just feed him on demand overnight which is very nice!  And let me tell you, it is nice not to have to wake him up in the middle of the night for his feedings, since he is about as pleasant and easy to wake up as his father is (sense the sarcasm here, folks).  The morning is by far his best time of day.  He is usually very alert, looking all around, and is starting to track things with his eyes.  He loves black and white photos and any contrasting patterns, so we spend a lot of time walking around the house finding interesting things for him to look at.  More often than not we end up back in the living room so he can look out the little windows we have at the top of our vaulted ceiling and stare at the 4 black and white photos that are hanging on our wall...whoever knew they would provide endless entertainment!.  In the evenings he is a bit fussy, especially during the hours of 6-9, but we are slowly starting to learn how to manage him during this time of day.  Although, once you think you have him figured out he changes course on you in an instant.  I tell you, babies make no sense!  For example, he usually loves his swing.  Well, last night he only loved it the minute we turned the actual swing off and just left him in the seat!  Hey, whatever works!

As we look over this past month, it is amazing the progress we have made.  I remember telling Neal, when Caleb was still in the ICU, that I was anxious to take him home so that we could start to form new memories and erase the initial ones that were imbedded in my mind and were too difficult to think of.  Neal, who is generally always the one who looks at things with the glass half full, did not let me down.  He wisely said that although those first few moments and days of Caleb's life were extremely difficult, full of fear and uncertainty, that he hopes those memories never fade because they serve as a reminder of how God saved Caleb's life that day.  Well, he is right.  So, today we celebrate the miracle that is Caleb and the life that God has given him.  I still don't understand how God chooses who lives and who dies, that part is a mystery to me, but I am forever thankful that a month ago He chose to breathe life into Caleb.  I am thankful for all those memories, the difficult ones and the happy ones and for the perspective this ordeal has given us.  I am beyond thankful for all the doctors and nurses who so compassionately cared for Caleb - and us - during those first few moments and the days that followed.  I am thankful for the endless love and support from all of our family and friends - whether near or far - without whom our struggle would have been greater.  And I am thankful for our little man - Caleb.  Last week I received a package in the mail from one of Neal's co-workers and his wife.  As I unwrapped it, tears came to my eyes.  Before me was a onesie with  "Proof that Miracles Happen - Psalm 77:14" printed on it.  The message was simple, but true and when I look at Caleb I can't help but think of all that he represents.  He truly is Proof. That. Miracles. Happen.

Now...enjoy the pictures!  Until Next Time!

P.S. - I managed to write this and take a shower today - for all those keeping score.  Also, every mom needs to invest in Oxyclean.  It will get out any stain imaginable...tried and true.

Grammy "C" and Poppy.  Of course Sadie gets some attention too when these guys come to visit!:)

Just a boy and his dad  

Grammy Trish.  Just call her the baby whisperer!

He's Home!!!!

Caleb was discharged from the hospital today. His last night went very well, and Sarah and I were able to take him to Ante-Partum, where we stayed in a room for a couple hours just to get comfortable before we took him home. So much different without all the wires, etc. attached! It was great to be able to hold him, change, and feed him without all of them.

The nurses were glad to see him go, although a little sad too. I think they got a little attached. We will certainly remember all of those who watched over him, and will keep the other little ones still fighting there in our prayers. We are so thankful for the improvement in his health. One of the nurses remarked "Now you have to remember, he's a normal baby now, all those other problems are resolved." So that gives us reassurance as we move on to the next phase, caring for him and raising him ourselves! Finally.

He actually slept for the entire journey. The walk out, the ride home, out of the car, into the house, and up to his new room. He was very content. He got some "rockies" in his chair, ate, and is still sleeping! Can't wait for tonight!!!!

Thanks again for all your thought and prayers.

Here are some more photos of the little guy.

Gotta love this face!

Look Ma! I'm not hooked up!

Dad and Caleb, relaxing. 

Diaper bag, check. Pump, check. Baby, CHECK!

All dressed up and ready to go!

Yay! In his room! Sadie watching on. 

Sadie, trying to figure out the stuffed dog.

Rockies

Sadie saying hi to her new brother.

Mom and Caleb, passed out. 

Priceless.

Introducing Caleb Nelson Heaton!

Hello all,

We'd like to introduce our son, Caleb Nelson Heaton, born 28 January at 1116. He was 7 lbs 0 oz., and was 19 1/2 inches long. As some of you know there were some complications, and the first 72 hours of this little guy's life were rather eventful. 

Although he tolerated the labor well and was in no sign of distress, during the actual delivery the umbilical cord became wrapped around his neck, which caused him to stop breathing.  The pediatric response team was on scene immediately, and began resuscitating him. He was intubated, and rushed to the Neo-Natel ICU, where the staff continued to work on him. It was determined he had suffered a Pneumothorax in his right lung, so it had collapsed, and he had to receive a needle-decompression (chest tube).  With mom being a nurse, and dad doing what he does, this injury is too familiar, and a little scary.

The past 72 hours he's gone through several tests, two steps forward, one back, taking it one breath at a time, but has been proving he's one BTF (Big Tough Frogman). Late on the first day he was extubated (removed tube bringing air into his lungs), and he showed he could breath on his own. X-Rays showed his lung was to full expansion, but the chest tube remained in place, although no fluids were leaking, so that was a good sign. On the 29th the docs were confident enough in his progress to remove the chest tube, and his lung remained inflated. These were two major hurdles, and they began reducing his pain meds, so he became more alert little by little. 

He was still having some problems with his breathing, irregularities that the docs couldn't fully explain, other than the traumatic first 24 hours, so he was taken to get a CT scan, which was negative. I just said he's working on his breath holds to prepare for his 50m underwater. On Sunday he started becoming more awake, and liked to keep the nurses and docs attention on him, knocking off leads that would send the staff running to him. He passed his Neuro tests very well, and has good movement with his limbs, and has a tight grip, even in his sleep. Monday he was ready to let the world know what he thought of all this, and finally let out some good cries. I never thought I'd say I was so happy to hear a baby cry, but it was great to hear. 

He's proven himself a little escape artist, and even though the nurses are on to him he continues to pull his leads off, kick his blankets off, wrestle out of the tightest swaddle, and knock off his blood pressure cuff that is velcroed tight to his foot. Mom fed him for the first time on Monday, although from a bottle so they can regulate the amount he receives. This is another huge test, to see if his system can handle it. So far he's had several feedings and loves it, as it always puts him into a nice deep sleep. He graduated from his incubator (which I was told was their newest model, being broken in by him, so yes, already spoiled) to a regular crib, which is nice. Sarah was discharged on Monday, so it was nice to come home, but sad to leave him behind still. We continue to visit him and check up on him every chance we get, and he is doing much better. 

The staff at the NICU is first class.  We thank God for all them, especially those who responded during those intense first moments. Everything they did was spot on, from getting IVs hooked up to intubating him, everything was done on the first try, so Caleb was truly being watched over and was in good hands. The nurses there continue to impress us with their experience and the attention they pay to him. They all describe him as feisty, a fighter, one-tough kid, and of course, cute. 

We've had such wonderful help from friends too. Ann and Berry were kind enough to drive all the way to our house to check on Sadie the first couple days, and Ann went beyond by tidying things up around the house (thanks Ann!). They also showed up to visit, and of course brought the onesie - with the motto "The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday" - which we placed on the glass above Caleb's first crib so he could look up at it, and now is by his new crib. He loves to stare at it, and I think he's taken the motto to heart. Becca and Justice were kind enough to also drive out and pick up Sadie when we determined Caleb would be staying longer. Sadie is with her boyfriend Jack, so she is happy. Becca, Justice, and little Justice visited us in the hospital too, and brought some food after we became fed up with hospital food or Subway for the past 5 days. Brian, Mary, and little Trevor, another recent addition, also stopped by and brought Caleb a little gown to wear when he gets out.  Thanks guys!

And of course thanks to everyone for the texts, voice mails, thoughts and prayers, we appreciate all the kind words and support. We'll try to keep you all updated, and hopefully bring more good news, and ultimately news on his escape from the hospital. I keep telling him his room at home is ready for him, and much nicer than the ICU. We think he just likes a little challenge and the attention of all the nurses. He's going to have a cool scar on his right side, which will probably make for some good stories. 

Thanks again for all your support, we just ask you keep Caleb in your prayers for a quick recovery and a trip home in the near future. 

Love, 

Neal, Sarah, and little Caleb

P.S. - Caleb is now able to eat as much as he wants.  If everything goes well over the next couple of days then we may be able to take him home in the near future!

Mom holding Caleb for 1st time (0100 30JAN)

Dad holding Caleb for 1st time

Caleb looking at mom and dad. He's a cutie. Nice battle dressing!

Dad holding Caleb's hand while he sleeps. 

Sleeping peacefully

Dad calming Caleb during diaper change.

Mom watching over Caleb.

Looking at dad. Getting to like that pacifier.