Baby Exercises

Today was an eventful day for Biggun. He is still requiring quite a few blood transfusions to compensate for a low hematocrit level, but his oxygen is still at 30% and his O2 saturation remains between 85-95. He received an eye exam dictating his eye sight is not great. He can see maybe an inch from his face, and maybe some shape recognition. They say this is normal and what he would have in the womb. He will continue to have eye exams every week for the duration of his stay.

Today, the developmental team supervisor came by to show daddy how to do some exercises to simulate how he would move in the womb. Long story short, I spent the day in the ER getting treated for a bacterial infection (all fine! Have antibiotics and not contagious!), but daddy stayed behind to discuss some pretty key facts about the baby.

The first thing he told us is that there is no reason to believe Biggun will not have the same IQ as myself and Joshua. When we expressed that we thought this was untrue, he said there was no study that indicated lowered intelligence in micro preemies. The only time they follow brain development is in the instance of brain bleeds, but Biggun's bleed resolved on it's own and they feel very strongly that it shouldn't affect him long term. This was GREAT news!

He showed Joshua an execise to simulate the womb, and said he would be back by tomorrow to show us some additional exercises that we would likely find invaluable. He said that babies like Biggun only have developmental problems because the world treats them as older than they are. For instance, he was born in January, but he was due in April. So his body is going to respond like a baby who is due in April, but the world expects him to act like a baby born in January. This becomes more of an issue as he gets older and we start to consider milestones like when he starts to crawl, walk and talk. But as he gets older, he will catch up. And it helps he has two great older brothers to follow lead to!

Grandpa Keslar came down for an amazing visit, and we were sure sad to see him go. We look forward to the next time we have family/friends visit. It's always wonderful to see a familiar face. In this place, it can get lonely and it constantly feels like it drains you. I'm participating in a study called "Promoms" about coping with babies born in the NICU and different relaxation techniques, and the sessions generally leave me feeling drained because of the discussion topics. I appreciate all of those who continually pray for me and send me messages to check up on me. It means a lot to me, and I can't tell you how much I really need it!

We've also been able to get other things sorted out in the background. For instance, there was an issue with Biggun's social security number not being filed that we had to remedy before we could sign up for medicaid. We also had to get some releases taken care of so the American Red Cross can get any and all information they need to pertaining to JDs hospital visit. It's been a long process, but everything is starting to come together. It's frustrating though, because I feel like I don't get to see Biggun as much while we run around trying to accomplish these things.

Please keep the thoughts and prayers coming. Again, I cannot tell you how much the generosity has helped, and we would have never made it had it not been for the kind people out there who care so much for us. Words will never express how truly grateful I am to you.

Much Love,
Joshua and Rachel