Sunday, April 22

Today is Collin's due date! lol Because he is so much like his mom in so many ways, we figure that his coming early was just him being impatient.

Collin has a new apparatus! It is called a "Mic-Key Button" (or sometimes a "gastronomy button") and it is used instead of the gastronomy tube (or g-tube) that Collin had previously. It works like a nipple on a beach ball where you can close the lid and then push it down below the surface of the ball; in Collin's case, the "mic-key button" can sit at his skin level which will eventually allow him to crawl and lay on his stomach. It is easier to clean and more convenient for mom and dad, as well. Placing it did not take a surgery or any special procedure, the doctor merely pulled out the g-tube and inserted the "mic-key button".

Now that he is 6 weeks, two days old, Collin has longer periods of activity and longer periods of sleep. (Last night he slept for 5 hours straight; if you have been a parent of a newborn, you recognize that's a LONG time!) He continues to assert his personality and vocalize his pleasure or displeasure. He is definitely a well-loved baby and one of the favorites in the NICU.

Thank you all for continuing to read, pray and send love to Collin and his family!

Friday, April 20

Not much news to report; Collin is doing well on 6mL an hour (which is the equivalent of a teaspoon). The percentage of breast milk to TPN is about 40/60 right now. We need that to continue in a positive direction.

Things seem to be moving along with the transfer to Omaha. We will write again as soon as we know anything new.

Wednesday, April 18

*Collin's FIRST Bath*
(Tuesday, April 17)

Tuesday, April 17

Update: Collin got his FIRST bath tonight! Unfortunately because of the broviac catheter and his #2 cast they couldn't stick him in the spa bath...he got a sponge bath instead. (We asked if he "LOVED IT"; apparently not so much! lol) Although mom said he was very relaxed afterwards. Life is good!

The gift of YOUR prayers and good wishes have kept this family (Collin and his parents as well as the large extended family) safe and protected like a soft, security blanket made up of every kind thought, caring gesture, heartfelt prayer or encouraging word you offer. We are grateful for these gifts and so would like to share with you some photos of some "cherished security blankets" that keep our Baby Collin snug and warm.

The first two were made for Collin's mommy when she was a newborn, twenty-something years ago!

The first one shown was made by our treasured friend, Tammy P, who has known Grandpa N since he was a freshman in high school.

The second was made for Collin's mommy by her paternal grandma, Great Granny N.

Great Granny N. made the third blanket for her first great grandchild, Collin.

The last blanket shown was made for Baby Collin by his dad's Auntie Pat.

Made by different hands, at different points in time, with different materials and decorations; each of these was made with love and intended to provide comfort to their recipient. Thank you all for your beautiful gifts, we cherish them and you!


**Collin now weighs 6 lbs 13.8 oz. Recent blood tests came back that showed a small amount of damage to Collin's liver so the doctors are going to cycle his TPN in such a way that he'll be off it for 4 hours each day. In addition, they are giving him some medicines that will help protect his liver from further damage. This is something we have been expecting, yet it is still a little alarming. Thankfully the doctors are being proactive as far as giving his liver a break. In answer to several email questions, Collin and his parents will probably be going to Omaha in about a month, give or take a week. We'll write more on that later!**

MONDAY APRIL 16, 2007

Update: In addition to Dr. Greenfield supporting the move to UNMC 100%, Collin's breastmilk intake will be upped again tonight around midnight, to 5 mL per hour. Collin's dad will be applying for a different program than the Humanitarian PCS, which is very smart on his part. It's called "Exceptional Family Member Program" and we'll write more about it later.

We are keeping all of the people affected by the tragic murders at Virginia Tech in our prayers. God bless you all, as well.

GREAT NEWS!

Surgeon has okayed Collins' move to UNMC!

Will share more later, as you can imagine, words cannot express our emotions now.

Thank You All for your prayers!
They worked!

Oh Happy Day. :)

Saturday, April 14

Talked to Collin's Mama earlier...he now weighs 6 lbs 10.7 oz!! He has also been elevated to 4 mL of breastmilk an hour! Woo hoo!

The surgeons and NICU staff have scheduled a meeting to go over Collin's care and prognosis for this coming Monday. God willing, they will give Collin a referral to UNMC in Omaha. As always, your prayers and good wishes are appreciated!

*Special prayers* going out to some special angels who have been praying for Baby Collin and now need our help. Our beloved friend "L" has a sister who has been diagnosed with cancer and will have HER patient meeting with her doctors on Tuesday and beautiful Jasmine, a little girl surviving cancer who has just completed yet another round of radiation. God bless you all and your families!

Thursday, April 12

Collin is still on 3 mL of breastmilk and doing great. His Nana V sent him some wonderful books, which we read to him this afternoon. He smiled the entire time, loving the bright pictures.

Here are some fabulous pictures that were taken on Baby Collin's first Easter. Enjoy!