Tuesday, May 31 @ 2:00 PM

1. •We are home after 7 days in the hospital.  We slept at home 1 time . . . others were in the lobby and hospital rooms.
   

2. •We are relieved to be in a haven: normalizing, resting, being a family, experiencing freedom from wires and sunlight for Judah.
   

3. •Thank you to so many praying for us, supporting us and cheering us on.
   

4. •We were able to let Lindsey breast feed exclusively and avoid formula the entire portion of this.  It would not have been possible without Lindsey’s parents and sister staying with Hadassah.
   

5. •We will take a break from blogging and updating.  You can find more pictures on facebook.
   

Monday, May 30 @ 9:00 AM (Memorial Day)

1. •Well . . . We’re officially tired of being at the hospital.  We’re really really ready to be done and at home.
   

2. •We do see the light growing larger at the end of the tunnel.
   

3. •Judah’s weight was 8 lbs 7 oz, a gain of almost 4 oz in 24 hours.
   

4. •We were able to stay the night again in an open room.  We’re thankful and as said yesterday, it seems God is right in step with every challenge we face.  He renews us moment by moment.  When we’re weary he refreshes us.  We don’t often (as tangibly) experience Him until things like this happen.
   

5. •Tomorrow can’t come quickly enough.
   

Sunday, May 29 @ 11:15 AM

1. •We celebrated Judah’s birth . . . with out him.  Lindsey’s parents took us to City Cafe in Fayetteville for a lovely evening reunited with Hadassah.  Lindsey’s sister, Bailee,  has been here too and it was very special to all be around the table.  Judah--we missed you!
   

2. •Sunday night we had a great nurse who affirmed breast feeding.  Allowing Lindsey to breast feed without “topping off”, respecting us as his parents and recognizing we know how to meet his needs were so great.  We laughed a bit and just had a good connection.
   

3. •It more clearly looks like Judah will be discharged on Tuesday late afternoon or evening.  Dr. Iyer ended our conversation with him saying, “From here on out, I’m winding down and you’re winding up.”  Basically, our Dr is  finishing the antibiotics and we’re getting ready to be a home with 2 children instead of 1.
   

4. •Jaundice and high billirubin count are no longer an obstacle.  For a while, we thought this may be an issue and could have delayed departure.  We’re thankful.
   

5. •Our Midwife and charge nurse from labor saw us getting ready to sleep in the lobby last night . . .  and got a room for us.  On our way to breakfast this morning we commented how the obstacles seem to keep coming, but God’s provision is right in step with them.  We had good sleep, a shower, and Lindsey was able to keep breast feeding through the night.  Doing this with a little one in NICU is rare.  Our nighttime nurse helped us get a breast-feeding-friendly NICU nurse today too.
   

6. •After each nursing, Judah goes to sleep and lindsey (sometimes me too) lean over the bassinet and sing a song.  Oh what a sweet moment this is touching his soft cheeks, seeing the random arm movements of a baby and his intrigue with His new “world.”
   

7. •Lindsey is pumping a bit after each nursing to help us get home and sleep in our own bed the next couple nights.  We’re on track for this, but please pray she is able to get enough extra milk for 2 middle of the night feedings.
   

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Saturday, May 28 @ 9:00 AM

1. •We were encouraged by last night after a challenging day yesterday.  We slept on the floor in the labor and delivery lounge.  This provided more sleep than commuting home and back (don’t know about the quality). 
   

2. •Lindsey’s milk came in and this morning we received the ok to nurse as often as we would like.  This esteemed Lindsey as a mother which was missing in the last 48 hours.
   

3. •The Dr came in this morning saying, “you’ll probably be able to go home Tuesday evening.”  Whew!  This is a great relief and encouragement to us.
   

4. •The blood count numbers returned normal, so right now, we’re just in the NICU to finish out the anti-biotic.
   

5. •He has smiled several times.  Loves to cuddle.  Is fighting more and more for mamma milk and continues to bring us great joy.
   

6. •Thanks for your continued encouragement and prayers.
   

7. •Lindsey’s mom has extended her stay until Thursday (from Sunday).  This will help as we finish in the NICU and adjust being home. 
   

8. •Of course we’re missing Haddie but hope to have some longer times with her and family today.
   

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Friday, May 27 @ 8:00 PM

1. •Would you please pray for us and with us.  We feel a little discouraged.  We went into the day expecting to be able to be breast feeding with no bottle by the end of the day.  We The staff overall are quite good, but it feels like our parent rights have been reduced to about 20%.  We are really trying to avoid formula believing that Mom’s milk is best.  Please pray for grace and strength.  It seems like a mountain thinking, “ok, the next 5 or 6 days like today?”
   

2. •On top of this they have misjudged how much milk he will need after breast feeding which has led to dumping some of Lindsey’s precious first colostrum/milk.  This seems to have put us “behind” in providing enough for what their goals are for him.  What a cycle?? . . . which may lead to staying the night in the waiting room, getting up every 3 hours to feed him, trying to get nutritious food for us and . . . rest. . . . and pump too.
   

3. •Please pray we find rest in God.  Strength which he supplies.  Abiding in Jesus like what John 15 speaks of . . . wisdom like James and Proverbs . . . and the wise as a serpent (knowing when to speak) and innocent as a dove (having a truly authentic pure spirit) kind of attitude.
   

4. •thank you.
   

Friday, May 27 @ 9:45 AM

1. •He successfully slept through the night without the warmer on and maintained good body temperature.  Soon he’ll be transferred to a normal newborn bassinet.
   

2. •Lindsey got to put him in his first “outfit”, a blue and white onesie and hat. 
   

3. •Met with Dr. Iyar.  Meningitis appears to be negative.
   

4. •Normal blood culture is less than .5.  Judah’s when he went into NICU was 6.  After antibiotics it came down to 3.  They will watch how quickly this number declines to determine how long he will be in NICU.  We’re going in the right direction.
   

5. •Lindsey received “OK” to breast feed at Judah’s next feeding.  Pray this goes well after receiving a bottle for 24 hrs.
   

6. •We enjoyed some sweet cuddle moments this morning.  Michael held him for an hour while Lindsey pumped.  Before his bottle he just wanted to gaze at us in a fascinated way.  It was a sweet parent moment.
   

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Thursday, May 26 @ 2:30 PM

1. •Lindsey fed Judah for the first time since him going into NICU.  This was sweet for Lindsey just longing to be the great mother she is!
   

Thursday, May 26 @ 11:30AM

1. •Judah took his first bottle in 24 hours downing his mamma’s colostrum in 10 seconds.
   

2. •We will be on a feeding schedule 11:30, 2:30, 5:30, 8:30 every night and day for the next few days still in the NICU for at least 6-7 or more days.
   

3. •Antibiotics will take their course to help with the infection.  This as a minimum is 7 days.  Medium range stay is 10 days and if he was diagnosed with meningitis then 14 days or longer.
   

4. •For clarification: his breathing difficulty is because of an infection.  He doesn’t need any breathing help at this time, but has between 60-90 breaths per minute when it should be 20-60 breaths per minute.
   

Thursday, May 26 @ 9:45AM report from Doctor

1. •We were both able to hold Judah twice: once last night and once early this morning.  This was comforting, sweet, and precious to see him look into our eyes and respond to our voices.  It was hard to see him very eager to nurse but not able.
   

2. •Judah's breathing is improving, but blood culture shows signs of infection.  This will be monitored more closely.
   

3. •Spinal tap was done 10 AM, May 26, 2011, to rule out meningitis.
   

4. •With a newborn you have to treat for all possible illnesses.  As results return negative or positive then more clear decisions can be made.
   

5. •It could be Group B Strep or some other infection.
   

6. •It looks like Judah will be here at least 6-7 days or maybe longer.
   

7. •If his breathing stays down, then he can feed by bottle.  We'll know in a few more days if he can transition to breast.
   

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Wednesday, May 25, 2011

During 24 hour baby checkup, Judah diagnosed with slight breathing difficulty because of possible infection and moved to NICU for monitoring.

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Tuesday, May 24, 2011 @ 8:24AM

Judah Bennett Kaspar born -- fully natural.  All went well.

updated 6/8/11 at 8:52PM