Friday, February 25, 2011

Sweet Baby

    Our sweet baby is doing much better! He continues to require oxygen using a high flow nasal canula. 
Brooks is still trying to get over his infections. They are slowly weening him off of his pain medications, steroids, and antibiotics. When they put him on the ventilator he had to receive his food through a feeding tube. Tonight I gave him his first bottle since Saturday, February 12th. He worked very hard but was only able to drink 12 of the 60 CCs. His throat is still very sore and his coughing is pitiful. He is such a sweet baby that he rarely complains. 
   My mother stayed with him at the hospital today. She bought him a bouncy/vibrating seat. He absolutely loved hanging out in his seat. He also loves looking at his mobile while laying in his crib. It is so much fun to watch him. His blue eyes light up the room! 
   We pray that his infection clears up, his lungs continue to develop, and he grows out of the kidney reflux without requiring surgery later. Brooks has been through so much in his short life, it hurts me to imagine him going through anything else. 
   Brian and I thank you for all of the prayers and support that we have received. 
     

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Great News!

Brooks is off the ventilator! They took him off at 2:30 this afternoon and put him on a high-flow nasal canula. He started off on 4 liters of oxygen at 100%. When Brian and I arrived he was down to 3 liters of oxygen at 50%.  Brooks still has a lot of mucous in his lungs. He was able to cough quite a bit. It sounded so pitiful, but he has come a long way.
  Brian and I both got to hold him. He was so cute and he loved our snuggle time! Before I left, they had moved him down to 3 liters of oxygen at 30%. Brooks acted like he felt better over the last couple of days. Well apparently he has been putting on a little show for the night shift nurses and respiratory therapist. They said that everytime they walk in he is looking at them with his bright blue eyes. All of the nurses fall in love with him because of his mild manner, cute dimples and beautiful eyes!
Thank you so much for all of the prayers! We still have a long way to go, but I know that God is in control. He has been so good to us!

Monday, February 21, 2011

Update on Brooks

Brooks is really starting to show improvement. He woke up this evening around 5:00 p.m. and started kicking his legs and arms. He was very alert. His respiratory therapist said that Brooks had a great night and she wants to try and take him off the ventilator on Wednesday or Thursday. They started another round of steroids in hopes that it will break up the rest of the mucous. Seeing Brooks move around was very exciting! I miss being able to pick him up and hold him. It has been nine days since I have gotten to hold him. Mommy needs snuggle time!!

Sunday, February 20, 2011

The Story of Brooks Kelsey Smith

In early September I realized my pregnancy would not go as Brian and I had planned. My water broke at 16 weeks and nothing could be done to fix it. My doctor put me on strict bed rest so that I could make it to 24 weeks gestation. Through lots of prayer, faith, and support from family and friends I made it to October 5, 2010. With a bag packed, we headed to UAB’s high-risk pregnancy facility. Doctors and nurses took care of me constantly. It was a joy and relief to be able to hear my baby’s heart beat every four hours. The doctors’ plan was for me to make it to 34 weeks gestation, God had another plan. Nearly three weeks later I went into premature labor. They tried for three days to stop the labor. I will not deny that those days were some of the scariest days I have faced in my life, but I felt the presence and peace of God when I needed it most.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

The meaning of Broken Not Useless

     God has always been in my life. I grew up going to church and knowing that Jesus Christ is my Savior. As I've gotten older, I've realized that even though I am a Christian I don't have it all together. I can't possibly have it all together and if I did there would be no need for a savior. The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. Psalm 51:17
    Another scripture that helps me even when I am broken to pieces is in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. It is amazing how God will send people your way with just the words you need at the right time. This week has been so hard, but God has provided family and friends to lift us up and keep our faith alive.

Getting Started

So I am laying in bed on a Friday night and my mind will not stop racing! I'm starting this blog to discuss whatever is important at the time. For my first blog, it will be just this simple, sweet and to the point... I have officially started a blog. I have so much to be thankful for, so many of my blogs will be about that! Please feel free to give me advice, share your own stories, take the weekly polls, and read the blogs. I look forward to hearing from you!