If You Don't Believe In Miracles...

well, you should.

Cause you're looking at one.

I just called the NICU and found out that Aidan is still off the CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine. He is now on what they call, Heated High Flow. He doesn't have the mask anymore and just has the nasal canula. He seems to be much happier now that it's off his head.

He has officially gained a pound since birth and now weighs 2 lbs. 12.79 oz. He's even getting chubby cheeks! (Not really in this picture. I don't have the most recent ones on my work computer).

He is doing SO well. Many, many prayers have been answered.

Thank you so much for your continual prayers for our little man and our family.

Lately I've Been Thinking...

a lot about how Aidan knows I'm his Mommy.
Was he inside me long enough to really know my voice? My heart beat?
Does he know my smell.
How does he know me?

I think I've come up with an answer........
He just does.

And I take comfort in that.

I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day. Mine was bitter sweet, but great none-the-less.

Mother's Day 2011

When I woke up, Ivie had breakfast for me and gave me a mani and pedi.

Ryan and Ivie took me to dinner

These weren't taken on Mother's Day, but two days after counts...right?

The Nurses helped Aidan make this for me.

After losing their baby, couple walks to cure preeclampsia

After losing their baby, couple walks to cure preeclampsia: "Stephanie and her husband Rob Zielesch only got to cherish hours with their son. Their baby, born at 24 weeks, was simply born too soon to survive. Doctors delivered him early because Stephanie developed severe preeclampsia."

Study: Breastfeeding Saves Lives, Billions of Dollars

According to a new study in the journal Pediatrics, more than 900 lives and billions of dollars would be saved if mothers breastfed exclusively for the first six months of their babies' lives.

"The United States incurs $13 billion in excess costs annually and suffers 911 preventable deaths per year because our breastfeeding rates fall far below medical recommendations," the report said.

The World Health Organization, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention all recommend that infants be given breast milk exclusively for the first six months of their lives.The study's authors said that breastfeeding reduces the risk of dying from sudden infant death syndrome, lower respiratory infections, and other diseases. The costs stem from from health care and parents' lost wages.

According to government statistics, 3 in 4 mothers start breastfeeding, but just 14% continue for six months.

The study's authors don't blame mothers; they say that the government and health-care providers should be doing more to promote breastfeeding and its benefits.

Link to Article

Be Happy

President Gordon B. Hinckley was fond of saying, "Be believing. Be happy. Don't get discouraged. Things will work out." How could he, and all the other prophets and leaders of the Church, be so positive? Because they have the big picture. They know what is coming. Despite all the struggles, hardships, difficulties, ordeals, and even painful afflictions of this life, they know that the glorious cause of the kingdom of God will triumph. Triumph is just a little umph added to try.

Happy Like Jesus: Lessons From Jesus Christ On How to Live

(I think I just found my Mother's Day gift for my Mom)



As You Can Imagine...

...life has been pretty hard around here the last month. But since I've been told recently that I need to relax, (for breastfeeding reasons) I am trying VERY hard to be positive and relax as much as possible.
So, I am going to write a list of positive things going on or that have happened recently.

• I can fit into all my pre-pregnancy clothes.
• Ryan and I have been able to go on a lot of dates in the last 4 weeks.
• Ryan and I have seen at least 3 rainbows in the last 4 weeks.
• Ivie is getting better at keeping her room clean and doing homework.
• I got to see one of my dear friends from High School last weekend.
• I have a very small, but healthy little boy that I get to see every day and remember what a miracle he is.
• I have first hand knowledge that miracles do exist.
• I regained an appreciation for what my body can do (make food for my baby) and how it can heal. (C-Sections are not for sissies! Holy COW!)
• I have an amazing family and great friends.
• I have a good job.
• I get to be a mother to two amazing children.
• I get to be the wife of an amazing man.

There, that helps.

All for now...

Happy Wednesday and happy one month of life to my Aidan!