Improvement!

Micah is having a good day today. They took out his chest tubes this morning and he didn't enjoy that at all, but then they took him off the CPAP around lunchtime and he's doing great. Another line was removed and they're now giving him food through his feeding tube. He still doesn't have much of a voice and there's some concern about nerve damage so they're wary of letting him take anything orally yet. But there are now only two things that need to happen before he will be released to the floor: 1) remove the CV line and 2) wean him off one more heart med and replace with another that isn't on a continuous drip.

So it looks like he might be moved to the floor tomorrow. Praise God! After that, I think there are two more major things that need to happen before he's released: 1) increase his feeds to full volume and have him "tolerate" the feeds (aka, no puking or screaming) and 2) no more oxygen.

He's kicking his legs, moving his head, and even SMILING. Can you believe it? It's amazing how much better he must feel today. Once his CV line is out, we'll be able to hold him with ease. Mark is coming down tonight. My mom is heading home tomorrow so she's going to bring Nathan here on her way through Milwaukee. I'll spend the day with Nathan and Mark will spend the day with Micah. Then Mark will take Nathan back to Neenah and Mark's mom will take care of Nathan on Thursday and Friday. Maybe we'll even get to bring Micah home on Friday or Saturday!

Enjoy the new photos... I certainly do!

Trying to rip off his nasal cannula (he's frequently successful, but I'm trying to keep him calm enough so that they don't have to put the nasty patches on his temples)

He occasionally looks like he's trying to lick the cannula off his face

This is the closest thing to a smile I could capture on film

Thanks for praying for our little guy. He's made huge steps forward today.