4 steps forward!

Ezekiel made 4 steps forward today, how exciting!

1.  He made a big jump in his weight-- from 4lbs 3oz to 4lbs 7oz!  Yay!!  He passed up his doubled mark, which was 4lbs 4oz!

2.  He got his pic line out (that's kind of like a really long IV that goes in his arm/leg and runs all the way up a vein and ends next to his heart) because he is done recieving antibiotics and steroids!!  

3.  He cried and made tears for the first time!  (unfortunately i missed that... but Daniel told me). 

4.  He had a real bath for the first time!  No more sponge baths!!

It was a good day.  I must have held him for at least 4 hours today, and he was all cuddly and smiley and sleepy.  It was wonderful.  

Tonight while I was there, the very kind respiratory therapist, Raul, told me that he thinks Dr. Kita's insistence that Ezie will go home on oxygen is a "premature diagnosis."  He thinks it is too early to say that, and that there is a good chance that he may not need it by the time he heads home.  I love this guy, Raul.  He is sooo so kind.  I swear you would never know he is in the military-- and we just found out he is a command sergeant major (aka very high ranking!!).  For those of you familiar with military culture, you would know that normally csm's would treat a mere sergeant (Daniel) like the scum on their feet.  But he has been soo soooo kind to Daniel.  He told us, "just forget about that whole command sergeant major thing".   Last night when I was there he came up to talk to me while I was crying.  My hands were full holding Ezekiel, so I had no way to wipe my eyes.  He got some gauze (I guess that's almost like a tissue!) and told me to close my eyes, and he wiped up all my tears.  It was so sweet and caring.  He has told us many times that he prays for Ezekiel, and he always takes quite a bit of time to sit and talk with us.  It's so wonderful to have a Christian community in the NICU.  There are actually quite a few Christians.  

Strange story-- Tonight in the NICU was one of my old Starbucks customers!  (for those of you who don't know, I worked at a starbucks in town for a little over a year.   I quit when I was about 2 months pregnant with Ezekiel.)  His name is Bruce, and he was always one of the nicest, happiest, most sincere customers.  Well it turns out that his wife is one of the NICU nurses!!  She is also one of the nicest and most sincere nurses, and when I found out they were married I was very happy because I can see how well they fit together.  It was funny, though, because I have known this guy for a year or so!  Crazy!  I have actually seen a few other customers in the hospital, as well.  I really miss working there, it was just soo much fun.  I loved knowing all my customers.  I miss a lot of them!  

Alright it's very late, and guess what I have to do.  Just guess.  :)