Resting Peacefully and Doing Great

As you can see Zachary is sleeping in a rather unusual position, but one that is essential to his healing.  You can see the sutures along his back where Dr. Handler closed the opening last night.  He's being sedated to prevent him from moving too much, is being given pain meds, and is on a respirator.  The main reason for the respirator is because as Dr. Handler says, "most newborns forget to do things when they are given meds... things like breathing." 

We knew coming in that this was what Zachary would go through and we've been well prepared for it.  The great news is that they are slowly reducing the pain meds, and lowering the respirator so our little guy can slowly come out of his slumber and do more on his own.  Dr. Handler came by this evening and checked him out.  He was very pleased with the sutures and their rate of healing, and reassured us that some of the not so attractive areas of the wound were perfectly normal and posed no risk, Thank God!

So we've got a couple more days with Zach being pretty sleepy and not real mobile, but he's still as amazing as ever! Kimmie will most likely be discharged on Thursday. She is feeling tired but pretty good today, her only real pain is her stitches.  We're trying really hard not to make her laugh too hard because of the discomfort it causes her!

Thank you to everyone who has already found this blog and sent us such wonderful messages of encouragement and prayer.  We're very excited about Zach and the progress he's making.  Keep praying for his healing and overall health, and check back soon.  With thanks and praise - Brian + Kimmie