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Today he took 43 ml's of his morning bottle (a new record) which is almost 75%! My parents are at the hospital now giving him his evening bottle (we had to come back to the hotel to do some laundry).
We really need your prayers - tomorrow at 9:30am Brayden will have his swallow study. I really think everything will be fine but I can't help but worry a little.
Here are two possibilities for tomorrow: They may have to thicken his formula more than they currently are or they may reduce the ml's of formula he gets, but up the caloric intake per ml's (so, if 1oz of formula has 20 calories, they might increase it to 24 calories per oz, therefore, he would have to take in less volume for the same amount of calories).
I really, really wanted to be home before Brayden turns 1 month old (next Tues) but it's not looking like that will happen. We know that God will let us take him home when He is ready, and whenever he so chooses to do that, we will be happy with His decision. His timing is always perfect.
Today I started to feel better, so I got to cuddle with my lil' man...
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You can't see it in this pic, but I have a lovely surgical mask on so that I wasn't breathing on him. I held Brayden for a couple of hours and the entire time he slept. Then, I carefully handed him to Chris and BAM! he was awake.
Thank you all for your prayers for all of the NICU babies and I will update on Brayden's test results as soon as I can tomorrow!
(ETA: I should clarify, this is day 22 in the ACH NICU, day 23 if you count his day in the Willow Creek NICU)
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57 comments:
he just gets cuter everyday,stay strong praying you guys get to go home soon....Barb
Such an adorable little boy!
I will most definitely say a special prayer for him tonight on his test tomorrow!
Glad you're feeling better and you were able to get some one on one time with your prince!
Hugs!
He is so adorable. Still praying for your little guy...he'll pull out of all of this! I'll be thinking about him & praying tomorrow morning while he's having his test run! Hope you get to feeling better soon as well!
We'll be praying for Brayden and wearing our Team Brayden shirts in Bentonville tomorrow!
Oh, that last picture of you snuggling up with him is so beautiful! I will be praying for your little guy tonight for his tests in the morning and for everything else. Hope you get to feeling better, too!
I have been following and praying for you. As I read tonight, I have a scripture on my heart for you...
"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart."
Love and Prayers,
Holly in OKC
I'm praying for Brayden! I hope you guys get to bring him home soon! I swear he is just so cute!
I'll be keeping Brayden in my thoughts tomorrow especially as he has his swallowing study. Good job on the big bottle you took today Brayden! It's hard work but it sounds like you're getting the hang of it. Like I said yesterday Will had his calories increased so he would eat enough to grow. We only had to do that for two days in the NICU and one week at home. He really started eating better once we got home, and at his one week out of NICU apt he had gained a whole pound! Then we got to back to regular 20cal milk. Sometimes our guys just need a little boost to get better. It's amazing all they go thru! Hoping for great results tomorrow and that they will guide your drs to the best plan for getting you home as soon as possible. Great pictures, he's a cutie. You do a really great job keeping your blog updated so we all know what Brayden's up too~ Thanks for that!
~Annette & William
What a sweet snuggly picture of the two of you. I just rocked my little girl to sleep and prayed for her and for Brayden! I can't wait to rejoice with you when you bring him home.
I posted last week,but I'm still following Brayden and want you to know that I'll pray for your Brayden.And I'll pray that he gets to be as healthy as my (Kyle) Brayden!.....Praying from Covington,Tennessee
hi jenna! so glad you were feeling better and got to hold your little angel. he is just adorable!! i will be praying hard here in maryland for his test tomorrow am. hoping God will allow things to work fast and you guys will be home together before you know it! take care! -tara
We'll be praying for Brayden tomorrow. I hope all goes well!
he has just the sweetest, most adorable little face. we will say a prayer for him to continue to get better and hope that he gets to go home soon.
I found you through another friend and have been praying for you and your little man, as well as the other NICU babies. God will bring you through this. Your struggles have brought me closer to the Lord, and for that I will be eternally greatful to you. Stay strong and know that you and your beautiful baby boy are loved even by those who do not know you personally.
In His Name
Katherine
Still praying for Brayden!!
Get better soon!
He is just too sweet for words! I'm praying that everything goes well during his test tomorrow, and that the little guy will get over this "feeding hump" so he can get home soon!
Hugs and prayers,
Heather~ On the Homefront
jenna, just wanted to let you know that i'm praying for you, brayden and your husband. he is a-dor-able!! brayden...not your husband! :)
Glad you are feeling better. I will be praying for his tests tomorrow.
Pam
Jenna, he is soo precious! I will be praying about tomorrow! I love all the pictures! I know you want to be home right now with your precious Brayden!
Saying a prayer for the little cutie. I hope tomorrow goes well for you all!
He is just so precious. I love getting to see pictures of his sweet, plump little cheeks. I hope all goes well tomorrow- I'm sure it will!
Jenna...you seem so strong...i know our NICU stay started wearing on me...i felt so worn down being up there all the time & we were only there 12 days!! you are amazing! you are such an amazing mother & your sweet little brayen will be home very soon! he is absoltuely precious!
Thoughts and prayers continue. I know he will be fine. He is so cute--beautiful eyes. Take care and I know ya'll will be home soon.
I had to take my twin daughters to AR Children's Hospital to have a swallow study done. They were 2 months old but it is really a good neat thing. They can see everything that goes on inside as he sucks and swallows his bottle. They can discover whether it is in his mouth or in his throat area. My daughters had to have there formula thickened, in fact they are 8 months and we are still thickening it. They were aspirating as they swallowed so formula was getting into their air pipe causing them to have heart rate drop, choke, and have lots of reflux and spit up. My girls also had to have added calories because they couldn't intake a lot and they had added calories until they were 5 months old. I am praying for Brayden but know you are not alone. Hang in there.
He is so beautiful! I'll be praying for good test results tomorrow! Hang in there!
Still praying for your precious baby.
Leanne Walker
Central City, Kentucky
Awwww I love the picture of you holding him. He knows when his mama is has him. Looking for positive results tomorrow!
Praying for good news tomorrow and that you're feeling better, too!
Aww, so glad you were feeling well enough to be able to get back in there and hold your little man. He's such a sweetie pie!
I'll be thinking of you tomorrow as the tests are run and you await the results. I'll be praying often, and looking forward to an update! Still hoping he will make it home to celebrate his one month birthday!
He loves being in his Mommy's arms. That pic is so sweet. We're still praying, girl.
I live in Little Rock...if you need ANYTHING, please don't hesitate to email me.
((HUGS))
Jenna, this is Laurie Smith's niece again, just wanted you to know that we are PRAYING! I am a speech pathologist and have done many a swallow study, I' feel sure it will be fine. If they do find something it will only benefit him. I am so sorry that you have been sick and are looking at a month in the hospital. I can only imagine how tired you are and how ready to be home! Praying for continued healing, rest, peace, for answers to these eating questions and for progress toward a homecoming! "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in Hope through the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
I'm so glad he's sleeping soundly in your arms!!!!
We'll keep praying for his test & that he'll get home soon!
Glad you are feeling better. I can't imagine how hard it must have been for you to not see Brayden the other day. My daughter struggles with Reflux issues, too. She didn't have them too much in the NICU, but we battle them often now. They can be quite maddening trying to figure out what works and what doesn't. My daughter has had two Swallow Studies and 3 or 4 Upper GI's in her first 16 months of life. Bring your camera, they are pretty fascinating to watch the liquid go down on the X-ray screen. Praying the doctors are able to help him comfortably tolerate his feeds soon. Also, praying for strength and patience as you near the end of this part of the journey. You will all be home soon!
Will be praying for the swallow study tomorrow!!
Hope you start feeling better soon Jenna, praying for your healing too.
Hugs,
kendra
Praying!!
Praying for that sweet bundle of joy tomorrow for his swallow test. Glad to hear that you are feeling better, but I will keep praying for you as well to feel better.
Hugs,
Lisa
Brayden and Family,
This morning the very FIRST thing I did before getting up was praying for you! Praying for you to get great news from your test results..and for lots of answers..
Love,
Your Sister In Christ, Bryant AR
He is so cute Jenna! We are praying for the test today and for you to feel tons better! Praying in OK!
Kara
I'm still praying for you guys! You all have been through so much, but you're right, God's timing is so perfect!! I'll be praying for Brayden's swallow study.
Jen in Indiana
So many prayers. Today will be a good day.
Always glad to hear wonderful news!
Nothing more wonderful than just holding your own child for hours!!!
Its so calming to hold ur baby that way, mines 2 1/2 n I still do that when she sleeps!
Praying that the test will go well tomorrow and that you will be able to take your handsome little guy home soon!
He sure is cute!!!
He looks so peaceful in his mommy's arms ;)! I am praying that the test went well this morning!!!!
I am still praying. He is so handsome :). I am glad that you are feeling better.
Glad you are feeling better. We will hope and pray that he gets to go home on or before Tuesday. You never know!
He is precious! Praying and will continue.
I found your blog on some of my friends sites. I read your story and I have to tell you I am in tears and I will pray for your family. I couldn't imagine what you are going through. I have a 2 year old son, and he is my life. I want you to know that I posted Team Brayden on my blog and told people about you. I hope they will reach out and pray...I sure will be.
Praying, Megan
Brayden is precious and we can all feel the love you have as a family. I am praying that soon you will be able to take him home. He has come so far and his progress has been amazing. Enjoy extra cuddles and snuggles every day. thanks for sharing your journey with all of us.
Brayden is just so cute (handsome)! Glad that you are feeling better and were able to spend the day holding him. Will keep praying that he is able to go home with you very soon!
Karyn in Florida
I started reading about Brayden from reading about Harper.
Isn't holding tiny sleeping baby's one of the best things in the world!? I volunteer at a childrens hospital and yesterday I got to hold the most adorable baby girl for a few hours while she was sleeping.It was so wonderful!
I'm really hoping Brayden's test are positive.
He is such a handsome baby!!
Hope the swallowing test went well. We are thinking of your whole family and praying that your sweet little man will get to come home soon!
The picture of you with him says it all....there is nothing like a mother's love for her baby!
God loves you all! Blessings!
Kelly's Mom
Hoping that your boy gets to come home soon. I know how hard it is to be away from home and how thankful you are at the same time that there is a place to get him all better.
Precious picture; praying for you.
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