11/25 - Best 1st Birthday EVER!

Happy Thanksgiving!

First, let's remember to pray for Baby Roland and his family. Follow and pray for them @ http://babyrolandmatthews.blogspot.com. I set a blog up for them and it may take a day or so for them to get it updated. Looking forward to reading good news soon.

Thanks to everyone for the amazing support and prayers. Thanks to all the medical professionals who have and continue to take excellent care of Stacey and Aiden. Thanks to our troops. Thanks for each other.

The prayer shirts and baby blanket by Kingdom Creationz have stirred up the doctors and nurses. They love it! Many people have commented and expressed interest in supporting Aiden's msg and eliciting prayers. Nicole can do almost anything but for Aiden's cause, we ask you to keep it simple. Shirts with "Aiden's prayer" on the front are $10/ea. Colored shirts $1 more. If you want something added to the back as well, $15/ea. Flat rate shipping through the USPS is available. She has kindly offered to donate proceeds to help with medical and other expenses. We ask you to remember Kingdom Creations should you have a graphic design or screen printing need. Nicole can work with almost any material and application (e.g., Baby books, shirts, brief cases, jackets, vehicle murals and lettering, etc.) Although we can take your order, we recommend contacting Nicole directly by phone or email. Call 407-460-2616 or email: kingdomcreationz@live.com

About Aiden.....

Aiden's 1 wk birthday was yesterday. Didn't see him until last night. Got there and was immediately rushed out, another NICU baby was being delivered so we had to go. Mom was upset and sad!

Went back an hour later to try and see him, caught the nurses moving him......to his own private room! Still a level 3 NICU but this is significant.

AIDEN LOOKS AWESOME!!!

All drain lines, chest tubes, etc are removed. Morphine is done. Extra monitors and wires removed. Looks like a totally different child!

All he has now is an oxygen tube to help keep his lungs open, not for help breathing, he's on his own now. A heart rate and blood pressure monitor as well but you can see what he really looks like.

Aiden is fiesty. Pulled a tube out of his throat last night and keeps trying to remove the oxygen and PIC tube lines. His msg is clear but not well received by his nurse. She's awesome and is quick to straighten him out.

Aiden's mom was able to give him a bath, change a diaper, check temp., hear Aiden cry, and HOLD him for the first time! PRICELESS!!! Emotional!!!

He recognizes his dad's voice. Was looking at mom when dad spoke to him. Turned his little head right around to his dad on the other side of the table. Also stops kicking and crying when dad touches him. Hope this continues. Not betting on it though.

His true weight last night was 3lbs, 7.7oz. The previous weights had tubes and wires so this is his first true weight since weighing 5lbs 8oz when born. Looks so wonderful....

Everyone is amazed at how far Aiden has come in just 7 days. Doctors, nurses, friends, family, etc...nothing short of a miracle for us. He's not out of the woods with his heart malformation and fat processing troubles but he's definitely kicking ass. He truly has fought for his life and is fighting to win. So proud of him and can't wait for him to come home. He has a brother and sister waiting on him.

We know this is tough for Aiden's brother and sister but they have also been strong through all of this. Brandon and Mikayla, we love you just as much and are proud to have you with us. You have never been more important and we need your help to get through this. Keep praying and your little brother will be home soon.

Doctors have elected not to delay his normal feedings. We were told on Tuesday that he would be on IV fluids another 2 wks or so. Last night we were told normal feedings would start on Thanksgiving. WOW! His first real baby formula meal. No, I don't expect him to share.

Actually, he will be on special formula made fresh each day at the hospital. They tried to start this Wednesday but put the order in too late. So he'll start today (Thanksgiving). It's a brew that has special fat compounds his body can process. His body isn't processing fat as it should and breast milk isn't an option because of the fat in it. Right now it's a special diet.

Placed in an Isolette? (Fully encased plastic box). Still getting phototherapy for jaundice but his jaundice isn't bad.

Can decorate his room and personalize things a bit. Parent lounge with fridge, microwave, internet, etc. Same visitation rules apply.

The staff and treatment at Florida Hospital South have been truly amazing!!! Their efforts throughout have made this experience what it is. We are so thankful for all of them. This is all inclusive,: Specialists, delivery team, recovery team for mom, NICU team, and of course the support personnel who keep buzzing us in.

I'll put the pics and video from last night in a seperate post.

Keep praying for Aiden. Remember others in need today and be thankful for each other. We continue to learn and grow. We continue to spread Aiden's msg. We are thankful for each and every one of you.

Oh, and mom found her ankles. They've been hiding since Aiden's delivery.

Posted by: Dad