Nicholas David - 1 week old

Today started out a little rough. When I went down for Nicholas’s 5am feeding I noticed his heart rate was in the 190s and even reached 210 (they like to see the heart rate in the 140s and 150s). Nicholas’s heart rate had been running a little high, but that was kind of “normal” for him. It was typically in the 160s and 170s. So I asked the nurse (Becky Dafoe for those that know her!! She’s awesome!) about it and she said that it had been running high through the night and that she was making note of it and would talk to the doctor about what they think about it. Doctor rounds are around 8am so after the 5am feeding I immediately came back to my hospital room to get word out for prayer specifically for his heart rate. I was quite nervous about it. He would just be there sleeping peacefully yet his heart rate was registering 200. I got to go home for the first time today. My sister drove up here from Fargo early in the morning because my longest period of free time is 630-1000. So she helped me grab a few things and head home. This was way more emotional than I thought it might be. I gathered some things I wanted and dropped of some things I no longer needed. Madi woke up a little bit after I got home so I got to go down and surprise her. I miss getting her up in the mornings, dressing her, reading books, and playing. I really enjoyed that time we had this morning and it was hard to leave, but I knew I was needed much more back here at the hospital. So after an emotional departure I headed back to the hospital to hopefully get a report from the doctors about Nicholas’s heart rate. The report was good as far as I could tell. They wanted to just continue to monitor him. He’s eating well, is VERY content and happy, and sleeping soundly. They don’t see any reason to be concerned and it could very easily resolve itself because his heart isn’t completely formed yet. There are some “valves” that are open during gestation and close shortly after birth. Nicholas’s heart is still at a gestational age so these are things we watch for. After TONS of prayer from friends and family….and lots of holding by Dave and I with prayer and singing (Nicholas’s favorite song right now is Holy Is The Lord or Jesus Loves Me) his heart rate tonight is actually in the 150s. EVEN BETTER THAN BEFORE ALL THIS!!!! We are just overwhelmed with joy! Along with this event today Nicholas also had his venous line taken out which was used to give him fluids, vitamins, and fats. He no longer needs any of this anymore and is therefore only left with a feeding tube in his nose and the leads that are monitoring his heart rate, oxygen levels, and a other important functions. Overnight Nicholas will get to put on a sleeper for his Altru Nursery internet picture after having a bath. We are looking forward to this little event as he continues to make huge strides towards being on his own and able to come home. So in a day or so check out http://www.altru.org/ and click on nursery to see Nicholas David there.