Happy Thanksgiving- Off the Canula- 4 lbs 11oz

Marilyn:

When I was in Boise with Jackson on Monday and Tuesday he was consistently high satting. On Tuesday night after I left, he was taken off his cannula that provides oxygen. The nurse told us that she went to check on him that night and he had his cannula pulled down to his chin and was still high satting. When I called on Wednesday to see how he was doing I couldn't believe the news. What a miracle! I thought for sure Jackson would go home on oxygen, just as Bryan did. We are truly getting blessed with so many miracles from a loving Heavenly Father.

I started recreational breast feeding with Jackson on Tuesday. He did amazingly well. He seemed to know what he needed to do. He was rooting, very alert and looking up at me. The lactation nurse was brought to tears. It was a very tender moment. Jackson is so amazing! He still has a long ways to go with breastfeeding, but we will get there.

David and I decided to bring all the boys to Boise to have Thanksgiving together. They were very excited to sleep at the Ronald McDonald House. The boys didn't fall asleep until 10:30, (I was still at the hospital) and the next morning Brady woke everyone up at 6:30 a.m. Brady, James and Bryan were very excited when dad gave them the sugary cereal that mom's never buys for them. After I went to see the baby in the morning, I took the boys running with me on the green belt. Brady and James road their bikes and I pushed Bryan in the running stroller. It was fun being able to spent some quality time with them. I miss that so much.

Last night when I was holding Jackson (skin to skin) he was doing amazing things again. He was looking around, and being very alert. He kept moving his head back and forth while he was laying on my chest. He kept wanting to look up at me and he kept sucking on my skin. I kept thinking he is acting like a new born. He stayed awake looking up at me and twisting his head back and forth for almost an hour. I felt so much joy while I was holding him. I couldn't wait to get back to my room to tell David all about it. He was asleep when I got there, so I had to wake him up.

The Ronald McDonald Staff provided an excellent Thanksgiving dinner. It was fun to have my boys with me today. I'm so thankful for my family and for the great progress Jackson has done and for the daily miracles. I was very sad to see David and the boys leave to go back to Twin Falls tonight. I had a good cry. When James saw me crying he started crying also. My sweet little James has been having a tough time. I'm anxious to have this all behind me and not have to constantly be leaving my family.

Thank you all again for your continuous prayers, support and service to our family.