DAY NINETY-SIX

Well, I think I have turned the corner and you know what, Mom was right, I feel much better after my bath! When Mom was talking to the doctor today he mentioned he was glad that even though I was sick I continued to eat well and did not experience additional respiratory issues. As I have always said, I am holding my own. The doctor said that he would draw more blood on Thursday and do another urine test on Friday. If I have turned the corner and really am getting better the doctor said we could try a bottle again at the end of the week, there were other things said but the adults were whispering so I could not make out the rest of the plan, do happen to know what they said? If you do please let me in on the secret! When Mom and Dad came to see me tonight I was sitting up in bed and was about to get in the swing, I am not sure if I like the swing just yet, but I do love sitting up looking at everyone and everything!

DAY NINETY-FIVE

No big changes today. The doctor and nurses made slight changes to my supplements due to my increased weight and and lowered the calories in my milk from 28 to 26. The doctor did mention to Mom that because I have a urinary tract infection he would like to make sure that the urine is not going from my bladder back to my kidneys. This is done through a dye test and can be done on an outpatient basis after I go home or can be taken care of at the same time the doctor repairs my hernias. When Mom came to visit me this morning I was sweating, she told me that I was getting better and I would probably feel a lot better tomorrow, especially after I had my bath. Thank you for the prayers and support.

DAY NINETY-FOUR

Well the tests have come back and I have a blood infection and a urinary tract infection. The doctor changed one of my antibiotics to better treat my urinary infection and other than that the only thing that has changed is the amount of milk I get, the doctor increased it to 52ccs. I am a growing boy who is trying his very best to get better so I can go home and be with Mom and Dad all the time. The nurses let Mom know that I weigh 6 pounds, 10 ounces, that was a surprise, even for me, but like I said I am a growing boy and I love food!

DAY NINETY-THREE

Today I am 3 months old! Nothing has come back from the tests yet, but the doctors are going to keep me on antibiotics for at least 7 days. The doctor does not want to move forward with the bottle or weaning me off my oxygen until I am feeling more like myself. I still feel tired and take a lot of naps, but the medicine is helping. Mom and Dad came to visit today and we talked about resting and getting better. Thank you for the prayers! I will keep you posted on how I am feeling and what the plan is over the next few days.

DAY NINETY-TWO

Ohh, I am so tired! I've gotten sick, no one told me you had to be sick to be in the NICU! Yesterday I heard the doctor talking about turning down my air and my new neighbor told me they did not feel good, so I decided to get sick last night. The doctors and nurses put me on two antibiotics, took a chest x-ray as well as blood and urine to run some tests. The doctors know for sure it is not pneumonia, but they are waiting for the other tests to come back. Even though I do not feel great I am still eating so the doctor increased my food to 50ccs. As I have said before nothing, and I mean nothing, comes between me and food!

DAY NINETY-ONE

Today was another quiet day. My eyes are still a little swollen from the eye exam, but I feel better today then I did yesterday. When the doctor made his rounds he discussed with Mom and the nurses that when need to lower my liters of air to 2.5, he was not sneaky about it today, I heard his plan, I will try my best to not get too tired! When Mom came to visit me the nurse asked her to bring in some other clothes because I have outgrown my preemie onesies, so keep checking back to see my new duds. When you see Mom and Dad give them a hug and please continue to pray for my continued progress!

DAY NINETY

The eye doctor came today and he reported no changes which is fantastic, that means that my eyes have not gotten worse and they should self-correct over time. The eye doctor came in the morning and I was exhausted the rest of the day as you can see! In the afternoon I was able to take another bottle even though I was tired because NOTHING comes between me and food. Mom and Dad came to visit me in the evening and they got to see me hanging out in a bouncy seat and I told them in no uncertain terms that I want one when I get home. I have reached another milestone, drum roll please, I weigh 6 pounds! Even though I am super tired it has been a wonderful day! Prayers of thanksgiving are being said for my progress and I know Mom and Dad are very thankful and praise God for their many blessings!

DAY EIGHTY-NINE

Today was another big day, that doctor is sneaky! He lowered my liters of air to 3.0 without saying anything to me! Mom came to see me this morning and gave me a bath and the doctor came by to see how I was doing and the only thing I heard was that my milk would increase another 3 ccs to 48. Then I saw a lot of hand movements and smiles and that was it. I took another 30 ccs from a bottle this afternoon and then Mom and Dad came to visit with me. This picture was taken when Mom and Dad were there and they were talking with me about how I was feeling and that they were very proud of me and then they let me in on the secret that the doctor had lowered my air again. That doctor is sneaky, but he knows what he is doing because when Mom called to check on me later in the evening I was holding my own and resting comfortably. The eye doctor comes tomorrow to check on me and I will keep you posted. Thank you for your continued prayers and well wishes!

DAY EIGHTY-EIGHT

Today was a manic Monday! Mom came to visit me this morning and told me that after her and Dad visited me tonight he had to drive to Oklahoma on business. When Mom came to see me this morning the doctor was there making his rounds so we chatted about the plan for the remaining month. Minimal changes were made, I was taking four supplements, the doctor discontinued one and changed the dosages on the other three. The doctor does not want to make changes to my liters of air just yet, maybe later this week. I took a bottle this morning and drank 30 ccs out of 45. Yeah me!!! Thank you for your prayers and support.

DAY EIGHTY-SEVEN

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY Benjamin Allen Parker! Did you know that I have the same middle name as my Dad, how awesome is that? Dad loved my card. It had two puppies on it, a Dad puppy and a son puppy and they were doing fun things together like playing and reading books. On the inside of the card the puppies were holding hands, I wrote my name on the little puppy and Dad's name on the big puppy and then I drew a beard on the big puppy because Dad has a beard. Mom gave Dad his gift at the house, do you know what he got? He got a weed eater, he asked for it and he got it. Guess what, I weigh 5 pounds 14 ounces and I took 30 ml of milk from my bottle today, woo hoo!!! Today has been a great day, God is so good and he has a plan for me!

DAY EIGHTY-SIX

Mom was right, again, is that always going to happen? I am tired again today, but holding my own at 3.5 liters. The picture is of Mom and I talking about doing my best and trying hard to get stronger and feel better. Mom told me that she is ready for me to be home but the doctor and nurses want to monitor me for a few more weeks. I took another bottle today and only got down 10 out of 45 ml down, I am so exhausted! Mom reminded me that tomorrow is Dad's special day and I need to have my card ready to go, I might need to get the nurses to help me finish up! Mom told me that she has already hidden Dad's gift at the house so we will be ready for his special day!

DAY EIGHTY-FIVE

I am really S L E E P Y! The surprise I received today was that the doctor turned down my liters of air from 4 to 3.5. On top of that my milk was increased to 45 ml. Man! I am really having to work today, no hanging out and just laying around for me. When I practiced taking my bottle I was able to drink 13 of the 45 ml and then the rest I took through my feeding tube. My weight today is 5 pounds and 10 ounces. Mom told me that the doctor whispered yesterday about the changes so that I would not hear and get nervous about having to do well today, but I am doing well and holding my own. Mom prepared me for probably being tired for the next couple of days while my body gets used to working harder and getting stronger with less oxygen. Well I am going to continue resting and I will keep you posted on my progress, thank you for staying with me and continuing to pray for my growth and health.

DAY EIGHTY-FOUR

So I had a bath today at 11:00 a.m. with Mom and I helped her pick out my clothes, I look really good, what do you think? During my bath Mom and I talked about how well I am doing and how proud she is of me! Then when Dad got done with work he came and gave me my bottle, it has been another great day! The doctor spoke to Mom and Dad in whispers today, I wonder what they are planning, I hope it is a really good surprise! Come back tomorrow to see what happens.

DAY EIGHTY-THREE

The doctor made no changes today. The nurses talked to me about practicing with the bottle again. After drinking from the bottle I needed a nap! Today has been a great day, taking the bottle was a success and now I plan to spend the rest of the day sleeping, looking cute and laying around flirting with the nurses. Mom and I made plans for Father's Day, she is going to pick up a card for me to give to Dad and she will get his gift and hide it at the house. I hope everyone has a wonderful day, talk to you later!

DAY EIGHTY-TWO

Today was a good day! I got to spend time with Mom and Dad and the doctor made changes to my care. As you know I have been drinking protein shakes to "bulk" up, but today the doctor lowered the amount of protein in my milk and upped the amount of calories. The doctor discontinued the caffeine I was getting and reminded Mom and Dad that before I go home he will wean me off the additional sodium and electrolytes that I take. I took a bath and practiced taking milk from a bottle, yep that is right, I said a bottle, I drank milk from a bottle. Prayers of thanksgiving are given on my behalf from family and friends, God is good!

DAY EIGHTY-ONE

Today was the usual tests to check and make sure that my body is doing what it needs to, like make blood, and regulating other fluids and functions. Everything looks good, based on the test results, so YEAH me, I am definitely growing and maturing! This afternoon Dad and I spent time together talking and bonding, I love being able to do that! Thank you for continuing to pray for my growth and development.

DAY EIGHTY

Mom and Dad think I look good in hats, which one do you like better? Today I weigh 5 pounds, 4 ounces and I am 16 1/2 inches long. I am still on 5 liters of oxygen, remember I tried 4 liters a couple of times but got really tired. At 1:30 today the doctor moved me to 3.5 liters and tricked me, it worked! I am able to tolerate it, YEAH! Mom and I are always talking about how I am just like Dad, today we talked about how I run "hot" my body temperature always seems a little bit warmer than typical, but when the nurses run tests to make sure I am not sick the tests come back normal, which is great. I have started talking to the nurses about not wrapping me in a blanket, why can I not just lay around with my clothes on, why a blanket too? They wrap me in a blanket anyway, until I get "warm" again and then sometimes, I get to lay around in my clothes and "cool" off.

DAY SEVENTY-NINE

Today was the care conference with the doctor. The plan is to begin weaning me off of my supplements, like caffeine and diuretics, lower the protein in my milk and raise the calories and have me take my milk form a bottle instead of a tube. The doctor told Mom and Dad that I will more then likely come home with oxygen, but the nurses will teach them how to monitor that before I go home. Today for me is another plateau day, I am feeling good and I am really glad there is a plan in place for me to go home. The doctor did tell Mom and Dad that my discharge date will not be until the end of July and that is if everything goes well. I will try my very best to have everything go well, I will listen to Mom and Dad and the doctors and nurses and grow big and strong. Please continue to pray for me and Mom and Dad as we see the end in sight.

DAY SEVENTY-EIGHT

Can you tell that I like monkeys? Today was another plateau day, Dad and I spent time talking and bonding, I love when we do that! Dad told me that he had to see his doctor today for a check up and he is doing well but the doctor wants him to wear his CPAP mask when we sleeps at night. He promised me that he would be better at wearing his mask so that he can keep up with me when I come home! I love Mom and Dad very much and cannot wait to be at home with them. Tomorrow is the care conference with the doctor and Mom and Dad should get a plan in place for the rest of my stay in the NICU.

DAY SEVENTY-SEVEN

The doctor tried to lower my liters again to 4 and it did not work. I still need help breathing, hopefully in the next couple of days I will do better on less support. Mom and Dad have a care conference with the doctor on Saturday to discuss the plan for the rest of my stay in the NICU. I broke the 5 pound mark, I weigh 5 pounds and 1 ounce!! God is so good! Please send up a prayer of thanksgiving for my great progress!

DAY SEVENTY-SIX

My Mom says that she loves me and she REALLY loves my cheeks. I did not get a fever with my second round of immunizations which is good. Today is a plateau day, I plan to hang out and take it easy today. If you see Mom and Dad give them a hug and ask to see my latest pictures!

DAY SEVENTY-FIVE

Hi everybody! I had a slight fever this morning because of my immunizations yesterday, but the nurse gave some Tylenol and I feel better. The doctor increased my milk to 40 ccs and I will get my last round of immunizations this afternoon. I weigh 4 pounds and 15 ounces. The plan is to hang out today and get bigger and stronger. Thank you for all of your support and love!

DAY SEVENTY-FOUR

When it rains it pours! The eye doctor came today and I got my first round of immunization shots, I need a nap! The eye doctor reported no change, which is wonderful! My eyes are not getting worse and the issues they have now are self-correctable within the first couple of years, I am fearfully and wonderfully made, it is amazing what God allows the body to correct on its own given time. The doctor again increased my milk to 39 ccs! Thank you for the continued prayers, God is answering them!

DAY SEVENTY-THREE

Remember I told you that I have protein shakes, well they take a lot of energy to digest and they make me a stinky boy, if you know what I mean. Because of the name I have made for myself with the nurses they asked Mom to bring me some nice smellling shampoo and lotion. Today was the first day that I got to take a bath and use my new shampoo and lotion. Mom and Dad got to bath me and it was really nice. I got to wear my new shorts that Mom got from Build-A-Bear, where she got my awesome overalls, they do not look like a skirt so I feel much better! after my bath Mom and Dad went to get me some things for my crib. The nurses suggested that they get a mobile, a mirror and something that I can watch when I lay on my side, and boy did they come through! The nurses suggested these things because I am getting to be a big boy, I am tracking with my eyes and they do not want me to get bored in my crib. I now weigh 4 pounds, 12 ounces and I am 16 1/2 inches long. My doctor increased my milk to 37 ccs, that is almost 10 ounces a day, woo hoo!

DAY SEVENTY-TWO

The doctor had to put me back on 5 liters of air, I promise I tried really hard, but I got tired and needed more help. Mom is very proud of me, she told me so, but she also said that this was a loop-de-loop in the roller coaster ride that is the NICU. On a good note I now weigh 4 pounds, 10 ounces and I am 16 inches long! The eye doctor was unable to come see me today, he will probably be here tomorrow.

DAY SEVENTY-ONE

The doctor has weaned my air to 4 liters, bottle here I come! Mom told me that the doctor wants to give me shots now that I am 2 months old to help me stay healthy, she said they were called immunizations. The immunizations will happen over the next few days, the doctor wants me to be as big and strong as possible, because even gigantor, term babies do not feel good after getting shots. The eye doctor is coming back in a couple of days to check my eyes again. Mom and I have talked about the eye doctor coming back and she is concerned about what the doctor will say. God has blessed my growth so far and she knows that prayer is the answer, but she still worries about me. Love you Mom! Please continue to pray for me and Mom and Dad.

DAY SEVENTY

***The following information may be sensitive to some readers, that means you Mom!***


I've shared before that the doctor has added supplements to my milk, one of which is protein. Apparently my protein shakes are "clogging" me up and I had to get an enema to help me go to the bathroom. It worked and man do I feel better! The doctor has increased my milk to 35 ounces and my oxygen is at 35% with 5 liters, I need to be at 2 liters before I can take my milk in a bottle instead of the feeding tube.

DAY SIXTY-NINE

Today was a busy day! The eye doctor came to check my eyes today and they have not improved, but they really have not worsened either. From what Mom tells me, my eyes are still growing and maturing and the doctor is monitoring the growth of the blood vessels around the eye. The doctor and nurses also turned down the amount of air going through my nasal cannula from 6 liters to 5 liters. That means that I do not need as much pressure to keep my lungs inflated. When Mom and I talk about my oxygen we talk about the liters and the the amount of oxygen going through the cannula, I usually need 30-40% oxygen. My lungs are growing and it will take time for the doctors to wean me off the oxygen, I may even go home with oxygen.

Mom's friends at work gave us a "bear" essentials shower, Mom had a great time and she tells me I have plenty of stuff waiting for me at home. Thank you for all of the wonderful comments, well wishes and gifts! Please continue to pray for my growth and development and I will keep you posted.

DAY SIXTY-EIGHT

Before you send Mom notes, comments and emails about no picture with my latest post, I spoke to her and she said it would not happen again. I will tell you though that my outfit was really cute, it was footed pajamas and the feet had monkeys on them. Today was another plateau day, the doctor came by to see how I was doing and he adjusted my supplements and increased my milk to 35 ounces. My current weight is 4 pounds 2 ounces and I am 15 inches long. Mom and I were talking this evening about the rest of my stay in the hospital, she just wants me to do my best and take my time to grow big and strong. Thank you for your prayers and well wishes!