October 25, 2012

On Monday October 22, 2012 I received a call from one of the nurses on our team asking if we could move Bradley's birthday up two days to the 23rd instead of the 25th due to his "small size". Talk about a rush of emotions! We got home and packed up our bags and headed to St. Luke's hospital Tuesday morning at 6:30 AM. We checked in to the hospital and the show began! Our family showed up right behind us and they were there the entire time. Bradley Michael Eads took his first breath at 10:44 AM on October 23rd 2012. He surprised everyone by weighing in at 6 pounds 8 ounces and 19 inches long! He looked very healthy so the pediatric surgeon decided not to wait, and to do his surgery immediately. We got a quick glimpse of our miracle baby and Dave left with our team of doctors to get his surgery started. They finished with Bradley's surgery in 20 minutes. They finished Bradley's surgery before I was out of the operating room get. He has been such a strong boy and is constantly impressing our doctors and nurses with his speedy recovery.

As of last night, they took him off of his ventilator, and Dave and I were able to help with his "changings". Dave took his temperature and I got to change his diaper and lift him up off his bed so the nurse could change his bedding. That has been the only time I have been able to hold him so it was a big moment for us! This morning they took him off of his oxygen and he is now breathing on his own. That is pretty unusual for a gastroschisis baby to be able to be so independent so soon after birth. We go down to the NICU as often as we can to kiss him and talk to him. The nurses in the NICU have been absolutely amazing and they let us be as involved as we would like to.

Bradley is still very wired up with tubes and probes, but they have slowly been disapearing. He has sensitive skin, and his little stomache area is very red from the streching. The surgeons created a bellybutton for him.

The plan for this evening is to help with Bradley's changing at 5:00 PM, and if all goes well we will be able to hold him for a minute!

Pictures to follow!!!!!!!!!