Introducing Kale's Korner

Snuggle time with our other son, Mack. He has missed out on a lot of attention the past month, but he's been a good boy and is always a good cuddler :)

Shot number 1 of what I like to call 'Kale's Korner' We put up gifts that Kale receives, and we like to think it gives him good luck! In this shot we have:

-UNI onesie from Grandma and Grandpa Rainbow

-11Z sticker from Uncle Justin, same ones that are on his race car

-BABYALBRECHT banner and angel pin from Grandma and Grandpa Albrecht

-Gems of Hope serenity circle from Bruce and Beth Hammell

-Pictures of Cory and Laura, Derc and I and Mack

-UNI flag from Derc and I

-Target Great Team Card from me

-Cross from Grandma Rainbow

-REAL 4 leaf clover from his favorite nurse, Jodi

Kale's Korner goodies:

-Baptism certificate

-Wooden Angel from Grandma and Grandpa Albrecht

-St. Louis postcard from Sally Schick

-Baby Boy cross from Aunt Sarah, Uncle Z and cousin Jordan

-Froggy from Debbie Hornbuckle

-Bear from Aunt Sarah, Uncle Z and Jordan

-'Lucky Speedo' (it's a long story :) ) from Aunt Sarah, Uncle Z and Jordan

-'Hope' statue from Grandma and Grandpa Rainbow

-Turkey bobblehead from Mike Matthes

-'Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart' plaque from Kerry Sweeney

-Hot wheels collectible car from a family that donates cars to the NICU who had a baby there for a while

Whew...I think that's it! Kale has A TON of support, that doesn't even represent all of the good luck charms he's received, there simply isn't room for all of them in his little corner :) But we appreciate all of the notes, messages, cards, trinkets that have been sent our way, and Kale will appreciate them when he understands all that happened in his first months of life!

Kale had another stable day! He was able to be weened down on his oxygen and Nitric settings. He was around 30% all day with his oxygen and his Nitric was moved from 10ppm to 5ppm. From this point the plan is likely going to be to continue to ween down the vent settings and Nitric settings and hopefully (cross your fingers and toes!) move him to a new vent next week. His steroid treatments have still been going well. His blood sugar has been pretty up and down with each check but that is expected with the steroid treatments. The Dr. said he expects him to be on the treatment for a couple of weeks, at least until his body is producing enough of the hydrocortisone on its own.

Kale also continues to handle his feeds well, he was bumped up to 16mls every 3 hours fortified at 27 calories! He's just a little porker, we're so proud! He's tolerating them so well, and he is starting to fill out! He is up to 2 lbs. 4 oz. today. I'm noticing that he is looking healthier, he has cute little cheeks, some chub on his arms, a bigger belly and when I changed his diaper I even noticed some butt cheeks!! Before there were just bones, so I shouted (ok...more like a loud whisper) to his nurse, Jodi, "Look, he has butt cheeks!!!!" We're so proud :)

We had another surprise today when we called in for our morning update. We found out that Kale had a new next door neighbor, and it turns out it was one of Derc's college roommates baby! For those of you who know Tanner Varner, he had a baby girl, Mia, yesterday and she is going to spend a few days in the NICU but she is doing well! Small world!!

Well, that's about all for today, I'm going to try and get some pictures tomorrow to show you how plump our little guy is getting...I'm hoping I'm not just imagining things :) Thanks for checking in and for keeping Kale in your thoughts and prayers! Your prayers for his lungs to improve seem to be getting results, thank you!!