Best. Day. Ever! So far anyway....

So this happened tonight...

For 4 years and 8 months we've been waiting to hold a baby of our own... Tonight it finally happened and it was the best thing ever!!

Today, John and I spent the day running errands in Manhattan.  We got up early and went to check on Rowan.  His nurse said that he'd had a good night and was doing about the same as he was yesterday. We took that as a good sign and headed to Manhattan.  We got back to Topeka at about 4 and the nurses had just moved Rowan back to his tummy (his favorite position).  We hung out with him for a while and then at around 5:45, Dr. Morgan popped into our room to see if we needed anything or had any questions.  It had been a calm day and he was doing well, so we thanked her for asking and said we were good for right now.  As she was leaving the room she asked if I had held Rowan yet.  I said no and she replied with "Well, let's change that."  My heart soared and I got really giddy.  They had to do a blood gas at 6:00, so they told us to go grab some dinner and when we came back they would be ready for me to hold him.... I've never eaten dinner so fast in my life! 😊

When we returned to the room, we had to check Rowan's temperature to make sure that he was warm enough to be taken out of his isollete.  He was already showing good oxygen levels and other vitals, we just had to make sure he was warm enough... The little stinker was about half a degree too chilly.  So the nurses, not ready to give up for the night, turned up the heat on his bed and gave him a little while longer to reach a better temp.  After another 20 minutes, he was warm enough and I was given the green light to get to cuddle with our sweet boy.

We got the chair in position next to the vent and all the monitors and I was given a "Kangaroo Wrap" to wear so that we could do skin-to-skin.  It took four people to take Rowan out of his isollete and get all of his cords and wires where they needed to be, but at 7:25 this evening, I got to hold him for the first time.  We spent the next hour all cuddled up and Rowan did remarkably well.  He maintained his temperature (with the help of my body heat) and they were able to decrease his oxygen levels as I was holding him.  The nurses mentioned several times that he was incredibly comfy and tolerating it very well.  In fact, we were a little concerned that he was going to be kind of ticked off when it was time to go back in his bed.  It was the quickest hour of my life, but I will never forget it!!

At about 8:30, they moved Rowan back to his bed and weighed him for the night.  He lost an ounce since yesterday, putting him at 1 pound 12 ounces, but he wasn't retaining as much fluid tonight. Rowan got settled in and actually tolerated the move back to bed really well.  John and I each read him a bedtime story and then it was time for us to go back to the Ronald McDonald House for the night.  If Rowan has another good day tomorrow, John will get to hold him tomorrow night.

Rowan continues to make small gains each day.  I've said it before, but I'll say it again, we could not be more thankful for all of the thoughts, cards, gift cards, snacks, and other things that have been sent our way.  We are especially thankful for all of the prayers being sent our way.  I know they are making a difference! God Bless you all!