Stupid neck IV!

Elijah posing with his new stuffed animals from the Rollers! Thanks, guys!




Elijah has a balloon factory in his room


Aaaaawwwww, sweet stuffed puppy from Pam, Grant & Jetson...

I got a little bit upset with our nurse tonight after the FOURTH ATTEMPT today at successfully putting dressing on Elijah's neck IV. He does have a chubby neck that makes it more difficult, I'm sure, but FOUR TIMES?!? Right before the last time, while Elijah was anticipating more trauma and already starting to cry, I asked the nurse if there was maybe a way she could make things more efficient so that he wasn't screaming his head off for ten straight minutes while she opened packages and put on gloves and did things that she could have done before starting. Sorry, but I'd like to minimize my baby's stress, especially when his blood pressure gets to 200/130 and he's so scared he acts like his toenails are being torn off. We all survived and we're praying this dressing is the last one needed!

Elijah's heart rate issue has resolved itself for the most part. Right now the only things of concern are the extra fluid (he has peed a lot today, but could still use more) and his high respiratory rate and somewhat labored breathing. Overall he has had a really good day. The drugs are out of his system and he is finally giving some more smiles and he's starting to babble again. I'm not going to say we're in the clear because this journey always seems to have bumps when you least expect them, but we're getting there!

We have felt SO LOVED today. We had two different friends bring us food: Pam and Grant brought lunch and Tim drove all the way up from Rochester to bring us dinner. Thanks to all of you! We got all kinds of balloons and gifts and it just shows how much our little man is truly loved and cared for! So many people have brought us snacks and meals and gifts and we feel like we have the best family and friends in the world.

Dan's mom has been wonderful and she has been stopping by every evening so Dan and I can get away and eat dinner somewhere else in the building besides the PICU (usually the hallway or the waiting room, if it's empty). We're eagerly awaiting eating our yummy food from the Yoders tonight...yummmm, Famous Dave's!!

Thanks everyone for all the love and support and prayers. It makes me teary thinking about how wonderful you all are. Keep praying for PEE and for no chest tube tomorrow! Thanks! xoxoxoxo