Thursday, November 11

Walker came out of isolation on Tuesday night and is back in a regular room in the NICU. All of his viral swabs and bacterial cultures came back negative. He has had multiple chest x-rays over the last few days to continue to check on his lungs, which are showing improvement. He continues to be treated with antibiotics for presumed pneumonia (presumed because they don’t know for sure what caused his respiratory setback, but are treating him to be safe). Walker was on CPAP for the last few days but came off of it this morning and is breathing well on his own again. Overall, he’s doing much better and is looking healthy again.

The last two nights I was able to give Walker a bath and help get him dressed. It is such a gift to get to do these regular mom things for him. I was even excited yesterday when he pooped through his onesie while I was holding him. We are also excited that the NICU team has asked us to help pilot a new project for them called Nicview. Walker has a new camera installed above his bed and anytime we would like to check on him we can call his nurse and ask her to turn on the camera so that we can see him. This is such a blessing in so many ways. It’s a way for us to get to see him when we are at our home in Holland Landing or have to be away from him for a while, and it’s a way for his siblings and other family members to feel a little bit more involved with and connected to him.

As I sit with Walker and hold him in my arms, I find myself singing the same song to him again and again…

Jesus said if I am weak

I should come to Him

No one else can be my strength

I should come to Him

For the Lord is good and faithful

He will keep us day and night

We can always run to Jesus

Jesus strong and kind

Jesus said that if I fear

I should come to Him

No one else can be my shield

I should come to Him

I pray that the arms of Jesus hold Walker close so that he never feels alone in that big hospital bed. I pray he will sing this song one day and know how very good and faithful Jesus has been to him and to us.

Walker has been opening his eyes more and more the last couple of days!

His is also learning to use his lungs much more.

Walker turned 3 weeks old on Tuesday.

The nurses said he was so happy when they took his CPAP machine off. Sweet freedom!