Yesterday the realization hit that Michael could be in the NICU quite a while longer; maybe as long as 2-3 weeks. The major hurdles have been met, but now he just needs more time to bake in the incubator while he develops his strength; a job that would have been much easier had he just decided to stay put a couple of weeks more before making his grand entrance.

Although he knows how to nurse, his little body is by no means ready to do it around the clock so today the doctor suggested giving him a break and only trying nursing twice today. So be it. We are going to start doing some feedings by bottle in a couple of days; not my ideal solution, but he needs to be able to feed himself by bottle or breast for 72 hours around the clock before he can go home (among a few other milestones that need to be met). I will have to wean him off the bottle one feeding at a time once we get home; this should prove easier than it did with Sydney because Michael has been a better nurser than she ever was.

Michael is doing an OK job keeping his body temperature at an even keel. When he gets to an open crib he needs to be able to regulate his own body temp for 24 hours before being discharged.

Overall, this process is going to take longer than we originally thought, but I am thankful for the great communication we have with the doctors and nurses. They have been very helpful letting us know exactly what progress has been met, and what needs to happen still.

We are thankful for wonderful friends and neighbors who are helping out our family in the meantime. Peter is going to take ten days off of work to spend time with the kids (he does have to go in a couple of times for meetings), and my mom is coming next week for a few days.

Life is hard, but life is good.