Graduate School

I didn't say anything before because I didn't want to jinx anything, but if you have been reading this blog, then you already know. Jordan had a better month in August than I could have possibly expected. On August 1st he was hooked up to 4 IVs, on the ventilator, I don't think he was eating, and I think that was the first time he was turned onto his belly. Frankly, at the time, the question was if he would survive.
Now, he's on continuous feeds, off the vent, no IVs, and almost all of the nurses have realized he does best on his belly. We've gotten to hold and to kangaroo. He went from opening his eyes into slits to really looking at his mother the other day - we even saw the white parts. In the past week I personally have been coughed, sneezed, drooled, and hiccuped on, and thought everyone of them was a miracle. He can cry, though he rarely chooses to (he's never hungry, cold, or overstimulated). A month ago, we never thought to ask the doctor when they would take him off the vent and was pleasantly surprised when he was. That was the only treat so far that was better than yesterday.
Jordan was the only baby in that part of the NICU in his position. He was in an isolette, off all IVs, no ventilator, and had been there more than a week. There are another 20+ babies on that side of the NICU, and none of them meet those qualifications. He wasn't the oldest, he wasn't the biggest, he was by far the most stable. They moved him to the step down nursery!!! The mama Ali and I called it graduate school because every baby to go into the 'A' side of the NICU, leaves one of two ways. The other way is to be moved to the 'B' side. There, the nurses have 4 babies each instead of 2. The nurses are just as qualified, but tend to spend less time with each baby. They feed, change diapers, respond to alarms, take vitals and leave them alone. My son needs less attention. He doesn't have to have anyone worry about his IVs, he sleeps 23 hours a day, he flirts with the nurses by desatting, he gains weight. At the end of July, I learned the true meaning of fear. At the end of August, I learned the true meaning of pride.
Of course, if he does poorly, they will move him back. He was half the weight of most of the babies in there. However, looking back at the last two weeks, he has been very consistent. I just wish the doctor would come and tell us how bad she expects him to do so that he can prove her wrong again. The mama Ali and I are going to go clothes shopping today, and pick up some paint and furniture tomorrow. Let there be no doubt that we are now real parents!