Lyrics

Right before Ali and I left this evening, Brady moved to a new room. This is now his third location, and we feel like we're getting to to know every inch of the NICU. We were told that there was another baby who was using a ventilator and needed our place. This once again is good news that Brady continues to improve and now is in a room surrounded by babies who need minimal support.

The bad news is that Ali and I really loved that location. It's one of the only spots in the NICU next to a large bay window. Ali and I were able to hold Brady and watch people walking and driving by the hospital. When you're in the hospital for six hours or more (like Ali has been every day for the past three weeks), it's nice to see that daylight and do some people watching. Brady's new room has windows, but none are located as conveniently as our last location.

Today was much of the same for Brady. Ali and both had the chance to feed him a bottle. Actually, more than half of his feeding was done by bottle over the past 12 hours:

Time Bottle Gavaged
6 p.m. yesterday 40 ml
8 p.m. 65 ml
9 p.m. 37 ml
1 a.m. today 65 ml 60 ml
4 a.m. 100 ml
6 a.m. 48 ml
9 a.m. 70 ml
12 p.m. (Tyler) 40 ml 70 ml
3 p.m. (Ali) 45 ml 55 ml
6 p.m. 57 ml 43 ml

We really have no idea how much he is improving. He is still struggling with some reflux issues when he eats. The nurses keep telling us that he's getting stronger, and they hope he takes the big strides necessary to get him home soon.

The OT came again today and Brady continues to show improvement with all of his body movements. All signs are telling us that once he's able to eat on his own, we'll be ready to leave the hospital.

There are six babies in our room and it is pretty tight quarters with all of the equipment and bodies around. When we arrived this morning, Brady was sleeping on his tummy with his hands tucked under his face. I sat back in the recliner and rested him the same way on my chest.

A few minutes after getting settled, a group of doctors came into our room to do rounds on another baby in our room. When they do rounds on the NICU, the doctors and nurses talk about the baby's progress and any modifications they are going to make to the treatment.

Since they are going over private information about the baby, they ask the other parents in the room to wear headphones. Ali and I put on some headphones, and the nurse asked us what kind of music she should play. We both said we didn't care, and then I told her to play some country music. She played an Internet radio station into our headphones.

I was relaxed back into my chair, my feet were up the in the air, I was looking out the window, and Brady was snuggled up on my chest. It was a completely peaceful moment. This was the song that played: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUuQPSVx684

Tim McGraw - "Comin' Home"

Say goodbye to Old Man Winter
Say hello to sweet springtime
'Cause I'm coming out of hiding
I'm gonna get it right this time

After so long being frozen
It took a while to thaw me out
I spent too long not knowing
What love's supposed to be about

Now I'm finding out

[Chorus:]
It's a lot like coming home
From a long time walking out in the snow
Then I looked at you and knew I never knew nothing
And it broke this heart of stone
It's a lot like coming home

Like a boat out on the harbor
That's been battered by the sea
I've been through some stormy weather
But you shine a light for me
Girl, you set me free

[Chorus]

Coming home
Feels like I'm coming home (repeat)
Oh baby, I'm coming home (repeat)
I'm coming home (repeat)

It's a beautiful song and it's a moment that I'll never forget...holding Brady and hearing those words. Even though it's a love song about a girl, the words really struck a chord with me, especially these lines:

"Say hello to sweet springtime"
"After so long being frozen, it took awhile to thaw me out"
"I've been through some stormy weather, but you shine a light for me"
"Feels like I'm comin' home"

With love,

Tyler, Ali, Ava, Casey and Brady