Aiden Update

So we had a long talk with the doctor in the NICU and got some answers. Aiden is getting better for the most part. His little body has been fighting overtime to get rid of this infection that seems to have completely taken over.

Positives and Praises:
- So far the blood culture remains clear and if it's still clear tomorrow it should stay that way
- He is eating great- seriously like a champ and breastfeeding like a pro
- His breathing is showing signs of improvement - his breathing is starting to regulate itself when he's at rest
- Chest x-ray gets better every time they take it
- Isn't running a fever at the moment
- Out of the incubator WOOHOO!!!!
- The sweetest and most wonderful baby - all the nurses love him as do we :)

Concerns and Prayer Requests:
- Aiden has a low platelet count which needs to improve before he goes home
- His white blood cell count needs to come down - it's still higher than they want to see which tells them that he is still fighting off an infection

As you can see there are MANY reasons to be very encouraged and we are extremely grateful for all the improvements that he has made. The hard thing for us right now is that I am being discharged today and Aiden won't be discharged until Wednesday at best right now. They want to see the two antibiotics that he is on run a full 7 days before he comes home. We are still in the hospital right now, but the idea of going home and leaving him behind is the cause of many tears. We know that he is in the best possible place to get all the care and attention that he needs, but I feel like I can't possibly go home without him. The staff of the NICU has really been wonderful and know that they are stuck dealing us whether they like it or not and they have really been great to Aiden and us. We have been encouraged to spend as much time with him as we want and they are helping me make sure that I can still breastfeed as much as possible. They feed him all of the milk that I am pumping. We know that him staying here is the best decision and even though it sucks, it's what's best for our son.

Anyway, Drew has really been my rock. He keeps me grounded when I feel like I am going to fly off the handel and just lets me cry when I need to. It's amazing how fast that parent instinct kicks in and you can't ever imagine loving anything more than the little angel in your arms. Our parents have been amazingly supportive and step up everywhere we need them to.

Thanks to all of you for the prayers - we appreciate it and still need them daily. We know that we will make it thought this and be a stronger family for it.