March 30, 2008

Hello everyone! I just wanted to update you on the spinal tap that Zachary had today. They started this procedure to try and relieve some of the pressure in his brain caused by the spinal fluid. They were able to draw 6cc's of fluid which is great. However, we won't know if it was from that region of his body until they do another head scan. They are going to do two more spinal taps before wednesday and then a head ultrasound on wednesday to see if that helped. If this doesn't work then he will be transferred to another hospital and have a reservoir inserted in his skull. We are so thankful for our prayer warriers and we ask that you really kick it into high gear these next few days that he won't have to undergo anything like that. We know how powerful God is and when people team up together and pray, miracles happen!! We will keep you updated on that. On a much more exciting note, I GOT TO HOLD ZACHARY IN MY ARMS TONIGHT!! PRAISE GOD! He weighs 1 lb 7.6 oz and I'm not usually allowed to hold him at this weight. The nurse was changing out his bed and allowed me to hold him while she made the switch. I tell you, God new I needed that! There is nothing like looking at your child through glass for a month and finally getting to hold him! We love you all and will keep you all posted!

March 29, 2008

It's been a while since we've posted something so sorry to keep you all waiting! Ken and I just moved out of our house into an apartment that is closer to the hospital. Zachary is doing well today. He weighs 1lb 7.7 ounces so he's lost a very little bit of weight. The doctors have also upped his feedings to 5cc's an hour so they have taken him off of the TPN (nutrients) so now its up to me to give him what he needs! Everything is going well. We just need to be praying for the swelling that is still in his brain. The doctors are doing a spinal tap procedure today to try and relieve some of this pressure. The doctors keep telling us that he will most likely have to be transferred to Duke University Medical Center to undergo a brain surgery that will put a reservoir directly into his ventricles. WE KNOW THAT THE DOCTORS CAN TELL US WHAT THEY BELIEVE WILL HAPPEN, BUT WE ALSO KNOW AND TRUST THAT GOD IS THE ONLY ONE WHO WILL SAY WHAT WILL HAPPEN!! Zachary is strong and has proven to us time and time again that he can defeat the odds with the help of the Lord. Thanks for all of your prayers and warm thoughts!

March 27, 2008

Today is a great day. We just went to see Zachary and he gained 30 grams yesterday! :) He now weighs 1lb. 6.2 oz! Once he weighs 1000 grams we get to hold him!!!! What a glorious day that will be!!! Here are the pics of that sweet boy sucking on his tiny passy that barely fits in his mouth!

March 25, 2008

Zachary had a wonderful day today. Only one problem... He would not hold our hands at all today where as most days he wont let go. I dont think he slept but a few hours because whenever we saw him he would not stop wiggling in his little bed. He will not have another head ultrasound until next wednesday and we all already know what that is going to say, "the swelling has slowed greatly and everything looks PREFECT!" Thats what we are saying in our prayers and everything will work out! Oh and Zachary was wondering where all the wonderful people are that he keeps hearing about and he cant wait to see each and every one of you!

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March 24, 2008

Zachary is doing well today. We went up there this morning and he has an IV in each arm and one in his head. Poor guy can't move anything! They did a head ultrasound on him this morning and said that the swelling in his brain is a tiny bit more than it was last time. The good news is that the bleeding has stopped and is going away. Our prayer focus this week is for the spinal fluid in his ventricles to start to drain. We are confident in the Lord and know that everything will work itself out!

March 23, 2008

Today is easter! PRAISE GOD! Thank you Lord for your resurection and the ability to HEAL! Without the Lord we would not be as fortunate as we are today! Zachary is doing just great today! He weighs 597 grams and is being fed 2 cc's of my milk an hour! He is going to just get bigger and bigger! Thank you all for thinking of little Zachary each day! We are looking forward to everyone getting to meet him in person in the future! PRAISE GOD for his continued healing!!

March 20, 2008

Today was a very big day! When Ken and I went up to see Zachary this morning they had just taken him off the ventilator and put him on C-pap! (O2 in his nose) and we were sooo very excited! He lasted 3 1/2 hours off of the vent and we couldn't be happier! The nurses said that babies his size don't usually last long, if at all, off of the vent that long. We know that Zachary if a fighter and he is definitely working hiself to get better!

March 18, 2008

Today Zachary is 16 days old!! We have been counting our blessings this past couple of weeks!! As many of you know, I use to work at Centennial Medical Center in the High Risk OB department. I have seen my share of 23 weekers and earlier and some of them didn't make it. I feel that I was blessed with my knowelege because I had an idea about how Zachary was going to be. Or at least I thought I did!! I have never seen a baby his size look so good. A few days after he was born, the doctor was talking to us and I asked him if I was being partial to thinking that Zachary looked so good for his gestation. He looked at me, choked up, and said, "no, you're not... Zachary is doing so wonderful and looks great!" As you can imagine, Kenneth and I were so over joyed! This experience has really strengthened our relationship with the Lord and each other. We are so thankful for everyone who has added our family to their prayer list and who continually keep Zachary in their prayers! As of today he is doing well. He is finally gaining some weight after a week of weight loss. He now weighs about 560 grams which equals 1lb, 4oz. So he's already an ounce over his birth weight!!! God is so good and continues to bless our family! Thank you so much to everyone!!! We love you!

March 2, 2008

Hello Everyone. On March 2, 2008 Zachary David Stafford was born at 7:35 p.m. He weighed 1lb 3oz. When he was born, I was only 23 weeks and 3 days pregnant. Which as you know, is not long enough for a baby! We are so truly blessed to have Zachary in our lives and we needed a miracle this day.