A little update 💛

Thank you to everyone who has shared in our excitement these last 2 days with the arrival of Eiley. We are overwhelmed by the love and support from family near to us and friends from every corner of our little world. The delivery was not flawless and I have a few little updates to share.

First Alexa lost a fair amount of blood during delivery. I guess Eiley kind of has a big head. The excellent doctor on call was able to repair the damages quickly and stop the bleeding, but she still lost more than is typical. Yesterday Alexa was on fluids to help keep her hydrated while she made more blood. After slow progress on her own, she started receiving blood this morning to accelerate her healing process. The benefits were obvious within minutes, and it was refreshing to see her spring back to life as her usual glowing self. Hopefully she will be able to leave the hospital this evening or tomorrow morning!

Alongside Alexa’s bleeding Eiley also inhaled some meconium in the womb and has been having some trouble breathing. She was able to spend her first hours in mom’s arms, learning how to breathe, eat, and cry. After that she spent the night in the nursery under an oxygen hood. The following morning, the 17th, observations and chest X-rays helped the Lincoln staff decide that Eiley was going to have to be transferred to another facility. She isn’t critical, but the Lincoln hospital is small and we had reached the upper limits of care that they could offer. Doctors from St. John’s in Springfield came to visit and diagnosed her condition. They said it would be best for her to come down to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit or NICU (pronounced nick-yoo, maybe you knew that, but it’s all new to me!).

Eiley is currently being assisted with breathing more deeply through a CPAP and is on an IV to retroactively counteract her catching pneumonia. I am bouncing back and forth between Lincoln and Springfield. Thankfully Ellie has been a gracious chauffeur driving me between hospitals. My wonderful mother-in-law has only left Alexa’s side when I’m available to be with her and my mother has spent several hours sitting with Eiley in the NICU.

Me doing my one job in the NICU: Keeping the pacifier in so Eiley calms down.

The report this morning is that Eiley is improving, but the nurses are still monitoring the acid in her blood caused by trouble exhaling CO2.

I write all of this for a few reasons. One to simplify communication. I’m getting a lot of texts from a lot of people all with different amounts of information. I can’t reply to everyone but I want you to know. Your prayers and encouraging notes mean the world to us, and we’re doing reasonably well. I also share to celebrate the passion for life that exists in this world. I was not fully aware of it until this weekend. Every nurse, doctor, and facility that I have encountered these last few days has been meticulously diligent in service and overwhelmingly caring to my wife, my baby, and myself.

Lastly I want to rejoice in the Lord’s plan for my little family. For the health we do have and the strength we have been granted. Every detail has meant the world, from the nurses with familiar faces, to family members that are so close by. The prayers and messages have granted us peace, and we are so full of joy.

I’m eager to start this next phase of life with Alexa and Eiley. We’re hoping to be all back home together by the weekend. I can’t wait for you to meet her 💛

📝