I can see!

My dad was right – mommy is just as beautiful as he said. Now I get to see her kind and loving face when she sings to me with her angel voice.

At first only my right eye opened, then my left eye opened half-way. But now I’m wide-eyed and ready to explore. But exploring will have to wait just a while longer. I’m working on proving to the doctors that I’m steady and stable so that they can focus on my breathing.

I've got my blood sugar under control for now, and I’m really enjoying this eating business. I hear that most of you only get to eat three meals a day, but I get to eat eight! Of course, each meal is only twelve cc’s of milk (that’s about half an ounce, by the way). And I’m not just doing well taking it in; I do a good job getting rid of it too.

It may seem like a normal thing for you, but it’s a big deal for me. I wasn't always so good at it though. I had to learn the hard way. The nurses had to help me the first few times. I didn't like it and the next time the nurse was changing me, she threatened that if I didn't poop, she’d give me a suppository. I didn't know what that word meant, but I knew what was coming. Before the nurse could spell NICU, I was making it happen. The nurse sure got a kick out of that, but it’s no laughing matter to me!

By the way, my picc line is gone. That’s a special tube that went into the vein in my arm all the way to my heart. It was important to have that line before I was getting fed through a tube in my mouth (that goes straight to my stomach), so that I could get all my nutrients and medication. But if I got an infection through it, it would hurt my heart. So it’s blessing that I don’t need it anymore, even though it was a miracle that I had it. Because my veins are so small, it was going to take a lot of work and a miracle to get it in me, but the nurse said it was the easiest picc line she’d ever put in!

The best part of this last week was when mommy picked me up for the first time and held me. I don’t know if you can remember how your mom used to hold you, but let me remind you how special it is. When she lifted me up, it was the closest I’ve been to her since I was still inside. I felt the warmth of her hands and the softness of her skin, and I thought at that moment that nothing could be better. That’s when she kissed me. After living in an incubator my whole life, having my mommy hold me and kiss me was just the best. It’s a special connection. I am so blessed that she loves me this much!

Thank you for your love and prayers for me and my little family. Daddy has been sick and I haven’t seen him for a while, but he’s getting better with your help! I love you all!

Marshall