Well today felt like a really good day. It started out with Ezra having poop everywhere! but we got him cleaned up and changed his dressing on his back and it got better from there.
We are starting to get to know the nurses better and Ezra is building his team that will continue to care for him. It is so nice to walk in and see a familiar face and know that they are comfortable with Ezra. These nurses are so encouraging to be around and help me to do as much as I can with Ezra.
I am starting to feel tons better from the c-section. It feels better to get around and have a lot more energy.
Ezra had a big day. He was taken off his antibiotics, which means his IV was able to come out. His head is so cute without an IV. Also they were able to take out his catheter to see if he could pee on his own. And of course the little rockstar did. They will keep and eye on it and make sure he is emptying his bladder. If he isn’t they may have to put it back in or cath him a few times a day.
The doctors stopped by and said Ezra is doing fine. Which sounds good to me.
Tomorrow I think Dave and I are going to try to get out of the hospital, I think we are both getting a little cabin fever and need some fresh air. But everything went well today.

This morning I had the nice surprise of seeing Ezra’s eyes. I can’t believe a week ago I had a baby. Things have been going well, considering that we are where we are at. Ezra still has lots of healing to do but he is doing great.
I am so thankful that we are close to where he is in the NICU, it is just a simple walk across the hospital and I am able to spend time with him. It makes it nice to go back and forth between Dave and Atreyu and spending time with Ezra.
Dave and I are working on having Ezra take all his feeding through the bottle, once he is good at that they can take out the feeding tube. He takes about 45 mins to finish his bottle and we have the patience to get it all down through the bottle, but the nurses only give him about 20 mins to take the bottle so they usually end up finishing with the feeding tube. Hopefully soon he will be awake enough to be a better eater but for now Dave and I are trying to do as many feeding as we can.

I had the chance to sort of hold Ezra again today. We needed to change his bedding so I was able to lift him up while the nurse put on a new sheet. I can’t wait until I actually get to hold him.

Ezra had an ultrasound of his head yesterday and the results were stable. So that mean extra fluid is not building up in his head and today he does not need a shunt. It is still a possibility  and that would be another surgery, but it is something that will save his life if he needs it and we are thankful for that.

Our day started bright and early at 5:30 to get prepped for my surgery. We did have some down time waiting for things, but we took advantage of by trying to name our son. Once things got going they started going fast.

The C-section was pretty hard on me, but tonight I feel much better and everyone is telling me how great am doing after a C-section. Once they delivered Ezra, Dave was able to peek over the curtain and snap some photos for me. The doctors and staff were able to take care of him and bring him around so I could see him. I cried and still long to hold him.

Once Ezra was situated in the NICU and I started feeling better we were able to visit Ezra. He looks so good. This has been a very emotional day for both Dave and I. Tomorrow Ezra will have his surgery on his back. Because the spine opening is so large, about 4cm by 6cm, a plastic surgeon will come in to finish the closure. We don’t know exactly what will need to be done and this might cause his stay to be longer.
It is so hard to be away from my son and I can’t wait until we all are able to be together.

Here are some pictures from the day.

Thank you again for your prayers and encouragement. This has been one of the hardest days of my life but I know God is in control.

and were having a baby!

I am so relieved, I couldn’t imagine heading back home after all the packing I did, and the stressing over packing. I don’t know what I would have done with myself for another week.
At the same time, I AM HAVING A BABY TOMORROW!!! I can’t believe I am going to be a mom of two boys not even 13 months apart. We are so excited though, I can’t wait to meet this guy.

We will be staying at the hospitality house in the hospital while he is in the NICU. We would love to hear from you. You can call (616) 391 9402 also Dave will have his cell phone on him, you can also write to us:

Renucci Hospitality House
c/o Dave and Lauren Hannon
100 Michigan Street NE
Grand Rapids MI 49503

Hopefully we will be out of here sooner than later, but we have to spend some time here. Thank you for all the encouragement we have received, and thank you so much for your prayers.
We will keep everyone updated.