RT was born At 0712 his gestational age was 23 6/7.  I follow RT and his team up to NICU while moms team continues to stop the bleeding, RT’s Grandma is with her. They work while they walk.

We arrive at NICU he is weighed at 690 grams (1lb 8.3 0z) while it isnt much, it is a good weight for his age.  All our fears are welling up inside of me. He needs to fight for us.

They set up a clean area and install an umbilical catheter, they put a towel over his eyes to shield him from the bright light. His eyes are still fused shut. His temperature is low so they make him a little plastic tent inside his incubator and put little warmers in it to get his temp up quicker. He is already my little camper! By the end of the day they weaned his oxygen levels down to 21% which is normal room air. He is a strong breather!

2100 His red blood cell count is low they will check it twice more tonight. He is hanging in there and fighting every step of the way. I sign consent forms for blood and done milk.

We are told the first day is often a “honeymoon” day. It often gets worse after the first day then gradually improves. There is so much ris that lies ahead that we have not yet encountered. He is doing OK for now and really that is all we can ask for at this point.

We wheel mom up for a visit before bed. It is really hard on her. She feels like she has failed him by letting him escape the safety of being inside of her. I think she did an amazing job growing RT, he seems strong for his age.  She did everything asked of her and more to keep this little guy safe. There is nothing more that could have been done.

Mom puts her hand inside incubator and he reaches out as if knowing his mom is there and grabs it with his tiny hand. His grip can’t reach all the way around her finger yet but he tries his best He holds on for a bit, then he is asleep

We love you RT. Sleep tight.