What a difference a day makes...

Just a quick update before I run out the door again. I visited Christopher this afternoon at about 4, and he's having a great day! They took him off of the CPAP and put him under an oxygen hood (pic to come later) where he's doing a lot better. Most of the swelling is gone from his face, and he's starting to look more of the part of the good-looking guy we all know that he'll be. His supplemental oxygen has been reduced to about 34% (we breathe about 21%) and he's doing all his breathing by himself. His right lung appears to be healing, but his left lung has some weak spots in it, so the Hospital is taking preventative measures (read: putting him on his side) to hopefully stop a rupture before it happens. The chest tube is still in, but not being used right now, which is a good thing.

All of the nurses call him "fiesty," because he always puts up a big fight whenever they try to give him medicine or anything. What a guy! And for some other good news, he started eating again through a tube that goes into his stomach and he's doing fine. He's even gained 3 oz!!! Doing some quick math, that's the same thing as a 200lb man gaining 6 pounds in 18 hours.

I know we'll continue to have ups and downs, but I'm very thankful for the ups today. When I visited him, he opened his eyes and looked around...it was the first time I've seen his deep blue eyes and I just stood there and cried. What a miracle.

I promise I'll post the list of things we need, as well as the person to call/email to coordinate everything by tomorrow morning. Thanks so much!!

Love to all.

Update: Here's some pics!















Christopher yesterday (9/26) on a ventilator and under Billy lights for Jaundice














Tonight (9/27) under his "cake safe" oxygen tent. And yeah, if anyone has seen any of my baby pictures, this bears SCARY resemblance to how I looked as a newborn. The little dude has his eyes open!! He now responds to our voices!