Full Circle

So Gabriel had surgery Monday and he had his appendix removed, his circumcision, and his bowel repair. It was a rough time for him, he had some problems the first night, but Jo and Colleen were there to take care of him and get him stable. Manuel and I were at home when everything happened and I am actually glad we were not there to see it. We have the best nurses that take care of him and keep us updated about his progress. He has had quite a bit of swelling, several transfusions, and he has to go a minimum of seven days with out food. This has been harder for us than it has been for him. He is doing very well and I decided to wait to post any updates on him until I knew he was fine. I had made a post on facebook the night after surgery and everything went crazy. I didn't want to jinx it again.

The night before he had surgery we had an emergency baptism performed by the Hospital Priest Father Pius. It was important for us, and him, that he have this done before he had another surgery. His godparents are Sarah and Ray, and we could not be more proud. We will have an actual ceremony once he gets out of the hospital and RSV season is over, which will be after April. Gabriel's grandma Angel and Gloria were wonderful enough to make his christening gown, since we could not find one his size, it was very beautiful and they used Velcro on it so we could get it on him easier.

At this moment Gabriel weighs 4 pounds 5.4 ounces, we are still waiting to see how much of that is actual weight and not swelling. He also measured on Sunday and is now 16 1/4 inches, we could not be more excited. We were able to put clothes on him for the first time Monday afternoon and of course he had to

be changed by eight o'clock. He is weaning off his oxygen, and has started breast/bottle feeding. Yesterday was the first day he was able to eat and I think Manuel and I were more relieved than he was.



It has been a crazy journey so far and we are not even done. Everyday is different and we just pray for
a good one. Last night my little man choked on his medicine and turned blue. I was so scared and worried I had to leave the room while they were taking care of him. I am so tired of the roller coaster ride that NICU life is, but it has been worth it because I have the most amazing little boy. He better have a house big enough for me and his daddy because it will be his turn to take care of us when we are old.