Well it's now official. It was December of last year when we were getting our profile book together and sending our info in to be posted online with the adoption agency. Now, just around a year later we have completed the entire process and are glad to officially introduce you to Elijah Glenn Martin!
In other news Meagan has been going through Eli's clothes and has been boxing up some that he has outgrown. I'm not sure I thought Eli would ever grow out of anything, but our little one is growing up.
In yet other news, the sleeping schedule has been working great. Every night he has gone to bed between 8:00 and 9:00 p.m. and he is sleeping all through the night. It is amazing how much this simple schedule has helped with his feeding, naps, personality and all other aspects of his day.
As always.. here are a few photos from the past week or so.
Wow... just think.. 6 months ago we got a call saying that we had been chosen by a birth mom, and to ask if we wanted to become adoptive parents. We said yes.. and as they say the rest is history.
The past 6 months have been pretty much a blur.
We started off traveling long distances, visiting Eli in the hospital. Long road trips and short weekends traveling back and forth. I was not sure that would ever end. But it did.
Then we finally got the O.K. to bring him home. Once we got home we had long nights, getting up to feed him every 3 hours. I was sure those days would never end.. but they did
And now it's 6 months later...
When Eli was born he weighed 2 lb 4 oz.. Today he weighed 12 lb 15.5 oz. When we brought him home it was a challenge to get 30 ml every 3 hours.. now he is eating 24-26 Oz every 24 hours. And the Dr. said we can now start using regular formula instead of the more expensive infant brand. YEAH!!
He used to sleep most of the day. Now he is awake, and alert a lot. He recognizes our voices and turns to our direction when he hears us. He loves to make faces at us, and that cute kid in the mirror.
We were worried about his eye development, he had a check up last week and everything is perfect. Don't have to go back to ophthalmologist until 5 years old.
We really haven't posted much here in a while, because every day was pretty much the same. But I have a feeling that we are on the very edge of a whole lot of "Eli Activity"
But here are a few highlights from the past few months.
Eli did get Baptized
And he went swimming!
And he loved watching the dance lights
Stay with us over the next few months as we hopefully see him roll over, start eating some solid foods, and continue to grow and grow.
Eli is growing! I called to check on him tonight and he is almost 4 pounds 3 ounces. He is eating well from the bottle. The nurses feed him by bottle at 9 AM and midnight. The past few feeding he has taken the whole bottle. Because bottle feeding uses a lot of energy, they have had to increase his oxygen to 100% while he is being fed. When he is not eating, his oxygen is at 23-25% (we breathe 21%, so he does not have that far to go to be on room air).
He has reached another milestone...he is in an open crib. He was moved out of his isolette today. He has been maintaining his body temperature so the doctors and nurse wanted to see how he would do in a open crib. Maintaining his body temperature burns a lot of calories, so there is always a possibility that he will have to go back into the isolette if he starts losing weight.
Also, today, the pediatric ophthalmologist dilated his eyes to check the retinas. Preemies are at risk for something called Retinopathy of Prematurity. Eli is still not 'full term' so it is a little early for the doctor to say anything with certainty, but he said he felt like Eli has very mild retinopathy and that it should not cause him any problems. He will have to be checked in a month and then will need to be seen again yearly.
We still have a few more hurdles to clear, but so far so good. Right now, my biggest fear is having everything ready for him to come home. I am torn, because obviously I want him to be home, but being a new mom, I also want everything to be perfect. Oh well...I guess I will get over that!
Mar 25, 2011 ... Progress and Prayers - We give a hint that something may be up.
Mar 27, 2011 ... Our First Meeting - We meet Elijah for the first time.
Mar 28, 2011 ... Bittersweet Return - We come back from our trip, leaving Eli behind.
So what has happened since March 28th?
April 2, 2011 - Our LIFE Group Bible study sponsored a Children's items resale which raised $1800 to help with our adoption process.
April 4, 2011 - We are finally able to do this...
Now I want to introduce you to....
Elijah Glenn Martin
So.. please keep Eli in your prayers.. He has an infection and they had to put him back on the ventilator. We are not terribly worried but praying for him to be completely better soon.
