One small step for mankind...one giant leap for Jacob

We can officially say "GOODBYE" to the oscillating ventilator and a "HELLO" to the regular ventilator! Since Jacob was born he had been on a special kind of ventilator that gave him many many small breaths each second, allowing his lungs to be expanded gentler than a conventional ventilator would do. Today they took Jacob off the oscillating vent and switched him to a regular vent where he is taking larger more regular breaths. This is a big step for us...it means we can begin feeding Jacob with breast milk through a feeding tube and that we are making steps in the right direction with progression of his lungs. Yay!

Here's a picture of the oscillating ventilator leaving the room...

Also, in the last few days Jacob has been spending more time alert and wide-eyed. He can track better with his eyes, and likes looking at the paper cranes that hang just above his head. He finally enjoys being touched and really likes his head being rubbed. Jeff has a calming touch with Jacob and I am able to read and sing him to sleep! What a treat! This has been so special for us! We praise and thank God every day for the moments we are having with our beautiful son and continue to ask for more!

We have added some things to his bed recently just to make his room a little more special. Gramma Tuley made a blanket and embroidered the names of all the people that surround Jacob with love. His name is in the middle, and the others are in circles around him. Not only is he surrounded with his Daddy, Mommy, Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles, but also by friends and all the prayer warriors too. We also hung a bear given to him by Jill that reminds him to hang in there! We got some footprints and also hung the scripture that we read to him on the day of his first surgery; Matthew 7:7-8. Thanks to our nurse on Saturday and Sunday for making those suggestions! How special.

We are still asking for more prayers for Jacob. God has brought us so far and we tell Jacob every day that he is a miracle! We still have some big hurdles to overcome. We continue to petition to God that Jacob will be able to ween off the ventilator completely, that he will not need any support on oxygen or nitric oxide for his pulmonary hypertension. We ask for prayers that the feedings go well and that Jacob's body responds well to the breast milk. These are the major things that Jacob will be facing in the next couple of weeks or months ahead. Also, that his right lung will continue to grow and expand with good tissues. Thank you so much for your continued support and prayers for us. We would not be here without them!