{Our little Christmas present}

Lucas Jacob Rabe
5 lbs 3 oz
19 inch
Born December 20, 2008
1:12 pm

He is finally here. We are so excited he finally has joined the family. But we are sad to say that he was admitted into the NICU right after birth due to a very low blood glucose. He has been in there from day one. They told us it is common to have a baby with such a low birth weight have problems regulating their sugars. We are hoping and praying that there will be nothing else wrong with him.
He is doing well. He was hooked up to an IV and was only given that the first day. Then they slowly starting feeding him, not from me, early the next morning. On Sunday afternoon they asked me to start trying to feed him so that we could regulate his sugars. He is now almost to the point where he is only feeding from me. They have been supplementing formula after I feed him to give him more calories and boost his sugars.
He is also on an antibiotic and zantac. They thought he had stress ulcers because he was spitting up fluid his first day. He had a chest x-ray and that came back great, nothing wrong. They are running one more test called a CMV. I'm not terribly familiar with this but it may be the cause of why he can't regulate his sugars. The Neonatologist doesn't seem to think that is the cause so we are trying to be optimistic.
Luke is so dang cute despite all that he has endured. He came out so tiny but just perfect. No bruises or rasberries. Just PERFECT! We love him so much. It has been really hard to not be able to hold him all the time and see him. Things have been a little crazy running back and forth between the NICU and taking care of Nolan boy. It was pretty sad today when they discharged me and I couldn't take my little guy home. We know he is in good hands though. I still go back all the time for feedings. In fact, the nurse told me they want me there all day tomorrow and possibly to do an all nighter to get him 100% breastfeeding. Then hopefully we can take him home if his glucose readings are consistently high enough. So keep little Lukey in your prayers so we can get him home before Christmas!
Thanks to all our friends and family who have been so concerned about our little guy. I know that our prayers have been answered. And thanks to our amazing neighbors who have so willingly taken Nolan so that Jake can come to the hospital and spend time with Luke. We are so blessed. We love our little family so much!