There is quite a bit going on with the babies and their care right now so I thought this picture would be helpful to most of you (and us!) who are unfamiliar with NICU care. THIS IS NOT ONE OF OUR BABIES, however, it is a really good illustration of the care our five are receiving. This baby is a little smaller than ours are, being born at 26 weeks, but they look very similar. As far as I can tell, all of the tubes and monitors attached to this baby are the same as what are attached to ours.
I want to make something very clear: the babies are not hurting, are not uncomfortable, and are not in distress. In my four years as a daddy raising Eliot and being around her little friends, there is something I have noticed about little ones – they are very good at letting you know they are unhappy. This is the case for a newborn all the way up to at least 4-1/2 years old (Eliot’s age). If they’re hungry, they cry. If they’re cold, they cry. If their diaper needs changed, guess what? They cry. If they are uncomfortable in any way, they either cry, scream, whine, or all of the above. Babies and toddlers let the world know their joy as well as their pain which is the most endearing and sometimes frustrating qualities of a child. Our babies are no different. They are spending most of their time sleeping, fussing a little, then sleeping some more.
What a joy it has been, through our weary eyes and open hearts, to witness the first 24 hours of five precious lives! The miracle of life is alive and well here at Seton Medical Center as it is in delivery rooms, nurseries, and NICU’s across the globe. The nursing staff and doctors that we have encountered both pre- and post- delivery have been phenomenal, a true credit to their industry! Through dutiful application of God’s gift of scientific knowledge, the Seton team has put their talents and God’s blessing on miraculous display!
God Bless,
Ethan
