HAPPY EASTER

I hope everyone has had a good weekend and found all of the hidden Easter eggs (so that you don't find them in several months). Thomas has reached the very important milestone of 2000 grams (just below 4 pounds, 7 ounces), which is what we needed for his big surgery, putting him back together. We think its going to happen some time this week. From there, its theoretically a few weeks or so before he would come home. Very crazy.

Thomas has continued to struggle with a stuffy nose and they've tried a few different things. The nasal canula has been irritating him, so last night they went back to the oxy hood and he seems much happier. Its been a tough round and round. His nose needs to heal, but when it gets stuffed, he struggles to breathe. Suctioning out his nose lets him breathe easier, but irritates the nostrils and then sets him back on healing.

The other unique thing is that Friday was Thomas' original due date. Its been very surreal for Rebecca, knowing that she should be pregnant. I think she feels a missed connection. I have a tough time relating, because for all of the challenges and emotional ups and downs, I look at it that we are lucky to have had Thomas 3 months early and secondly, I can't imagine being pregnant. In general, the benefits just do not outweigh the downsides for me. We probably would not be sharing this blog if the roles were reversed. I like to ride my bike too much (selfish that way).

The other thing I'd like to share today is a bit of a public service announcement. The reason Rebecca had to have Thomas early was that she had an enzyme deficiency in her blood. Based on our conversations with some of the doctors, this is very common, like half of the world's population may have it. All enzymes are not created equal, the one Rebecca is missing controls the production of folic acid which helps with blood clotting. She now takes folic acid and Thomas will too, as he is missing the enzyme. There's not proof yet, but it appears that many miscarriages and premature births have in common a missing enzyme in the mother. So, I don't know if you can request it, but if so, getting tested could be a good thing.