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Showing posts from 2006

11-7-06 Turning a corner...

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We've had a great past few days and feel like Burke has really taken a turn for the better. He's been eating more efficiently without taking in or being bothered by so much air and has all around been a happier baby...whoo hoo...and that certainly makes happier parents too! He continues to grow and change each day...more smiles and coos...it's so much fun to interact with him and watch him experience his world and love it! It still amazes me that he can find so much to smile about after everything that has happened...he is truely an inspiration! Just to update you all on whats been happening on the home front, we've recently found a great nanny to help me during the day for about 10 hrs per week...she is wonderful and is already taking to Burke quite well. The really cool thing is she is actually a neighbor and was introduced to us by her sister who is also our neighbor AND she knows the occupational therapist who works with Burke...she comes highly recommended so w...

Big Boy updates 11-3-06

We've had a busy week with appointments and stuff.... thought we'd better let you all know that Burke weighed in at 10# 60z on Monday...wow...what a big boy he's getting to be! It's been a busy and stressful week...despite his great weight gain, feeding Burke has become a bit more complex. He swallows an extreme amount of air during his feeds which causes him tons of pain and he's unable to finish his bottle without a big fuss (and I mean BIG fuss!). It's really frusterating for all of us and we've had to figure out ways to decrease the air intake....we've had to rig up a special tube and syringe deal that allows air to escape through without draining out all the milk he's just eaten. It's hard for me to be at home by myself feeding him with all of these issues so I'm trying to be calm and hang in there...please pray for us as we continue to encounter difficulties along the way...

10-28-06 Burke's new girlfriend!

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Our dear friends Mark & Elle Bullard came to visit and introduce us to their beautiful little girl Avery! In these pics, I'm holding Avery and Elle is holding Burke. Avery was born September 1st and this was the first time either of us had the opportunity to hold each others babies...it was wonderful! We think Burke and Avery make a very cute couple...don't you! :) Tomorrow (monday) we take Burke for his 4 month well child check and immunizations...should be a crazy day (he'll get 5 shots)!! yikes! I'm really looking forward to knowing his current weight. Nate think's he weighs 10# 2oz and I'm wagering he's 10# 3oz (I've been right most of the time so I think odds are in my favor...hehe!) We have a busy week again with many appts....surgery clinic and occupational/physical therapy on Tuesday and audiology on Thursday. Burke will have more hearing evaluations done and probably fitted for hearing aids this week. We still pray and hope that his he...

10-23-06 Sweety Bear

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Our little guy is getting more handsome daily and gaining weight at a positive rate. On this day, Burke was going on a walk with mommy and needed to get dressed for the cool rainy Seattle day. Burke enjoys getting outside in his stroller and checking out the sights. He is very visual and picks up on the shadows and different objects out in the world. It appears in the picture that he knows that he is going outside for another adventure. Burke is currently weighing in at 9 lbs 11 ounces and displaying some beautiful fat roles. He has been eating very well over the last two weeks and continues to show impressive signs of swallowing, breathing and sucking. Every week Burke goes up 5 cc's per bottle feed and at this point he is at 65 cc's every feed. 600 cc's every 24 hours. The staff at Children's Hospital and Burke's pediatrician are pleased with his weight and consider him on track for his age and specific needs. We are so proud of Burke and so thankful that he is ac...

10-14-06 Experiencing the world!

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Burke has really grown a ton over the past week ..he is so much more interactive and playful...more and more like a happy healthy baby each day! He's been learning to reach for toys (note the toys are fish as we're hoping to encourage and develop his fishing skills early so he can keep up with his uncles on the river someday (watch out Stealth!) Burke took his first car ride yesterday and LOVED it...he was very attentive to everything...then he fell asleep...good for us but I wonder if he wished he could have stayed awake to explore his world a little more! Burke sure doesn't like to miss a thing these days...I think he's actually learning to enjoy life and relax a bit now. Of course we are still exhausted as he eats every 2 hours all night long but we're so thankful he's eating so well and celebrate with each empty bottle. Praise God for His faithfulness and good work in healing our little guy...please pray as we continue to trust that He will complete the g...

10-9-06 The Three Babysitters

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Hello from Home! This is a picture of Uncle Nick, Auntie Jill and our very friendly kitty cat babysitting Burke while mommy took a shower (what a luxury)! Auntie Jill came to stay with us for a few days and helped out tremendously...she took over when I was too tired to function..THANK YOU JILLY! It's been pretty overwhelming to meet all of Burke's needs during the past few weeks. He's quite fussy and a bit unpredictable but we're beginning to figure him out (and he's figuring us out too). Burke has really proven to be a fantastic eater and is gaining weight steadily. We rarley need to use his G-tube for feeding as he takes almost 100% of his feeding by mouth (a huge difference from one month ago). He was up to 8# 6oz last Tuesday and will be weighed again tomorrow at his pediatric appointment. On another note, we recieved confirmation that Burke has hearing loss in both ears (one ear has progressively been getting worse and they believe this is due to receiving hi...

9-30-06 Burke chills with his nina & babba!

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Hello from HOME! Burke is doing fine...eating like a big boy and growing tons. In this picture he's sacked out in his Nina's arms (Chris's mom) after gobbling down a whole 40cc of breastmilk...it's about the only things that gets him to stop crying! :) We've all been a bit frazzled trying to get into a routine here at home but it's getting better day by day. It seems that Burke has his extremes down pat...he sleeps harder, cries harder and plays longer than he did in the hospital so I guess that means he's getting stronger by the day! He had his first pediatric appointment on Thursday and had gained one ounce in a day so that makes him 8# 1 oz now! My mom has been here to help us get organized and soothe and hold Burke so I can do the basic things like use the bathroom/etc. It's also been great to have her help with helping us give Burke his medications and do his wound care. She's also helped us get Burke on a schedule of eating and napping.....

Burke Pics

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9-26-06 Going Home--pictures worth a thousand words!

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9-26-06 We're Going HOME!

YES, it's official!...we're GOIN HOME! OH MY! In exactly three months Burke has managed three major surgeries, two major procedures,3 nosocomial (hospital acquired) infections, two rounds in the NICU, a million x-rays and florostudies, rounds and rounds of expert opinions and even more trials of ways to feed and gain weight. As of today, Burke has doubled his weight to 8 lbs and is taking in the appropriate amount of milk by a bottle (binky trainer good bye!)! His esophagus and stomach are slowly but surely starting to coordinate themselves appropriately and Burke is now HUNGRY when his tummy is empty and HAPPY when his tummy is full of mommy's milk! We've managed to convince Children's Hospital Surgical Team, Dieticians, Residents and Feeding therapists that premies with surgical complicaton CAN grow and gain weight on breastmilk alone through a process called Lactoengineering...I've even been asked to publish an article for the Journal of Human Lactation a...

"Nothing Short of a Miracle"

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Lets call it, “A Miracle from God”, or the intentional interaction of our Intelligent Designer, or maybe we can call it a theological master piece invented and designed by Jesus Christ himself. Interestingly enough the ministry of Jesus started with the controversial miracle of turning water used for ceremonial cleansing into wine for a Jewish wedding. In a sense I have always wondered what the formula was for Jesus' miracles. While making observations as I journeyed through the gospels a common principle came up over and over again. For example, do you remember the story of when Jesus fed five thousand people? What did he start with? A few fishes and some bread right? What about when Jesus healed the blind man? He used dirt and spit right? What about when Jesus healed the women with the issue of blood? He used a simple touch. All these things seem to have one thing in common. When Jesus would perform a miracle he would ‘start with what he had’ in a sense he combined the natural a...

9-20-06 Quick Update on Burke's Progress

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Well, we're slowly getting back on track with the eating and growing. Burke weighs 7# 13oz now! Burke started eating by mouth on Monday and has progressively been able to tolerate more each day. He is now eating 20cc of breastmilk every 3 hours then is on continuous feeding of milk through his new G-tube at night. He continues to receive some of his nutrition via IV until he can tolerate his full feeding into his stomach. Everything is still in the healing process so we're going pretty slow with things and find his balance. He is currently free from infection and no longer needing antibiotics. We continue to care for the wound on his abdomen that was a result of the perferation of his original G-tube...the wound is deep and yucky looking but healing well. Aside from feeding stuff, Burke has managed to sucessfully pull out every tube possible (IV's, PIC lines, G-tubes)...we think he's trying to tell us something like "hey guys, I don't need this stuff anymore......

Grandpa, Gary Wood and Baby Burke

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Here is a wonderful picture of the loving Grandpa Gary Wood and his new grandson "Burke"! Gary was able to meet Burke for the first time two weeks ago and it was love at first sight. Grandpa Gary has been super supportive through this whole process letting Grandma Julie spend almost every weekend for the past three months, up in Seattle with Chris, Nate, and the Baby. Love Chris, Nate, and Burke

9-15-06 Rainbow Through the Rain

O Joy that seekest me through pain, I cannot close my heart to thee I trace the rainbow through the rain, And feel the promise is not in vain That morn shall tearless be Burke continues to battle through with courage, strength and determination. He has improved each day and we hope next week brings reports of good news while he begins to eat again! Thank you for the food, visits, emails and love...we appreciate feeling so connected to you all through this time...you give us so much strength! Love to you all

"In the Arms of the Great"

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Here is a beautiful picture of Great Grandpa Chester, Baby Burke, Grandma "Nina", and a very proud mother. I am sure Grandpa was telling Baby Burke a wonderful story with his deep, wise, and melodic voice. I remember being a small child tucked up along Grandpa’s side and the sweet aroma of his Old Spice after shave combined with his neatly pressed lamb’s wool sweaters were always a delight. So here is to generations of love, stories, memories, the wonderful gift of family, and all that is to come!

A Step Back

I just got off the phone with Chris this morning and have the latest update on baby Burke. Unfortunately we took a step backwards this weekend. Although we had the loving presence of Great Grandpa Chester and Grandpa Gary little Burke had a complication with his G tube. Chris describes the situation this way: “It seems like every time we try to help Burke something goes wrong. If we just let him be a baby he would be ok.” For example the doctors have prescribed enhancement additives to the breast milk which Baby Burke has been eating. The additives in turn have upset his very sensitive stomach and given him lots of gas. The intestinal gas causes Burke to cry and on Saturday his G tube became dislodged from these intense expressions of grief. The G tube is an alternate feeding source that was surgically placed into Burke’s stomach on Tuesday. It looks much like a small plastic valve that you use to blow up a pool raft or float. Two days after surgery they began to feed Burke ...

9-5-06 The Three Little Bears!

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So sorry about the lack of recent blog updates from us! We have been keeping busy with a more normal baby routine of feeding on a 3 hr schedule with diaper changes and crying in between...hope all you faithful blog readers weren't too worried about us! So, we remain at Children's hospital in what I like to call my "mamma bear den" where I've established a daily routine of caring for our little cub and fighting off any threatening medical people who come with needles/probes/tubes/etc! (it's a tough job but someone's gotta do it!) Burke's been doing so well that we were able to take him out of the hospital on a two hour "pass"! We strapped him into his sweet new stroller and took him to the casa where we introduced him to his big sister "mamma kitty" who unlike the rest of us, is not so anxiously awaiting his arrival on her territory! Burke slept through it all until we made it all the way to UVillage Jamba Juice and he decided to c...

8-29-06 Cuddled up with Uncle D

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Uncle Derek and Burke had some serious bonding time over the weekend...Burke had a great time playing and snuggling with Uncle D! As you can see in the sleepy picture, Burke was out for the count.

8-28-06 Perspective

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There is such comfort and rest in the faithfulness of God and his vast love that is beyond all measure! Watch as His glory is revealed through Burke's life. We wait patiently for Him to fulfill his promise to restore us.

8-21-06 Binky Training 101

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Just in case anyone was wondering what "binky training" is here's a picture for ya! In this pic Nate is feeding Burke a small amount of breastmilk through a tube attached to a pacifier. With each suck, Nate slowly & steadily pushes down on the syringe that contains the milk and it flows into the tube and out the end of the binky into Burke's mouth! This teaches Burke what it feels like to suck, swallow and breathe all at the same time! Both my boys are doing great...Nate is so patient with Burke and Burke is so patient with Nate...they make a great team! :) Burke has been taking 10cc's (30 cc = 1oz) about twice a day and hasn't had any problems with aspirating or choking...we are super proud of him! In the next months, he'll continue to get a larger amount through his binky trainer and when he's ready, he'll graduate to a bottle. I've also started nursing him but we need lots more practice latching on and sucking. I'm very hopeful an...

8-20-06 Surviving the Hospital

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Well...we're still hanging in here at Children's and trucking along in the right direction (homeward bound). We're still just "talking" about going home so there are no official plans yet but we hope it will be sometime later this week. Burke's official due date is Aug 24th so we hope to be going home around then! In order to get there, Burke must gain weight steadily and have stable breathing. His weight gain has been slow but is on the rise and he weighs 6lbs as of yesterday! He continues to have 1 to 2 episodes of oxygen desaturations during the early morning hours which has been somewhat concerning as the doctors can't quite figure out why they're occuring. Burke hasn't been negatively affected by these episodes and doesn't require extra breathing support/oxygen which means his body is strong enough to recover nicely on his own. An expert plans to visit us tomorrow to help uncover the meaning behind these episodes and we pray she'll b...

8-15-06 Surrounded by friends!

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Burke has been doing really well this past week! As you can see, he enjoy's hangin out with his little buddies & sucking on his beloved binky. He's becoming much more interactive now...it's so much fun to watch him experience the world around him. His old roomate and buddy Logan & his mom stopped by to visit. Logan is just 8 months old and has been at Children's for cancer treatment (which is going well). As you can see, Logan really wanted to get into Burke's crib and play....it was sooo cute! Unfortunatley (for Logan) we had to postpone his playdate until Burke gets a bit bigger. As for Burke's medical progress...he continues to wax & wane with weight gain and is now receiving a high calorie formula (30 K/cals) added to my breast milk to help him along. As of tonight he weighs 5# 12oz which is about where we started last week so he's starting to make up the few ounces he's lost! He is now taking 6ml of breastmilk by mouth during his binky...

8-9-06 Growing stronger!

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Burke remains in good spirits as he continues to work on growing and gaining weight! :) Over the past few days he's lost about 4 ounces but nothing too alarming or unusual. Because of this, we are now adding more calories to his milk to help "beef him up" a little more! The doctors would like to see him gain weight steadily before he can go home. They've also suggested to us that he likely will go home on tube feedings. How this works is Burke will continuously receive milk through a syringe pump hooked up to his tube. Basically milk drips into his intestines 24/7 which helps prevent the dreaded "reflux" that causes the errosion and stricturing of his delicate esophagus. At this point, Burke doesn't necessarily feel "full" or "hungry" but is satiated. Once he tolerates these feedings (and the reflux) well, he will begin to get milk directly into his tummy through the tube feedings and swallowing it down via breast or bottle feeds. ...

8-7-06 The Burke BLOW OUT!

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Oh yes, what you see is poop on Nate's shirt (at 2am) after a major explosion took place during "daddy's turn" at diaper changing! The nurses all agree that Burke has officially set the hospital record for biggest poop blow out of all time...his excrement shot 72 inches (yes we really measured) from his rear end, through daddy's shirt and over to the bed where I was sleeping! Incredible for such a little squirt! hehe! Fortunatley, I was spared from the mess but Nate had to spend the rest of the night in a hospital gown and pants. Thanks Burke for holding strong to the "Burke" family tradition...you've definitally proven yourself and you're uncles will be so proud :)

8-6-06 A weekend with Uncle Dave & Auntie Shel

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We had a great weekend with Dave & Shelly (Chris's brother & sis in law from Redmond, OR)! Burke was very content in their arms...we are convinced that the love surrounding him has a tremendous healing power! Thank you Dave & Shelly for spending the weekend with us!

8-5-06 We've Moved!

Burke is doing well...so well that the doctors agreed he is stable enough to be on the "big boy" floor with the other big kids! So this means we are no longer in the NICU but residing on the medical/surgical floor (Giraffe 3) in room 3018 bed 1. Burke is up to full feeds on moms milk and is no longer getting supplemental IV fluids! He is tolerating everything well so far...we are one big step closer to home (we pray)! Uncle Dave and Auntie Shelly are here this weekend from Redmond Oregon...they have already been such a help! Burke loves to look at Auntie Shelly...I think he might have a crush! :) We'll post a picture soon. Happy Seafair weekend to all you Seattlelites!

8-3-06 Cuddle bug

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Our precious baby just gets cuter everyday! He loves to be cuddled in his blanket and snuggled in our arms! Today he discovered his little hands...aren't they so cute all folded up!

8-3-06 Sweet times with Nelson Grandparents

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It was a great day today! Burke is feeling much better and so are we! Rosie and Gary came to help out and do some holding while mommy went to shopping for baby stuff at target! :) Burke LOVED all of the attention today (needless to say). It was especially wonderful for G-pa & G-ma Nelson to spend time cuddling their first grandchild! Burke's made terrific progress this week and we expect him to be moving out of the NICU to the regular medical/surgical floor within the next few days. This means he's more medically stable now! He had his first taste of mom's breastmilk during his first "binky training" session. The occupational therapist said he did a great job of sucking and swallowing his first few drops of milk...he earned an A+! He continues to get more milk through his ND tube (nose to duodenum or upper intestine) and is gaining weight well! So, for the next few weeks we'll be working on feeding/swallowing and trying to control the reflux so his ...

A Dad with Heart

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Baby Burke is a lot like is dad already. When Burke was born my brother David nicknamed him 'Lion-Heart' during a prayer service. The character quality of having a great heart has been evident in both baby Burke and his Father Nate. Through out this time a lot of the focus has been on Chris and the Baby (understandably so). However, behind the scenes is a loving, compassionate, and supportive husband. Nate has been a pillar through this struggle for Burke’s life and a true hero. I have seen him love and care for my sister in ways I never thought possible. He has been positive, optimistic, and his faith is leading their marriage and the quest to see their boy restored to full health. I thank God that he gave my sister such a wonderful husband who has risen above the challenge by waiting upon the Lord (Isa. 40:31). I talked to grandma today and she said the pneumonia is clearing in baby Burke’s lung and he is experiencing progress at this time. Thanks for your continual ...

7-31-06 Special day

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Papa Tom and baby Burke had their first bonding moment today...it was an intensely beautiful experience for them both. Burke slept peacefully in his arms while his respiratory rate and oxygen was the best it's been in days! Burke continues to improve but still needs support for breathing...we hope he'll be off the CPAP machine in a few days. Burke is now getting breastmilk again...not much but it will increase slowly over the days to come.

Remodeling, Baby's and Kitchens...

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As you may have heard there are all kinds of repairs going on during this time of life. The doctors are repairing and remodeling some of baby Burke’s plumbing while Dad, Nate, Gary, and I are remodeling and fixing the plumbing in Chris’s kitchen. It is a lot like the Burke/Nelson family to have many things going on at once, but I think this takes the cake. In spite of all the remodeling that is taking place, our family has had wonderful times of worship and prayer. Within the last two days we have been on our knees before the throne of grace as a family pleading with the Lord. We have been by Burke’s bed side laying hands on him and praying for him. We have stood in circles holding hands and praying together. But, my favorite was Saturday night when the Spirit of God prompted us to give thanks. It seems like we spend so much time asking God to help us, we rarely direct a whole prayer time to giving thanks for what he has done. As a family we have been so please and so blessed ...

7/29/06 Hope

This is mom writing today...I'd like to say that Uncle Tim has been such a wonderful help in keeping us coordinated with family & friends and of course updating the daily blog! Nate and I have so appreciated all of your help this past week...the good food, stoping by to see us, cleaning & working around our house and praying forus has really meant so much. Thank you for the encouraging emails and voicemails too...we love it!! Please know that if we haven't responded it's not because we haven't received your messages but is because we just don't have much time outside of being with baby Burke or sleeping. We cherish hearing from you, even if it's just a "hello and thinking about you today" message. Baby Burke's had a rough time over the past 2 days. Today he struggled to breathe so much that the doctors ordered more testing and discovered that he has a partially collapsed right lung. The cause is still unknown but they suspect either a p...

What a Beautiful Mom and Baby

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Baby Burke, Chris, and Nate have had a pretty good week. Yesterday the doctors dilate Burke's Esophagus and things went very well. After the procedure they where able to take out the NG tube and allow the baby to swallow on his own. The not so good news came this morning when my mom called me and told me the baby was having complications after yesterdays procedure. Because they enlarged the babies Esophagus stomach juices have been giving him bad indigestion. This has effected Burkes breathing and we seem to be right back where we started. As of this morning his respiratory rate has weakened and the doctor have had to give him oxygen. When I got off the phone with my mom they where taking Burke back in for another examination. My dad and I will be working on the kitchen this weekend and hope to get everything in order fo Chris, Nate, and Burke. Thanks for your prayers when I have more info I will let you know. love Tim

Grandma and Baby

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I wanted to thank everyone for their gracious responses in the last couple of days. Chris and Nate’s community group from Marrs Hill Church brought food for the next couple of days and cleaned the apartment from head to toe (thank-you)! They probably have enough food to last them until the weekend. Chris and Nate wend on a picnic to the park thanks to other thoughtful friends (thank-you). You all have been so wonderful and I find it my opportunity to help coordinate things during this time so if you have a special way that you would like to minister to Chris and Nate please give me a call (503-961-3273) ask for Tim. Some have asked me how they can come and see the baby. I would suggest giving Chris a call, but much of the time she is in the NICU with the baby and can not have her cell phone on. So, here is a good game plan if you would like to come by and hold the baby. First call, if she does not answer, then you can stop by the house and see if she is home (if you need directions cal...

Chris, Grandma, and Baby Burke

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Baby Burke has made some good progress in the last couple of days. The doctors and nurses decided to move his NG tube to the middle of his esophagus where they performed surgery three weeks ago. I was really proud of Chris during this time because she was one of the main proponents who suggested the repositioning of the NG tube. This has allowed the baby to swallow much easier and kept saliva from pooling in his throat. Her nursing skills and intuition have really helped baby Burke through this ruff start. I know that the good Lord allowed Chris to be a nurse so she could have the kind of wisdom needed to help her child through his early stages. We are so thankful as a family that God has been so faithful to us and that all of you who love our family are praying and ministering to us. I ask that you would continue in our commitment to help us through this marathon. Currently my concern is more for Chris and Nate then it is for baby Burke. He is actually doing much better, but Chris...

Uncle Tim and Baby Burke

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I had the opportunity to hold my precious little nephew yesterday for about three hours. Baby Burke slept in my arms as I sang him songs and talked to him about all the things I am looking forward to doing with him when He gets a little older. I know he will be a good soccer player and a true fly fisherman. If I could help to discribe this sweet little boy, he is warm, he smells good like a baby, he has a cute little snore, he has a handsome face and big beautiful eyes. He is a great cuttle bug and loves to be held. Some people have asked what they can do and I would suggest that you call my sister (or just come to Childrens hospital) and spend time holding this precious little bundle of joy. Chris needs other people to cherish her baby along with her during these hard times. We had a big scare on Thursday night when they had to call a code on baby Burke about 4am because his blood oxygen level was not doing so well. Chris was in the room with him when this happened and it real...

7-19-06 Children's Hospital

We're sorry for being so out of touch. The last week has been a whirlwind for us. We transferred to Children's Hospital Monday and have been getting adjusted to the very new environment here. Burke is in a regular hospital room which he shares with a roomate. We (along with the nurses) are his caregivers 24 hrs/day...this is much different that the NICU environment where we could leave him with his nurse and go out to do things like sleep/eat/etc. Nate and I are now taking shifts around the clock and thankfully we are less than a 5 min walk to our condo so can go home to sleep. There have been many doctors, specialists, consultants and teams of people in and out to see us. They come in and out all day and it's a bit overwhelming! They are re-doing many of the tests that were already completed in Tacoma just to be "sure" that things are still ok. Burke had a rough last few days and they have stopped his feedings of breastmilk until they recheck his esophagu...

7-15-06 I'm so cute

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It was another good day today. Burke rested peacefully and continues to breathe well...so well that they discontinued the oxygen that was being given through his nasal canula (yay..one more tube gone). He's also in the process of being weaned from the morphine...it's a slow process but the doctors have reassured us this is very common and the babies do just fine without any long term side effects! We are super proud of his progress. Monday he will be transfered to Children's Hospital...we are very excited to be closer to home. Please continue to pray that the transfer goes well and that he responds well to being weaned off the morphine. Thanks...we appreciate you all so much!

7/14/06 I love my morphine (a little too much)

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Uh oh...baby Burke now clearing his next hurdle... morphine withdrawls! For the past 2 weeks he's been getting small amounts of morphine for pain control and today, we discovered that if he doesn't get it for long periods of time, he gets a little bit fussy! He is doing fine (no worries) but his body will need to be slowly weaned from the morphine over the next few days. Overall he had a great day though. I held him for almost 2 hrs...he slept for the first hour and then woke up and gazed at me while sucking away on his little binky...soooo cute! He changes so much everyday...I'm always so encouraged by how much stronger (and more handsome) he seems as each day goes by. His lungs, heart and esophagus are all working well. He's almost off the oxygen completely (they'll remove the nasal canula from his nose soon!) The surgeon reassured us again that his esophagus is healing much better than she expected..wow...praise God for his healing hand on our son! They've in...

7/13/06 Daddy's little gift...

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Another great day today! Daddy got to hold Burke for the first time and it was beautiful! Nate did a great job of holding, rocking and singing every song he knows...his favorite is "you are my sunshine". The nurses even love it when Nate sings to baby! Burke slept comfortably in daddy's arms for over an hour! Burke is feeling good today and sucking even more vigorously on his binky. He had two big poops and is getting more breastmilk now (2mls/hr). The doctors and nurses are working on getting him transfered up to Children's hospital maybe as soon as tomorrow! Wow...when our little guy makes progress he sure knows how to step it up! We are so proud of him.

7/12/06 Holding Burke for the first time...

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YES!!!! As the neonatologist expressed the news to Chris that she could hold her presious baby for the first time, the look on her face said it all. Now that Burke had a day of breathing on his own and the chest tube was removed, the doctors and nurses felt that Burke was strong enough and ready to be held. We have waited for this moment since June 26 at 3:21 pm. Burke took well to the holding and laid comfortablly on Chris's chest and drooled a little on her shirt. Did this bother Chris, oh no, this was just fine for Chris. This may have been the most content I've seen Chris and baby Burke since this whole ordeal started! Progress continues to keep steady with Burke including his feedings which he is receiving mom's milk at 1 ml an hour. This will increase daily as Burke takes well to the milk. The plan with the feedings is that Burke will go up to 11 ml and not require his IV anymore. He'll need the oxygen in his nose for a little while longer. He's been sucking ...