Family Photo

The happy family...James even woke up for the picture!

For Aunt Julie (AJ) From JP

AJ wants new pictures and since AJ had to have a corrective eye procedure this week, we're going to give AJ want she wants. James is doing good. He's weighing in at a steady 5 pounds these days. He was off of his oxygen for a little while today, but it was a little too much for him still so he's back on it. He did get switched over to a "real" crib today. He hasn't needed the heater in his bed for a few days so they decided he could have a crib. James is also on "normal" feeds as of today also. This means he is getting 45 mL over half an hour every 3 hours (he had been on continuous feeds). Keep up the good work little man!!!

Daddy enjoyed holding James while he was off his oxygen for a few hours.

A close up of his face with only one tube! Who do you think he looks like?

A cute little outfit in his new bed :) [...back on the oxygen]

No More Birthday Suit!

James came off the CPAP machine today and is doing a pretty good job. The CPAP helmet left a little red mark on his forhead, but it will go away soon. Less hoses meant we were able to put an outfit on him...the newborn outfits are just the right size right now for this 5 pound fella. Isn't he just precious?!! They also turned the heat off in his bed to get him used to regulating his own temperature...that's why he's wearing the hat.

Mommy Update

Thank you everyone for all of the encouraging comments, phone calls, texts, emails, and cards. Everyone had been so thoughtful. A special thanks to my mom & dad and sister who came all the way out to Pittsburgh to drive me to the hospital to see James when I was not allowed. So many of you keep asking how I'm doing so I thought I'd let you all know that I'm doing well. My doctor is very pleased with my healing process. The pain killers were a life saver for the first week, but I'm off of them now. I'm driving again as of today (one day early...shh, don't tell). I'm pumping my little heart out, but still can't keep up with James' appetite. I'm taking some really gross herbs 4 times a day to help increase my supply...we shall see if they work. I wish I could do more for him, but he has great nurses and doctors getting him what he needs. So basically, I'm doing as well as can be expected for someone who spends a large marjority of her time at the hospital bedside of her newborn son. Please keep on praying for James to grow fast so he can have his surgery and come home soon...or you can pray for a miracle that his esophagus will grow so much that the surgery will become unnecessary!!

The Classic Arm Around

One big, happy family :)



And one with David and James: what a handsome pair!

James Update

James is doing good. He is growing every day. Last night he weighed in at 4 pounds 10 ounces. He is eating like crazy. He is up to 12 mL an hour. Soon they will switch him over to feedings every 3 hours. The doctors will probably look do a dye test in another week to determine when they will be able to do his surgery to fix his esophagus. I got to change his diaper today...who'd a thunk I'd be happy to do that?!

Daddy and I are spending most of our time at the hospital. We aren't allowed to talk on our phones in his room, so if you need us or have questions about anything, text or email us. We have wifi in his room so we can keep in touch that way fairly easy.

Holding James...

I got to hold James today!!!! He is so precious...but I might be a little biased. He also had a big #2 today that made all of his doctors happy. :)

First Feeding

James got his first real meal today. His first few feedings will just be Pedialyte to make sure he can handle it, and then tomorrow morning he'll switch over to what Mommy has worked so hard for the last few days to produce! He really liked his first meal. Soon after he finished, he zonked out with a full and happy belly!

Friday Evening

James made it through his first operation today with great success. He had a G tube put in so starting tomorrow he will be able to get real food into his stomach. The doctors also verified that the trachea and the esophagus look great and don't appear to have any holes, which is awesome. He will probably be able to have the breathing tube taken out in a few days. After a couple of weeks on the G tube, the doctors will do a type of dye test that will help them see how much of a distance is between is esophagus and his stomach. They will eventually do a surgery to correct this, but the timing will depend on his growth and the amount of distance they have to make up between the two.

Overall, we had a good day. James is totally out of it right now and resting peacefully. Tomorrow when he wakes up, he gets to eat!!!!

Welcoming James Patrick Iverson

James with Proud Papa


Up Close and Personal ... I love the hair!

Such long arms and legs!

James was born Tuesday, August 11th at 8:42 PM. He arrived 6 1/2 weeks earlier so it was a surprise for us all. James was 3 pounds and 15 ounces and 18.5 inches long. Mom and baby are getting stronger by the day. James is going to have a procedure tomorrow at noon to put a feeding tube directly into his stomach. And then in a few more weeks, when his is bigger and stronger, he will have surgery to permanently correct his esophigial atresia. His vitals are great and everything else is looking healthy, so we are thankful for that. Stay tuned for updates and new pictures!