Update on Baby Noah

Here is Baby Noah's first family photo being held by his mama, Lauren, for the first time at 11 days old. Since I last wrote, Noah has made good progress with a couple of bumps in the road. He began showing good signs by tolerating the lowering of his oxygen levels, so on Day 10, he was transitioned to a regular ventilator. He had been on a special oscillator ventilator. He had to move to the regular one before his parents could hold him. Unfortunately, his blood gas levels plummeted and his lungs collapsed with the change so they had to increase him back to 100% oxygen. Throughout the course of the day, they were able to slowly decrease his oxygen levels and his lungs began to reinflate. Yesterday he ended the day at 56% oxygen and for the first time he got to feel the warmth of his mama and daddy's arms. I can't imagine how hard it has been for his parents to not be able to hold their baby. A nurse also told Lauren and Brandon for the first time that he is getting better. They were very encouraged. Today, he's made slow but steady progress. His lungs have both inflated and he's being given his mama's milk intravenously. It could take a long time before he is completely off the ventilator, so please continue to pray for little Noah and his parents. Lauren specifically asked for the following:

1. We would not be discouraged during this process, but only be thankful for every day that God gives Noah- good days and bad days

2. We would be patient and wait on the Lord

3. Pray for progress in Noah's condition

4. Pray that Noah's lungs would continue to heal and start working on their own