Woo-hoo! Charlie unexpectedly hit an important milestone today. When I got to the NICU this morning they said they were going to try to take him off the ventilator and replace it with a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) device which is attached to his nose. The CPAP helps him breathe but it doesn’t breathe for him, a necessary transition on his long journey towards coming home. With his breathing tube out, his vocal cords are now free to wail away but we still haven’t heard his dulcet tones. After being intubated for so long it’ll take a while to heal. We didn’t know Charlie was anywhere near being extubated so we were thrilled with this news. With all the songs I’ve been singing to him, I’m expecting his first sounds to be Rodgers & Hammerstein.
Forgive these incessant videos. If Mama Rose had access to a digital camera and a blog she’d have posted videos of Baby June’s every move. But I happened to catch Charlie’s last moments of intubation and his first moments off the ventilator and just had to share them with you. Musical accompaniment courtesy of Mr. Israel Iskowitz, also known as Eddie Cantor, the brilliant comedian who co-founded and came up with the name March of Dimes, the very organization that supports the research for Neonatal Intensive Care Units. Thanks, Eddie. And go, Charlie!
MAZEL TOV, CHARLIE YOUR BOY!!! What wonderful news!! And thanks for another great video (love the little toe tap...). Lots of love to you all...
Posted by: Barbara | May 31, 2009 at 11:09 PM
MAZEL TOV A THOUSAND MILLION TIMES OVER!
He looks mad to be disturbed from his slumber - like hey, what, I have to do this on my own now? He just hasn't yet experienced the joys of instant gratification, when a cry will bring comfort and love running to his side.
I cannot wait until you and Kendall are up at 3 a.m. rocking this beautiful boy back to sleep!
Posted by: Jane | May 31, 2009 at 11:59 PM
p.s. Forgive the videos? No way! I like to see him!
Posted by: Jane | June 01, 2009 at 12:00 AM
Yay!
Posted by: Pam P. | June 01, 2009 at 12:01 AM
Oh he's so cute.
Posted by: Alexandra | June 01, 2009 at 12:57 AM
Wonderful to see this Danny...I beg you to give us the link to YouTube...
What an exciting day!
Posted by: OldOldLady Of The Hills | June 01, 2009 at 01:50 AM
Wonderful news. May this week bring more good developments.
Posted by: Pam G | June 01, 2009 at 03:49 AM
HOORAY! And the videos are wonderful... don't stop posting them.
Posted by: Jeff | June 01, 2009 at 04:35 AM
Oh Danny! What a week. He looks so great.
I just heard that Colin Farrell was born 1lb 8oz (I think I heard it right).
Posted by: Margie | June 01, 2009 at 05:08 AM
What wonderful news! I can't wait to hear his little sounds.
Posted by: Sally Northrop | June 01, 2009 at 06:32 AM
I could watch him for hours. Great news! Charlie gave me my first smile of the day.
Posted by: Chris | June 01, 2009 at 06:37 AM
At work, all this lousy dell computer shows is a big blank spot. I'll have to wait til I get home later to see Charlie. I loved watching last friday's video and I saw it again and again...love your choices of music too. Poo poo a thousand times, and knock on wood...hope you give the jewish mudra often. G-d bless Steve and Eydie!
Posted by: Judy | June 01, 2009 at 07:05 AM
Bit by bit, beep by beep, the machines retreat and the flesh takes over.
So divine, so thrilling. Big smiles for you all today.
Posted by: sweetsalty kate | June 01, 2009 at 07:14 AM
Yeah! What a milestone! Good song choice too. Robert sleeps with cpap - sounds like Darth Vader - hope Charlie's keeping the force strong too...
Can't wait to hear some wailing!
Posted by: Barbara | June 01, 2009 at 07:19 AM
Yashar, yashar kadimah. (straight, straight, forward) Thank G-d for small miracles and continuous baby steps.
Wonderful musical accompaniment by Eddie Cantor!
Posted by: Pearl | June 01, 2009 at 08:04 AM
This is a very good day. Well done, Charlie. Well done, Kendall and Danny.
Posted by: Quinn Cummings | June 01, 2009 at 08:32 AM
He's positively pink! Never will a parent have been so happy to hear a child cry, huh? I will be delighted to hear him wail.
Posted by: Wanda | June 01, 2009 at 08:42 AM
Excellent news! So glad for your progress. Keeping you in our thoughts for more wonderful news!
Posted by: Jen | June 01, 2009 at 08:59 AM
Joy surfaces in the most innocent places. Charlie has made so many people's prayers come true...you go Charlie...
Posted by: betty | June 01, 2009 at 09:57 AM
FANTASTIC! What a gorgeous little boy. I am so pleased to see how he's plumping up. I couldn't be any happier for your family.
xx
Posted by: Sarah | June 01, 2009 at 10:42 AM
Very good news! Extremely happy to hear this. I wish more good things to come to you and your family and especially little Charlie.
Posted by: Brett Hickman | June 01, 2009 at 11:15 AM
Hooray for Charlie!
Posted by: Julie R. | June 01, 2009 at 12:28 PM
Each day, each step is a milestone. Thank you so much for sharing them. The videos are a WONDERFUL way to share his progress.
Thank you, and CONGRATULATIONS ! !
Posted by: Greg Tollefsen | June 01, 2009 at 01:07 PM
yipeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!
Posted by: m.yahn | June 01, 2009 at 02:22 PM
Fantastic news!!!! Glad to hear things are still heading in the right direction.
Posted by: jason | June 01, 2009 at 03:35 PM
I was crying before I even watched the video and am so thrilled with the news. It's a joyous day for all of us. Breathe, Charlie, breathe...
Posted by: Shari | June 01, 2009 at 05:00 PM
Hooray for Charlie and his mommy and daddy.
Love,
Marilyn
Posted by: Marilyn Molnar | June 01, 2009 at 07:52 PM
I follow your story each day and each video with more wonder at your strength and love. Stay strong and do NOT stop posting these wonderful milestones. I think about when Charlie is older and how he'll read this all with great fascination. Tell us about how your daugther is doing with all this...
Posted by: suzanne | June 02, 2009 at 10:45 AM
My twins were preemies and stayed in the NICU for 3 very long months. Now they are strong, exuberant and healthy 6 year olds. Hang in there, this too shall pass.
Peace, Alexa
Posted by: Alexa | June 03, 2009 at 06:28 AM
Wonderful news! It's a long way to get home, but this is a big step. Congratulations.
Do you know about the March of Dimes community for parents of preemies called Share Your Story? It's hugely supportive. You can connect with others who are or have gone through what you are. Visit the site: http://www.shareyourstory.org/
Posted by: MoDLin | June 03, 2009 at 12:50 PM
I am so happy for Charlie and for your whole family! I don't now any of you but I think about you everyday and hope and pray for the best for all of you.
Posted by: mary | June 03, 2009 at 02:49 PM