Dylan is Home!

Life is an incredible gift. Each step of the way is an amazing journey. We can choose to walk it alone or run with others. The important part is to remember that we are blessed with so much, yet we often take the simplest things for granted. At times, we might wonder why the world is so cruel, yet we remember that this is exactly what makes all of us stronger.

We truly feel that the birth of Dylan Thomas Klintworth was a test of our strength as a family. His unexpected birth on January 9, 2009 has put everything in perspective and his fight to become part of our family has reminded us of the importance of those around us.

Although we will not celebrate Dylan’s birthday on April 14th, this day will be one that we will remember forever as he has finally come home from the hospital. Dylan is doing awesome at home and it is incredible to see him as a newborn.

Words will never be able to explain how thankful we are for all of our friends and family who helped and supported us through the past 3 months. Without all of you, it would not be possible for us to stay positive during the turmoil.

Below is a list of just a few examples of sections from emails we received from friends and family that helped us get through the toughest of days. We still have tears of joy when reading them.

“If baby Dylan is anything like you, I know he will persevere ... and then grow up to be a rich and famous quarterback”

“I’m betting Big “D” will be shredding the backside at Northstar on his snowboard by the time he’s five. This dude is motivated!! Here’s to the strength and love (that which gets you through) between you, your family, friends, your newest arrival, and of course to his glorious homecoming in April (maybe sooner – remember, this boy wants to see SNOW).”

“I hope you both receive the strength and courage to do all that you need over the next few months”

“We are so glad to hear your son is a strong fighter in the first few days of life!”

“I am sorry for what you and your family is going through. Something like this sure gives you an appreciation for the miracle of life.”

“And, btw, a “mini man” should never be underestimated!”

“With you and Brandi standing guard, he will have a tremendous amount of love and support to grow comfortably under. “

“This is Grade A tough life stuff. You have my prayers with you and Brandi (and Andrew). Not sure what the big plan is for “mini man” Dylan but often kids that overcome this type of adversity have a special role to play in life….inspiring others”

Dylan's 12 Week Update

Then...

And Now!

March 17th to 31st

It has been a long emotional road that no doctors or nurses could have ever prepared us for. Although we would have thought that Dylan's life would begin when he came home, he is working on his 12th week of life and it is becoming increasingly difficult for us to cope with the fact that he is sill in the hospital.

Amidst the emotions that we feel in not being able to bring him home yet, Dylan's doctors and nurses have stressed the fact that his course has been better than most babies that are born this premature. It does not make it any easier, but thinking back at his amazing progress we continue to try and be patient.

The last few weeks have gone by slow, especially for mom who is physically and mentally ready to take him home. Dylan is now 6 1/2 lbs compared to 1lb 10oz at his lowest point and aside from not being able to take his milk from a bottle, he is completely ready to come home.

The nurses keep trying to reassure us that the "light bulb" will come on soon, but it doesn't make it any easier. We are just dying to have him home and hold him whenever we want.
So, as sad as we are, we are very happy that he is so strong.

Dylan's 10 Week Update

March 2nd to March 16th

Dylan turned 10 weeks old last Friday- the day after Andrew's 2nd birthday. Too bad Andrew hasn't had a chance to meet his little brother yet (kids can't come into the ICN during the cold & flu season).

Dylan has made so much progress since we last updated the blog. He has gained over a pound and is now 4 pounds 13 ounces! He doesn't seem like a premie any more - at least not to mom and dad. He has been off all oxygen for almost two weeks and in a crib (no more isolette to keep him warm) for a week. And he is doing great! He has started to take small amounts of milk from a bottle, but hasn't mastered the complicated task of breathing while doing it, so he still has a feeding tube in his nose. He also still gets his daily caffeine fix to help him remember to breathe.

Mom is loving being able to spend hours every day holding and feeding her precious baby and dad is too every chance he gets. We feel so lucky to have grandparents and Cheri (our nanny) to help us out every day for the past 10 weeks.

While Dylan is still doing great and making progress daily, mom and dad are getting anxious to bring him home. We don't know when little Dylan will be ready, but we are guessing close to his due date (April 18th).

Dylan 7 Week Update

February 24th to March 1st

Dylan is 3 pounds 11 ounces as of today! He is gaining about an ounce a day and having fewer and fewer issues related to a premature baby. Hopefully, we will continue to have uneventful days like the ones we have had in the past few weeks. We don't know when he will be coming home, but our guess is at least 4 more weeks (which would put him at 37 weeks gestation). I can't believe it has already been 7 weeks since he was born.

In order for us to bring him home he has to hit a few milestones (weight is not one of them, but they expect he will be between 4 and 5 pounds). He will have to bottle or breast feed exclusively (no more tube feedings). He also has to be able to regulate his body temperature (no more warm isolette) and he has to have at least a week free of irregular heart beats and high oxygen levels in his blood.

Now that he has more than doubled his weight from his low, he looks so healthy and big to us. He still has a lot of growing and developing to do, but we are getting excited about the idea of being able to bring him home soon!

Dylan in Clothes

February 20th - February 23rd

Another milestone. We just had to send photos of Dylan's first outfit (aside from hospital wires, tubes and of-course diapers). He's still doing great. 3 pounds 4 ounces! Brandi got to hold him last night wrapped in warm blankets and this little sleeper. Oh, the joy!

Six Week Update

February 10th – February 19th

Today is Dylan’s 6 week birthday and he is doing amazing. The doctors say that he is already trying to escape the incubator by rolling around and every so often he pulls the nasal prongs out and thinks that he can breathe completely on his own (which he does). I think he got his stubbornness from both his mom and dad.

The progress that he has made in the last three weeks is remarkable, from removal of all arterial and interveneous lines, to removal of the oxygen mask and almost all medications, to the almost doubling in size from 1lb 10oz to 3lbs 1 oz.

It is truly a miracle!! Dylan’s will to live is beyond our wildest hopes and dreams. He looks and feels like a real baby now! We thought Andrew was small at 6 pounds but now I can't even imagine what Dylan is going to look like at 6 pounds because he seems so big at 3 pounds! (What a change in perspective)

Brandi has been spending more time with Dylan lately as he is stable enough to be held for longer periods of time. We are also very optimistic that he will be able to come home in early April.

Four Week Update

February 3rd – February 9th

It is difficult to think of the intensive care nursery as being home for our son for three months, but it’s comforting to know that we have already made it through one month. We have come to appreciate the incredible nature of modern medicine and well-trained doctors, but the most amazing part of it all is how strong and resilient even the smallest child can be.

This was quite possibly Dylan’s best week so far as the doctors continued to cut back on his medications for blood pressure and have been able to turn down the pressure and oxygen levels on his breathing mask. He did have another blood transfusion last night, but we hope this is the last one he needs.

Most importantly, we have been able to hold Dylan for about an hour every day. It is almost like there is nothing else going on around when Dylan is in our arms.

It is amazing to see his progress, from increasing his feedings from 1ml to 18ml every 3 hours, and just today to cutting back the now unnecessary intravenous nutrition. The doctors are even talking about taking off the oxygen mask as early as next week.

However, the real confirmation was when the doctors told us that Dylan has a greater than 90 percent chance of survival (from less than a 75 percent chance at birth). Those with a glass half empty mindset may dwell on the fact that there is still a 10 percent chance of him being taken from us, but we are overwhelmed with joy, that he has come this far and optimistic about bringing him home in April.

Today is Dylan’s 1 month birthday and, although it may not sound like much, we are happy to say that he is now 2 pounds 9 ounces!