First Couple of Days

Parker is here...and he is a little early!! He decided he wanted to move out early and start his exciting life. After seeing the movie "Mamma Mia" he kick punched his way out and broke Sarah's (Mama) water in the main lobby area of the Everett Regal Cinema. A lady ran up to Sarah and offered her congratulations.

Sarah then called me (Daddy) and told me that her water broke. I was home from the Oso Lumber Golf Tournament and was watching a movie with close friends, Rich Schlosser and Joe Morris (here on referred to as Uncle Rich and Uncle Joe).

I then walked briskly around the house trying to figure out what to do until Sarah got home. Sarah soon got home and we headed for the hospital.

Sarah had a very good labor. She gave birth at 6:43am to a beautiful baby boy, named Parker John Salcedo. He weighed 6lbs 4.2 ounces. He spent a few minutes with Sarah and I. I then carried him down to the Nursery so that he could be closely watched.

Parker is 5 weeks early. As is the case when a baby is born at 35 weeks, like Parker was, Parker has had difficulty breathing so far. He is working very hard to stretch out his lungs and learn the correct way to breathe. He needs added oxygen to keep the saturation of oxygen in the blood at the appropriate levels.

On the first day he really struggled with his breathing. He was working extra hard at it. He was a strong little boy making his mom and dad very proud! He made a noise with every breathe which the nurses referred to as "grunting." As the day went on this symptom lessened.

His first night was a little rough. While getting weighed, as is a custom every night, Parker kind of lost his cool for a bit. He is very sensitive and he reacted by having a low oxygen level. The nurses took the right action and got it back under control.

Parker received visits from lots of people on the first day. He feels very loved. Parker and his parents appreciate all of the people that have provided an out pouring of support during his first days. Sarah and I appreciate everyones love. A special thanks goes to Uncle Joe who is staying at our house and taking care of our special little buddy, Chopper (our beloved dog)!

When he first started in the nursery he had a nasal tube that was giving oxygen through a tube inserted into his nose. After the first night, the Doctor and nurses agreed that it would be best to put him in a kind of a bubble that just covers his head. He absolutely loves it.

Parker took a positive turn after the switch of ways to get his oxygen. On the second day he was much calmer. He barely "grunted" and was much happier. He still cries, but we encourage him to do so because it helps strengthen his lungs.

In the morning Sarah and I had a very special moment with our son. While visiting him he had his eyes wide open and he was was looking right at us. He would look at Sarah, then me, and then back at Sarah. When he made eye contact with me I swear I was like "hey little guy...anything you want I will buy it! Seriously kid, if you want a Lamborgini then Daddy's gonna go buy a Lamborgini today!"

At the end of the day Sarah and I spent a lot of time with him saying goodnight. We talked extensively with the nurses on duty. I don't know what we would do without them. Everyone here has been so great!!

Say a prayer for Parker. He needs all of our love and support! He feels all of you rooting for him. Thank you all for thinking of us. It is much appreciated!

Finally, we want to thank a few people in specific: Grandmas and Grandpas, brother and sisters, Aunts and Uncles, and all others that came to visit and those of you who called. In particular we want to thank our Doc. Dr. Zeh, who was amazing. Her reassurance was just what we needed. Also, nurse Nanne who stayed in our room and coached Sarah through the whole labor. When I say whole labor, I mean whole labor. She was there from the beginning to the end. Nanne was slated to be off of her shift at 7:00am, and Parker was born at 6:43am. She had an effecient shift. Although she was set to leave, Sarah and I are convinced that she would have stayed late to see Parker arrive. Thank you very much Dr. Zeh and Nurse Nanne.

In addition, we want to thank the whole nursing staff here at Steven's Hospital. You have been ALL been AWESOME!!!

The length of our stay here at the hospital in unclear at this point. We will definitely not be going home anytime soon. We need to be near our son. It could be a week or as much as 4 weeks. Thanks to all of you who need us elsewhere and are being so patient and understanding. With your prayers it will be sooner then later. Parker is loved by God and he will be safe and healthy!