one step back

We've been so encouraged by the steady progress of our little guy, we forgot about the potential of '2steps forward, 1 step back'. The past couple of days he's been having some issues with breathing. They aren't sure if it's related to being off of the C-PAP for a week or so, or if it's being caused by reflux. Maybe a little of both?
Please pray that they would figure it out quickly, and that his little body would get back on track. One step back isn't terrible, but it isn't fun to watch him struggle.
On the bright side, he is still gaining weight steadily, is up to 41mL per feeding, and weighs 4 lbs 9.5 oz this morning! He's also doing better and better with nursing and bottle feeding, though he is still tiny and gets easily tired out.
Dave finally got to visit him for the first time last night, and came home beaming. It was a precious reunion! We are nearing the end of his Paternity Leave, and are enjoying our last few days together-- introducing Christian to all of our family Christmas traditions.
It's fun to watch him discover the little joys of the season. He loves the snow-- and asks continually to go outside for "more sled!" And as much as we thought he'd love the process of going to pick out our Christmas tree, we didn't anticipate how much MORE he'd love the fact that we went to Home Depot (to get the tree). He ended up being incredibly interested in the forklift that was moving crates around the garden center... and couldn't have cared less about the tree search. His favorite part about putting the tree in our livingroom was the 4 screws on the tree stand. He crawled around and around it, saying "turn wheels" and trying to screw them all in. And while the lights and ornaments fascinated him for a few minutes, he took more joy in opening and shutting the flaps on the box in which they came. Ah, to step back and see the world through little (boy) eyes!
Perhaps we should take more 'steps back' this season, and really take time to appreciate the endless blessings we've been given. To be 'simply thankful' for our health, our home, our boys, our family and friends, our many provisions, and our basic freedoms. And most of all, our Saviour.
Thank you, Lord, for coming to show us true Love, that we might be able to fully enjoy this life, even with all of its hardships. Thank you for humbling yourself as a tiny baby, one Major step DOWN, to do what we could never do for ourselves. As we step back and look at the Manger, we are reminded of your sweet innocence, your holy purposes, and your commitment to being Immanuel: "God with us"-- A kindness we didn't deserve and so often forget is still true! Help us this year to ponder more frequently the reason for your appearance on that first Christmas morning... and allow the wonder of it all to bring our hearts to where they were meant to be. Thank you for being God With Us during this trial, and showing us, through Kyren, how sweet and precious this life is. We don't want to take any of it for granted!