Speaking of which, the cardiologists did another echocardiogram and everything looks great. They have decided that it would be safe to remove the RA line from his chest as soon as tomorrow! But they will double-check with the surgeon (Dr. Kavarana) just to get his OK. This is the last remaining thing left in his body that needs to be removed before they will let us hold him. So, possibly tomorrow we'll have the great joy of holding him and rocking him to sleep. This is something Jamie's been dying to do ever since that last time we got to hold him when the children were with us. Incidentally, he still has the IVs in both hands and will have those until he's discharged from the hospital completely. And yes, he still has both the feeding tube and nasal cannula in his nose. But they don't bother him.

He has been sleeping a lot but from time to time he will awaken and just look around. He seems like a totally different baby now that the breathing tube is gone. He's definitely much more pleasant and content. He is slowly getting his voice back too and when he does cry, it sounds "quiet." They will be doing a routine check of his vocal chords tomorrow just to be sure everything is still OK there. By the way, it seems that Martin has been "growing" on some of the nurses here. I'm sure it would be hard not to get a little attached to any baby you've been caring for over a long period of time. We have been very grateful for their care of our little boy.