A Special Cuddle!

Baby Rachel and her adoring Aunt Patty!
(weighing about 8 lbs)

The big boys got to visit Rachel soon after she came home from the NICU... through the glass!

Precious miracle Baby

Being a Mom

A New Perspective For Moms from Elevation Church on Vimeo.

Gotcha Day- one year!

Referral picture

Yesterday marked the one year anniversary of Jack Nathan's "Gotcha" Day.  It's hard to believe so many days have passed since we first held him.  Those adorable eyes and that precious smile... I'll never forget it.

So much happened on that trip, it's difficult for us to think about it and remember all the details.  For this occasion we just want to remember the blessing that we received in Jack and the Lord's faithfulness in those first few days together.

What a difference one Year makes!

Today- wearing his Chinese outfit!

2 years 9 months old

Soft diet continues

Jack, enjoying some soup with rice.  Mmmmm!

Palate repair recovery

Today has been a good day!  Jack woke up this morning, sat up in bed and drank some juice.  He kept signing "eat" but only took a few tiny bites of his pureed breakfast.  Later he managed to eat a popsicle.  

His doc came by early this morning and planned for us to stay another night.  By this afternoon Jack was doing so well drinking fluids and taking his oral pain meds Dr. R said we could go home!  We are all really glad to be home and sleeping in our beds.

Jack is such a good little patient!  We sat together in his crib all morning, playing with legos and watching cartoons and the food network.

The Elmo balloon was his main comfort item.  Patrick got it for him when he was so upset after waking from anesthesia and hurting.  He never let go of that balloon, even in his sleep.  The nurses commented on how funny he was, clutching his balloon.  He even tried to feed Elmo his drinks and pudding!

packing up to go home

We will be enjoying having Daddy home for a while... he was furloughed today from work.  

Cleft Palate Repair

Happy in pre-op

 Today was Jack Nathan's BIG surgery day!  We woke up bright dark and early to head South to Children's hospital.  He was the first case scheduled this morning, so that was helpful.  I don't think he had time to feel hungry.  

They took him back to surgery at 7 am sharp.  We got 3 update calls during the morning, all saying he was doing just fine.  The Doc finally came out to talk to us about 11:30 to say all went well, although his palate was very wide and difficult to repair.  He felt confident it will work great once all is healed!  Praise the Lord!

We made it to our room on the burn unit around 1 pm with a very tearful, sad little boy.  The staff has been great at keeping his Morphine coming as needed.  He has slept on and off all afternoon/evening, with a few tearful, wakeful spells.  He's getting breathing treatments to help him breathe easier due to all the swelling in and around his airway.  Apparently some kids have trouble with their airways after this surgery... so far so good for this tough guy!

Patrick headed home for the night and we are mostly tucked in until the next pain med is due.

Thanks for all of you who prayed for this little one.  He's been through a lot and has more to come in the future.  But it's all positive steps in the right direction!

Home again

We enjoyed a relaxing afternoon at home as a family watching the ball game.  It was like a breath of fresh air!

Abby is tucked into the "sick bed" in our bedroom for the night with Tylenol on board for her fever.  We can tell she is happy to be home... no more monitor wires, IV's or probes.

PICU souvenir:  Bipap mask

Activity for bored football fans