Mommy Mumblings...

I know, I know...this is the name of Christine's blog...and I am using it today because she has asked me to post some requests to you! Before I do that, let me first say a big THANKS to each of you for your faithful prayers for Christine and her sweet family over the past 9 months. Yes, 9 months, because it was about that time that she got sick last fall and she has pretty much been in and out of the hospital since then. The latest hospitalization, however, has brought with it a gift that is eternal. Sweet little Samuel is doing well. Born at 3 lbs. 13.6 oz., he has been a fighter since conception. Since drawing his first breath on Monday, June 18, he has continued to fight and has impressed quite a few nurses and doctors! Christine has been doing well since then, until yesterday, when she got very sick with pain, and then the vomiting that follows that. She is a fragile little soul and today has asked me to post a few things about Samuel, and also some specific prayer requests that she and Matt have.

Today, he weighed 3 lb. 8.9 oz. That is quite remarkable that he has lost so little weight over the past couple of days. He is having trouble with his feeds, which is expected, and has begun to have some tremors, which is the withdrawal from the meds that Christine had to be given during her pregnancy. She wrote to me today in an email..."I know he is going to be alright...it is hard to watch him go through anything that was was caused by the medicine I was on...I am trying to remember what you said mom...that if I hadn't had that medicine, he and I might not be here at all...". That is what she is going through.

Sam is now in a little isolette instead of the open table-type bed he has been on under phototherapy lights. That is actually a step up! In the isolette, he can have clothing on. It is difficult, though, because they can't touch him. He is still breathing on his own and requires no IV. I have tried to encourage her with remembering that she actually got to hold him at birth and a couple of more times, and that the time IS coming where she will be able to hold him all the time. But, if you've ever given birth, you know...all you want to do is hold and touch your baby.

She also wrote this..."I would love for people to know what to pray for, for him and for me after finding out yesterday that my recovery obviously isn't going to happen in 2 days. I knew that, but I guess I just forgot that I'd been sick for over 8 months. It is harder to ask for prayers for myself when he (Sam) is going through so much. He really is a strong little guy, the nurse said this morning. She said he is just a little peanut!"

She has been encouraged by her sweet friend, Jaymie, who has exchanged emails and calls with her. Jaymie and her family have been on a NICU journey for months, and her sharing of those experiences has helped our entire family understand so much that would have probably been much more frightening for us had Jaymie and Kory chosen not to share Kanyon's story! Thank you sweet Phillips family! We keep you all close in prayer.

Christine has always been a prayer warrior and has believed in the power of prayer. Samuel is such evidence of the power of God and the power of prayer. All of us have been blessed by the prayers of people all over the world who have stopped and prayed for her and Sam without fail. And now, she is in need of your prayers in a mighty way. They are discharging her tonight and she will come home for some much needed rest. This day will be difficult, even knowing this is what is best for Sam and for her. She has been able to pretty much stay in the NICU constantly. But, her body needs healing and rest and she will not get that in the hospital. We have promised that we will joyfully make the trips with her each day to see "our little peanut", and that as she grows stronger and he does too, the days will be shorter as the time comes for him to come home and be with his sweet family.

I told her today that I believe God chose her as the vessel to bring Samuel into this world. The battles they are fighting right now will make them all stronger as he grows.

And of course, no post would be complete without a little note about Jack. He is doing well, but is ready for daddy and mommy to be at home. The next few weeks will surely be precious as he has some special time with them. We are making a picture for Sam to be put on his isolette so that he will know what a GREAT big brother he has!