Jack Update

Thank you for your prayers and thoughts and the comments you have made on our blog. It is so encouraging. I praise God this morning for another glimmer of hope and the beauty he has created in Jack. About 3:00 this morning I jumped out of bed and ran to Jack's crib. I had a feeling something was going on. When I got there Jack looked at me and I cuddled him up, and for the first time in over 24 hours he began to make sounds, clear his throat, an gave me that sweet little cry. I have never been so happy to hear a baby cry in my whole life. That was my prayer yesterday to hear him cry and know that he was doing better than he looked. After crying his little face pinked back up and he continues to look better and move more than he has in the past few days. Your prayers are so comforting,and I am so thankful that God listens when we call. Mom, Dad, and Sarah are her. And Ryan is picking up his parents and two sisters from the airport. This will be the first time that all the family will be together since Jack was born. I am so glad that we will get to have a good visit and enjoy Jack, and celebrate his strong will and brave heart. I am so proud of him and blessed to be his Mommy.
Love, Amanda

Prayers for Jack

Dear Family and friends. We have had a really hard day. Jack had a bad night last night and has had some choking spells and three seizures that we know of. He is at home with us. We are working with Peds Care a division of Hospice to help us through this very tough time. Jack looks very peaceful at this time, but he is not his usual energetic self. We have a nurse that lives 8 minutes from our house on standby at any moment we need her. We also have a Dr. on call. The doc said the next 24-48 hours would be pretty crucial and Jack would tell us if his body is able to continue the fight. Please pray for his peace and comfort. If he wants to keep fighting then we will keep on going, but if it is too hard for him please pray that he will let us know. We need wisdom and strength right now. There are a lot of hard decisions to be made. God has carried us through the last scary 9 months and we continue to put our faith and trust in him. we love you very much.
Amanda and Ryan

Surviving Hurricane FAY

So far the weather has not been too terrible. Lots of wind and rain. Mom has been here with me helping with Jack and Griffin. Mom and I went to Wal-Mart and Walgreens and stocked up on water, diapers, baby formula, and snacks. Thankfully Jack's oxygen does not require electricity and his feeding pump is battery operated. We have it charging at all time, just in case. If the battery runs out, we know how to use a gravity feed that does not require anything but a syringe and gravity. Man...Ryan and I will have our real life medical degree before too long.
I am thankful that Ryan has a few days off for us to have some family time. We are having a good time together. We just got some mail and our Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Kathy from Montana just sent a special package for Griffin. She tore into the box and found an AMAZING pairs of cowgirl boots. She shouted "Hannah Montana boots!" Then she began singing, "Nobody's perfect. I gotta work it again and again till I get it right." She is stylin' now. Also see picture of Griffin and after getting home from the hospital.

Home From the Hospital

Last Sunday morning we took Jack to the ER. We took him in because he was coughing and chocking a lot on his bottles. Sat. night I noticed he was looking a little blue around his lips and eyes. He didn't seem to struggle, but he just did not look right. When we got to the ER they hooked him up to monitors and saw that his oxygen levels were low and they did an X-Ray and said Jack had an acute case of pneumonia. Jack had to fast for 24 hours with an IV. Then they did a feed/swallow study. That is an X-ray of his throat while taking bottle. It showed that Jack is swallowing some of the milk, and some is going down his windpipes. So we had to put the feeding tube back in. We were in the hospital for 4 days for tests and observations. It was so hard to watch my baby have to have blood drawn, lay in bed with an IV and oxygen. They came and drew a little blood for a blood sugar test every three hours. They pricked his heels, toes, and fingers. I ask God for strength for his little body and for strength for us. I keep think of the Amy Grant song "Breath of Heaven". The words say "Breath of Heaven hold me together, be forever near me. Breath of Heaven lighten my darkness, pour over me your holiness, Breath of Heaven."

Jack's Weight Update

Nurse Janine came today to weigh Jack, and guess what...He is 5 pounds 10 1/2 oz. WOW! This boy is growing. He is so busy growing and eating that he does not sleep very long. I feel like a Zombie Mom. But I am so thankful that he is doing so well. Just a quick update tonight, very sleepy! Oh yeah, Griffin starts her ballet/tap class tomorrow. We are very excited. Will post more pics soon.
Goodnight ;0 (yawning)

Verses that inspire me

Being a parent lets you know how out of your control life can be. Being a Christian parent lets you know how in control God is. During pregnancy and even now these verses help me lean on God and put my trust in him. The past 8 months have been really hard, but many of you sent verses in your cards which really helped me connect to God. Thank you again to all that read this for their support and prayers. A song that came to mind and has stuck with me is "Blessed Assurance". I know God put that song on my heart, because I don't even remember the last time I have heard it. My favorite line: "This is my story, this is my song. Praising my Saviour all the day long." And I do praise God for the mercy he has showed us and the love he has given me and Ryan through our children.

2 Timothy 1:7
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of POWER and of LOVE, and of a SOUND MIND."

Matthew 11:28-29
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you shall find rest for your souls."

Deuteronomy 3:18
"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

Mark 10:27
"With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."

Romans 5:2-5
"And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our suffering, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance produces character, and character produces hope. And HOPE does not disappoint us because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."

When you get the chance read Ephesians 3:14-21. My sweet friend Kristy Cates from Valdosta sent me this verse in a card. It is a little long to type, but the words are so beautiful. I pray this prayer for those that I know and love that are struggling.
If you or someone you know is struggling with a scary pregnancy or just needs someone to pray with please contact me. I had so many beautiful moments praying, even over the phone, with people. I would love to be able to give that back to others. My e-mail: rlee1210@att.net