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Saturday, June 11, 2011

Major Changes

Wow! What a week it has been! God has been so good and continues to bless our little family.  As most of you know, and as was stated by B.J. in her last post, Henry came through surgery, and he did super!  As a matter of fact, the head of pediatric surgery came by a couple days ago and stated that our little boy was the talk of the hospital and that he was doing "awesome!"  That, alone, would be enough for B.J. and me in one week, but God has continued to heal and strengthen both our little ones throughout the week.  They are starting to make HUGE improvements daily. And what God has done with Henry and Harper since the first of the week is no less miraculous.

Our little man came off the ventilator late yesterday afternoon and he has tolerated it wonderfully.  Now, he is still receiving some oxygen support through his nose, but he is breathing ON HIS OWN.  And his lungs continue to function properly without the additional support.  God is so good!  B.J. and I were so excited for this moment.  Not only because our little boy is one step closer to getting better and going home, but because we finally got to see what he truly looked like for the very first time.  Since he was first born he has had a tube running down his throat and tape all over his face, so we had an idea of what he looked like, but never really knew for sure.  Well, he is adorable, just like his sister.  As if that was not enough, his chest tube was also removed late this afternoon.  He seems a little more irritable, but for the most part seems to be tolerating it just fine.  I think he's just excited to get another one of those lines running out of his body removed.

We are also so excited to report the continued improvements of baby sister.  Harper has been taken off of all liquid IV feeds and strictly taking milk.  Her PICC line was also removed on Thursday.  Now she is  just hooked up to one monitor that is tracking her vitals.  She has continued to be daddy's little rockstar!  She and Henry have also been able to maintain their core body temperature, thus allowing them to be moved to regular cribs. This only occurred late this afternoon.  That means no more incubators!!!

As I said, it has been a very busy week.  The kids are improving so quickly and changes are being made so fast, that B.J. and I are almost fearful instead of excited.  I know that sounds crazy, but when you've basically been getting bad news and preparing for the worst for 12 weeks, it's hard to believe that you could be coming out of the woods and the clouds could be lifting.  But as we've been saying all along, we know that God is with us, we know He has a purpose and a plan, and we have to trust in him - in this case in the good times, not just the bad.  Please don't misunderstand.  We know our babies could still have setbacks, but we rejoice in the progress they have made.  And we continue to pray that their improved health will continue.  The most important thing now is that Henry can continue to recover from his surgery and that his lungs will grow strong and healthy.  Now that the chest tube is out, there is a risk that his right lung could collapse, so we pray that the lung continues to stay fully inflated and the site will stay infection free.  We also pray that both of them will start taking to the bottle and that their feedings will allow them to start growing and gaining weight (most importantly Harper girl).  And as always, that these two can and will stay infection free.

B.J. and I, again, cannot express our gratitude for the amount of support and prayers all of you have given our family.  It has helped us, not only this week, but throughout our entire journey.  We thank God for each and every one of you.  We thank God for our little angels Henry and Harper.  And we thank God for still being in the business of miracles.

God is good... all the time!

Mark, B.J., Henry and Harper



mommy with her little man



what a beautiful sight AND sound



Henry resting peacefully in mommy's arms


Harper Girl in her new crib


Harper Girl tuckered out after her feeding


"This is the best I've slept in 4 weeks!"


wrapped up like a burrito

13 comments:

Martha said...

Glory to GOD!!!!!!! Yay God!!!!!!! That's the most wonderful news!!! I love your whole family. Martha Jobe

Anonymous said...

:-)). Love your family and you God!

Laura W said...

Mark, I don't know you, but how sweet it is to read you write about your babies! What a fantastic week y'all have had!! GOD IS GREAT! I can't wait to share the news with my group at church tomorrow. And how stinkin' cute are those babies without all the tubes and tape on them?! Blessings, blessings!

Paige said...

Wonderful post, Mark! I continue to be amazed at what God is doing in your family. Sending lots of love your way!

Lauren said...

Praising God with you! To God be the glory for all the great things He has done and continues to do through you and your beautiful children and through your STORY that will forever be told!! Looking forward to meeting you one day! Love in Him, Lauren Laird (Jennifer and John's friends in Jxn)

Anonymous said...

It is so wonderful to read this blog and see how the twin have progressed. We must say to God be the Glory because he is the great physician. The twins are already beautiful. I hope to see what they look like this time next year. I don't know either one of you but get your updates from East Booneville Baptist Church and got this one from Facebook. I have been praying for the twins and for you two. God bless you and be with you and the twins each day.

Margaret Presley

Ashley Brooks said...

I don't personally know either of you but I have followed your blog and continued to pray for you all. I know what a huge milestone these have been for Henry and Harper. You will be at the top of my prayer list. God is the great physician and he will see you ALL through this. Stay strong Mommy and Daddy!

Anonymous said...

I first heard of y'alls family through a mutual friend. Y'all are so very courageous and full of hope. Thank you for sharing with us all that is going on with Henry and Harper. How inspiring this is plus it has renewed so many's belief in miracles!!!

Anonymous said...

It was pure joy to read your post about Henry and Harper's progress! Continuing in prayer for them and for you both. To God be the glory.
Judy Glenn

Carolyn Moore said...

How elated I am for your precious family. Henry and Harper are precious!! Keeping you still in my prayers!

Anna said...

Soooo soooo Glad! Love to you all. We are praying for you daily.

sandy said...

I am so happy to hear all this good news! God is SO good!

Sandy Hetzler

Anonymous said...

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10