Happy Independence Day! Today was Jordan’s first holiday since birth and we
had a great day. We started off the day
with many things going wrong. We woke up
late, and then all the gates were closed on base so we couldn’t leave. We had to get gas because we forgot to
yesterday and then after we dropped Jason off I realized that I forgot
something important at home so we had to go back. It seemed like something just did not want us
to make it to Aomori today. Despite all
the challenges we made it to see Jordan even though we were a little late. I made him a red, white, and blue bow tie out
of ribbon and we placed it on him for a few pictures. He is just so cute and tiny. I just love him so much. The nurses were having fun with the bow tie
and were commenting that since he was an American citizen they had to make him
extra handsome for his Independence Day photo.
I enjoy that the nurses and doctors care so much about Jordan and about
his care. They really do fall in love
with the babies that they work with and want to see them succeed.
Jordan was doing well today. It was
actually the first time that I had ever seen his alarms go off because his
oxygen level was too high. The doctors
are still using the steroids for his treatment.
The nurse was explaining that they have a special machine that they use
to determine if he is ready to come off of the ventilator. This machine and a checklist of other items
are used by the doctors to decide on a day to remove the ventilator. Today Jordan got the next size up tube for
his ventilator. This means he is
growing!! YAY!! Jordan also got his
stiches removed from when he had open heart surgery and had the bandage
removed. He has a little scar from the
surgery. Jacob and I were talking about
how all the girls were going to flock to him when he is older because girls
seem to like scars and the crazy stories behind why boys have them. LOL. We
also sang “Jesus Loves Me” to him before we left and he was definitely dancing
in his incubator…and of course he was even on beat with his dancing. We would not expect anything less from a
Womack ;) Looks like another musician in
the family!
The doctor today was talking about the two main goals that they have for
Jordan. The goal is to be able to remove
the ventilator and change him to CPAP in 2-3 weeks. It is easier to do the removal when he is at
a certain weight so the second goal is for him to double his weight in the next
2-3 weeks. I thought this seemed like a
crazy goal but the doctor seemed to think it was normal. I know that God has all the power so this is
a very specific prayer that we can pray for Jordan’s weight to double and for
him to meet these goals. One way they
are going to help him gain weight is up to me! YAY I actually get to do
something besides just watch!! When you breastfeed, the first part of your milk
is low in calories and the second part of the milk is much higher in calories
and more rich in milk fat. So now, I
will be separating the first and second part of my milk so they can feed him
the higher calorie breast milk first to help him gain the weight faster. I think it is really cool because you can
actually see the difference in milk fat based on the look of the milk.
The doctor was also explaining about the ventilator treatments. The ventilators cause lung damage but the HFV
causes less lung damage than conventional.
He is currently using the HFV.
The doctor was talking about how his lungs are not getting worse right
now and are staying the same. This is
good news. His lungs should be able to
get better and repair themselves after he is off of the ventilator. The doctor really made my heart happy as he
was discussing how they want Jordan to be able to play sports in the future and
not have issues with breathing and asthma. How awesome is it that they care this much
about his future and his ability to play sports and experience normal
life? These doctors are so great with
their love and care toward our son.
Thank you Lord for placing us in Japan so that Jordan could receive this
specific care that he is getting. This
really is a blessing. Jordan will also
be getting his first bath tonight and they will be weighing him again. I am
excited to find out how much our little miracle weighs. He should be hitting the 1lb mark at
least! I asked the doctor if he had high
hopes for Jordan and if he believes that he will succeed in overcoming all
these challenges. He said that Jordan
was obviously born very premature and has many hurdles to overcome. Things can change day to day and minute by
minute. He said that as of now, he
thinks that Jordan is one of the better babies are far as condition for being
born so young. I think he was trying to
tell us that YES he absolutely has high hopes for Jordan (After all, he was
talking about him playing lots of sports in the future) but he just cannot
promise anything so he wants to be sure he mentions that Jordan still has a
long road ahead. We are so blessed and
honored to be his parents.
This evening we had a 4th of July cookout with friends. It was really nice to do something normal and
hang out with great people. We had a
little bon fire and Jason had his first EVER smore. I cannot believe my baby has never had a
smore….what were we thinking waiting so long for him to experience this?! Jason also jumped on a trampoline for the
first time ever tonight too. So many
people just love Jason to death and I adore that he gets so much attention and
love. I also adore that when mommy
arrives, I become the most important person in the world for the first 2-3
minutes! It makes me so happy that he will stop everything to acknowledge my presence
and give me hugs and kisses. I love that
little boy so very much! Although, I don’t
so much love that he puts bugs in my hand and tells me that they are his friends. LOL.
Even though we started off having a rough day, it was one of the best days
that we have had since this entire situation happened. 26 days ago when they told me that I had to
have an emergency c-section as soon as possible or I could die, I never
expected things to be this awesome. God’s
power and love is beyond perfect. God
can do anything. Even when I may think
that Jordan doubling his weight in 2-3 weeks seems like a big task; this is
nothing for God. We really owe God all
the glory and praise for this miracle that we have in our lives. Although we are often tired at the end of the
day, God has been giving us all strength to make it through.
Lord, I praise you for this wonderful and perfect day. We have had such a great time from visiting
with our sweet little boy, to hanging out with great friends. You created this world and the people in it. We are so grateful for the opportunities that
we have been given and the tasks that you have placed before us. We know that you are equipping us
specifically for these tasks and that you have a purpose for this whole
situation. We are thankful for the
chance to be a big voice for you and a big testimony. Continue to speak through my words and our
actions and allow us to be used for your will and purpose. I praise you that Jordan has been doing so
well since birth. We know this is a long
road but we are confident that Jordan will lead a long and healthy life and
that many will come to know you through his story. You are capable of everything. Lord we pray that you would allow Jordan to
meet the goals that the doctors have placed before him. I ask that you would help him to be ready in
2 weeks but this is only because of my selfish desires to hold my little
boy. I know that your timing is perfect
and I praise you that you already have things planned out. Help us to rely on you for strength and to
follow your perfect timing rather than our own ambition. Thank you for Jordan’s doctors and
nurses. Help us to be great testimonies
to them. Thank you for their care and
love. Please give them wisdom as they
pick the right treatments. I pray for
Jason. Help him to continue to learn and
excel. Thank you for his “boy” attitude
and personality. We are so blessed by
him. Give us rest and patience to
continue on. We ask all these things in
your name, Amen.
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