Saturday, July 7, 2012

29 days old! 7-7-12


Tomorrow Jordan will be one month old.  On one side, I feel like time has gone so fast and that I cannot believe that it has already been an entire month since our world was changed forever.  On the other side, I feel like this journey has also felt like a lifetime.  It has been emotionally and physically challenging but God has been faithful.  He says He will never leave us nor forsake us.  I have seen the truth and value of these words with my own eyes this past month.  God has been by our side in the hardest moments as well as the most joyous; and everything in between.  We have learned to lean on Him for strength and endurance; and to jump for joy and thanksgiving and praises during times of success and accomplishment.  Our priorities have shifted from self to service.  God has changed our lives with Jordan.  We are so blessed and honored to be this little boy’s parents.  His story is one that truly shows the world that there IS a God and He is STILL performing miracles on this Earth.  He is all loving and so very good.  He has our lives planned out from the very beginning.  Although often times, we do experience loss in this world.  This is not because God does not love, but because that person has fulfilled his or her duties on the earth.  When I was told I would be delivering at 23 weeks gestation, I was trying to prepare myself that I would need to continue on in life without my little boy.  God has different plans for our life though and those plans include Jordan.  Jordan has a big purpose to fulfill and it is our job as his parents to be his voice and his guidance.  We are to prepare him for this purpose by raising him up to know God’s love. 
I also feel that God has a huge purpose for me throughout this journey as well.  Before Jordan’s birth, I was struggling with the feeling that my life was not really going anywhere.  I felt like I was doing many things for myself, but that I was not being used by God for any purpose.  Today my view point is changed.  I know that God has been preparing my life for this moment.  I really and honestly feel led to share our story with as many people as possible.  My hope is to plant seeds in the hearts of unbelievers.  To be a witness of God’s love and grace.  When you are staring death in the face, of yourself and your child, God really makes it clear on what his goals are for you.  My job here is not finished, and neither is Jordan’s.  I pray that God would speak through my words and touch the hearts of those who read this story.
Today was a good day.  We slept in a little this morning and then we visited Jordan.  Saturday’s are when Jason gets to come to the hospital with us.  He doesn’t get to go into the NICU because of strict rules but he does get to come up with us and spend the day with mommy and daddy.  Jordan was doing well today.  The doctor that speaks English was not there today so we did not get a medical update but I was still able to spend some quality time with my sweet boy.  He is so precious.  Today he was pretty relaxed and calm.  He was sleeping with his hand on his face.  We had a bonding moment today.  I put my hand on his body and he grabbed my finger with his little hand.  He brought it up close to his face and just rested while holing on tight to my finger and holding me next to his body.  My heart was happy as I just wanted to scoop him up in my arms and rock him to sleep.  If you are a parent, then you will understand the unconditional love that you share with your child.  The bond is unbreakable.  With Jordan in the NICU for so long, I fear that he is not going to be comfortable around me because he only spends short periods of time with my presence.  When I get the chance to love on him, you bet im going to take it. 
The last medical update we were given we were told that the doctors were trying to wean his mean air pressure on the ventilator.  It had been lowered down to 13 but today it was back up to 14.  I am unsure if this is because the steroid dose is being lowered or if it is just part of the process.  I trust that the doctors know what they are doing though and Jordan’s oxygen levels were very stable during my visit.  The nurse was talking to me about how Jordan is so active.  She was saying that he is playing tricks on them by removing some of his sensors and tape and such.  When he takes off the sensor, the alarms go crazy and everyone comes running.  I think he just likes the attention of all those pretty nurses that are caring for him! ;) The doctor was explaining that although his active personality can cause more work for them, it is good that he is so active because it says good things about his brain activity.  God is so good.  I have read many success stories for babies that are born at such a young gestational age and many of them have grown up to outgrow all side effects of their severe prematurity.  I pray that this is in God’s plans for Jordan as well.  God is more than capable of healing Jordan completely.  I place all my trust in his plans.  By His blood we are Healed.
After we visited with Jordan, we stopped at the bakery for lunch.  This bakery is so yummy and has all kinds of interesting treats to try.  Also, they have AMAZING bread.  Japanese fresh bread is something I will miss a lot when we get back to America.  I have no idea how they make it so yummy.  Even when I make fresh homemade bread, it is still not as soft and fluffy as the Japanese bread.  Jason enjoyed his lunch.  I love the age that Jason is at right now.  He can communicate well enough to talk about his feelings and his interests and he gets excited about learning and exploring.  He has now figured out how to unbuckle his car seat.  Such a trouble maker he is!  But he has so much fun when we take him with us to Aomori.  He enjoys that daddy knows all the right bumps to hit to make it a roller coaster drive.  He also likes to call out all the things he sees.  Our drive is filled with “mommy, CAR!! Look, birdie!! Another tunnel!  Look mommy, a tree!!”  He is so much fun.
This evening, although there were many things we could have been doing, we decided to just relax.  I even took a nap!  It was very nice to take a step back and take some down time.  My house could really use the cleaning, but our well-being could use the rest much more!
Lord we thank you for this wonderful day and the blessings of your creation.  We appreciate the rain and the cooling feel that it puts across the land.  Your creation here is so beautiful.  We thank you for Jordan and his continued health.  We know that things could be going a lot worse but that you have your hands on him and are giving him your strength.  Lord we pray for his little lungs.  Would you continue to develop them and heal them of the damages caused by the ventilator.  We ask that you help Jordan to gain weight and grow quickly.  We have a goal that he can come off of the ventilator very soon.  I thank you for the bonding moment that I was given today and that my touch brought calmness to his body and allowed him to rest.  I pray that you would help him to know my voice and my touch and allow me to bring comfort to him and strength.  I pray for the other babies in the NICU and that you would put your hands on them and their families.  I rarely see other parents visiting their children and I pray that you would just touch their lives and bring them closer to you in this challenge.  Use me as a testimony toward them.  Give the doctors and nurses wisdom as they care for Jordan and select his treatment methods.  Be with Jason and help him to continue to grow and learn.  Thank you for his spirit and his fun and loving attitude.  Thank you also that he has been much less challenging to mommy and daddy lately.  I pray that this would continue and that you would allow us to parent him in a way that is godly and perfect.  Help us to be examples of godly living.  Thank you for allowing us rest today.  I pray that you would give us strength and endurance as this journey is not always easy.  Give us the motivation tomorrow to get many chores done and get caught up on our responsibilities.  Be with me as I prepare for my first day of classes to start.  Help me to not procrastinate and to look toward you for strength.  I know this will be challenging but I know that you will give me the strength to accomplish my tasks.  Thank you for your blessings in our lives.  Jordan is such a miracle and I am so honored that I get to be his mommy.  Continue to hold us all in your loving arms.  We ask all these things in your name, Amen.

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