31 days old 7-9-12

                Jordan is 31 days old today.  I am so thankful for my little family.  It is wonderful to have two amazing little boys and an awesome husband.  I am grateful for the time that Jordan has been in our lives.  He has taught us so much and we have grown much stronger with his birth.  Yesterday, Jordan was not having a good day.  They did blood work in the morning and his white blood cell count was high.  This could indicate an infection but not always.  It does indicate that the body is working extra hard to normalize an issue going on.  Jordan had inflammation in his lungs.  His breathing was not very stable and doctors believe this was because of a collapsed air space in his right lung.  There was also a cloudy area on his x-ray that indicated fluid in the lungs and a possible infection in that area.  In other words, the doctors think he may have pneumonia.  They started him on antibiotics right away and today when they took another x-ray, they saw big improvements in the cloudy area of his lungs.  Also, Jordan’s breathing condition became more stable.  The antibiotics had some effect on the area in his lungs.  The doctors took culture samples and will grow those to be sure the antibiotics that they are giving him are the right kind to eliminate the infection.  Pray that God would eliminate the infection quickly so that it does not set back the time that Jordan can come off of the ventilator.

                This lung issue is a side effect of CLD or Chronic Lung Disease.  This is a hard disease to avoid when a baby is born so young because of the ventilator damage that is caused to the lungs.  Jordan currently has CLD but the only way to stop the disease from progressing is to take him off of the ventilator.  Right now, this is not a good idea because Jordan is not ready to be taken off of the ventilator.  So instead, they have to treat the symptoms and control the damage to his lungs as much as possible.  It is very possible that Jordan could have lasting lung damage for the remainder of his life as a side effect.  We know that God is capable of anything and we trust and believe that God will control this issue and make Jordan as healthy as can be.  They are solely using HFV right now because this is better for his lungs and he is much more stable and can handle this ventilator better than before.  The doctor said that they would like to try to wean him from the ventilator in the next 20 days.  There is a big process to do this with altering settings and performing a few trial runs to ensure that Jordan is ready.  One of the things that make it easier to take him off of the ventilator is for him to be bigger.  The doctors would like him to be around 800 grams in 20 days so they can work on it.  His last weight was 505 grams. We know that God’s timing is perfect.  I pray that God would allow the doctors to see significant improvement in less than twenty days and would allow Jordan to gain weight faster than projected which would lessen the time that he needs to be on the ventilator.  The less time with the ventilator, the better chances his lungs have to recover.

                Yesterday, after finding out that Jordan had an infection, we immediately reacted by having many people begin praying.  We believe strongly in the power of prayer and believe that God is capable of fixing issues immediately.  God did show us his power by making a big change in the infection and by stabilizing Jordan’s breathing.   We were able to see the difference on the x-rays only 24 hours apart.  I am definitely not a doctor but there was an actual visible change between the two x-rays.  Praise God for His awesome power.  The nurse today told me that Jordan was my miracle boy! This makes me feel so great because even she who sees many miracle babies in her career still knows that this is a miracle.  I really hope the nurses seek God through their experiences with my sweet little boy.  I also hope that Jacob and I can be testimonies while we visit.  We still pray over Jordan every day that we visit and I know that the nurses see this and recognize what we are doing. 

                We have finished all of the process to apply for Jordan’s passport.  It was funny because during the application process, both parents are supposed to be present with the applicant so the person that is processing the application can verify that the baby’s picture matches the baby’s face.  We could not get around this rule because it is the law so someone from the passport office came up to the NICU so she could verify Jordan’s face to his picture.  I know this is the law but it was still kind of funny.  Like we are really going to take a picture of a different one pound baby on a ventilator for his passport photo.  But we are so thankful that we have gotten that accomplished.  Now we just have to wait for it to process and be sent to us.  This is good because we may be moving anytime between the beginning of September to the middle of October.  We still have no information as to where yet.  Jordan will be transported on a medical flight and I will most likely be going with him.  Jacob will probably be going commercially with Jason and our little puppy girl Lucy.  Pray that God would work together all the details to make this a smooth transition and an easy set of events.  Also pray that God would send us to a perfect location where Jordan’s needs can be met and we can be used in the greatest way by God.

                I gave Jacob and Jason haircuts today.  Jason got his very first Mohawk.  Jacob thought it would be cool.  I am not sure how long I am going to let him keep it though.  He looks very cute but I know that my mother would not approve one bit!! I always joked with her that I would do it but I was never really serious.  Well, two years old, and he has his first one.  He thinks it looks pretty cool though. 

                I am so thankful for all the time that I spend with all three of my awesome guys.  I love it when Jason cuddles up next to me and wants me to kiss all his boo boos!  I can’t wait until Jordan can come home and I can do the same for him.  I love my sweet little boys and my awesome husband.  Today the praise song that has captured my thoughts is “God of this City” by Chris Tomlin.  If you don’t know what song I am talking about then look it up.  It really has comforted me today.  I know that there is no one like our God and that Greater things are still to be done within our lives and within the life of our baby boy.  God is not done working yet.  I trust that God has great plans and will never leave us.  He will always be by our side molding, shaping, and equipping us for the purposes that he has for our lives.

                Lord, I praise your name for the work that you did last night on the infection in Jordan’s lungs.  Your power is so awesome.  You are an amazing God.  I really am amazed to actually see the difference between the two x-rays.  Thank you for showing us your power and for working in the life of our little boy.  We ask that you would continue to heal him and place your hands upon him.  Infuse him with your strength. Please be with his lungs and protect them from further damage.  Please allow them to strengthen and grow and mature so that the doctors will consider taking him off of the ventilator even sooner than originally planned.  I know that your timing is perfect.  Allow Jordan to have not lasting lung damage and issues from his prematurity.  We want him to be able to play sports, sing, dance, and live a normal healthy life.  We ask that you would continue to help him grow and help him to put on the 300 grams and more that he needs to remove the ventilator.  Put your hands on the processes to wean him off of the ventilator and give the doctors wisdom to know what paths to take.  Thank you for knowledgeable doctors and specialty care.  Lord I ask that you would be with Jacob and I as we continue this journey.  Help us to lean on you and to derive our strength in your word and your presence.  Lord please be with Jason as he is participating in VBS this week and allow your word and your example to be placed in his heart and mind.  Help us to be good examples for him and to mold him to love you.  Thank you for giving us an awesome church family here and for blessing us immensely with the support and love of these people.  We are so blessed and honored to be a part of your family.  Lord we love you.  We worship you and praise you.  Speak through our words and reach many people for your kingdom lord.  Here I am, send me and use me for your purpose.  Use my boys to make a difference and to follow your will.  Lord thank you for your blessings.  We praise you.  In your name I pray, Amen.