henry

Here's the latest on Henry. Thanks again, for praying, everyone! We've missed a couple of updates in between now and last time but we're soooooo thankful that he's doing so great.

"Happy Friday from Little Rock! Sorry for the delay in getting an update out; we have been busy with the day to day stuff that is our life these days. Hospital visits, doctors, nurses, feedings, meals laundry, trips to Fayetteville, play time, grocery shopping, all of these blessings from God to keep us busy, and to give us a feeling of normalcy in this unexpected journey we are on. Praise Him for giving us the freedom to manage our own lives, and loving it and drawing us close to Him when we turn them over to Him and His care.

Henry is doing well again this week. He continues to incrementally gain weight and is already up to 4# 14oz. He should cross the 5 pound mark easily next week. What an amazing change we see in him from 1# 13.5oz to the linebacker size he is today. His face is filling out and he is starting to get some meat on his bones. He is far from a chubby baby, but we are thrilled at how God is growing him right before our eyes. Please join us in praising God for this work, and praying for continued healthy weight gain and building strength in our boy.

Our plans for full breastfeeding apparently didn’t line up with God’s plan for Henry’s meals. Nikki worked diligently with him to help him learn but we think he is just too small and not quite strong enough to get all of his mama’s milk from the breast. We continue to praise God for Nikki’s ample supply and petition Him for long term success in breastfeeding. Henry’s docs suggested a breastfeeding, bottle feeding, and tube feeding routine that we have started this week. It seems to be going well and Henry continues to get his meals on time and in full. God really revealed Himself to Nikki in this process. With all she has been through so far, she was holding on tightly to her dreams to breastfeed Henry, and God allowed her to struggle with this, all the while staying right beside her waiting for her to let go and give it to Him. Lots of tears and heartache took her to the point of surrender, and then His peace washed over her. I continue to be amazed by my wife’s courage, faith, and strength during this trial. She has been getting lots of encouragement from friends with similar experiences, and continues to do her part for Henry’s meals. Praise God for not forsaking her, like He promises all of us, and for His endless supply of healing and comforting grace for Nikki, you, and me.

A few weeks ago we mentioned the developing hernia situation. Well that situation is in full bloom today. Henry has bilateral hernias that will require surgery. We are consulting with his docs to determine if we will have the surgery while we are here or return when Henry is a bit bigger and stronger. The ACH surgery team will advise his docs and we will likely know more next week. Please join us in praising God for his will in Henry’s life, and in praying for no additional complications or surgical challenges. If surgery is scheduled prior to our next full update we will send out a special note and prayer request. In the mean time, join us in praying for wisdom for his docs, and peace for Henry’s parents.
We are getting to that point in Henry’s stay that the topic of when we will be going home surfaces often. Currently there is no specific date planned, and we probably won’t know more until a couple of weeks prior to Henry’s release. Two of Henry’s nurses believe we will be home before the end of the year, but that is only speculation. Of course we would love to spend Christmas in Fayetteville, but we know it doesn’t matter where we are. We are here together as a family, and we can celebrate the birth of our Savior just as well in our great apartment in Little Rock as we can at home.
We have so much to be thankful for and we continue to be in awe of God’s work in our lives. He continues to provide all we need and more, and He continues to reveal Himself in as many of our situations and decisions as we invite Him. What an awesome God we serve and we praise Him for loving us so much. We praise Him often for you and for your notes, prayers, and phone calls. Thank you for being in this with us.

In His perfect care,

Steve, Nikki, An Na and Henry"