Finially some peace

Great news tonight, he got his vent tube out. But since he has a very small throat the doctors do not want him to eat anything to get in his stomach so that he does not throw anything up and irritate anything. It is pretty heart breaking seeing his face and hearing him cry b/c he is hungry and not being able to feed him something. he has a feeding tube at the monent b/c of the vent tube, it just surpases his stomach and strait into his intestines. so he is getting food but his hunger is very much there. steph was able to give him some pedialite to make him feel like he is eating. Coming by information on joshua is definatly slow and steady in the PICU. Which is frustrating and calming at the same time. In the NICU, we were kinda in the loop all the time after I stopped scaring people. In the PICU, it's almost like going to a murder mystery party where not everyone wants to play and you end up a couple of hours behind. But then again we got to know everyone in the NICU so well that they wanted to talk to us. Tomorrow they are going to do a test to see where the food goes when he eats, I'm not exactly sure what they are doing but it will give us some insight on how we need to feed him.

Thank you once again for praying for my little guy!

Please pray for our financial situation, for it to work its self out.

Pray the Josh does not feel hungry tonight and that he does great on the test tomorrow.

Joshua's Journey: From the NICU to the PICU

For the last couple of days, Joshua seemed to have congestion some congestion. When it got a bit worse, I called the doctor to schedule an appointment. We went in and got him some antibiotics and were on our way. The following day he had some bouts of paleness but I thought it might have been the light we were in until Derek came home and said the same thing. I called the doctor first thing in the morning and after taking his temp and counting his breaths, the nurse put me on hold and then told me I needed to call an ambulance. Talk about going from worried to frantic in about 10 seconds. I hung up with them and called 911.  First time for that. They came fairly quickly, I guess, but while waiting it seemed like forever.  Josh was just laying on his changing pad when everyone came in. They got him all situated in his car seat and transported to Memorial Hermann ER. While in transport he had a few apnea spells and began to turn blue. They got him in the room very quickly and just like his birth, a ton of doctors and nurses swarmed around him. After having to bag him a few times because he would randomly stop breathing, they decided to intubate him. They aren't used to intubating babies that small, and so they got our friends from the NICU to come do it! It was great to see familiar and friendly faces!! Since he was intubated, the pediatrics floor at The Woodlands didn't have an ICU, we were told we were going to Houston. So, Joshua was able to have his first helicopter ride at 3 months old. Once in Houston, they reran every test they had already done at the ER and still after almost 24 hours they aren't sure what he has. They said if it is a virus, we may never know:( The first thought at the ER was that he had pneumonia, but that doesn't seem to be the case. Little Joshua is a trooper and a fighter. We thank you for all the thoughts, texts, calls, and prayers. God is faithful and his got our little guy in his hands. It has already been apparent in so many ways the past couple of days. For example, we were sent to the ER because of his temp and breathing rate. Both, once at the ER we were told was sort of high, but alright. Not really a reason to go to the ER, but if we had not gone, he would have stopped breathing on me at my house with no doctors or nurses. God got him where he needed him to be when he needed to be there!!

Specifics to pray for:

He is now breathing on his own, but he is still intubated because his breathing can still be sporadic. Pray that it becomes more steady and he doesn't have bouts of slowing down his breathing so low.

His temp dropped to 94 last night, that is an issue. Pray that his temp goes back to normal. It was 99.5 this morning, so he's definitely not cold anymore.

That the antibiotics will knock out whatever got him down!

Pray for wisdom and blessing for all involved in caring for him. 

Pray for opportunities for us to be a light to those around us.

Thanks for all the prayers!!!!'n

Joshua's Journey: Settling in as our family of four!

I have a bit of free time and have been wanting to update for a while, but just haven't been able to sit down and do it. My wonderful friends came and picked Maddy up for church, which was so very nice, but also gave me time to do this! So, here's what's been up! Joshua has been out of the NICU for a little over three weeks now. The time has flown by so quickly, it's hard to believe it's been that long. That also means I only have 3 more weeks until I go back to work. It's bittersweet. I am enjoying my time here at home, but also miss being involved in the lives of the students.

Maddy has enjoyed having her brother home for the most part. She did say, "no no mommy," last week when I went to pick him up to hold him. Overall, she always wants to give him a pacifier when he's crying and a blanket to keep him warm. His temperature has been staying in the 97's since we have been home. I've tried to get him good and bundled to keep him warm. He also has still seemed to have a bit of trouble pooping. Hopefully as he gets older he will outgrow both of them!

My mom has been so kind to come over and help out with Joshua and Maddy. Having two kids is great, but Maddy is as far from a sit down and watch television child as there is. She is a tornado and is absolutely all over the place. I have no clue where she got that from. My mom continually tells me I was like that, but I just don't believe it! She loves to do stuff outside. We got her a t-ball set to help get some of her energy out, and she seems to enjoy it. Josh on the other hand still continues to sleep, eat and poop (occasionally). He is becoming more alert and is a blast to just hold.

The doctor told us to keep him like he was just born, which for any of you that know me, that is a difficult task. I like being on the go, but I must admit it was nice this morning. I was just able to sit and have a quiet time and do some other things that are not as easy to do with Maddy here. I might change to more of a homebody when I start trying to go places. It seems like it will be quite a chore getting them in and out of the car. I don't know how people do it with more than two!!

Looking back on the NICU experience, I still would not change it for anything. We grew closer to the Lord and closer as a family during that time. I am still super excited about the NICU ministry and am still waiting on God for clear direction on what he would have us to do. I did get to send a care package to an amazing godly couple in Amarillo that have a similar story to ours. I am sent links and am just so much more aware of people in the NICU now. It's crazy how God opens your eyes so much more after you go through experiences. With that said, if any of you hear of anyone that is in the NICU, please let me know. I would love to be praying for them and would love to send them a care package if they will be in there for a while!

Thanks for joining me in this journey, I couldn't do it without you!!

Specifics to pray for:


That Joshua and Maddy will come to know the Lord at a young age and will have a passion for Him.

For Joshua to poop, regulate his temperature well and stay healthy.

That we can spend quality time with both children to where they know they are loved, but also that they have to share mommy and daddy.

That I will get adjusted to working with the two of them. That I can be the best mom, wife and girls minister that God has called me to be!!

These are two verses that God has pressed upon my heart today:

James 1:19 My dear brothers, be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.

Colossians 4:6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone:

Have a great day!

Joshua's Journey: Homelife

We can't even begin to tell you how much fun we have had with Joshua and Maddy being at home together. Maddy absolutely loves her brother. She loves trying to help give him his pacifier or bottle and constantly thinks he needs to be rocked! She's still working on being gentle, but she loves to around him. We went to the doctor on Wednesday for a follow up and of course everything is off the charts, except on the low side. Massy was off the charts on the high side. The doctor did say that Joshua will grow more vertical than the steady curve most newborns experience and by 12 months he will be the same size. His favorite things to do right now are eat and sleep. Since Wednesday he has not had the poop thing happen, which was kind of strange for him. The doctor said they can go up to four days without popping and that is considered normal. It just seems that it's kind of painful for him and I just wish he'd get it out of there. His temperature also measured very low at the doctor. In the 96's and was up to 97.1 when we left. That is unusual because it wasn't below around 98 the whole time he was regulating it on his own in the NICU. This blog has truly been a blessing to write. God has taught me so much through it! One of the most evident is the power of prayer. I know you have been continuing to pray for this sweet boy, but I have some specifics once again.

Specifics to pray for:

That Joshua will keep his temperature regulated and it will stay in the normal range. That there are no underlying issues or infections.

That this kid will poop. I don't even care if it gets all over the place. I just want it to get out!! It's not slowing down his consumption of breast milk, which is good.

That Derek and I will make wise decisions as parents and know when to call the doctor. For wisdom in all who are caring for Joshua.

Continued guidance on how to minister and be a part of the lives of other NICU parents.

Thanks again for all the prayers. It is sooo great to be at home together, and y'all helped make that happen with your constant prayer!

Joshua's Journey: Finally home!

Last night was the first night at our house as a family of four. It was a lot of fun and a bit exhausting all in one. Maddy loved to meet her baby brother and is always corious to see what he's doing, which is mostly sleeping. Derek went to bring her downstairs this morning and she started screaming. Where's Joshy?? So she came into our room and gave him some kisses on the feet and all was then well with the world. She found his paci a minute ago and brought it to him too. She loves him and loves to help with him! Maddy went to the church for a while and I cuddled with Josh quite a bit while Derek tried to get some of the last few things for the house finished. It's been a quiet and relaxing day. Don't really have many of those because too many drive me crazy, but they are nice and really should be more frequent in my life. Though Josh's journey is far from over, I am going to write the blog when I feel led or know it's necessary, so probably not every night. After all, I don't have the nurses to feed Joshua at night anymore so I could write the blog. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the prayers and support. Keep em coming!! Though he's home he still has some obstacles to overcome.  If I were to have the option to do this journey again or to have him be born on June 27th with everything perfectly normal, I'd choose this every time. God showed up in many ways and taught us to trust and pray like we never had before. He changed our mindset on prayer, community and so many other things. He deserves all the credit!!! To Him be all the praise. If you ever have a friend, family member or co worker struggling with a preemie delivery, please let us know. We would love to talk with them and pray for them.

Specifics to pray for:

God will continue to be glorified through Joshua's journey and we have opportunities to minister to other families in similar situations.

For Joshua to continue to grow and thrive. He's still almost a month away from his due date. He is still supposed to be in my tummy. Crazy to think! He has an eye appointment next Wednesday. Pray that his eyes are growing like they should.

That Maddy and Josh will have a special brother and sister relationship and that God would be at the center of both of their lives at a young age.

Continued wisdom and blessing for the NICU staff. We already miss them all. They are special people!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Joshua's Journey: Day 69

As we walked in the hospital today, I couldn't help but have a little pep in my step. I wanted to get back to the room as fast as possible. After all, today was supposed to be the day! When we got back there Ronda called to see about discharge, and something in the conversation made me think today may not be the day. Ronda said the hadn't made the rounds yet, but we would probably go home today or tomorrow. The charge nurse came in and commented about how she couldn't believe we were going home today and how excited she was. After she said that, Ronda went out to talk to her so I really knew something was up. So the charge came back in and said we would go today or tomorrow. I was bummed but trusted their judgement. So,  were just wanting to see what the doctor said. Not 10 seconds after the doctor came in, Joshua's alarm went off. Seriously, he's determining whether you are going home today or tomorrow and you set your alarm off Josh. What are you thinking? I just looked down at josh to see if he still looked pink and the nurse came over too. She said he was grunting, but also nothing recorded with the drop except that it was a Brady. She looked back on it and said the machine wasn't picking him up and so it was a false reading. After that, Dr. Rivas had a pow wow with the nurse practitioner and we sat there. About 10 minutes later the phone rings and the nurse practitioner says to undo all his leads before dr Rivas gets back so he doesn't do anything fishy and that we were going home. Yeah!!!
Maddy would finally meet her brother. When we got in the door, Maddy stared at josh from a distance at first and then she began to point at him and want to touch him. She hung out for about 3 minutes and then went and did her own thing. She will be a great big sister!!

Specifics to pray for:

Continued health for Joshua and rest for the entire family.

Maddy really connects with her brother!

Our ministry with the NICU doesn't stop because we are out.

Wisdom and blessings for the Nicu staff.

Joshua's Journey: Day 68

TOMORROW!!!!!!

Specifics to pray for:

That Maddy is excited about Joshy.

He keeps all his levels up so he can for sure go home tomorrow.

Blessings and wisdom for NICU staff.

Opportunities to be a light for other NICU Parents.