102 days in the NICU

Today marks 102 days that our nephew, Jackman, has been at the Children's Hospital NICU. 102 days since my sister-in-law, Lisa, gave birth to him and had to watch the paramedics take him from her and put him on a helicopter to Children's. 102 days that they have driven 2 hours a day to visit with their baby during an allotted time period. 102 days since the life they already knew would be changed forever by the birth of their son was changed in a completely different way than they planned. 102 days is a long time.

On the other hand, it has been 102 days that we have been blessed to have Jackman in our lives. 102 days that his parents have been able to get to know him and hold him and love him. 102 days that his grandparents have been able to spoil him. 102 days that he has been able to grow stronger and become ready for surgery. 102 days that we have seen our big God work through our little Jackman. 102 days that I have watched my brother-in-law lean on his Heavenly Father in order to become the best earthly father for Jackman. A lot can happen in 102 days.

Jackman is doing great. He is adorable and growing like a weed (see pics below). He is smiling, playing and sticking his tongue out. He is a normal baby. He rocks a mohawk like nobody's business and has every nurse wrapped around his chubby little finger. We are more than ready to get this boy home. He needs to be at his house with his parents. He needs to meet his cousins, his extended family and his church family. He needs to be HOME.

He had his first procedure this past week to begin stretching his esophogus. He is presently sedated and on a breathing tube so that he will not disturb any of the stitches. They doctors will be checking tomorrow to see how the stretching is going. We originally thought they would be trying to attach, but it looks like now they are just going to be seeing what progress has been made.

Please continue to pray for baby Jackman. Join us in being specific with your prayers . Pray that Jackman's esophogus is growing, that the doctors will be able to attach it to his stomach SOON and that he will be home by Christmas. When we were young, we never just asked our parents for a bike. We were specific. We asked for a pink bike with purple streamers or a red bike with a black seat. Why should we be any different with our Heavenly Father? We know we may not always get what we ask for, but He wants us to ask and give Him all glory no matter the outcome.

Thank you so much for all of your prayers for our family! We really appreciate them!

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who is promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23