Quick Update

Sorry I haven't posted. Busy busy. With getting the house ready and wanting to be with Baby Bro every chance I can it seems like time just slips away....then it's 11:30 ans I am so sleepy. Plus meeting the home health care gal and learning the 2 monitors and the oxygen we will be using at home, whew. Remember no news is good news with me. He is still just as cute as ever and growing like a weed. Yet still doing his little desaturations. The deep saturations are getting less often. And I haven't stopped at Wal*Mart and had my new pics put on a disc to download to show you, maybe today. You all are gonna hang me. Most of you know that we will be quarantined when we get home because it is RSV season (this can be fatal for preemies) so I joke and say that I will have "showings" at certain times. Open the curtains and hold Bro up to the bay window so you all can see how cute and big he is, lol. Because we have been told no visitors and keep Brody in except for doctor visits. I am a homebody and as much running as I have been doing in the last 10 1/2 weeks I can't wait just to stay home. No news on our friends today. We have met a new family. The parents are Ty and Carissa and their baby is Caden (not sure of spelling) and he needs our prayers. He is having a lot of issues and the investigating is going on as to why. The are a young, sweet, strong Christian (married) couple.

xoxo,
Baby Bro's Mommy

Not Home Yet

Well......we couldn't post last night because our power was out but we did not get to bring Master Brody home. Praise God too because had we brought him home then no power for about 9 hours wouldn't have been very comforting. He had a couple spells where his saturation numbers went too low. Dr. Lynch will re-evaluate things tomorrow. As of now we do not have an idea of when he may come home, maybe a couple of days, maybe another week. I say, "When we have waited 10 years for a baby and been in the NICU for 10 weeks, what's one more week?" In the grand scheme of things......no time at all. As my niece said, "It's not like he'll start kindergarten from the NICU." We would much rather err on the side of caution. Soon enough....soon enough.....

Brody is still doing well, gaining weight like a monster (6lb6oz). I just can't believe he weighs that much. He still has "spells" but they are reflux related but they are what's keeping us from coming home.

On another note. I talked to Shane and Tabby today. They are hanging in there. It is really rough for them. Please continue to pray.

Also from Sunday's blog there is a comment from another couple, Andrew and Sheena, we have met. They lost one of their twins, Isabella, and their little Adyson is still fighting her hardest. You can go to their blog and check it out, Sheena gives the blog site on her comment. (Thank you for doing that Sheena :) They need our prayer desperately also.

Tonight makes me wonder, "Did God long for Christ to come "home"? As Jesus was walking this earth, did God look down upon His son and desire for him to be home in heaven with Him? God could have made that happen in an instant but He chose not to because He wanted to save mankind. I don't know....I just know I can think of nothing I want more than Brody home and how nothing fills that hole. Then I think there is nothing we experience on this earth that the Holy Trinity hasn't experienced already.

Can You Say Castaway?

How many of you remember the Tom Hanks movie of a few years ago, Castaway? Where he was deserted on an island after his plane crashed and he was the only survivor. He had only some packages that were scheduled for delivery via FedEx , some tropical fruit, and his own whit. He learned to survive in that dismal experience and went through many challenges. He had even made a few feeble attempts at getting off of the island only to find that his life raft could not get over the breakpoint. He finally figured out how to do it with the use of some of the remains and there is a scene where he successfully makes it out to sea,(where this is his only chance of being rescued after 4 years on that island) and there is a distinct look on his face. One that Deedee and I can now identify. Even though he desired to get off of that deserted island he had learned how to survive there. Even though it was miserable, it had become comfortable, he had no way of knowing if his raft would survive the ocean waves or not, but he knew that if he stayed on the island he would never be rescued. So he had to break over the waves, get out to sea, enter the unknown, and take his chance amongst the waves and the unforgiving sea.This is the feeling that we share as tomorrow Brody is scheduled to come home. We have so anxiously awaited this day, the staff says he is ready and they celebrate his homecoming with us. Yet we look back at the NICU as our "island". These last 1o weeks have been gruelling and exhausting but we now know what to expect as NICU parents. Like Tom Hank's Island, it's not the life we want but it is safe. None the less we must charter out into the unknown, for this our ultimate desire. Although the sea may be rough at times and we are certain there will be "unknowns". We do know God is already AT Sea waiting for us, guiding the waters. That is the biggest encouragement; knowing that Our Savior lives in the realm of what we call "unknown" for he is already waiting on us there and we know He will take care of anything that could arise.

Sad Day

Baby Trevor didn't make it through the night. Please pray for Shane, Tabitha, and their families.

Knee Time

Brody is good. Basically still the same just waiting to "grow" out of the desating so we can come home. He had his immunizations yesterday and his RSV shoot today. He is a lttle cranky because of these but still a sweet boy.

But tonight I sincerely ask for Deep Prayers for our new friends (and brother and sister in Christ), Shane and Tabitha. Their Baby Trevor is needing The Great Physician now more than ever. Trevor had heart surgery last week and has had a rough time recovering. He has required more oxygen and an oscillator to pump that air into his lungs. After surgery he had a lung collapse. And his heart slowed down at one point that CPR was required. Tonight..... his saturation level is dangerously low. Before Brody was born I had no idea what this meant, so I'll explain. Saturation is the level of oxygen we carry through our blood to the rest of our body. Shane and Tabby are staying in the NICU tonight. This is their first baby after a miscarriage last year. Trevor will be four weeks old on Friday. They need God's healing hand immediately. Please earnestly pray for them.

Be thankful for all things comes to mind tonight when I think of Shane and Tabitha. I would have done anything for Brody not to have been born early and had to endure all that he has but I wouldn't have met Shane and Tabitha, or Miranda and Tim, or Gabe & Michelle, or Michael & Barbie, or all of the wonderful NICU staff, and for that I am thankful. Isn't it amazing how God ALWAYS includes a silver lining?

P.S. Sorry for the goof on the picture last night. I must really like that one since I had Brent post it again. It's fun to be me (oh bear of little brain).

Closer to the Door

For the first time we are talking discharge. Brody got his circumcision last week, his immunizations today, and we will be taught CPR this week. We have also been offered to stay a night in the family room before we go home. The family room is a room where we would stay, just the 3 of us, and take care of Brody through the night to see how we handle if he has a spell. But he is not ready yet. We are just heading in the discharge direction. He needs to have at least a 24 hour period where he doesn't have a deep spell. He had one bad spell last night and 4 other less significant ones. Much better than so many the nurse needed another sheet of paper to write them all down. Therefore, staying in the family room may or may not help us depending on whether he has a spell. We could stay 1 night in the family room with no spells and then get him home and he spell on the first night. Plus we still have to accomplish the "Car Seat Challenge". Brody has to sit in his car seat at least the amount of time it takes to get home (plus time for traffic, accidents, etc) without a spell. Babies have been ready to go home then have to stay because they "flunked" the challenge. We are not talking a discharge date just walking towards the day.

Speaking of discharge, Hannah Grace went home today. Her momma, Miranda, and I joked about how we will stay in touch and have an arranged marriage. So when they left Miranda said to take care of Hannah Grace's husband. We will see them next week because Hannah will be back for a follow-up. It was such a joy to see her little legs kicking today. I think her surgery will be 100% successful.

Baby Trevor is still fighting hard. Please keep praying hard. His mommy and daddy are just the sweetest people ever and it is so disheartening to see them so sad and troubled.

Why when it rains it pours? Right after Brody was born Brent's lap top died at the office. So he had to buy a new one. Then a couple of weeks ago my mobile phone died. So he had to buy a new one. Then over the weekend our desktop died at the house. UGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!! Fortunately, Brent's IT guy bought a second hand motherboard and fixed his broken-down laptop. That is what I am using at the house now. But unfortunately ALL my pics were saved on my desktop. So now we need to get the desktop to the IT guy in Roanoke to see if we can recover my "stuff". I have yet to re-load my pics onto the laptop (it sounds like a big job to me). So no pictures for your viewing pleasure today. Sorry :(

xoxo,

Brody's Technically Challenged Mommy

(oh wait Brody's Daddy just came home and got one added to the hard drive for your viewing pleasure isn't he soooo adorable?! Brody that is :>)

Again Night night.

All Done

Today was a day of "All Done". Master Brody is all done with his reflux study, with his circumcision, and a higher care room. We got moved to the step-down room today (we have gotten moved to lesser care before then moved back, so hopefully this is for good). Little man is groooooooowing. He weighed 5lb3oz tonight(just for you Aunt Naomi). And now 17" long. Can you say, "Put me in the game, coach."? I think he's almost ready to suit up for those Mountaineers (huh, Pappaw?). I used to say he was a pack of sugar now I say he is a bag of sugar, either way he is so sweet. His spells are better but not gone. Hopefully in another week he will have matured out of them.

Bad thing about being moved is we didn't get to see Shane & Tabitha. So we don't have any updates on Trevor. Maybe tomorrow.....

xoxo,
Brody's Mommy (obviously since there were no references to Philistines)

They're gonna cut where?

Tomorrow my son will no longer be a Philistine. For those of you a little behind on your old testament, Brody is scheduled for his circumcision. I think the look on his face says it all; "They're gonna cut where?' OieVay!!! This little fighter has been through so much I hate for him to have to go through one more thing, but this is encouraging news as it is a sign that he is improving well enough to take on this procedure. Ofcourse, as his dad, I might add that it is a Major procedure :>) Anyway, it has been a decent day but not without some spells, if he can just get this breathing thing down we will really be on our way.

As Brody's Daddy, I want to thank all of you again for all the prayers and encouraging words, they have certainly helped to carry Deedee and I through. I want to say how much love and support we have received from our parents. Thanks Mom and Dad, Big E and Gram Cracker. Our Sib's... (D and I are truly blessed with awesome Bro's and Sis's and our In-laws are "in" not outlaws.)

Updates on other NICU families; Baby Trevor is stable, but still in need of much Prayer. Hanna Grace is still on schedule to go home early next week, And there have been so many admissions this last few days Deedee and I are sure we will be meeting many more families.

I want to Praise God Almighty that he has trusted Deedee and I with this opportunity to reach out to other families. I still am amazed that he uses me in his service and gives us the privilege of inviting others into His Kingdom. All are welcome and all are wanted, God sees us all as his children and He Loves you and I the same. I can understand how he loves Deedee as it is hard to know her and not love her, me on the other hand is a little tougher. I am not down on myself I just know myself way better than anyone else does and I am tough to love. But this verse tonight that I am going to share with you all sums up Brody's day tomorrow and how God views us all.

Colossians 3:11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

So, therefore, I look forward to meeting all the other NICU parents and Hope that Deedee and I can encourage them as Christ has encouraged us through so many of you.
Thanks!

Just a Swingin

Here's a picture of our little man on his Slope & Swing. He is doing so much better today. I pray he continues. It was one of those "ugh" days in the NICU. We couldn't get in to see him from 1:30 til 4:00 because of a procedure on another baby in his room. We, hopefully, will get the results of the acid belly probe and the apnea monitor tomorrow. He was supposed to have a test on his kidneys on Monday but he was "spelling" so bad they held off. He then was supposed to have his circumcision today but needs to have the kidney test first. So those two things are coming up soon but not sure when.

Baby Trevor is stable and healing today. His mom & dad (Tabithat & Shane) are holding up ok but need your prayers. Tabitha has health issues of her own and the NICU pace and roller coaster will be hard on her. They are so sweet and need our support.

Yesterdays Update Today

Brody is doing the same. Doing well with bottle feedings, having a little reflux, but still desating and turning blue. Mommy & Daddy do not like these "spells". His stats fall hard and fast but the team is working hard to find a cause, it may still be maturation and he'll "outgrow" it as quickly as next week. It may be central apnea. They did apnea monitoring for 24 hours, it will be downloaded and analyzed. Master Brody had a hearing test yesterday which he passed with an A+. He also had a repeat eye exam, he got an A. His eyes are 95% formed, he will have one last follow-up in 3 weeks. Yesterday he was 8 weeks old.

I have an update on Trevor. He had his surgery yesterday to close his PDA. He did well during surgery then after surgery his lung collapsed. He is stable but they are watching him closely. He is a fighter. His middle name is also Michael, just like Brody, named after the Arch Angel. These little guys are warriors and they fight hard. Please just keep praying for baby Trevor. He has a long road ahead of him. (And so do his mommy and daddy, Tabitha & Shane)

Glad I gave you a picture last night becausse the picture thing isn't working again. lol

Short and Sweet

A picture for your viewing pleasure. I'll update tomorrow morning with all the new updates. xoxo.

Don't Worry Be Happy Now!

Master Brody has had a good day. Mommy too. I've been up there most of the day. I fed him his bottle 3 times today. He does so well. Most of the time he eats more than the requirement, which makes up for the couple of times he doesn't. He is still having his usual problem. Desating then into bradycardia. These "spells" are clustered around his feedings (even on day 3 of the new drug for his reflux). He was started on an apnea monitor that will give a more accurate reading of his spells. Now it's an investigation game to uncover the reason and fix it.

I didn't get to talk to Hannah Grace's parents today. She should still be going home soon.

Waylon's parents went home to Parkersburg for a few days to re-group, rest, and re-set (therefore I do not have any updates on him). Poor Michelle went to the doctor one morning and by the end of the day was in Morgantown via ambulance then a week and 1/2 later delivered Waylon. Needless to say she wasn't prepared mentally or physically for an extended vacation at the Ronald McDonald House.

Our new friends, Shane & Tabitha need prayers for baby Trevor. He will undergo heart surgery tomorrow to close the PDA. He is still very little and they are very nervous and have asked for our prayers.

I told Tabitha that God is already at tomorrow, so don't worry. I say that often sometimes people don't get it and think I'm crazy (ok kids I am crazy but everyone doesn't know, shhhh). But God is ever-present right? So he is in yesterday, today, and tomorrow at the same time. He knows tomorrow today. He is waiting for me in tomorrow today. I don't have to worry about tomorrow because God is already there. God is in tomorrow knowing what the day holds, knowing what I need before I do, waiting to hold me or cheer for me.

Worry does no-one any good. It only eats at the worrier and does not change the circumstances even a little. Nada!!! The more I have learned to truly trust in God my worry has escaped (thank you Jesus). Worry can be debilitating and when we are debilitated Satan wins. If I lay in bed and worry if Brody is breathing doesn't change whether he is or isn't. But it will change what kind of mommy he has tomorrow. And if Shane and Tabitha are up all night with worry about Trevor's surgery it won't change the outcome. But sleeping well tonight and praying during the surgery will. I pray we all learn to throw our worries away, God wants that for us. Try it, it's exhilarating and life changing.

Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life ?

Matthew 6:25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?

Finally a Blog

Master Brody wore these on Halloween after he took off his Dr. Pete costume.

Too cute. Thanks Sissy!

I'm sure the people at church that told me they were mad at me for not blogging for a few days are not alone. Please forgive me? I guess I needed to precede it with a note that no news is good news. After 8 weeks, more fatigue brings less words and creative thought. I had a great suggestion that if I have no words left after being bombarded with medical info for the last 8 weeks that I should post some pictures for your viewing pleasure. So here on out if you see pics and no words, we are good just fatigued.

Over the last few days Brody's reflux has gotten the best of the little guy. He was moved back to a higher care room (which is fine with us). He started a new drug yesterday. It is a drug on a drug study (he qualified for this study because his reflux is more on the sever side than the mild side). Several of the staff have told me that they have seen babies make an amazing turn around after being on the drug for only the 6 day study time. His bottle feeding went up to 4 in a 24 hour period, then back down to 1 in a 24 hour period, then 2 in a 24 hour period. Now since he is on this drug he is on all bottle feedings starting today (8 in a 24 hour period). Tonight he took 47cc. He did so good. They mixed some rice cereal in it to thicken it to help with the reflux. He had two "spells" while we were there where he desaturated and had bradycardia. That's what we need this new reflux drug to fix. Since being on the "Slope & Swing" (for the reflux) his little legs and feet are swollen form the constant angle. He is also doing really good at keeping his body temperature warm enough. And.........once again he was cuter today.

A baby passed away today in Brody's room. Once again a hard reminder of how fragile life is in the NICU. It made a long day for us as we were out of the NICU and couldn't see Brody so that the family could have some private time. We have not gotten to meet this family but we spent the afternoon in prayer for them and will continue to do so, please join us.

Since being moved to another room we met another couple. Shane & Tabitha. Their baby is 2 weeks old. He was 27 weeks gestational age and weighed 14oz. The umbilical cord was underdeveloped and he wasn't getting enough nutrition. He should have weighed about 2lbs. He is holding his own and his parents ask for prayers. His name is Trevor and he has a long road. They also attend the Church of Christ in their home town.

Waylon had a little set back with a perforation in his bowel. So please pray this heals quickly and he gets back to growing.

Hannah Grace!!! She should get to go home this week. It will be bitter sweet to see her go. I have enjoyed getting to know her mommy, Miranda, soooooooo much. They are such a sweet family. Hannah's prognosis looks good, keep praying that she gains full use of her legs. I can't tell you how pretty she is. She has an angelic round face with big eyes and lots of dark hair. She is beautiful. Maybe Miranda will share pictures with me that one day I can share with you.

Once again just so grateful for our gift from God in Baby Bro. He is so sweet and we know what a blessing it is that he is continuing to heal and grow. It will be an awesome Thanksgiving. PTL

He Keeps Getting Cuter

I didn't think it was possible but everyday he gets cuter. This picture shows how big those tiny hands are in comparison to his wee self. I keep a hat on him (sometimes mittens too), the nurses will put a tee-shirt under his sleepers and socks sometimes. Because occasionally he has a problem keeping his temperature up. So many things for such a little guy to do. Whew!!

This picture shows the hemangioma on his check (you may have wondered about it in earlier pictures). It wasn't there when he was born. It can be a preemie thing or it can be hereditary but since neither of our families have it, we're thinking it's a preemie thing. It's a cluster of capillaries. It started out as little red dots and grew. It may get bigger then it will start to fade. It should be gone by the time he is 12 - 18 months. We had it checked by awesome Dr. Kovac (he treats all of our family skin cancer - unfortunately for the Walker clan). He said it is nothing to worry about and that it will go away on it's own. PTL (praise the lord) because some are under the skin and cause problems or require surgery. One more way God takes care of us before we even ask.

Master Brody tired-out taking 2 bottles in a row then 2 NG feeds. So today he did a bottle in the morning then one in the evening. He did really well with that. He starts a new reflux med tomorrow so I hope that does the trick for him. We did find out that he had had an Urinary Tract Infection in October that somehow wasn't relayed to us. There was a follow-up test yesterday to make sure it was gone (so far so good - no infection growing in the culture) and he'll have to have a test next week to make sure it won't be a reoccurring issue.

I learned how to do some baby massage today. It is good for him on so many levels. I learned how to touch him to reassure him that I wasn't going to do any tests. Since he has had so many heel sticks for blood tests I learned how to make his feet less sensitive. The therapist, Debbie, said some preemies are so sensitive that they walk on their toes. I also learned how to help with the edema in his legs from the Slope & Swing. Debbie also taught me some moves to help with constipation.

Our NICU friends are great. Hannah Grace is working on her discharge papers. And Waylon is off of the ventilator ALREADY and on the CPAP. Something that took Brody weeks to do. I pray pray pray their roller coaster ride is less exciting than ours. He doing so well. PTL for sure. Yeah!!!!!!!!!!

Surprise!!!

Well. This is the surprise. Brody had his first bottle yesterday. He did so well, yay!!!!!!!!! He had 26cc (30cc is an ounce). Then this morning he had 37cc at 11am and 33cc at 1pm. He then did 2 feedings by the NG tube and will do his 11pm and 1am feedings by bottle. Basically feedings alternate 2 bottles and 2 NGs. He is doing really well with eating. Unfortunately he is still not doing well with his reflux. It is really bad and he is so good. Most babies are so fussy because they are uncomfortable but he isn't. He is an angel. The reflux makes his breathing unstable still. Prayerfully it will be better soon.

Baby Waylon is doing well. Mom, Michelle, is healing well too. She was walking well today and was so happy because she got to take a shower. Such a blessing when you have been on bed rest for over a week.

Today

Brody had a great day! That's all I'm gonna say about Breezy's Man Cub.

Gabe and Michelle Kirby named their little guy. His name is Waylon Joel. He is doing really well so keep praying.

Little Hannah is recovering so well from her spine surgery. She got moved into the room with us today. Her parents are so sweet, they are extremely thankful for your prayers.

But to find why we had such a great day you have to wait til tomorrow............................

A night on memory lane.

Tonight I will make this short because it's late and we are weary. Brody is doing well. Still having some issues while he is digesting. But he is still in his crib and has kept his body temperature up. Tonight he weighed 4lb 8oz. We long to bring him home and to hold him with out all of the cords......

Tonight we had a shock. While looking into the LadyBug room we saw a brand new preemie. He is the son of the couple we asked you to pray for last night. He came early. He is 25 weeks gestational age, about a week and a half earlier than Bro. He weighed 1lb 14oz. Gabe, Michelle, and their new little one needs our prayers, love, and support. We feel so blessed to have gotten to know them. And we are weary for them because we know all too well the road that lies ahead for them in the NICU. We know how scared they are tonight and how shocked they are from the days events. It was truly an dichotomy of emotions. We didn't know whether to be happy Brody was here or be sad because he was here way too early and I am sure they are feeling exactly the same way tonight. I will keep you updated on them too. Tonight I ask that you earnestly pray for his first few days, they are so critical.

Just a reminder of where we have been and where we are. And the road the Kirby's will travel.

Counting My Blessings

We just got home from visiting our little man. He was extra sweet tonight. We graduated today....to a crib! Woohoo!!!! Out of the isolette and into a crib!!! He's much easier to kiss. :) He weighs 4lb3oz. This should be enough weight for him to maintain his temperature. He will be watched closely tonight to make sure. Mommy's afraid he will get cold so I put on his scratch mittens and his hat. This also means that he has been moved to the Slope & Swing. This contraption will help with his reflux. He lays on a wedge at a 45 degree angle (I think) in a little swing (so he doesn't slide down the wedge). The swing ties to the spindles on the crib to keep him secure. He was adorable when we first put him in it. He was looking all around. I think he was thinking, "hey, this isn't my bed, where am I, what's that noise, it's brighter in this bed, I can see more, I can hear more, wow."

He is doing really well at sucking his pacifier. And tonight he got a hold of his thumb once and a finger before that. This week he started making little noises especially while he's being fed, it's too cute. He still doesn't like his bath. But bath night was easier tonight in the crib rather than the isolette. Good week!!! Definitely a wheeeeeeeeee on the roller-coaster.

Please pray for a new friend, Michelle Kirby. She is at Ruby on bed rest. Her pregnancy is at 25 weeks and she will be at Ruby for 7 weeks. As those of you that have gone through this with us you know how dangerous it is for a baby to be born before 30-32 weeks. That is the gestational age they are trying to achieve for Michelle's baby. She has a long 7 weeks ahead of her as does her husband, Gabe. So I ask that you add them to your prayer list. Also we have met a family in the NICU that their grand-daughter was born with spina bifada. Her name is Hannah Grace. I asked them if there is anything we could do to help them (being that they live 4 hours away and came with only the clothing on their backs) They asked for one thing - Prayer for their Hannah. That I can do.

These last 6 1/2 weeks have been surreal. I was raised to count my blessings; to see my cup as half full never half empty. Sometimes that is hard to do. Life can hand us unfair situations. As I look around the NICU my heart breaks. Babies with parents that don't visit, babies that have not survived the night, babies that will be permanently disabled and I have my Brody, finally. And although Master Brody took his time getting here and although he had a very rough start. He is Good!!! My blessing are so great! Praise the Lord!

No Worries - Just Christ!

This pic shows my two guys having a deep conversation, probably about camping, tractors, or cars. Brent and I love to tell Brody all of the fun things we are going to do together as a family. We have such hopes and dreams of the things we will all do together. When I think of this I think of how God has been telling our hearts since before our first breath of all the things He wants us to do. Sometimes we don't hear those things; sometimes we don't take time to listen. One specific time in my life I felt like God wasn't communicating back to me - then like a light bulb; I got it, God doesn't leave voice mail. We need to be still to hear His voice in our life telling us what He wants us to do - as a family. One of my seasoned teens sent me a cool thought this week that I'd like to share with you tonight (technically very early morning, oh well). (Thanks for thinking to send me this Skillet, I needed that reminder too, xoxo dude)

As you got up this morning, I watched you, and hoped you would talk to me, even if it was just a few words, asking my opinion or thanking me for something good that happened in your life yesterday. But I noticed you were too busy, trying to find the right outfit to wear.

When you ran around the house getting ready, I knew there would be a few minutes for you to stop and say hello, but you were to busy. At one point you had to wait fifteen minutes with nothing to do except sit in a chair. Then I saw you spring to your feet. I thought you wanted to talk to me but you ran to the phone and called a friend to get the latest gossip instead. I watched patiently all day long. With all your activities I guess you were too busy to say anything to me.

I noticed that before lunch you looked around, maybe you felt embarrassed to talk to me, is that why you didn't bow your head? You glanced three or four tables over and you noticed some of your friends talking to me briefly before they ate, but you didn't. That's okay. There is still more time left, and I hope that you will talk to me yet.

You went home and it seems as if you had lots of things to do. After a few of them were done, you turned on the TV. I don't know if you like TV or not, just about anything goes there and you spend a lot of time each day in front of it not thinking about anything, just enjoying the show. I waited patiently again as you watched the TV and ate your meal, but again you didn't talk to me.

Bedtime, I guess you felt too tired. After you said goodnight to your family you plopped into bed and fell asleep in no time. That's okay because you may not realize that I am always there for you.. I've got patience, more than you will ever know.... I even want to teach you how to be patient with others as well.

I love you so much that I wait everyday for a nod, prayer or thought, or a thankful part of your heart. It is hard to have a one-sided conversation.

Well, you are getting up once again. Once again I will wait, with nothing but love for you. Hoping that today you will give me some time. Have a nice day!

Your friend,
GOD

I can't imagine one day Brody not talking to me. Can you imagine how God feels when He has plans for us and we don't even give Him the time of day? So I encourage everyone to talk to God today and see what He wants you to do today. (I hope He has a lot of holding Brody planned in my day.) Love you all!!!

Master Brody had another great day. He had his eye test earlier this week. We are 80% clear on having to have anything done. He will have another test in two weeks. His feeds have been moved up to 32cc over 60 minutes instead of 90 minutes and he is doing very well with that. He is gaining weight. He now weighs 4lb2oz. Soon he will weigh enough to be out of the isolette. His reflux still bothers him. When he gets out of the isolette he can be on a slope & swing to help with the reflux. All forward steps this week. Unfortunately, that makes me apprehensive, I have learned the NICU roller coater, I pray there is no loop de loop ahead. But if there is - God's already there waiting to pull us through. AMEN!!! I'm so glad I don't have to have it all covered because He does. That's why I have a twist on the Outback slogan. No worries - Just Christ!!!!!