Scaring Satan

Christmas Eve we had a candle light dinner on the card table complete with table linens, china, and champagne. We sat by lil Bro's cradle. We had a wonderful dinner and the best Christmas Eve.

Master Brody is doing so well we are working on weening him off of his oxygen. We are up to 4 hours a day without it and he is doing so well. He is growing, we go back to the Dr. on Jan 2nd, I can't wait to see what he weighs now. We have had to weight-adjust his Prevacid. He eats every 3 - 4 hours. He has moments where he spits up more often and others when he's not that bad. He loves to be held and we love to hold him, lol. He loves his mobile and his little vibrating seat. Music calms him, especially when we sing to him. His eyes follow sounds, he smiles often, and he has several hours a day when he is very alert. He is more active every day. He is somewhere in between his ages. He definitely doesn't act like a three month old but then again he acts older than a newborn. He's just perfect, he is such a good baby, he rarely cries, and when he does he is either scared or starved. Even when he cries he is adorable (spoken like a true mommy).

God's mercy is never-ending. I thank God daily for how he has healed Brody. From the miscarriages to the hematoma and the pulmonary hemorrhage. Brody is anointed by God. Like the dragon was waiting for Christ to be born so he could kill him, I believe Satan didn't want Brody to be born or survive his extremely premature birth. But my God had other plans. Brody is going to do great things to further the Kingdom. Have you ever thought that you frighten Satan? Weird thought I know, but once Brent said that to me, that I frighten Satan. I have overcome a near-death experience, I have over-come other obstacles in my life and I still praise,love, and obey God. This is why we are to be thankful for our hardships. Just as Our Father had faith in Job, he has faith in us to continue to worship and follow Him when under attack. I thank God that Brody is going to be such a warrior, he has already proven that he is a fighter. So daily, frighten Satan; strengthen your faith, praise God, and pray. Isn't that empowering? You have the power to scare the most beautiful angel. Wow! My son, even unborn, frightened Satan. Go Brody Go, I can't wait to see what he does for God.

Pictures for you

Being Carried by Daddy

These are pics of when Brent was carrying Brody to the car leaving the hospital. Baby Bro was adorable looking around his new environment then when he realized he was safe he relaxed and fell asleep. I sat in the back seat with him and he slept all the way home. Did he know that his daddy had him covered? I doubt it, but not too far in the future he will realize that when his daddy has him he is covered in love.

And today I remind myself of this fact. I am a "Daddy's Girl" (I know most of you are thinking that is a major understatement) but I have always known that in my daddy's arms I find comfort and love. Today, we have found out that our little Maddy's (our fur baby) back is more serious than we thought. It does seem to be something degenerative and may change her daily living drastically. Any meds we can give her to help with the pain and swelling can cause damage to her other organs. Not the news we wanted to hear. Brent and I have poured our parental love into Maddy for the last 9 years, she is like our child too. And she loves Brody so much. She lays near his cradle and if his monitors beep she comes and gets me. I was so looking forwart to them being great buddies. Therefore, today I remind myself that I am in the arms of my heavenly Father, where I find comfort and love, two things I drastically need today.

Long Good Day

We went to two Dr's today. We left the house at 10:30 and left the hospital after 4pm, whew. Baby Bro's eyes are 100% healed. Alleluia!!! He has gained weight. He now weighs 8lb 8oz. Can you believe it? I barely can. He is such a good sweet boy. I can't express enough how much I enjoy the privilege of being his mommy. Isn't he the cutest? He doesn't mind his bath now that it is in water instead of a sponge bath. He also loves his mobile on his bed that plays classical music. He hates anything cold on his skin. And his smile is adorable. He wrinkles his forehead just like his daddy and he Loves to cuddle. Oh and one more thing you must know he loves to eat, obviously by his weight gain, lol.

Taking Care of Business

As you can see Brody really likes his pacifier. And mommy is glad because I can take away a pacifier but not a thumb. We are just busy busy feeding, playing, and doing laundry. A baby with reflux requires lots of burp rags and outfits. I am sleepy from the 3-4 hour feeds and the monitors beeping at all hours but am more rested than going to the hospital at least 2 times a day. I love taking care of my little man, he is so sweet and so much fun. I can't believe God chose me to be the mommy of such a special soul. He has had few spells and not deep ones. We are doing just great, praise God.

Doin Great

Sorry I haven't blogged I have been busy taking care of Brody and lovin every minute of it. He is the sweetest little guy. We have been getting along great. He has desated a couple of times but nothing bad (he came right back up on his own or with a little tap) and we are getting used to dragging the oxygen and monitors around the house with him. Lots of wires and cords for one little man. I'll blog more a little later, right now Baby Bro is sleeping so I think I should too. Thanks soooooooooooo much for your prayers, support, and love.

Home Sweet Home

We're home. Life is so sweet and God is so good.

Tomorrow Tomorrow

The plan is that Master Brody is coming home tomorrow. I spoke to Baby Bro's nurse a little bit before 11pm and he had a good afternoon. And he had a good day also. So we are still planning on tomorrow but as you know we have had that plan before. I know it is God's plan and His timing. So if tomorrow is right it will be.

Santa is not the only fat boy this season!

Can you believe it Brody is weighing in at 7lbs 7oz. He looks so much bigger in the last 4 days. His spell have gotten less and not quite as deep. All this means the exit for Monday is looking better and better. Deedee and I are ready, and his room is ready, His little "fur sister Maddy" is ready. Let us all pray that God in his infinite wisdom declares that Brody is ready to come home. Thanks for all the prayers and support.

This is Brody's fur sister Doesn't she look like she's waiting on her little brother. She has been walking around the house looking for him ever since Deedee came home from delivery. She is always sniffing his laundry bag as if we have him hidden in there. Seriously she never left Deedee's side when she was expecting and Maddy has been wondering "Where is that extra heart beat?" ever since. She will most likely be the best apnea monitor for Brody. At least that is what we are hoping. ---Brent

I agree with Brent, Maddy will probably watch Brody and be the most reliable monitor we have. Today I have been thinking about how Satan has tried to attack us while God has carried us through this uncertain time. Some small things and some not so small; Brent's lap top crashing at the office - which he replaced with a new one, my desk top at home crashing - which miraculously has nothing wrong with it after it arrived to our IT guy in Roanoke, cool huh? and the refurbished old lap top returned in time for me to use while mine went across state lines, my cellphone completely dieing, one night while holding Brody Brent saw a spot on my ear which I had our Dr. Kovach slice off (the spot not my ear, lol) - he said he was scared with our family history that it was melanoma but guess what - not, when we had the big snow last week my Mountaineer wouldn't start - easy fix new starter (after a frustrating new battery), then our sweet Maddy hurt her back playing in the field and is on steroids and has to go next week for x-rays. All of these things have been frustrating and most of them were not too costly or troublesome to fix but why did all of this have to occur in this 12 week time frame? Because Satan is our enemy and he wants to see us crack, he wants one more thing to push us over the edge so we pull away from God. I often include in my prayers that neither Brent or I fall away from Christ. The minute we deny it could happen to us is the time that we fall away. I pray that God heal Maddy quickly so she can enjoy her new baby Bro when he comes home. And I pray that God continue to bless us, protect us, and heal us, and that we never never fall away from Him. ~~~Deedee

Letter To Brody

Brent is apart of a group of men that have been studying together for 7 months to become strong Christian leaders; in their homes, communities, and congregations. I'm sure Brent thought the change in him during this strict study time would be immeasurable but honestly it's not. I can say with the utmost sincerity that my husband is one of the greatest leaders I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. And knowing him the way I do; I can't imagine a leader having a more genuine desire to do right. His assignment this month was to write a letter to his son; a letter that touched my heart and I wanted to share it with you.

Brody is doing great. Only 1 spell in 24 hours and he only desated in the 80's. Good Prayin Seth (and everyone else).

December 7, 2007


Dear Brody,

You have been everything your Mom and I prayed for. Many years before you were ever born your mom and I were in prayer for you. It is amazing to me that you have already been with us 12 weeks. You display so many of your mom’s characteristics and mine. Your movements and gentle demeanor show by no doubt that you are our Son. I love you more than I could have ever imagined and my hopes for you are endless.
It will be a great adventure to see what you become. I intend to make sure every day of your life is an adventure and I hope to show you all the joy in this life that God intends for you. It is not my desire to plan your life for you, I am anxious to see what your interest are, what will you enjoy, what will captivate you, what will you have natural talents in, what will you struggle with? So much remains to be seen.
There are a few things that I want to make sure you do have and they are as follows:
1) A deep respect and Love for your creator God.
2) A relationship and acceptance of your Lord and Savior Jesus
3) A hunger to get closer to them.
4) An obedience to Gods due to your love for him
5) A respect and love for your Mom
6) A respect for all women
7) A true friend to all you encounter
8) A pleasant personality
9) Self respect and a love for yourself
10) An intent to leave things better than you found them.
11) A true courage for all encounters knowing that God has you covered.

Brody as your life grows and you encounter many wonderful, and some not so wonderful opportunities I pray that you will seek God’s guidance and you will know without any doubt that you can approach your mom and me. It is my vow to always be accessible to you as your Mom and you are my #1 priority and will continue to be. I will always try to give you useful advice and try to aid in your ability to make good decisions. My goal is to empower you to become all that God intends for you, and assist you in overcoming any and all obstacles. I love you and know that you are a perfect gift from God.


Your Dad;

C. Brent Wilmoth

Pictures :) and More

I wondered how long before a revolt. Good for you Shelley for demanding what Brody's public wants, lol. I hope you like these pics.

Baby Bro was doing well tonight. He ate that icky barium contrast for his upper GI like a champ today. I think he'd eat anything. We add 1 tbs of cereal per 1 oz of formula and he sucks it down, it is so thick I don't know how he does it. He is gaining weight so quickly because of the cereal. He now weighs 7 lb 1 oz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can you believe it? I hardly can, when he weighed 2 lb 5 oz 11 weeks ago. The upper GI isn't official yet but it looks like his reflux is just severe and no other problems but we will get the official report tomorrow.

He is so sweet, all of the nurses love him. They can't believe how well he eats because most babies with reflux won't eat because it hurts, not Brody. He rarely fusses or cries although he does grunt and growl. It is a preemie thing, it's funny. I asked one of his nurses when they stop doing it and she said she didn't know cause we take them home, lol.

We love our NICU staff soooo much. I am truly going to be sad to not see them all on a regular basis. They do amazing work and love the babies so much. The closer we get to leaving the sadder I sincerely get to think of being out of the NICU loop. I won't hear stories about their families. I won't know how the expecting nurses are doing. I won't know what new babies are there and how to pray for them. These nurses are beyond words; I saw two of them individually pray for a procedure this week on a baby, so heart warming. It has been easy to fall in love with such a bunch. Maybe they will let me and Baby Bro come hang-out in the lounge once a week. No matter what - the NICU staff, the work they do, and the babies will always be on my prayer list and I hope from us sharing our experience with you , that they will continually be on your prayer list too.

Test Today

It took us 2 hours and 20 minutes to get to the hospital last night. We left in time to do his 5pm feeding and by the time we got there it was the 7-8 shift change break. So we had dinner in the cafeteria and visited with Master Brody from 8-9:30. Unbelievable that we were gone from the house for 5 and 1/2 hours and only saw Brody for an hour and a half. The weather wasn't that bad but it was grid lock on Patteson Drive. One hour and 45 minutes of the trip was from the coliseum to the hospital. Whew....

Master Brody is having an upper GI test today at 2pm. The doc wants to rule out any anatomy problems since his reflux is so severe. I'll let you know later tonight how it went. I just wanted to give you a quick update.

What's Another Week

I have waited for my baby for 35 years. I know most of you think, "How is that so when she is only 25.", lol. First of all I am unbelievably 38, secondly I have wanted a baby since I was 3. Ask my cousins I always wanted to play babies or be the barbie that had the baby (never the Stewardess Barbie - sorry that's not politically correct, Air Flight Attendant Barbie/Ken). I never excelled at academics or wanted to go to college. I reluctantly did and earned two degrees. I am not a sports girl, no laughing from my kids at that statement of the year. I never wanted to be a career girl. I have always wanted to be a wife and a mother. To say I have been saddened by our 4 miscarriages would be a vast understatement. Being a wife to Brent has been a joy. He is so appreciative of every little thing I do for him whether it's making cookies or cleaning the bath. And I am so appreciative that I get the luxury of being a house wife and not a career women. Do you know the Scrubbing Bubbles commercial? Where the bubbles say, "We work hard so you don't have to." Well, if you ever hear me call Brent Mr. Bubbles now you know why. He works hard so I don't have to. I love taking care of our home and inviting others to fellowship with us. But all of that has never squelched my desire for a child (I should write son because I have always known God would give me a son).

So waiting on God has been something that I do best. About 2 years ago while at Good News at the mall I saw a tea cup I had to purchase. It says, "Delight yourself in the Lord...and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4" I have prayed that Psalm for 2 years, believing it, echoing it in my head, and etching it in my heart. God has granted me the desire of my heart. Am I sad and disappointed that Brody is not coming home tomorrow or that he has spent his first 11 weeks of life away from home, yes. Am I angry, not on my life. God is good, all the time. Our dear friend Patrick said maybe this was the only way God could get a baby to us. Maybe God wanted to give me my desire but with my/our genetic make-up this was the only avenue. I don't know. But I do know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is in control and Brody will come home in perfect timing, when it is safe. Thank you for your prayers, I know they gave Dr. Lynch the right answer from God to wait.

Brody is still having his usual "spells". They are getting better and they are reflux related, which means he will grow out of them. We will re-evaluate Master Brody at the end of the week and decide if there is another target exodus. He is growing and doing so well he just needs to mature a little bit more. I tease the nurses that he is not having these spells any longer and that they are making up stories on him because they love him and don't want him to leave. Everyone at the NICU loves him or they are all really good liars and actors. I can't believe it's been 11 weeks and he still isn't even due until December 13th. Like I told Dr. Lynch, "After 13 years of marriage, 4 miscarriages, and 11 weeks in the NICU, what's one more week?"

Psalm 27:14Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
Psalm 33:20We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.

Pray for the Exodus.

Ok, after a long weekend and a day and night Sunday in the parenting room Deedee and I have "Demonstrated" that we are comfortable with the monitoring equiptment. We may be heading for the door. Our little man has a couple more things to prove. Less to no desat.. spells and his blood count numbers need to be stable. If all this is good then out the door we go. As you know last time we were to come home we lost power that night due to storm that night. Well my Dad and Mom has taken care of that option by donating his generator as a back up plan. (Thanks Dad and Mom) you guys are awesome. My father and mother in law have tirelessly been helping us with the remodel that was needed to bring him home and so much has been donated to us that it fills our living room floor. I feel like one of those family's that get a new home from Extreme makeovers. This is what it means to be held. God has used so many of you to encourage Deedee and I and I must say I have seen the face of Christ by looking into the face of all of you that have been there for us. I can't tell you all enough what you are now to Deedee and I. My office family has been awesome! Linda, Pam, Jim, Missy, Shawn, Ray, Ramone and Brandon, oops I mean Dustin:>) you guys have truly made my time available to that little bundle of joy. I owe you all Big time.
I pray that all of you that have read these Blogs over the past 12 yes 12 weeks have or are searching for a Church family like we have at the Morgantown Church of Christ and you have Bro's and Sis's like we have. If not please consider Deedee and I now part of yours.. It has been amazing how God has used this little boy to unite so many. I don't even know how many people have prayed for Brody and us. It is overwhelming. I can't tell you the number of Church's that this little guy has been prayed for. Places we may never get to visit or even know of so please let me take this opportunity to say THANKS and May God Bless you and multiply you 100 times over. Last but not least. First and foremost. I thank God!!! Deedee and I have a son. We have spent so much time on our knees for this little miracle as have many others that it is hard to take it all in how Faithful God really is. He is an Awesome God. It is with a tear in my eye that I write to you all tonight to pour out thanks and I hope we can encourage you the way you have encouraged us. Weeks ago we mentioned the movie "Facing the Giants" if you have not yet seen it please rent it and know that Deedee and I watched that just weeks before we learned that Dee was expecting and we had pledged to "Love God no matter what" as we saw in that movie. And I can't explain it but Brody is here. So by all means watch it and catch up on the whole story. If some one some how gets a message to the Church that made that movie we are in great gratitude to you for that amazingly inspirational message and renewing of our faith in God's Faithfulness.
So one more request I make of all of you. Pray that we can bring him home Wednesday. That it is God's will and is right for Brody and us.
Thanks!