Timothy's First Months

Dear Timothy,
I wanted to keep writing letters to you this month, but I've just been unable to keep up with that and driving to see you several times a day and recovering from surgery. So, I've been doing some simple posts on FaceBook and I'm just going to re-post them here for you.
Love,
Mama

Nov 2 -
From Cousin Brooke:
Prayers needed! My cousin (that watches the boys) went into premature labor early this morning & is in the hospital. Water has broken and she's 9 weeks early of her due date. Baby Timothy is on his way! Drs are saying he's just over 4 lbs and are keeping him in the womb as long as they can to help with his breathing mainly but fluids are almost totally gone. PRAY PRAY PLEASE!!
and later: Congratulations to Paul and Jacqueline! Baby "Tiny Tim" is here! Just got word that he came out screaming mad (great sign) and will keep you posted when I know more. He's got a head of RED hair and long limbs! PRAISE GOD!!
"For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him" - 1 Samuel 1:27

Nov 3 -
Hi all! Thank you so very much for your prayers and concerns. It really means a lot! The rumors are true. Paul and I are now parents!
Baby Timothy seems to be doing quite well. My water broke around 12:30 am on Tues and the midwife sent us to the hospital. After a bunch of testing, we agreed that a c-section was the safest choice for Timothy. So, my little red-head was born at 12:14, crying b...efore they had him completely out and just angry at everything!
Currently he is in NICU and they're saying 4 weeks at the minimum - most likely 8 or more. It really depends on how he does. He seems to be doing very well, but is having the normal issues associated with a 31 week old being out in the real world. He doesn't tolerate stimulation, so we're not able to touch him and we can't hold him until the IVs come out. He's breathing on his own, but has a CPAP backup (which is good because sometimes he forgets to breathe!).
We are eagerly awaiting the time when we can hold him, but for now he just needs rest, so we just go in and talk to him. He is so beautiful and seems to be quite a little fighter.
Again, thanks to all of you for your concern and continued prayers. We really appreciate it!

Nov 8 - We get to hold you for the first time.

bliss

 

It's like looking into a miniaturizing mirro

Nov 17 -
getting ready to head up to the hospital. I love getting to see my little boy!

Nov 26 -
Timothy Update: He weighs 5lbs, 8oz. He is taking every other feeding on his own (and doing REALLY well!). He still has times when his heart and/or respiratory rates drop, but is able to pull himself out of those. They haven't counted one of those against him since the 23rd! The nurses assure us that those will go away as he gets older, but especially when the feeding tube gets removed. At this point, we're just waiting for him to gain the necessary endurance to be able to eat all on his own. Everybody says that "one day, it'll just happen." I absolutely CANNOT wait for that day!

Dec 2 -
Today, Timothy is one month old. He also happens to be home! It's been a whirlwind couple of days, but he finally decided he was done with the NICU, started eating all on his own and passed all his tests. He weighs just over 6lbs, and rides in the carseat like a champ! Thank you all so much for your prayers. God has blessed us so much, not just with a beautiful baby boy, but with amazing friends and family.
Due to flu season and the Dr.'s recommendation, we are limiting visitors to immediate family. He's lived his whole life in a sterile environment, so it's best to introduce him to the world as slowly as possible. We'll let you know when it's ok to visit.
Thanks again, everybody. Your support has meant the world to us.

From Cousin Brooke: For those of you following the story of sweet Tiny Timothy...he went home from the NICU today with his wonderful parents! I know they are feeling overwhelmed and blessed...prayers appreciated as always! YAY for the best Christmas present a parent could ever ask for!! Praise God!

Dec 15 -
Timothy has been home for almost 2 weeks now. He is 7lbs, 9oz (can you believe he's packed on that much weight?). Everything is going really well and we are so happy to have him home.

Dec 22 -

Your Thursday dose of cuteness

Wonder

Today was my first day to visit Timothy by myself. Up til today, I'd always gone with Paul or one of the grandparents, and I was a little nervous about how it would go. Would I be able to handle the nursing and the Kangaroo Care with just my two little hands? I'd always had the option of help before. Would I hit one of my emotional lows and need someone to talk me out of it and they not be there? I just didn't know how it would go. But, I'm not nervous anymore.
You see, I haven't been good about reading my Bible these past few weeks. I blame it on recovering from the c-section and being tired and worried. But in reality, I just let those things get in the way. In all my life, this was the time I should have been reading my Bible the most. So, I took my Bible with me so that I could read it during the quiet times.
I got there and changed his diaper and we started nursing and he did so well! After about 20 minutes, he got tired, so we turned on the gavage feeding and, somehow, I managed to get us settled in for Kangaroo Care. He was all snuggled up against me, skin to skin, and I pulled out my Bible and started reading Psalms out loud. And for the 30 minutes that I read aloud, his numbers were great. He didn't desat one time and his heart and respiratory rates stayed right where they should be. He slept while I read, but every time I finished a psalm, he would open one eye and look up at me until I started reading the next. And then he would close his eyes and snuggle back up and sleep.
It was one of the most amazing and wondrous things I have ever witnessed.

Dear Timothy

Dear Timothy,

You were born today.

You are 4 lbs, 3oz.

You are 17.5 inches long.

You were born at 12:14 pm.

Your daddy said you look like a red-headed spider monkey. I'm not sure if that's accurate or not. I've only seen a little bit of your face and touched your hand.

You were born 9 weeks early. We don't know why you came so early, but we know God is watching out for you and we are trying not to worry too much.

You were born via emergency c-section, which is about as opposite to the birth we'd planned as you can imagine. We'd planned to have you born at a birthing center under the care of a midwife. Considering the circumstances, though, this turned out remarkably well. Dr. Noble is a great doctor and he took very good care of us both throughout the surgery.

We went to bed last night with no indication, no idea, of how things were about to change. Nothing was different about yesterday; you moved around as usual (although, you weren't quite as active as you could have been). I felt fine all day; tired, but fine, and went through my day as usual - I hung out with the J Brothers all day and then went to the chiropractor and then on home to spend time with your Daddy before bed. We went to bed around 10, read our Bible, said our prayers and you kicked around until I drifted off to sleep.

At 12:30, my water broke, and as this was a completely unexpected occurrence, the midwife told us to go to the hospital. Within 15 minutes, we were flying down the highway at not-quite-break-neck speed. I called Cousin Brooke, Grandma and Grandpa, and Marme and Pop, and we all started praying. Daddy and I prayed in the car, too. I wasn't in any pain, though I believe I was having really minor contractions. I mostly just felt uncomfortable and scared. We didn't talk much, but we held hands and prayed. At one point, we passed two police cruisers (and Daddy must have been going at least 20 over the speed limit), but they just continued on their merry way. Your Daddy said "the one time I WANT to be pulled over, nothing! I could have used a police escort!", which made me smile. Life is so contrary, sometimes!

Once at the hospital, they confirmed that my water had broken and tried to stop labor and get the water to replenish itself, but you were in distress and so we made the decision to have a c-section. It wasn't at all what we wanted, but we know it was the right decision to make. We were both so scared!

Our biggest fear for you was that your lungs would not be developed enough, but you put that fear to rest as soon as Dr. Noble pulled you out. You let out the biggest and most beautiful cry. You were MAD! It was a wonderful sound. As they cleaned you up, the nurses kept exclaiming about all of your beautiful red hair. I was glad it was red, but I wish I could have seen it! They wrapped you up and put a c-pap machine on you and bundled you into an incubator and hurried you out of the room. I got to see your cheek from far away for about 5 seconds.

It has been an exhausting day. You aren't even 24 hours old yet, but you are already so loved. Marme and Pop came up, as did Aunt Birdie and Uncle Parker and Bryce and Terri.

Ever since we got in the car to race to the hospital, I've been praying. I kept trying to think of Bible verses that would comfort and calm us, but mostly I drew blanks (which I think means I need to study more so that I will have verses ready for the next crisis, but that's another post). I did manage to think of two, though.

Matthew 1:21 - And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

At the time, I thought it was kind of an odd verse to think about, but it did provide comfort. The comfort is in the knowledge that God kept His promise about Jesus, so I know he'll keep his promise about caring for us. It was another passage, however, that really helped the most.

Psalm 24:1 - The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

What a comfort that was to me! Such a simple idea, but so full of promise and comfort and encouragement. I am the Lord's. He will take care of me. Of course, it made me think of one of my favorite hymns:

We Will Glorify

We will glorify the King of kings;
We will glorify the Lamb;
We will glorify the Lord of lords;
Who is the great I AM.

Lord Jehovah reigns in majesty;
We will bow before His throne;
We will worship Him in righteousness;
We will worship Him alone.

He is Lord of heaven, Lord of earth;
He is Lord of all who live;
He is Lord of all the universe;
All praise to Him we give.

Hallelujah! to the King of kings;
Hallelujah! to the Lamb;
Hallelujah! to the Lord of lords;
Who is the great I AM.

This song has been stuck in my head all day and had really helped to focus my thoughts and emotions and to know that God is in control of this entire situation.

I don't know what's in store for you, baby. I do know that you have a lot to learn before you can come home, and it won't be easy. I also know that Daddy and I love you so very much and we will be with you the entire time. And, most importantly, God will be with you.

Love,
Mama