Monday, July 30, 2007
Long Time Coming
When Rachel called me after the babies were born and asked if I wanted her to "do something" to get the word out, I knew I wanted people to know about the babies so that they could be praying. I was thinking our family and a few friends. I had no idea what this would become....instantly! First of all, as I've said so many times before, THANK YOU! When I was still in the hospital, someone would bring us the posts each day and we would read through the comments. You have no idea what that meant to us. We were so overwhelmed with so many feelings with Jayde and Kanyon that being bombarded with these amazing comments was healing for us. So to old friends, new friends, family, and strangers..thank you! I will never EVER forget what this outpouring has meant to us.
Through all of this and our "blog following", there have been 2 things that I keep thinking about. Those are the things I have been wanting to share.
First, this will forever change the way Kory and I treat others who are going through a hard time. We have received comments, phone calls, cards, emails, etc. from people I would have NEVER expected. For months our mailbox was overflowing with cards. Though it has slowed, we are still getting cards almost every day. To know that people cared, prayed, and haven't forgotten lifted us at low points and carried us through hard days. We pray we will remember this and that it will drive us to take that step and send a card or call someone when they are hurting. Always before we would pray, but I'd never taken the time to let people know I was praying. Because of what our loved ones have done for us, we are changed.
Secondly, I learned quickly that you never know who is reading your blog. The response to our situation has been such a testament to GOD's people-impressive and powerful (that's y'all bloggers). I have thought so many times that there has to be people out there reading this blog that aren't Christians or have lost their way. If they are reading this and have read it over the last 4 months, they have witnessed the outpouring of love. I want them to know that THIS is what being a Christian is all about. This is not because of anything me and Kory are or have done, this is what Christians do. They pray, love, and carry each other. Thank you for doing that for our family. So if there are people out there who have been impressed by the response we've gotten, know that the love shown to us is an overflow of the love of Jesus. This is Christianity. So to those of you who have shown us so much love, you have been an example. May the example of this love point people to Jesus.
As I say that I revisit a thought I've had many times over the last few months. At times it brings me comfort, at times it doesn't help, but that is how grief is I guess. My thought is that if our baby Jayde could play a part in saving just one person, her life was a success. Maybe this blog has helped her do that.
So to all of you out there who have loved THE PHILLIPS PHAMILY, we thank you. It has made a difference, it has helped us, it has changed us. I will show this to Kanyon one day and he will be able to see how loved he was and how special he was from the first second he was born. He will know that lots of people loved his sister and that she was a powerful little girl.
I know that we have no idea what the future holds for Kanyon and for our family. I know that we will probably need your prayers again. You have carried us through 100 days of intense experiences and there may be more intense times ahead. But for now, we are settling in to "normal life" and hope that you will continue to follow the Grand Kanyon as he grows. After all, you can't see that little one pounder and not follow him to Kindergarten! :)
This verse has been special to me as I reflect on the comfort we've been given by The Comforter and His people.
2 Corinthians 1:3-11
Praise be to the GOD and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion, and the GOD of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from GOD. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We are under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on GOD, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
Much love from the Phillips Phamily
Friday, July 27, 2007
Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig!
Thank you for praying us through another surgery. We hope this is the last one for a long long long long time. We are so thankful that Kanyon's body has healed so well after all of his surgeries. His incisions look great. The biggest one is on the top of his head. They put the new shunt in where the old shunt was. They had to make that cut bigger, so it is a whopper. There is a small incision behind his right ear and then one right above his belly button. You can barely barely see the shunt on the top of his head (so that big bubble you've seen in all the pictures is gone) and you can see the tube barely in one spot on his chest. They said as he grows, it will almost all disappear. We are in a way relieved to have all of this behind us. We're ready to move forward without another surgery looming over our heads. They say that the shunt shoudn't cause any trouble. We can just carry on as normal. We pray that he will stay infection free and that we can avoid complications. It is wierd to me that now there is something in his body that will be there forever. They have assured us that "we'll forget it is even there" and he will be able to do whatever he wants to do. We just hope it is an uneventful addition to his anatomy! :)
By the way, Kanyon turned 4 months yesterday. Stinky that we spent yet another birthday in the hospital, but we'll pretend and have our 4 month bball photo shoot here at home! Well, I'm going to go enjoy my little family in our own house! Thank you again for your prayers.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Another quick update
Out of surgery and doing fine...
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Surgery Schedule
On another note, yesterday Kanyon had an appointment with his eye doctor to follow up after his laser surgery he had a few weeks ago. The Dr. said he looked GREAT and used the words "normal" a lot when he looked at his eyes. It looks like the surgery worked and things seem to be developing. So that was great!
Thank you for going with us through yet another day in the hospital. We are very thankful. We'll post as soon as we can tomorrow.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Dallas Update
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Dallas Eve
On another note, Kanyon's Physical Therapist came Monday and did a little evaluation. Kanyon did not mind his manners..he slept through the whole thing! But, she was able to see some things. I was so glad to get a little information about the things that we will need to be doing with him. She will probably come 2 days a week for a while, then we'll go from there. His Occupational therapist will come next Monday to start that therapy. I am so thankful that we have these resources so soon. I know that early intervention makes a HUGE difference for little ones that may have trouble. We figure this is about as early as it gets! :)
Oh..and to answer the leg question. That thing on his foot is a brace to help straighten out his foot. That foot bends to far up and kind of out. It has affected his muscle tone in that leg and some of his reflexes. We aren't sure of the cause. Could've been from being squished since he was sharing my tummy with his sister, or it could be a neurological effect from the things that have gone on in his brain. We aren't sure. The brace has helped some and his muscles are starting to loosen up at his ankle so that there is more movement. We have to do little exercises with it..poor baby...no rest for the weary.
Didn't want to post without a picture. Just a little family moment...don't we look great without those yellow NICU robes! :)
Monday, July 16, 2007
Dr. Visit
Sweet baby laying on our bed. He is starting to get more hair. It is so soft and fuzzy and kind of reddish!
We were cracking up at him when we took this..he had just had a bath and I guess it relaxed him. He was like a rag doll! Arms and legs limp...mouth falling open..eyes rolling around..He looked so content and happy! Check out that tummy!
Hugs from Kanyon!!!
OK..these are from the Dr. visit.
He weighed 7lbs. 5.5 ounces and was 19 1/2 inches long. Both of those are in the 25th percentile for a 25 weeker at his age. This is where the confusion happens with adjusted age (his would be about 1 week...they basically count him from his due date) and his chronological age (his would be almost 4 months...his actual birthday). He will have an adjusted age until he's about 2 and hopefully by then he'll be caught up with other kids born when he was. The percentiles from today are compared with other 25 weekers at this chronological age. That may be as clear as mud. Sorry.
Good Ol' Dr. ChrisPoor baby got 3 shots while we were there. He did cry louder than I've ever heard him cry, but only for a second and then he was through.
accidentally put this on there twice..can't figure out how to take it off. sorry.
Friday, July 13, 2007
A few of Kanyon's favorite things
Here are some pics of Kanyon doing a few of his favorite things:
He LOVES this Rain forest soother thing. It makes outside noises and bubbles and lights up. I had several moms tell me to register for it. I did but had no idea that he would love it so soon. He loves it and shows it with his whole body!
Of course this is probably his most favorite thing to do. He's still got lots of growing to catch up on! A special thank you to Cousin Parker for picking out this fleece for him to make a blanket. He loves it! FYI some of you have asked..that bubble looking thing you see on his head..that is his temporary shunt. When we pump it the fluid collects there just under his skin and then reabsorbs into his body. If he has to have a permanent one, it will be in a different place and more hidden.
Tummy time! He loves to lay on his tummy! Today he was really raising his head up, making noises, and being so happy.
Monday, July 9, 2007
We went to Dallas today for an appointment with his Neurosurgeon. I was a little anxious because he would be in his car seat for so long. He hasn't quite figured out how to sit in that thing and breathe. Before we left the hospital, they showed us how to prop his back up to help him breathe better. Thankfully, he did great in the car. His appointment went well. His Dr. said he looks good and that it seems like the temporary shunt is still working. His head looks good on the outside and measures normal and his soft spot is nice and soft. We are going back next week to have a CT scan so that the Dr. can see it and check on the inside. He did say that it looks like Kanyon's body may be circulating some of that fluid on its own. That is encouraging. That is what we're praying for. We'll keep you posted on that.
Are you tired of all this writing yet? How about a few pictures of our first few days at home!!
This is Kanyon's Great Grandma Nanny Lou. She got to see Kanyon in Dallas, but this was the first time she got to hold him. It was so fun. He loved her! I am so glad he gets to be in her arms.
The classic baby sleeping on Daddy (while Daddy sleeps too) pictures...just can't resist it.
I've already taught Kanyon how to wave, see?
I took this because he is holding my mom's finger while he eats. CUTE!
This pictures cracked me up...Gangsta Kanyon...
We had a little time in the swing. As you can see we have to prop him up..same idea as the car seat. He liked the swing!
After he learned to wave, he wanted to do jumping jacks..since he can't stand up yet (that's next week) he has to do them laying down.
I think he's checking to make sure we spelled his name right on his blanket.
Not sure what we were doing here...probably just playing. It's like Christmas! You have a brand new toy that you just can't put down! :)
Yes, he slept through his first bath!
Well, the little man is starting to stir and squeak...better go check. We'll try to keep the pictures coming....as you can see his first days at home have definitely been documented.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
More Homecoming Pictures
Resting in his bassinet
This was our welcome home crowd! It was so great. I couldn't believe it when we saw all the people in the driveway! It was just so thoughtful. I was overwhelmed with emotions. They left us with food, lots of cheers and sweet prayers led by some very special friends. I wanted so bad to just pass Kanyon around, but we can't quite do the "visitors" thing yet. A couple of months and then maybe we can. That is the stinky part about this. We're so ready to let our friends see him and hold him, but we'll just have to wait a while longer.
Kanyon's first glimpse of his living room (and a glimpse it was...he opened his eyes a little, then immediately shut them again).
Cute outfit, huh? Notice the feet are horses! :) Here he is on his changing table looking at his cow. This is supposed to help give him something to look at in black and white....good for his eyes, they say.
I couldn't find the picture that actually showed the whole group, this one is kinda hiding some, but here they are. That all meant so much to us.
Special prayers I will remember forever led by our dear, dear friends. It was a powerful time to remember Jayde and rejoice for Kanyon and pray special healing and strength for his body.
Who else but Jill could come up with this stork! It was great! It's even better at night..it lights up!!!
Despite this face, he really was THRILLED to be home!
Bottle from dad in our own house!
Thank you so much for being happy with us. We are praying for Kanyon to stay healthy, germ free, and strong. Thank you for all you've done. There are lots of things I have to say, but I'll save them for another post.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Day 100 INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!!!!!!!!
This is Kanyon on his last day in the NICU!
Ready to go!