A Little Something Extra

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Micah Louis




A quick thank-you to Amy and Colleen for the previous posts. It should be a bit easier for me to post when I get to Milwaukee.

Micah (“Who is like God?”) Louis (“famed warrior”) was born at 2:32pm on Saturday, Jan. 5th. He weighed 5 pounds, 6 ounces, and was 18 inches long: a big boy for 34 weeks, 5 days! He has a very sweet face and a bunch of hair (though a bit less than his monchichi brother!). God orchestrated the timing and location of his birth. It turns out it was quite fortunate that we didn’t end up in the ambulance to Milwaukee that afternoon because it would have been quite dangerous for both Micah and myself.

The surgery to repair his duodenum (first part of the small bowel) was yesterday afternoon and he passed with flying colors. The anesthesiologist told Mark to expect that he would likely return from surgery connected to the ventilator but they were able to remove the ventilator in the OR. As you can see in the pictures, he is on a bit of oxygen in the NICU, but it’s not much (I think Mark told me that it was 30% Sunday, 25% Monday, and regular air is 22%?... don't know about today yet). Mark should probably be writing the medical updates since I’m not there yet.
Speaking of which, I checked out of the hospital this morning. I had a rough night Sunday night with pain control and we decided that it would be better for me to stay another day.

Micah was not comfortable last evening, which is not surprising given everything he’s been through. The nurses said he did well overnight, though. He is also dealing with a bit of jaundice so he has a bili blanket.

His recovery involves a couple of key factors. The first is that his duodenum will contract down to size and begin to function. That could take up to a couple of weeks. After that happens, he will then need to learn how to eat. Up to that point, he is being fed through a PIC line.

Thank you so much for all your prayers. God has been in complete control of the timing and location of everything that has gone on so far, and we trust He will continue to be. Micah is truly a gift from Him and we trust He will complete a good work in him.

Mark came up to get me and we are heading back to Milwaukee this afternoon. Here are some pictures and we'll post more soon.



23 comments:

Andrea Marcks said...

Oh Jennie - he is adorable! I have been praying for you and your family everyday so I am glad the prayers are being answered. I will continue to pray for Micah's speedy recovery and for your family to have strength. Take care and remember if you need anything at all, please call 779-1700. Andrea Marcks

Rachel said...

Jennie ad Mark-
COngratulations! He is beautiful and I love his name. Praying he continues to recover quickly form his surgery and learn to eat well so you can bring him home soon. Enjoy getting to hold him!!!! Hope you continue to recover also.
Love Rachel

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! What a handsome young man! You are in our prayers for a speedy recovery and a very soon return home.

Amy said...

Yay, pictures and a name! Congratulations, and he really is beautiful. We'll be checking on you often and praying more often. Please feel free to call.

Love,
Amy

Kris Delaney said...

Jennie and Mark,

Micah is beautiful! We are so glad to hear that the surgery went so well. We offer prayers of thanksgiving, and prayers for a quick recovery and success with eating! I'll bet you're so excited so get to hold him, Jennie!

Kris

Melanie said...

Congrats!!! I can't wait to meet him! Sounds like everything has gone smoothly. We will pray that he is eating and home soon!
Keep sending more pictures!

Ami said...

Jennie - Suzy posted over on the board to share your news the other day, and I've been checking the blog daily since. Praise God that Michah is doing well so far! He is so adorable, and I'm so excited to see God's hand continuing to work in your family! With continued prayers,
Ami

Ami said...

Sorry - having trouble typing... Micah is adorable. :)

Kacey Bode said...

Praise God!!! Micah is so beautiful, and has a beautiful name too!!! I'm so glad he came through surgery so good, tough boy!! I'm glad you are headed to be with him!!

Anonymous said...

Jennie, How precious! Micah is just adorable. I'm so glad everything is going okay at the moment. You & your family are in my prayers. How wonderfully God has taken care of your sweet little guy!

Suzy said...

Praise God for precious Micah! I was so excited to see your post. I will continue to pray for your healing and for Micah's progress. +Suzy

ATLKrafts said...

He is absolutely darling!! He really does look robust! I am so glad he did well in his surgery, and we will hope that there is a speedy recovery.

ATLKrafts said...

I also recognize the hat... ;)

Christine said...

He is beautiful! So glad he did well with his surgery.

Michelle said...

He's absolutely beautiful!! I'm so glad to hear that he's doing so well (and that you are, too!) I hope you get to bring him home soon - but if you're still in Milwaukee next week I'd love to come & meet Micah!

Jean said...

I found your website link on a friends website and have been following your blog ever since. What a beautiful little boy you have! Congratulations! Micah's in the best place to grow bigger and learn to eat. My prayers are with your family!

Emily said...

Congratulations! Micah is beautiful. My daughter was about the same size at birth and now is a thriving, solid 15 lbs at 6.5 months. She had an AV canal repair on December 5th and was out of the hospital after 5 days. The surgery hasn't slowed her down at all and now looking back (only 1 month later) it really wasn't that big of a deal.

Enjoy your sweet boy!

Emily (mom to Macy t21)

Emilie said...

congratulations on baby Micah! So glad that everything has gone well this far. We'll keep praying for all of you.

Laurie said...

Micah is beautiful (and I LOVE his name!). I have been checking in every day for more news.

Chase spent 3 1/2 weeks with his PIC line- it seemed like an eternity then, but now, at 8 1/2 months old, it is almost a distant memory. Hang in there :)

Anonymous said...

What an adorable baby boy. We can't wait to meet him. Praying for everything and trusting God with you. Love in Christ, Cindy K

Anonymous said...

I can not wait to meet the little one! He is so precious! Congrats on a healthy baby boy. Cute name, too! Call me when you get back home and need a meal! Kristin

Anonymous said...

Jennie, little Micah is absolutely precious! I am so moved by his sweet little face and our gracious heavenly Father who answers our prayers. I continue to pray for God's blessings on you all. Can't wait to see him in person one day soon. Stevie Powers

Beth said...

He is beautiful - Congratulations. Will be praying for his recovery!!