November 26th

For those who have been faithfully reading the updates on Noah's blog everyday, you might have noted that there was no post yesterday. Our internet connection seems to go out for 24-48 hour once a month or so. Yesterday was one of those days. Hopefully that won't be a problem again for a while.

Missy wrote the following for me as an update on Noah since I got home a bit late this evening.

Today Noah made great strides in the right direction! He weighed in at 1827 grams (4 lb 0.4 oz)... up 30 grams from yesterday. As a 4-pounder, he thought he could do some big boy things, like breathing totally by himself and feeding from a bottle (once)!!! It was so good to see him without the nasal cannula. His oxygen saturation remained at or near 100% since removing the cannula, so he may have breathing figured out. His nurse was very excited to report that he had his entire 8am feeding (35ml) from a bottle. At his 11 am feeding, he woke up enough to drink 8 ml by nursing and the rest by feeding tube because he fell asleep. His nurse said he wore himself out at the 8am feeding. It takes a lot of energy for little guys to feed orally. At first, he burns more calories trying to figure out what to do than he actually consumes! The temperature in his isolette has been lowered in increments and now he is maintaining his temperature on his own…another milestone toward coming home. By Wednesday, he should be in a crib instead of his isolette!

As you can read, Missy is a bit more emphatic in her updates than I am. Perhaps we should alternate days or something. My friends David and Jill Johnson do that with their daughter's (Hutton) site. You may have seen the link to her page on the right of Noah's page.

Noah is really doing quite well. I hope that he will add a little more oral intake every day. If he does that, it's not outside of the realm of possibility that he could come home next week. We are looking forward to the little man's arrival home. It'll be great to get to hold him and nuzzle him whenever we want to. It's such a blessing to see him progressing along so well.

Missy is really improving. She is going to go to work tomorrow for a short bit to do a couple of cleanings just as a test to see how she feels from that perspective. She is still tired, but it seems that is improving as well.

I spoke with my mom tonight and she is doing better in regards to her eye. She is having less pain and nausea. She said that she can see some colors out of the eye when she puts in her eye drops. It was great to hear her somewhat upbeat when I talked to her. When I talked to her the previous two days she was quite disheartened and fretful.

For all who have prayed for my friend Luke, thanks. He is safely back in Germany with his wife Ivy. I am sure that they are elated to be back together after such a protracted hiatus. I suspect they'll be jet setting around Europe whenever Luke has some time off. They deserve it.

Today is my 33rd birthday. It wasn't a very good one in regards to my day at work; however, the great news about Noah and Anna's hijinks upon my arrival home made up for it. Anna had "made" a special pumpkin pie "birthday cake" for me. While I have been writing this entry, she has insisted on having Elvis blasting out of the computer so that she can dance. Anna & I share "Suspicious Minds" as our favorite, though "A Little Less Conversation" is blaring right now.

In selecting a verse for today's entry, I am drawn to Isaiah 26:3 & 4. For those who have been reading regularly, I have included several verses that speak to the faithfulness of God and the peace He gives us as believers. This is a theme that I think is directly from the Lord as He works to grow me, as well as our family and even you as you read this, through the trial that has been the last 25 days. This is a thought that is really overwhelming to me. To think that the God of all creation is working in my life to make me more of what He wants me to be is incredible. I am reminded of, as written in Romans 7:24, "what a wretched man I am." In 1 Timothy 1:15, Paul writes "that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief." This is at the heart of the gospel; God loves us and wants to make us righteous. Thanks be to God that He refuses to give up on me!

Thanks for checking on Noah and Missy today.

Please pray for the following:
Noah, and his big sister Anna, that they would come to know the Lord at a young age
God's continued working in the lives of our friends and family
My mom (Susan) with her difficulties after her surgery for a detached retina
Noah's neonatologists and nurses
Opportunities to be salt and light to others

Please thank God for (at least) the following:
His love, grace, and faithfulness
His strengthening of our family
His working in the lives of all those who have played such an important part in Noah's life already: those who have and continue to pray for him

"You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal."
Isaiah 26:3 & 4