Guess Who Got Hold of the Camera?

Introducing the Fall 2009 Collection of a new contempary artist. He's young. He's abstract. He's Ja-COBY. WHIT-TAY!

Happy Birthday Jacob!!

Today my Jacob is 2!!! Happy Birthday To You... Happy Birthday to You!!

We are thrilled to celebrate this day. It's been an crazy couple of years but I look back and see how many smiles Jake has brought to our family. I see how much joy there is in just the small things with him around. I look forward with so much hope in what God has for him.

Jake's grandparents and close family members came over yesterday for a little party. Since we're just a couple of weeks out from heart surgery I didn't want to over do it.

So here's the official Jacob 2nd birthday party post. Let's party through the pictures.

First, there's the two adorable cakes my mom made.

Then, there was food and presents. Jake was so tired that we kinda rushed through everything to get him down for his nap.

Here's part of the party group. It was like a Michigan reunion.

And look, who's that?? Oh wait, it's the proud parents posing with the birthday boy!
Jacob, your mom and dad love you so much! Just the way you are!

"This is the day that the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

We Went To The Doctor Today.

Jake had a two week post-op check up today.

Long story short....everything looks really good. We go back in a month to make sure things stay the same. A good report in November means we won't see another heart doctor till next Summer.

Tomorrow... we PARTY!!! Just wait till you see the adorable cake my mom made.

Oh my...Jake is 2!! It may be a sleepless night as I try to wrap my mind around that!!

Sweet dreams!!

Back Among the Living

Sorry everyone.

I am just now coming out of my hospital experience fog. I didn't realize how exhausted I was until my mom made me sleep. During the day. Hours at a time. Seriously I have been in love with my bed for five days. Today I woke and thought... hmmm... maybe I should make my bed today.

My parents are staying with us this week. They are simply the best. Let's just say I'm well loved.

As for Jake, take a look, he's doing great.
That's a pillow he's holding. One he got while in the hospital. It's homemade and priceless.

The whole stitch episode threw us for a loop but my trooper hasn't skipped a beat. The incision looks fine, it's not sore and doesn't bother him so ... there ya go. We'll just keep watching it.

He goes to his heart doctor here on Friday for a two week post op. Please pray all goes well.

Also... send your prayers up for another couple we know. I'm not posting their name because I haven't asked their permission. God knows who they are. Their little girl is having heart surgery on Friday. She's just a tiny sweet little thing.

That's it for the White House. We are getting ready for a big weekend. JAKE TURNS TWO!!

You Gotta Be Kidding Me!!!!!!!

We spent Thursday night at the Vanderbilt Children's ER. Jake's heart is fine but we had a little issue getting his chest tube stitch out.

It's just one stitch. One little stitch a little above his belly button. We took him to the pediatrician for her to cut it but when she did, she didn't get the knot and that little booger slipped out of sight.

Let me say this. She felt horrible about it and it was a little deep plus add it was a moving target with Jakey crying and his belly moving up and down. It just happened.

The Doc sent us the ER and after a 3-4 hour stay they decided it was best to leave it in and see what happens.

I know... can you believe it? Heart surgery goes fine and we can't get a stitch out? So I was a whole lot frustrated last night. I wanted to move to Michigan. ( on top of it all I had a migraine) We did call the doctors in Michigan and they agreed to leave it in and see what happens.

So this morning I have a little better attitude. God's has got it like always. So I might as well chill.

Jake is fine with it. It doesn't hurt or bother him so... there ya go.

Once again I'm asking you to pray that it doesn't get infected and the little stitch makes it way out. Oh my... can you believe this? A stitch!! You Gotta Be Kidding Me!!!

Home Sweet Home

The title says it all.

My goodness it feels so good. A huge thank you to our good friends the Camfields.

They picked us up at the airport and even cooked us dinner. I think I'll hang on to them for a while. You can't find friends any better then that.

Jake flew like a champ. He is so amazing. We call him trooper now.

The airline lost my bag. But they picked a good time because I simply didn't care.

This past week has been... well... I just don't think I have the words. So once again let me say these two little words. Thank You. We mean it from the bottom of hearts.

So before I start rambling and my writing gets any choppier I'll call it a night in my own house, with my own child, whose heart beats just as it should. Ahhh...

South Bound

Hey blog readers...we are headed back to the great state of Tennessee today! We're excited to go home but we wanted to make sure we left the great white north (it is cold today..as in 38) with a snapshot of color. Check out Jakey...a Volunteer at heart, but a Wolverine for a week. I guess there will always be a little Michigan in all of us after this trip.

Thanks for all of the prayers and well wishes.

Next Stop...Nashville, TN!!!

Free at Last!!

WE ARE DISMISSED!! WE MADE IT!! WHOOO-HOO!! YIP-EEE!!!

Right now my little family is relaxing in a hotel room. Jake is watching cartoons and is back to his old tricks. I love it.

He was so over the hospital this morning. He didn't sleep last night, would cry at the sight of the blood pressure cuff today and was all around grumpy. (so no good pictures from our departure but here he is anyway)

We got back to the hotel room and he was all fun and smiles.. that little monkey!

I'm full of so many emotions right now that it's crazy. We're estatic, exhausted, relieved, thankful and somewhat sad to leave behind our new Michigan family of nurses, doctors and roommates.

For the past couple of days we shared a room with another 2 year old boy who has been in the hospital for over a month and has weeks to go. I feel bad to be leaving him and his mom. We hit it off and I hope to keep in touch.

Our plans right now are to chill here all day tomorrow and then get ourselves home Wednesday. We just need time to take it down a notch, get some sleep and I really need some retail therapy.

Tennessee, we'll be home soon!!

Sunday Update

Just take a look at my boy today! I mean you can't even tell he had surgery.

We are in a regular room now. It's the smallest space you've ever seen.

We're squeezing about 6 people in a 5 foot space. Showers are very important.

Everyone is telling us to expect to be dismissed tomorrow. Jake will have another chest xray, ekg and echocardiogram Monday before we get the all clear. Pray everything goes well.

So if we get out tomorrow we're planning on just taking a day off before starting our travel home.

This has been a crazy journey. One I'm thankful God allowed me to take.

I'm a little sad because everyone is leaving. The frontlines of Team Jake are going back to their homes. My sister is leaving in just a little bit and I'm dreading it.

Dave has been the absolute best...what a guy...he is the ultimate man and mate. (by the way DAve wrote that while I was on the phone and obviously it's true)

Just so you know I'm still a huge UT fan but I'll be a fan of the Michigan Wolverines (Coyotes as I like to bug David) for the rest of my life.

Saturday Update

I'm sitting in the floor typing this with one hand. Jake got to get down on a mat in the floor and play a little this morning. He is still connected to his central line so he couldn't go very far. He happened to get sleepy while on the mat so here I happily sit (numb bum and all).

My little man had a good night. He slept for about four or five hours and yes, we got that great rumble from down under we were praying for.

Today he is suppose to move out of intensive care and get the I-V out of his neck. Do you know how hard it is to keep a swirmy 23 month old from pulling out his neck I-V? Don't try it if you don't have too.

He's looking and acting more like himself and that makes us all happy.

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Friday Night Update

Jake is SLEEPING!! Woo-hoo!! Soon I will be SLEEPING!! Yipee!!

My little boy has been quite uncomfortable today. Part of his pain we believe is that he's constipated. So like we did back in the NICU we are once again asking you to pray for poop.

The recovery is now getting to a difficult part. Jake feels a little more like moving around but still has a central line in his neck and other wires to and fro so he's getting tangled.

The really good news is that I got to hold my sweet baby today ..and hold him and hold him and hold him. Really.. I held him for about six hours today because that's how he was most confortable.

He is still requiring some oxygen. His saturation rate tends to fall off and on so we watch that constantly. Just pray for it to steady out soon.

All in all the day turned out to be good. I was so scared for him this morning when he got a fever. Tonight the fever is gone. Lord you are just too good!!

Here's wishing you and me happy dreams.

Friday Morning Update

I'm getting a little delirious so hope this makes sense.

Jake had somewhat of a rough morning. Around 4ish his pulse, blood pressure and temperature went up. His saturation rate went down. That's all bad.

They iced him down, oxygened him up (is that a word?) and gave him more drugs. Bing-bam-boom... he's looking good again.

So bottom line he's right back where he needs to be. Thank you Lord. Got a little nervous for a while.

During rounds the doctor came and talked to us. Said he was not concerned about anything.. that his chest x-ray looked good, his blood gas was nice and said to give him a little time.

Also they took out his chest tube and removed the dressing over his incision so we saw it for the first time. Let's just say it's impressive and ya know... it didn't bother me like I thought it would.

That's it for now... he's sleeping good. I'll check in later. Thanks again for everything.

Thursday Update and Pictures

I'm sure you all are wondering how my Jakey is doing today. One word. Good.

Since this morning his lungs have cleared up. His blood gases are good but he's still on oxygen.

The plan is to slowly wean him off of it over the next 12 hours or so.

The doctors also want to change his pain medication to something that won't keep him so sleepy all the time.

He's been resting well today and woke up a couple times, drank water and milk and watched a little mickey mouse. Also, get this... my little man... just 24 hours after heart surgery is waving goodbye to people as they leave the room. What a monkey!!

Here's a few pictures from the past 24 hours. Enjoy!

Wednesday Morning...

Right out of surgery....

Today...


My family back together again!

Can't Sleep

It's almost one in the morning and I just can't sleep. Jake is doing well but not soaring through recovery as I wished.

He's breathing on his own but not coughing like they'd like so his lungs sound kinda yucky.

Right now he is on breathing treatments and the latest blood gas came back better. Whew!!

Just pray that all that yuckiness goes away.

Dave and I have kinda been through this song and dance when he was in the NICU. There's good and bad along the way. I'm just not resting easy yet.

On a sad note... please pray for Autumn's family. I met them here in the hallway. Autumn is now with Jesus . We had a prayer and a hug. Her grandmother told me she was at peace because Autumn was saved.

It's just so sad. My heart breaks for them so please just lift them up.

Surgery Day- 2nd Update

JAKE IS OUT OF SURGERY!!! EVERYTHING WENT GREAT!!

We feel like we can breathe!

Dave and I haven't seen Jakey yet but should in the next hour or two.

They are getting him a bed space now.

What wonderful blessings from above!! Don't stop praying yet... we still have a ways to go.

"Who does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord!" Psalms 121

Surgery Day

Are you sure it's only 8 in the morning? Are you sure it's not later than that?

We've been up since 4:30 this morning. I've handed my baby over and he's now in the hands of Dr. Bove, Dr. Pierce and most importantly my heavenly Father.

** Update** 8:25 am

Just talked to one of the doctors. Jake (who is high risk anesthesia) went under smoothly. Praise you Lord. **

I know you guys are praying hard. Thank you so much.

Wanted to let you all know that our friend Mandy Johnson took some pictures of Jake last week and posted them on her blog today. Check it out for an instant smile. It's www.mandyjohnsonphotography.com/blog/

We love you all.

" Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your request to God, and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus." Phil 4:6-7

The Day

So it's been a long day at the hospital.

Jake had an echocardiogram, ekg, chest x-ray, blood work, and visits with his doctors here.

Everything went well. So I guess we are ready to go.

Surgery is at 7:30 am. That's 6:30 Nashville time.

Here's the prayer list.

Pray for me and my family. That we have the strength to get through tomorrow morning. I don't want to let him go.

Pray for the doctors and nurses. Dr. Bove is the surgeon. Dr Pierce is his anesthesiologist. Jake is at high risk for being put to sleep because of his condition. Lord, I pray now for you to take over this situation.

Pray for Jake. That he breezes through everything without a hitch. That his recovery is swift.

We have alot ahead of us in the next week...but God is good. I have been preparing myself for this day for two years... so here. we. go.

I Know

I know the awesome power of God.

I know how his comfort and peace can just take hold... and keep holding on.

I know how he can take hold of your plans and change them. Alot. How HIs plans turn out to be so much better. Actually perfect.

I know how he can show his control by giving you just a little present. A song at the right time. A person showing up out of the blue.

I also know how He uses you.... yes you. And you. And you times 500 to bless us to the point of complete humility.

And I even know how He never leaves. Even when you've had it.

The past two years have been a journey. One that brought change and tears and a final commitment to Trust in the Lord.

One day I read Psalms 119:28 " My soul is weary with sorrow, strengthen me according to your word."

That was me. Weary after one year of dealing with a detour so sharp that it left me with mental whiplash.

Today " I run in the path of your commands, for You have set my heart free." Psalms 119:32

As we near Jacob's surgery I know walking in God's love means walking in obedience. That obedience means trusting him. Even when things get scary.

To our church family, your prayers Sunday morning left us feeling so loved and peaceful. Thank you to all three moms who walked up and said, "A child's heart surgery. I've been there."

To our hometown, your support blew us away.

To family and friends... well you're just stuck with us. (and I hope that makes you happy.. because we're happy to have you.)

Through my son... I now know so much of my heavenly Father.

Thank you, Jacob.