Jax - Weekly Update

I can't believe he's been home a week already and that he is blending into the family. Jax truly is a miracle boy--and I continue to thank God for all of you and your prayers and support as Nicole, Mike, Ethan, Jax and our entire family have been going through this trying time.

But in some great news--yesterday Nicole had a professional photographer come to the her house to take some pictures. You can see them at pictures. They are great and for the not too squeamish, there is even a picture of little Jax's chest and you can see how quickly he is healing. It was only two weeks ago today that they performed surgery on that small miracle boy.

Everyone in the family was over to the house to celebrate Easter and it was good to have our larger family all under one roof--and not a hospital roof. It was a great day with great food and a strong, close family celebrating together the miracles of our Lord. We did an Easter Egg hunt with Ethan (maybe more than one) and he enjoyed having all of the falmily together. Ethan is all about family and he is growing so fast.

I continue to be amazed at all that has happened and been compressed into the short span of the last three weeks. The miracle of birth, a miracle surgery and recovery, support fomr family and friends, and the continuing presence of our Lord through it all. Wow.

Jax at home

Jax had a great first day at home adjusting to life as a "little" brother and being cared for in a quieter environment. His mom is thrilled to have him home and life is rapidly turning into the new normal of having a new infant and a three year old in the same house. Jax us very alert and you can see in his eyes a desire to explore and be part of the life going on around him.

Ethan loves Jax and very matter-of-factly responds to questions about Jax. He did want Mommy, Jax, and Gamma to rescue him from daycare yesterday--which they did.

Jax is recovering nicely. We thank all of you for your prayers and support. Keep Jax in your prayers as he continues to recover and grow.

Jax goes home!

I'm sorry I don't have a picture of Jax's triumphal entry into his home for the first time yesterday, but you know it was a celebration. At 12 days old, weighing in at a little less than when he was born, Jackson Gray arrived home. I'm not sure how he felt--he is only 12 days old--but I know that his parents, grandparents, extended family of uncles, aunts, cousins, great-grandparents and a host of friends and prayer warriors were excited and clearly saw an answer to prayer.

I am still amazed at the little guy. Major surgery just a week ago today and home yesterday! Wow. His eyes are so bright and I just marvel at the world he is chomping at the bit to become part of and which he is already part of. I thank God for the miracles He worked through and in Jackson. The response to prayer, the healing, and the bringing together of a community of friends and believers around on little boy. Thank you all and keep praying for this little guy--he is really special and I hope he gets to thank each one of you for how you supported him.

Hey Gamma--it's me, Jackson

What a great day yesterday was for little Jax. Mid-day he had his nasal cannula removed and when we left the hospital last night about 10:30 pm he was still doing great. They actually took the tubes off him last evening while Chris and I were on hospital duty and so this is one of the first pictures little Jax as he begins to explore his world and be welcomed into the family unencumbered by breathing tubes and contraptions. He is still being monitored for heart rate and such, but those are much less invasive. He was alert for a long time last evening and he ate like a trooper--twice and he impressed his nurse with the amount he ate.

It is really a miracle how quickly Jax is recovering and every day is bringing more excitement about how well he is progressing. We thank God for his recovery and the prayers and support of everyone. Thanks. Today there is even a possibility that he may get to go home.

Jax--Recovering and Getting Stronger

This is the tough little guy a day after surgery. He has his eyes open and is becoming aware of how much love and how many prayers have been sent his way. God is truly smiling in Jax and the whole family. In this picture he has the nasal cannula still in place and the great news of today is that it was removed and he is doing good without it.

He is eating better and he continues to get stronger. His kidneys continue to function with assistance of diuretics, and it appears he will be going home on diuretics.

We continue to thank God for all of you and your prayers. We continue to see the miracles that God is working in and through little Jax and we thank God for them. BTW, Jax is really cute and I got to hold him yesterday, for the first time since his surgery . He really is one tough little guy!

Please continue to pray for Jax's continued recovery and for strength for Nicole and Mike as they as shuttle between home and the hospital.

Jackson - Better by the Day

This is Jax with Mike before surgery. He is so cute. And his recovery continues to be simply a miracle thanks to God's mercy and all of the prayers of the faithful who continue to lift him up. There is a good chance he will leave the ICU tomorrow for a normal ward bed. Mike and Nicole got to hold him today after he was unhooked from all of the wires and leads and drains that he had been hooked to.

I am amazed at the outpouring of love and support from everyone. Thank you and please keep praying for a speedy recovery and a normal, healthy childhood. This is one special little boy.