Right before we left the hospital for the night, we got to spend some great open eyes time with Jonah. It was the first time today he'd really been awake because of all his procedures he had this morning. He was very drugged and maybe not feeling so well.
And guess what? I fed him a bottle! And he took it, for real. 10 cc's, all in his mouth, all swallowed. He was really sucking! It was so exciting. I'm so glad to see that the feeding tube doesn't seem to be bothering him. Hopefully he'll keep this up and he won't have to have it in very long. Thank you so much for your very specific prayers. We know that this is not a coincidence, but a direct answer to all those petitions going up on Jonah's behalf. We're so thankful to have you on this journey with us. Praise God!
I asked Matt to please stay with him until he fell asleep (I had to go pump), and lucky daddy got 25 more glorious minutes gazing into the eyes of our beautiful son. What a blessing they BOTH are in my life!
Sorry these pictures are starting to all look the same. I just can't stop taking them.
Dinner...
Dessert ...
68 comments:
I am a student at Freed-Hardeman University in Tennessee. I found your blog through the facebook prayer group. I am continuously keeping Jonah in my personal prayers, and I have shared his story with others so they can do the same. We have prayer requests in our Bible classes. Today we prayed for Jonah and for the doctors treating him. I sincerely hope things continue to get better. He is unbelievably precious! Keep posting those pictures. They do not look the same. He looks more amazing with each one! I will continue praying for your strength, Jonah's strength, and for the doctors as well. We all know God can do anything! :)
Glorious pictures. I remember taking so many one from the right, one from the left, eyes open, eyes closed. LOL I remember that first bottle too, how proud we were. What a journey. Praying for you in Louisiana. Asked others to pray too on my blog tonight.
http://cristi-jesusis.blogspot.com/2009/03/once-upon-time.html
PRAISE GOD!!! HE is soooooo good!
Sweet dreams...Love, Aimee
The pictures don't all look the same, and they help me feel connected to Little Man! Please keep taking and posting them! Love you so much.
What bright eyes! Great to see him feeding and God answering prayers.
Lifting Jonah and you in prayer.
Praise GOD! Thanks so much for the awesome pictures!! It helps me visualize little Jonah when I pray for him! We pray that things continue to improve for little Jonah!
The pictures are georgous and do not look the same :-) Keep them coming! They remind us why we are praying so hard.
I love to see those big sweet eyes!! He is just beautiful and so CUTE!! Please keep up the pictures - I love seeing his improvements and changes from day to day. They are certainly helping all of us to feel like we are right there getting to know Jonah with you. Still praying hard in FL for more good feedings, improving white counts and (in Charlie's words) more and more miracles for Jonah!! We love you guys! Tiffany
You don't know me but I found your blog linked on a friend of mine's. I just have to tell you that Jonah is such a beautiful baby. I am praying for continued daily victories and a healing that surpasses all understanding. We know a God who can!
Amy Sparks
Jackson,MO
Hi Patrice,
Just wanted to let you know that I am praying for you and your sweet Jonah. You are such a beautiful strong woman full of grace. You are such an inspiration.
Alison
Yay for Jonah and drinking his bottle! And please keep posting those pictures...can't get enough of Jonah, and look forward to seeing him. Wow, love those beautiful big blue eyes. He looks great!
Gail
Annapolis, MD
Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful! The powerful of prayer is truly amazing, and little man is hungry, MAMA! His expression in that dessert picture is priceless, like he is saying, "What do you mean you are taking the bottle away?" Love it! We continue to lift you up and want you to feel our hugs. We are right there with you in spirit! Much love!
Patrice,
So glad to see those bright eyes and excited that he's eating well! Keep the pictures coming :)
Also, I thought of something today. Has anyone mentioned to you yet that you can park at Comp Rehab (on Miller St) and take the shuttle over to the hospital? It means free parking - I know the parking fees in the parking garage add up, so keep this in mind as an option, especially as the weather warms up.
We'll be out of town this weekend/some of next week at a conference for work, but I'm hoping to see you (and maybe Jonah?!) soon.
Love,
LeeAnn
Such glorious news before I go to bed. Thanking God for answered prayers. Keep the pictures coming, as many have said, makes us feel a part and we love to see his progress every day. Rest well tonight Williams family, praying for even a better day tomorrow. May God Bless
Praise God from Whom all CCs flow!!!
That is so exciting that he is swallowing! I pray that he continues to do so. Keep posting the pictures, we all love them and love to see who we are praying and rooting for! Patrice and Matt, you amaze me with your faith and your dedication to the Lord. I know He will help you all through this. Keep being the magnificent parents that are!
Kinsley
None of those pictures look the same to us! Please keep them coming - it helps me focus more on that darling child!
Congrats on having the calm parenting skills necessary to coax that little doll into eating so well! Patience is the key in all that you are dealing with these days.
Mom and Dad, give each other a big hug - and dream of the hugs you will be able to share with Jonah when he is better!
Grannie in Florida
As others have said, the pictures are not the same!! He's so cute and precious. Keep posting them we all love them.
Praying for you and your family.
You could never take too many pictures of your beautiful baby! I know that I love seeing him and watching his progress. Keep the sweet pictures coming! Sorry to hear that he had a rough day, with so many procedures. I'm glad that he didn't become agitated through it all, though I'm sure it was awful for you. My babies were in the NICU, and I just hated every poke and tube and procedure, even though I knew it was all done to help them get well. Thank you for all the updates. You are a very inspirational Mommy. The joy of the Lord really shines through in your words, even during such a difficult trial. My husband and I are continuing to pray for a miracle for Jonah, as well as the daily prayer requests that you post.
Love,
Katy (CA)
We're praying for Jonah as well. He is PRECIOUS!!!!
Thank you for sharing your lives with us.
He is adorable! He really is looking more and more different. Praise God for 10 CC's! Big boy!
First let me say that the pictures are awesome.. dont you ever say youre sorry for sharing them with us! Also... I was an L&D then NICU nurse? And I am telling you... he looks less swollen today. Even more so in tonight's pics. I need to know as soon as you guys start a fund to help with costs.. even the costs of eating at the hospital etc. My husband and I would like to help you guys in some way. We continue to pray nonstop.
CeCe Garrett
That's wonderful. Baby steps in thr ight directon is excellent.
Still praying for you all
Em
from Australia
Beautiful baby Jonah, as always!! I'm glad he was able to take a bottle...that's amazing! He's looking so good :)
He is so so so cute. I love those eyes. We dont get to see them to much cause he is a sleepy boy. His lips look like they are a bit better. Such cute baby lips. Thanks for the pictures, I know I dont get tired of seeing him. Hugs!!
I am so glad that you posted pics!! He is just BEAUTIFUL!! and I am here to tell you - every picture you take looks different and wonderful! Please keep them coming!!
I am so happy that he sucked down 10cc! You GO Boy!
Fantastic news to go to sleep with!
Janel
You guys are such a good example of grace, patience and complete and utter faith in GOD!
I keep lifting your beautiful baby boy every chance his cute face decided to pop in my head. He looks so strong and I know that GOD has amazing things planned out for him!!
Stay strong, and KNOW that GOD is with you and that HE has sooo many people praying for you guys and your precious little warrior!!!
He has truly changed so many people in a matter of days...
-Angie
Charlotte, NC
Aloha Patrice,
I found your blog as I was visiting another blog. Please know I will keep Precious Jonah in pray for the Lord to place his healing hands upon his little body. There is nothing too hard or impossible for our God to do.
Blessings Lorie
Precious One...may the God of all comfort be with you every minute of every day, keeping you srengthed with His JOY!
Am praying for Jonah and have his picture/link posted on my blog and facebook.
Last night our Bible study group had special prayer for the little guy. We serve a wonderful Physician, who knows our every need. Take courage, Patrice! God is in control!
Bless you,
Susan
what an awesome picture
and what awesome news!!!
:)
thank you for taking time out of your day to keep us up to date!
:)
Whoo-hoo!!! Way to go, Jonah!!! What a way to start the day off, seeing that he's doing so much better with his feeding. I'm so happy that the tube seems to be helping. May God grant that all continues to improve and just get better and better and better....
Praise God for his wonderful mercy. Jonah is continually in my prayers and I thank God so much for keeping Jonah safe and moving forward. The steps may seem small but they are so wonderful. God loves Jonah and has touched so many people. I'll be praying for another day where Jonah's body heals and he is able to eat more and more.
Matt and Patrice,
We are praying for you and for Jonah. We attend Calvary Chapel of the Triad in Kernersville and a friend of ours from church has put you and Jonah on our church prayer list. Keep posting the updates and the pictures. It is an honor that we can pray for Jonah. We are friends of Chuck and LeeAnn's and we used to attend Innerchange.
Jennifer and Brian
You post all the pictures you want! We can't get enough of Jonah! He's beautiful! So glad he is eating. May God continue to bless you all!
My oldest child (now 4) was a 30 week preemie. He had a feeding tube and I could not stand looking at it. However, it never seemed to bother him and the doctors always said that they bother parents MUCH more than they bother the child. It is really hard to see your child with tubes, cords, and machines all hooked up to them. I've been there and know what it is like to not be allowed to hold your child, feed your child, etc. Things will get better and you guys have a lot of people praying for you and your precious son.
Praying in AL,
Ashley
Please continue to post pictures, I love to see him. He is such a blessing and a beautiful baby boy! What a great thing, eating from his bottle! I will continue to pray for him and your family, and know that I am also sharing your story!
Shannon
Avon, IN
so glad that he is gulping that food down! i love seeing his wide-open eyes and it seems like his skin is looking better. i know it's quite difficult to be reminded that he still is very sick, but the doctors have to be realistic. WE get to put it all in the hands of God!
i hope you enjoy the visitors this weekend and allow yourself to relax and appreciate what others can do to help you. i love you dearly and find it hard to believe that just a week ago, we were at the hospital monitoring contractions. take care of yourselves and know that we are all lifting up jonah's name, especially for his WBC count and to continue eating and resisting infection.
Don't ever stop taking pictures they are all wonderful. I met you through a friend's blog and your family is amazing!
I love the pictures of Jonah. He's just beautiful...in a very handsome way.
I know you don't have time to answer questions, but I'll throw one out there anyways. Jonah's skin seems to be improving daily? Do the blisters just come and go, or is this from him being handled so carefully?
Wow.., 10ccs!!! That is great progress! Eating is an essential part for these kiddos! And he is getting double the dose between the regular feedings and the the tube feedings. This helps him heal and then get chunky! Which he has them cute chunky cheeks! =)...
Thanks for taking the time to update! I wish I would have blogged when Bianca - my 6 year old w/EB - was born. Typing is so therapeutic for me!
I'll continue to "stalk" your page for the latest news...sorry to have taken over like this but you've hooked us!
Praying for more eating and healing powers plus for no infections to happen!!!!
~Sally Contreras
Happy 1 week birthday, Jonah! We love you Little Man!!
(Note to Mom & Dad: Keep the photos coming. Jonah = beautiful eye candy for all of us.)
Great Aunt in Garner
Happy 1 Week Old Jonah! Hugs, kisses, prayers, and love to the whole family coming your way from Greenville! I like how one reader said she 'stalks' your page. I admit...me too!
Those little eyes are just precious!
So glad to hear that he's continuing to eat. Still praying for you all the time. I love seeing the pictures of Jonah. Keep them coming!
Laura S.
Thank you for sharing the sweet pictures of your baby boy! We are praying for him and for you.
Know that many people are lifting you up at all times!
What a great update...so thankful for Jonah taking a bottle...that you got to feed him! Blessings all around. I was moved to tears - again - by the beautiful pictures of your sweet son. What a miracle!
Praying for a good day today!
He is getter cuter and cuter by the minute! When I got to my preschool yesterday, I went to tell my bosses about how much he has been eating and Miss Ruth said, "I know, I just read it! Isn't it wonderful?" And we talked about him for almost half an hour. We are so happy for the progress he is making (eating more means he probably doesn't have those blisters in his mouth/throat, right?) and the progress he is going to make this coming week!
I got this email from a lady at mom and dad's church in Durham and told her I would pass it along to you... she has such a big heart and has been in constant prayer for Jonah. I have her email address if you would like it - she really wants to know if there is anything they can be actively doing to help, in addition to all the praying. Here is her email, and then it's time for Casey's morning prayer for Jonah :) - Jessie
"Sandra and I have been deeply touched by your friend's baby. Jessica, you know how I am. When things like this happen my brain goes into over drive of ways to help or what other things can be done. Are there other places in or out of the USA that have had more experience with his condition? We have found that other countries at time lead ours in medical issues and at other times we lead. My point is,if they find a better success rate in Canada, or any other place for that matter, please let me know. I really believe there are enough Christians in this world that could pool resources and help him get the very best care. Even if it takes their going to another country for help. It is a very small world and people know people who know people. Surely if this is a rare condition in the area you are there is some place that it is not so rare. If I haven't learned anything else in life I have learned to never give up and to keep fighting, searching and finding, praying, whatever it takes. Most of the time it will work out and when it does not then down the road you find it does. Your friends have gone through lots and probably will go through lots more in life. I just pray they hang in there together and that they do not give up no matter what. Love, Pat "
Shawn told me about the EB center in Cincy - I know that's a ways off in your thought process but I just wanted to let you know a few things 1)Most of my family and friends are from the greater Cincinnati area which means I'm sure we could hook you up with a place to stay as close to the EB center as possible. 2)If you wanted I'd take some time off work and stay w/ my parents so we could hang out at the hospital together 3)Cincinnati chili is amazing. Not entirely relevant...I'm just sayin'. and 4)You already have MANY people in Cincinnati who, though they've never met you, care deeply about Jonah and are praying in earnest.
It was so nice to get up this morning and see pics of the little man awake! He is such a beautiful boy and has stolen my heart already. Still praying....
I just woke up and overnight I dreamed that I was at CBC watching Jonah as an active little precamper :) Made my morning and I just wanted to share and let you know I can't wait to witness that day for real. Stay strong!
Still Praying,
Janelle Valone
I saw your link at Jesus is. (That would be Cristi, she commented before me)I just had to say that you are in my prayers and Jonah is absolutely beautiful!
Ps chapter six comes to mind, so if you get a minute, it may help you through today.
Be blessed in Jesus name!
Yea Jonah! That is so incredible that he ate that much. What a miracle, before you know it he will be nursing! Keep up the good work and you are in my prayers.
love and blessings from ga~erin
Patrice and Matt,
I am a friend of Jen's and found my way over to your blog through a prayer request from her for you. Your little Jonah is SO beautiful and precious! I can see progress in the pictures you have posted already. Our family will be praying for Jonah and for both of you as you walk through this. I have added your blog to my google reader so I can keep up with updates on little Jonah.
I'm praying for Jonah and for strength for all of you. What a precious little boy!!
Teresa McFayden
http://teresamcfayden.typepad.com
Dear Williams Family,
You do not know us but we are Shon Earhart's parents in Missouri. We have been following your blog since the day Jonah was born. We have many people praying for Jonah here in Missouri also, some of them also keeping up on the blog. We just want you to know we are praying for you and for daily strength as you walk this journey.
christ Love,
David and Vicki Earhart
Dear Matt and Patrice,
Please continue to send the pictures. I sign on each day at noon and each evening when I get home. I pray for him continuously and each of my specific prayers has been answered, sometimes before you have even asked! Matt, Taylor, Russ, Morgan and Scott are all praying for Jonah and loving parents. Barbara
We are praying for you and your sweet boy. He is truly so...cute :)
May God cover you with His protection and peace. I pray for healing in more ways than one.
Blessings,
I think the consensus is that we ALL love seeing the photos of Jonah, so keep them coming!!!
We continue to pray for Jonah, for you, and for the specific prayer requests you have.
We have also added Jonah's "button" to our family blog in hopes that anyone that visits us will see it and pray for him as well! Because you never can have too many people praying!!
Sending prayers and good wishes!!
Praying hard in Australia for you all - Please don't worry about the photos, we love to see him!!!! Take care and I jope you don't mind I posted about you guys on my blog...
Hugs and Christ's richest blessings on you!
Jenny and Doug
So glad Jonah is drinking from a bottle. Will keep praying for and thinking of you...and looking forward to hearing more good news. May you be granted the peace that only God can give!
In Him,
The Kernodles
Baby steps....I am so glad for you.
Prayers go out to you from Fishers, IN. We will pray for strength for your family and for Jonah's future.
Patrice,
I spoke with your mother yesterday. I am your great-uncle Pete Kiger's granddaughter, Suzanne Johnson-Simpson. You have been in my heart since I heard of your ordeal last spring. How many times I've lifted you up in prayer, and didn't know you were pregnant, let alone had given birth to a beautiful baby boy. A friend of mine, Paige Tesh, was Jonah's nurse on Wed. She told me how gorgeous he is, and how sweet your family is. I haven't seen you since we were little girls, but PLEASE know I have sent out an email asking for prayers for all of you. You are such an inspiration of Christ's love, and what an amazing mother you are already! Jonah may have started life with a mountain to climb, but with you and your husband holding his hands, I trust that God will bless you with long lives together.
I am so glad the Jonah is eating now. Our family has been praying that Johan's feeding would be sucessful. Your strength as a parent amazes me - I have a 2 month old and I am constantly amazed through your blogs at how strong you are. We will continue to prayer for your strength and Johan's continued strength.
Josh, Melissa and Jackson Blackburn
Winston Salem, NC
Jonah is such a beautiful baby! I am praying that he starts taking more steps in the right direcion. God Bless all 3 of you and the doctors and nurses caring for Jonah. It sounds like they are taking very good care of him.
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