Weight Gain

We took Kai to the doctor yesterday and he's gained back the weight that he lost right after he was born! He looks great overall. We're still waiting on some genetic test results that were sent away last week; those should be back in the next few weeks. We're adjusting to life with five. Kai's pretty calm and laid back which is nice:)

He's Home!!!

Kai came home today! This is not the scenario we were anticipating even a few days ago, but we couldn't be more thrilled. Thank you again to everyone who posted messages on the blog, sent emails and facebook messages! They were all so encouraging and we appreciate the kind thoughts and prayers offered on behalf of our family.

Tired but feeling blessed,

Steve

The sorority visits Kai

To have the faith of a child

As I was waiting to go join Joy in the operating room yesterday, my mind was filled with all sorts of anxious thoughts that I guess any soon to be father has. I was worried about Joy and the baby, but unlike in the past, there was also all of the unknowns. We'd been told there would be additional staff in the operating room this time, including a nurse from the NICU just in case our son had to be whisked there for whatever reason. I have to admit, I was overwhelmed with a sense of dread; things weren't going to work out, something was going to be seriously wrong with Kai and/or Joy; you know where our mind often takes us in times like these.

Reflecting back now, I can't help but smile at how our other children have handled the news about what was happening with their baby brother. Our twins, Nadia and Eliana have been praying that he wouldn't have club feet for months now. I've heard them ask God numerous times to make it so their baby brother doesn't have to wear braces and that his feet and legs would be ok. In my head, I always thought it was sweet but carefully shot up a prayer myself asking that God would help us get through whatever realistically we were going to face. After all, the doctors confirmed that Kai would have club feet from 26 weeks on; that was the one "definitive" consensus amongst everyone who looked at him via ultrasound. When I saw him for the first time yesterday and heard the neonatologist say, "His feet look great!" it took me back to his sisters' prayers on his behalf and the prayers I heard others had said on his behalf. My sense of dread turned to awe. As a non-medical person, I don't understand all that occurred between 26 weeks and yesterday, but what I do know is that my two girls showed more faith in a mighty God than their own father did. While I was logical and realistic, they were holding out hope that there brother wouldn't just be OK but completely free of any medical issues.

As a family we can forever look back on this moment as a time when we felt God's presence in a very real way. Not that things always turn out this way in life, because they don't, but I do know that something miraculous occurred in my heart yesterday. To witness a birth is amazing in itself. I think more extrordinary is that people all over the world, from complete strangers to my very own daughters, were praying yesterday that Kai would be born completely healthy and for some reason it looks as if God chose to answer that prayer. To Him be the glory!

Kai Pics

Happy Birthday

Malachi Dean Slates was born at 12:17pm today. He weighed in at 6 lbs even and was 18 1/2 inches long. We have great news regarding all the concerns doctors have had during the various ultrasounds/appointments. The neonatologist checked Kai over several times and didn't find any concerns regarding the length of his legs or arms. He said everything looks proportional and good! Also, there is no evidence at this time of club feet!!! WOW is all we can say. They still want to do another echo of his heart and do some testing to see if anything turns up because of the initial concerns earlier in the pregnancy. Malachi is Hebrew for messenger of God. Mom and baby are doing well and resting right now. Thank you all for the prayers on our families behalf. I'll write more at a later time, but right now we're overwhelmed and so happy about the good news.

God bless,

Steve

The stork will come earlier

Hi everyone,

Just a quick update to let you know that there was a cancellation at the hospital so although we were scheduled for 1:30, the new time is 11:45 Wednesday! That's a good thing for Joy as she can't eat all day! Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.

Countdown

Here's the newest update on our son. Joy had an ultrasound today and the specialist said that our son is reacting well and seems healthy; in other words he doesn't look like he's in jeopardy at this point. They estimate his weight is 5lbs 7 oz. which puts him in the 12th percentile. We were hoping he'd be at least five pounds and were excited to hear that he's actually seven ounces over. The femur and humerus bones are still looking really small (the femur looks like that of a baby in the 28th week and the humerus like that of a baby in the 30th week), but the head and stomach are both within normal range. Basically, the specialist isn't sure what's going on (that's pretty much what we've heard for weeks); it could be a chromosomal abnormality or it could be something else. He doesn't think our baby has dwarfism or some other sort of skeletal dysplasia but it will be up to the doctors who deliver him, along with possible geneticist to determine what exactly, if anything is going on.

All that to say, the specialist is still satisfied that next week Wednesday is a good day to take the baby, so Joy is scheduled for 1:30pm on the 25th. Thank you all for your continued prayers. Right now we're looking forward to meeting him and hopefully having a clearer idea of what's going on with his little body.