Amazing Men in my life.

I'm going to try and get a quick note in while Josh is getting some much needed sleep. First......we have done it...through no great surprise from the Almighty, we have done it. God has gotten me through things in the past two weeks that I conceived were completely impossible. Second....my husband. Girls like me must arbitrarily fall into the laps of men like my husband more often than not, but he has been so amazing getting not only me, but his son through the past week. I have told him several times that it just would never have worked with anyone else, and it's the truth.....I love that man more every day. He is such a natural with our son, and makes me appreciate so much more the impact he will have on Henri's life. I love you so much Josh. Third...the new man of my life...what do you say? You can't say anything most of the time. You just observe....quietly....and in those moments you realize what God must feel about you. You realize that you have been given a privilege in life that some people for whatever horrible reason don't get to experience. You realize in those moments that creating a child and being his parent is so far beyond what you can take credit for. I just got off the phone with the special care nursery, and Henri had a great night. He has tolerated advancing his feeds, and has actually taken the last three feeds mostly by mouth. He is still under the bili lights (picture to come soon) and working on his growing. Occupational therapy is working with him, and we are able to do kangaroo care at least once a day with him now, sometimes twice. Thank you to everyone for all your support and prayers, it's going to get all three of us through this.

He doesn't know he's a whimpy white boy...

It is difficult to put the moments that define life into words. But, the moment I first held Henri Warren Byrge was my greatest moment. I'm sure Melissa will agree that seeing him made the lowest lows of the past 7 1/2 months fade into that happy place of forgetfullness. Here is how it happened...

Friday August 14, 2009 Melissa was admitted to Missouri Baptist Medical Center for "observation" and to get steroids that would help Henri's lung development if he were to be delivered early. We suspected that Melissa's lab values (uric acid, platelet count, protein in her urin, etc ) would continue to worsen and that Henri would probably be delivered sometime the following week (we were told there was a chance we could have three more weeks).

Saturday August 15, 2009 Melissa called me (I was at home working on Henri's room) and said her platelet count had fallen enough that Henri would be delivered around 3pm.

At about 3:10pm, I stood outside the O.R. I will spare the dirty details (though they are really cool and I have photos AND video if you're interested), but at 3:36pm on Saturday August 15, 2009, Henri Warren was deliverd via c-section. For Melissa, the most relieving moment was when he cried for the first time. I have to say I have a lot of respect for Melissa's ob/gyn. She did a great job.

Because Henri was delivered 6 weeks early, his current address is in the Special Care Unit (SCU)at MoBap. There he has made progress toward all three major pre-requisites for coming home.

They are:

1) Breath on his own. Henri has well developed lungs and has never needed support in this area. So, check for number one!

2) Regulate his own body temperature. Henri has progressed from the heating table to an incubator. The temperature has been slowly lowered to its current point, the last point before before graduating to an open crib. So...good progress toward number 2!

3) Eat/grow. Henri started IV nutrition late Sunday. He had his first nipple feeding this morning (about 6mL). The goal is to get to just over 1oz every three hours. Part of this process does require a feeding tube in his nose for the formula/breast milk that he is too tired to take via the bottle. That is not actually a bad thing.

It has apparently been shown that different people groups fare differently in the SCU. Those who do best are normally black and female followed by black males and then white females. Pulling up the rear, are the "whimpy white boys." Kathy, one of the SCU nurses said of Henri, "He must not know he is a whimpy white boy...don't tell him!" Henri is doing well. Though challenges could still lay ahead, he is wonderfully made.

Here are a couple additional pics of our handsome little man. If you drool, Henri can lend you a burp cloth :) Enjoy.

Finally...Melissa is also doing well. She is likely to come home Wednesday. I saw what they did to her Saturday. She is THE man! (My mother-in-law is now telling me that being the WOman is better than the man. If it were not 12:25am, I'd tell her where to go.) Goodnight.

Prenatal Photos

So I was trying to plan a bit ahead of last Thursday's doctor's appointment, and it seems to have worked out. Josh and I went for prenatal photos on Wednesday and we wanted to share a few of the shots with everyone. The nursery is coming together nicely, and Josh is making feverish progress on it. He really is a workhorse when things need to get finished. A shout out to my dad for all of his assistance as well. As usual, you really are ALWAYS a kid and can't get it finished without parents. Mom has taken her fair share of duties on in anticipation of Henri as well, so thanks! Enjoy the photos everyone! (And one day I may figure out how to turn these darn photos that are in the landscape view, sorry!)

A Saint Louis Smack Down!

So it has to be said......some of you folks in Cincy oughta be a little embarrassed! I had breakfast with a friend that lives here in St. Louis today. We actually work together. She is a physical therapist and we got to talking one day a few years ago about where I was from. She told me about how she went to a conference in Cincinnati once and how she just loves Skyline Chili. At breakfast she brought a baby gift for Henri. Inside was a package of gowns and sleepers for Henri. Very practical and needed gifts. But low and behold.....in the bottom of the bag...........I find this:

Now, all joking aside, Josh and I have loved every gift and gesture of generosity from everyone. We just had to point out the irony that a St. Louis friend found and purchased the Cincinnati Skyline Chili bib for our boy!

Much love to everyone.

Rocker/Glider and other growth

So this post is mostly for those of you living outside the metro St. Louis area. As our shower gift my mom and dad helped us buy the rocker/glider for Henri's new nursery. Josh picked it up this past week and put it together the other day. Josh tends to sit in it more than I, but we both love it and know that it will be very important in Henri's care once he arrives. Josh has been hard at work this weekend (as usual) with mudding the nursery and he feels that it is going relatively well. Let's pray for no snags in the rest of the mudding or the sanding work. It will really make or break how the walls in the room turn out. (new nursery pics to come soon!) Lots of folks at home have been asking for a "belly" shot. Although I'm not totally game for this, I will entertain the request since we are closing in on the 30 week marker. That means about 11 or so weeks to go depending on when Henri decides he is ready! And Henri certainly has a lot of growing to do in those 11 short weeks. That will be my focus, plenty of rest and relaxation so that he can grow. Having said that, this included belly shot will certainly show that for Henri's mom, there has been no lack of expansion! Thanks to everyone here and back in Cincy for their support and prayers throughout this pregnancy, it really helps!

Here is the glider for Henri's room. It's currently in the living room, but just as comfy there!

The infamous "belly" shot that is in such high demand.

Behold....the power of mud!

Let it be known to everyone that has ever inquired about the progress on the nursery......the mudding has begun! This is great news and a huge hurdle to have overcome. Josh has worked very hard on the nursery this weekend. He finished drywalling the inside of the closet and has begun the mudding and taping. This also means a bit of sanity for his wife. Most of the tools that had taken up residence in my dining room over the past three months have made it back to their rightful spot.....in the basement! This made room for cleaning, you have to love that. We also put the stroller together to ensure it was in good working order and in no need of return or exchange. One day at a time we are moving closer to Henri's arrival! Not to wish any of this wonderful time and pregnancy away, but 12 weeks to go and so much to get finished. Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend.

Rainy Days

Happy 4th of July to everyone. We hope everyone is enjoying some relaxing time off. It has rained like mad here through the night and most of the morning. Josh and I were looking at a day filled with working on the nursery and cleaning the house. Then.......rutrow, not one leak, but two in the roof :( Josh walked into the nursery to find water dripping from the new drywalled ceiling in Henri's nursery. To say the least it put quite the damper on the day. So....the price of the new nursery drywall $450.00, plus two new pieces...price of new shingles on our roof $4000.00....price of a new house without a leaky roof, some would say priceless, we say about $350.000.00. Whew, and we thought Henri's college education was going to be expensive? On the bright side, it isn't raining now and we still may grill out this evening!