Merry Christmas!

We hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas! We enjoyed spending time with family over the last few days. Christmas was a day of driving around town to visit my boys. I had great visits with Caden. He was happy and playful. He talked a lot and gave me lots of smiles! We also got a good report. He's been gaining weight everyday (he's 8 lb. 7 oz. right now) and the surgeon said his incisions look good. I also had a good time at the fire station. Both sides of the family came to see Nathan. After eating a huge meal the kids got to spray the hoses, climb in the fire engine, and try on fire gear. They had a blast. All in all, it was a nice day!

3 More Days Till Christmas

It's been over a week since the surgery. Caden has started eating and making poopy diapers! Everything is working properly! They will slowly increase the amount of milk he gets at each feeding until he finally reaches a full feeding. Overall the doctors are pleased with his progress.

We are looking forward to Christmas. It is so great to be off of work. And of course we love to spend time with family. My sister and her family are coming to Houston so that's exciting. I have to admit I'm a little sad about the thought of Christmas this year. Caden will be at the hospital and Nathan is working. The good news is I am going to be visiting both of them.

We wish everyone a Merry Christmas!

Another Successful Surgery!

It's kind of strange to be excited about a surgery, but in a way I am. This is the surgery that is needed for him to recover and come home! Dr. Bloss, the surgeon, had a good report. He said that Caden had more intestines left than he realized. He said that all the important parts were still there and that he should have everything he needs to digest properly. He gave us high fives for "poopy diapers." Thank you for all the prayers, sweet emails, phone calls, and visits!

* This is a picture of Caden after the surgery. You can see the incision and a bandage covering where the stoma was. Dr. Bloss left his signature on Caden's bandage.

A Big Day

Today I went back to work in order to save some of my FMLA for when Caden comes home. I'm used to getting ready and going to see him first thing in the morning. I have to admit it was hard this morning. However, when I got to school I was greeted by so many smiling faces. It made it a lot easier to get through the day.

After school I rushed to the hospital to see my Sweetpea. My mom was there holding him while he was sleeping. I'm so glad that I have such a wonderful family that spends time with him when I'm away. Then, I got Caden ready for his visit from Santa! I talked to Santa about how Caden couldn't get to the mall for his first Christmas Santa picture, so he said he would stop by the hospital. I think Caden won Santa over. I think he'll get exactly what he asked for.

Today we found out that Caden's surgery to reconnect his intestines is going to be this Wednesday. Please be praying for a successful surgery and a quick recovery.

Today's Blessings: Thoughtful coworkers, sweet students, dinner from a friend, hospital visitors, and Santa.

All Clear

Caden had a Barium enema today to check his lower GI for any blockages. We are excited to report that they did not find any problems! This means that they shouldn't need to remove anything else from his bowels during the next surgery. Thank you Lord for answering my prayer with a yes!!

Cade wore this outfit today on his field trip to the 2nd floor for the procedure. He attracted a lot of attention. The nurse said he enjoyed looking around in the hallways.

Half Way There

We've been at the NICU for 6 weeks, and it looks like we have about 6 more to go! We were informed that he will probably have his second surgery (to reconnect his intestines) in about 2 weeks. This week they will do tests to make sure that the lower part of his intestines, which are currently not being used, are clear from blockages and scar tissue. Please be praying for a good report. Then, he will most likely have the surgery the following week. After the surgery, they will start the feeding process again to make sure everything is functioning properly. Then he will get to home! There is no way to know how quickly the feeding process will go after the surgery. We are hopeful that he will be home at the beginning of January! Thank you for your prayers!

*In the pictures it was time to eat. He was waiting on me to get the bottle, but instead I grabbed the camera because he looked so sweet. Of course he got upset and startd to cry. I just love that pouty lip!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We missed having our little guy with us on Thanksgiving, but we had fun hanging out at the hospital together! Besides his mommy and daddy, Cade had all 4 grandparents and his aunts visit for a Thanksgiving snuggle. Gobble gobble.

1 Month Birthday

Yesterday was Caden's 1 month birthday! It is hard to imagine that it has been an entire month since his arrival. We celebrated with snuggles, milk, and the birthday song. His favorite present was a big boy bed (an open crib). An open crib means we are able to bring things from home such as his mobile, toys, bouncer, and swing for him to enjoy. He especially loves napping in his bouncer (see picture). It has been an exciting first month. We have enjoyed getting to know our precious baby boy!

A Good Report

"To look within is to be discouraged. To look above at Him is to be encouraged."

This is definetly something I am finding to be true throughout this experience. As soon as I try to figure things out myself and plan out how I think things should go, I get stressed and discouraged. But if I just give it to Him, my mind is at peace and I am encouraged.

Today was an enouraging day. After days of weight loss and "pooping too much" (For the record I am referring to Caden and not myself. However, I would welcome the weight loss.) Cade has started to turn the corner. This morning I got a good report that he had gained a little weight and that his output had gone down significantly. This is most likely attributed to the doctor making a few adjustments on his feeding schedule, adding a fortifier to the milk to add calories, and taking medicine to reduce stomach acid. We have high hopes that he will continue to show progress! Maybe if we're really lucky he'll make it home just in time for Thanksgiving. Okay, the doctor didn't say that, but it's wishful thinking.

*This is a picture of my snugglebug with a full tummy. After enjoying a delicious meal, he fell right asleep and snuggled up against my chest for a nap.

Snuggle Time

The highlight of the week has been lots of visitors! Caden has enjoyed all of the good snuggling from Mimi, Papa, Auntie, Didi, Pops, Aunt Star, Uncle Stephen, Jaime, Nikki, Misty, Amy, Rachel, Adrienne, Mamama, Papa Joe, and of course Mommy and Daddy. And that's just over the last few days! Other than good snuggles and yummy milk, nothing exciting has really happened. That's good and bad I guess. Good because we haven't had any drama. Bad because we haven't had a lot of progress and he's losing a little weight. The doctors say that he puts out almost as much as he takes in. Therefore, they aren't ready to move forward with his feedings. They've kept everything the same this week to observe him. Hopefully he'll progress over the next week. Either way, we are so thankful that he is feeling well and is peaceful! He is a happy baby boy!

It's Feeding Time!

They starting feeding Cade today!! This is exciting news. We are now on the road to going home. Today he is only getting 10ccs every 3 hours (this is hardly anything), but they will keep increasing it daily until he reaches full feedings. He did his usual "sleep feed." But overall it was a great day and we really had some great guy time! He knows when his daddy has a hold of him, and it makes me proud!

Happy Halloween

So Halloween hasn't gone exactly the way I envisioned. We didn't get to dress him up or visit the pumpkin patch for pictures, but we have a lot to be thankful for. Caden's surgery for a central line was "easy" according to the surgeon. Everything went smoothly. Nathan was working today so I was thankful to have my mom, Jaime, Nikki, Janna, and Angie (and of course their adorable kids) to keep me company throughout the day.

Check out Caden's first Halloween picture. The highlight of his day was a 2 hour snuggle with Mommy before his surgery. The bear is wearing part of his Halloween costume. He was a pilot with a leather bomber jacket and aviator sunglasses. We will dress him up for pictures after he comes home.

Halloween Update

At 11:00 a.m. this morning Caden will go into surgery to put in a central port. This should help him not have to get poked so much with IV needles! He's been doing well these past few days. Please pray for a smooth procedure and easy recovery. Thank you!

Things I Already Love About Caden...

1. The way he looks into my eyes when I talk to him.
2. The way he fights to keep his eyes open when he's falling asleep.
3. The way he grasps onto my finger and holds it tightly.
4. The little grunts he makes when he moves around.
5. How he likes to keep his hands up on his face.
6. How quickly he's calmed by a familiar voice or snuggle.
7. The way he plays with his tongue.
8. His new obsession with his pacifier.
9. He's a trooper. I'm scared of IVs, and he's already had many.
10. His silky hair.
11. His soft skin.
12. His long, big toe.
13. He's ours.
14. He's a good and perfect gift from God.

The Weekend Report

My mom (Marcy) went to visit Caden this afternoon and left encouraged. . he has two of his tubes out--ones that were in his nose and taped across his face. . so he looks more comfortable--that's the good news. The "opportunity to pray news" is that he is fighting infection. He's on antiboitics, cultures have been sent off, and they seem to have it under control.

He's enjoing being held by his parents and family after 2 whole days last week of not being able to be held.

My mom also said that it's so sweet to see how Caden responds to Melody's voice--that he really seems to calm down and his heart rate go down.

Thank you to all the many, many people praying. Please keep interceding for our little one. We know that God IS in control. We're praying for the infection to be healed, for the feedings to go well (they'll start that when they get the OK from the surgeon), and for wisdom for Melody and Nathan as they make decisions about his care.

This is a prayer that my (Star) friend Michelle wrote and prayed for Caden. You can pray it, too! :)

Father, we are praying for Caden Joseph Lilley in need of Your healing touch. We ask You to look upon him with mercy and compassion. You have taught me that sometimes we don't have what's needed because I haven't asked, and so we gather together and ask for healing. Father completely empty the Doctor's, nurses, and any person making medical decisions for Caden and fill them up with Your Wisdom and Your Wisdom alone regarding all needs that need to be administered to little Caden. Father, we praise Your name for the gifts you have given those on this earth to perform surgeries to help our bodies but most of all we Praise Your Name because You are The Lord Who Heals, The Lord Our Peace; God Almighty, I AM. Thank you for making Caden perfect and choosing wonderful parents who love You Lord and place their hope and trust in You. May Your Spirit strengthen Melody and Nathan right now. Father, comfort them with the assurance of Your love. Help them trust You, and remind them that You are the One who makes a way when things seem difficult; nothing is too hard for You! NOTHING. Help them not give up, to keep watching for Your answers and Your healing. Give them faith. Help them not to lose their confidence in You and Your faithfulness, to know they will see how Good You are. Thank you that you hear them in their distress; May they sense Your presence right now. In Jesus' name, amen.

The Good, the bad, and everything in between!

The good: 1. Dr. Bloss performed Caden's surgery. It turns out that he is one of the leading pediatric surgeons in Houston. 2. Cade's intubation tube was removed on Thursday. He is now breathing room air, which is great. 3. The fluid they've been extracting from his stomach is more clear instead of brown. That means it is improving. 4. After three procedures, they successfully entered a PIC line. Now they can use this instead of poking him for an IV over and over again.

- Thank you Lord for answered prayers!

The not so good: 1. It looks like the PIC line might be inflammed. If they determine it is, it will need to be removed. We really need the PIC line to avoid a possible surgery for a central line. 2. His incisions are probably infected. They took a culture to see what is going on. They started him on a new line of antibiotics to take care of it. 3. On Thursday his IV infiltrated into his foot. It made his foot swollen and blue. Now it has a big bruise on it.

Prayer requests: 1. Please pray for a successful PIC line. 2. Please pray that his infection will go away quickly. 3. Most importantly, please pray that he will be comfortable and able to sleep soundly with all that is going on in his body.

Thank you for all of your support! -Melody and Nathan

Thanks be to God for a successful surgery

Thank you to all of you who have been praying for Caden today. The surgery went well, and the surgeon said that Caden did "very well". They removed the blockage by removing a small portion of his small intestine. He has a temporary colostamy. He'll remain sedated for the next couple of days and then they'll begin the process of feeding him and decreasing the IV. When he can take a full feeding, he'll be ready to go home. Caden looks good and is peacefully recovering.

Melody wants a verse to put on Caden's crib, and the verse that we prayed today was

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

If you have a verse that you've been praying for Caden, Nathan, and Melody you can share it with them by clicking on the COMMENT button and posting your verse or prayer there. Thanks so much for your support!

Star (Melody's sister)

Surgery today

I just got a call this morning that Caden’s stomach is becoming distended (this is not good). The concern is that it will cause his bowel to rupture if it continues. He will be having surgery this afternoon. Details to follow. Please say a prayer for him today.

Melody

Caden is Here!!!

We are excited to report that Caden Joseph Lilley is finally here! He came at 12:02 am on Friday, October 19. I went to the doctor on Thursday for a check-up and my doctor accidently broke my water! We were sent straight to the hospital to be induced. He weighed 7 lb. and was 19.5 inches long. He has lips like his daddy and a nose like his mommy. And who could miss his full head of beautiful brown hair!

He is doing well except for a little potty problem. The poor guy hasn’t “pooed.” He is currently in the NICU and will be staying for a while. They are running tests to see what is causing the blockage. Right now they are giving him medicated enemas in hopes that it will cause the plug to pass to avoid surgery. We will send updates as we learn more. Please be praying for a poo poo in the near future!

-Nathan, Melody, and Caden