We formally met Ned!!

We finally got to go down to the NICU about 5:30 to see our son.....it was the most long awaited, anticpated introduction of my life. He and I had a brief encounter this afternoon after he was born. We held hands and he refused to let go....another Mama's boy....I love it!!! But tonight, I finally got to tell him some things that I have been thinking about for 6 months. I told him about how God was holding him and caring for him and how blessed he is that the Lord chose him to reveal Himself to others at such an early age. I told him how I had such a difficult time learning this lesson, but he didn't have to fight too hard because God was holding him and his future was secure in Him.

I know Travis let you all know that he cried at birth which for us was amazing (totally God) since they had told us not to expect a cry at all and that he would be blue and may not be able to be intubated at all? BUT, he let out loud belly cries and it blessed my soul. I'm pretty sure I kept saying "Thank you Jesus" out loud in the delivery room. If I had been in a better position, I think I may have gotten up and danced a jig while I said it.....completely unashamed!! He was a very normal 7lbs and I'm not sure of his length, but he looks comepletely proportionate. I have counted each of his beautiful fingers and toes and there aren't any extra or abnormally shaped. Again, it was difficult for me to trust God's provision when so many negative reports kept coming in about his conditions, but God has certainly shown himself today.

So....when we got to the NICU, the doctor on duty gave us a quick update and the first thing he noted about Ned was that he was extremely strong. So strong, in fact, that they had to sedate him tonight because he had pulled out his breathing tube! I was so proud! They also said that they had done lots of testing and his heart showed no anomolies. The doctor went on to tell us that he had a good bit of bowel in his chest. Now while this seemed like he was delivering bad news, he was actually telling me of God's first big miracle for Ned. In response, I asked if he hadn't seen most of his liver in his chest. The doctor said there may be some liver up, but not that much.

WOW.....when we went to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, they told us that his stomach was up, his bowel was up and his liver was up. I knew that the liver being up was a worst case senario because the liver is such a dense, hard organ that it really prevents any lung from forming against it, but I could clearly see in the MRI images that at least 3/4 of his liver was in his chest. When we met with the specialist there, I asked if it were "possible" that the liver could descend back into the abdomen. They assured me that it wasn't possible for that to happen.....but, ALL THINGS are possible thru Christ!

So, we went in to see little Ned and he is absolutely beautiful!! Even with all those tubes, he was a living doll! He has a head full of curly blond hair. Right now it's still kinda matted to his head, but once they wash it, I think it will be quite the boufant hair-do. Although he was sedated, he was still repsonsive to my touch and voice.

I have been held by all your prayers in such a supernatural way that I couldn't begin to put into words. Please keep praying that we will continue to place our trust in God's soverignty. I am also praying that God will hold Ned in His arms the entire time that he is alone in his bed and that the Holy Spirit will hover over his little bed filling his little body with the grace and peace that surpasses all understanding. As always, I am praying for complete healing....I put my hands on his little chest and asked God to fix everything and to give the doctors discernment and wisdom. We're also praying that in whatever capacity God chooses to continue to use our family, we will be open and obedient to his direction.

As for his surgery, we don't know what to expect as far as a time-frame. The first 48 hours are considered a honeymoon period. After that, they will want him to be able to remain stable for a time period then they will schedule the surgery. For now, we'll just rest in the place where He has us for the moment.

I love you all so very much. You have sustained us through your prayers and love in Christ!

Betsy, Travis, Jack and Ned