Hope for Baby Bennett: Slow and steady

Friday, June 4, 2010

Slow and steady

Bodie is doing MUCH better! His cough is so much better that he's not even really desatting anymore with it. He's still weak, but he's steadily getting stronger and able to eat a bit more by mouth each day! YAY! He's gained weight the last 2 nights, so he's definitely getting back on track. He's now doing most of his feeds during the day by mouth and his nighttime feeds by ng tube. The plan is to slowly increase his feeds as his strength comes back and he's able to tolerate it. Once he's able to take everything by mouth (and gain weight doing so), we'll be able to go come and beef him up for just a bit before his next surgery! Praise God!!!

And he is so stinking happy! It looks like he's outgrown a lot of his newborn fussiness - now, he'll generally smile at anyone who looks in his direction:

Feeding with Gigi

Goofing off for mommy

Catching his smiles

9 comments:

Debbie CatesJune 4, 2010 at 10:50 PM
Awesome video! I loved seeing little Bodie all smiley and happy.
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SteveJune 5, 2010 at 2:05 AM
That's the spirit, little buddy!
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JennyJune 5, 2010 at 6:17 AM
He is so adorable. I'm glad all the prayers have been paying off and Bodie is doing well. What a cute smile. :)
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AnonymousJune 5, 2010 at 9:46 AM
Love the video! So did Levi, we watched it at least 15 times! So cute. Love you guys! Erin
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AnonymousJune 5, 2010 at 10:15 AM
Ah, my Bodie! You just made my day! I love you, my baby and I'm so, so happy to see you smile! We are all praying for you to get stronger and super healthy! I am still waiting for a playdate for you and Faith! :o) May God continue to strengthen you and may you have a beautifully blessed day ahead, my love. Biiiiiiig hugs: Nairi and family
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Chris and KarenJune 5, 2010 at 11:55 AM
Oh sweet Bodie - you make my heart just swell with joy!!
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UnknownJune 5, 2010 at 12:34 PM
Always the cutie pie!! So glad to hear he is getting stronger...
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pinkmeJune 6, 2010 at 4:26 PM
Its clear he adores you! He smiles so good when you talk to him. What a sweetie. We should all take lead from him; he smile even though he has so many issues. If we all did that we would feel much better too. I continue to pray that he can come home soon and thrive.
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Lori KunJune 7, 2010 at 2:10 PM
Sweet, sweet boy! What a cutie and what a fighter!
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The Chosen Mothers by Erma Bombeck

Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures, and a couple by habit. Did you ever wonder how mothers of children with life threatening illnesses are chosen?

Somehow, I visualize God hovering over Earth selecting His instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger. "Armstrong, Beth, son, patron saint Matthew. Forrest, Marjorie, daughter, patron saint Cecilia. Rutledge, Carrie, twins, patron saint Gerard."

Finally, He passes a name to an angel and says, "Give her a child with cancer." The angel is curious. "Why this one God? She's so happy." "Exactly" smiles God, "Could I give a child with cancer a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel."

"But, does she have patience?" asks the angel. "I don't want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she will handle it." "I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has it's own world. She has to make it live in her world and that's not going to be easy."

"But, Lord, I don't think she believes in you." No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness." The angel gasps -"Selfishness? is that a virtue?"

God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she'll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn't realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take anything her child does for granted. She will never consider a single step ordinary. I will permit her to see clearly the things I see...ignorance, cruelty, prejudice...and allow her to rise above them." She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life, because she is doing My work as surely as if she is here by My side." "And what about her patron Saint?" asks the angel. His pen poised in mid-air. God smiles, "A mirror will suffice."