RANDOM STUFF!

I know it has been a while since I posted but I spend my days either keeping Luke, Rylee, and Parker or working and at night I am at Erin’s keeping her company since Russ works evenings. (That way I get to hold and love on Grant a bunch!)

Luke, Rylee, and Parker have all been sick this week. Luke has the flu, Parker has an ear infection, and Rylee woke up with fever on Friday. This Winter has been rough on these three with at least one being sick all the time! Hopefully, the coming Spring weather will help them get well and stay that way for a while! Ashley and Pete are just about worn out.

Luke spent several days in Washington, D.C. this past week with his Grammy Janet. She was speaking before Congress on Tuesday but the other days were filled with seeing all the sites of Washington. Luke said his overall favorite thing was the plane ride and his favorite thing about Washington was the Capitol Building. Janet always gets tickets for a White House tour but after several contacts with Senator Lincoln she was told it wasn’t possible. Guess that’s typical of our current adminstration. His open door White House policy has apparently also been rescinded! Oh well, we better get used to it. Seems as though lots of his promises have been rescinded.
Hopefully I can get some of Luke’s pictures and post them. He turned out to be a pretty good photographer on his trip.

Grant is growing so fast we can’t stand it! He is really serious about his milk and you better not take it away or you will hear about it. He rarely ever cries and if he does it doesn’t last more than a few seconds. He loves to smile and show his cute dimples! Erin and I took him to the doctor today for a little congestion and he weighs - are you ready for this???? - 11 POUNDS AND 7 OUNCES. These pictures are with his Build-A-Bear and he has definitely added a few pounds and inches!

On March 16 Erin’s friend, Crystal, had her baby and she is a cutie! She only weighed 4 lbs. 14 ozs. and is now home and doing great. This is Lexi and Grant. We thought Grant was so little - he makes more than two of her!

Ashley made this cake for Crystal and Lexi's baby shower! She gets better all the time.

The last two pictures were just too cute not to post. The first one is not very clear but you can see his dimple!

What a Sweet Face!!!

Just had to post this sweet face. He is growing fast (don't tell Erin I said that). She loves this time and wants it to slow down!

I love this picture too!

Luke held him first when they got home! Rylee didn't know that or she would have been mad. She did get her turn though and they are both loving on him as often as they can! Parker really hasn't noticed him much other than pointing to him.

A NICU NURSE AND A NICU BABY….

What happens when a NICU Nurse has a NICU Baby? It is a lot different being on the outside looking in than being on the inside looking out. Erin will now have much more compassion and understanding of what is involved when your baby is sick. Although she had a lot of compassion and understanding before - it just takes on a whole new meaning. Grant had such great nurses to help us through the entire process and we are very thankful for their expertise. Two of the nurses had been NICU nurses for over 25 years (each). We would leave scratching our heads over all the information we tried to consume while visiting Grant.


That being said there are so many people to thank and I’m sure I will leave someone out but I‘ll try anyway….


THANK YOU to….


God - We know you healed Grant and we are thankful for all of the answered prayers!


Doctors and Nurses - To Dr. Stern, the neonatologists, and all of the NICU nurses and OB Nurses at Baptist Women’s Hospital - we thank you for taking great care of Erin and Grant.


Our Family - Whether you were here or in Tennessee, Kansas, Texas, or in all areas of Arkansas or another state - we felt your love and prayers. Tyra, thank you for letting me know that almost the entire town of Mena was praying for Grant. That is awesome!


Our Friends - There is nowhere to begin with this one. So many friends were praying in Wynne, St. Louis, New Orleans, Jonesboro, Rogers, Little Rock, Fayetteville, Trumann, just to name a few!!! You will all remain in our hearts forever. (To my Wade Sisters - thank you for sending encouraging messages every day - I love you all!)


Churches - I know entire churches were praying for Grant and we will never forget what you have done for us. As Bro. Matt said the day Grant came home, “God is good.” A special thank you to Bro. Matt Pearson and Jeff Brawner (my nephew who is a minister in a Memphis church) for their trips to the hospital to pray with Erin and Russ.


We have so very much to be thankful for today and will forever be grateful for each and every person in our lives! I hope you all get the chance to love on Baby Grant soon!

THIS SIGN SAYS IT ALL!!!! (Day 8 - Thurs. - Feb. 19)

Russ, Erin, and Grant made it home tonight about 6:00 p.m. It has been a long day of waiting and preparing for them to get home. I will post a longer update tomorrow. We are all just so happy to have them home safe and sound. Can you hear my sigh of relief from way over here?

We are praising God every minute for healing his lungs and bringing him home to us!

HE IS AN OVERACHIEVER! (Day 7 - Wednesday - Feb. 18)

Just had to list a few of Grant’s accomplishments for today:

1. Dr. Hamilton came over from LeBonheur Children’s Hospital to do his echocardiogram and the little hole in his sweet heart has closed.
2. He was given his hearing screening today and passed with flying colors.
3. He was moved to a big boy bed.

4. He nursed today for the first time and did so well.
5. He will get his last dose of antibiotics tonight.
6. His bilirubin had gone back down. It was up and down the last couple of days but so far he has avoided the bililights and sunglasses.
7. He got to wear big boy clothes. When I was there his nurse put him in a yellow and blue outfit so I guess he is officially a “Yellowjacket.”
9. His Grammy got to hold him for the first time and his Aunt Ashley got to hold him last night. I know I listed this last but believe me - there was no better feeling than loving on this beautiful boy!

PRAISE GOD FOR ALL OF OUR ANSWERED PRAYERS! Please pray for all the other little babies who are fighting in the NICU. There are so many families who are also praying to bring their babies home.

Grant is saying his bedtime prayers and is praying for all his tiny friends in the NICU.