Surgery Surprise!

When we got to the hospital this morning, Nurse Erin was helping Jayden take his thoughts off the looming surgery as she celebrated his four month birthday by taking his footprints! (We have the best nurses!) Jayden didn't seem to mind at all that she was playing with his feet.
Here are his little footprints. Aren't they adorable?! We have his newborn footprints, so they will be fun to put in his baby book and compare later on.
Jayden also had a photo shoot before going into surgery. Did you notice that he actually has an upper lip?! He had NO tape on his face! We saw his handsome WHOLE face for the first time since he was about a month old! Of course, we think he's just as handsome as can be. 
Although he didn't have anything on his face, he did have an IV in his head, hence the cotton ball on top of his head. He was still as cute as could be! Daddy held him for awhile and gave him a pep talk. We also prayed with him and reminded him the even though we couldn't be in the operating room, Jesus would be right there with him. 

Our pastor came and prayed with us as well. He also stayed with us the whole day as we waited for news from the nurse and doctors. Thanks, Dean!
When Jayden came out of surgery, he was once again covered in bandages and cables. However, we are praising the Lord that all went smoothly in the surgery and that Jayden did great! His two hernias were repaired and the G-tube was placed. There was a surprise, however, The surgeon also decided to remove Jayden's appendix! Believe it or not, his appendix was in the wrong place --- actually in the right hernia bag ---- and the doctor was afraid it would cause problems later. So --- surprise! We never have to worry about appendicitis with our son!

Jayden was still on the ventilator when we left the hospital this evening. However, he was waking up and moving around. The nurses will try to wean him off the ventilator tonight. I hope he'll have it removed before we go in to see him tomorrow morning.

Thank you so much for your prayers. Please continue to pray for a rapid recovery. We are looking forward to bringing Jayden home. We'll keep you updated with his progress and new photos as he improves.

See My Face?

I just wanted to show everyone what I look like WITHOUT the nasal cannula in my nose! I can't wait until the feeding tube is out as well. 
Thanks for praying for my surgeries tomorrow. I think I will feel MUCH better afterwards. First of all, I'm tired of my hernias waking me up because of the pain. Secondly, although I'm not sure what a G-tube is, I've been told that it will replace the last tube that is on my face. I can't wait to have a face everyone can actually see!
I'm thankful so many people are praying for me. Mommy and Daddy say that I am very loved. All my nurses changed their schedules for Wednesday so I would have nurses who KNOW me on the day I have surgery. Is that LOVE or what? I'm a very blessed little boy. 

Four Months Old

Tomorrow Jayden will be 4 months old. He will also be having surgery. He is doing exceptionally well, but he has 2 hernias that need to be repaired before he can come home. In addition to the hernia repairs, Jayden will also be having a G-tube put into his stomach. This will allow us to feed him through the tube until he can take full feeds through a bottle.
Please continue to pray for our precious boy. He's such a fighter! Yesterday when we went in to see him, we were thrilled to see him without his nasal cannula! He is breathing completely on his own! He is MUCH healthier than the last time he had to have a procedure done, so we are hopeful that the surgeries will go well and that he will recover quickly.
Jayden continues to try to feed by mouth. He's taking about 10 ml of breast milk several times a day.  He doesn't quite know what to do with his tongue, but he's learning. The doctors are hoping the G-tube will be something we use temporarily until he is able to take full feedings by mouth. 

We appreciate you prayers so much. Jayden's surgery is on Wednesday, March 11, at 2:15. Pray for him, the surgeons and team who will be helping the surgeons, and for God's peace for us. Also pray for a quick recovery. The doctors have told us that 2-3 weeks after surgery (or possibly even sooner!), Jayden will be coming home! It's sooooo close! Jayden will need to completely recover from surgery, be weaned off his oxygen again, and the doctors will need to get his feedings figured out. When all that happens, he'll come home to be with us! 

While he is recovering, we will be undergoing classes in how to care for him at home. Pray that we are quick learners! :) They will equip us well before we will be responsible for Jayden's care. We are excited that it looks like he won't have to come home with oxygen. That's a HUGE answer to prayer!

Again, thanks for your continued prayers, support, love, and words of encouragement. We'll let you know how his surgery goes.