First of all, thank you for all your prayers. We couldn't make it through this without all of you, and we mean that!
Okay, now for the story, narrated by me and illustrated by Cole.
Wake up time!!! We were the first case of the day. The tornadoes tried to hold us back, but all the docs and nurses were still able to get to the hospital :)
Here's me at 5am getting ready to leave for the hospital! I had just taken my second anti-bacterial shower :) and thought we should get a last minute shot of my belly.
Matthew was born at 8:54 am, weighing 5 lbs 14 oz, and 19 inches long. He has Cole's nose and a full head of hair! He was breathing of his own - Praise the Lord!
I got to see him for about .5 seconds and they whisked him away to the NICU to get started on tests to determine his exact condition.
We were strong for most of it, but sometimes you've just got to cry :) It was hard watching them take him away, though Cole did get to follow him to the NICU. Cole held my trembling hand through the c-section and often peeked over the curtain and into my insides :) The doctors and nurses definitely made fun of him for his monster camera.
My parents, Cole's parents, Julia and Claire were all there waiting to see Matthew as they took him down to the NICU. I think everyone was excited and emotional and just wanted to see him longer!
After they were done with the preliminary tests and evaluations, we got to spend a good amount of time with him. Cole and I even got to hold him for about an hour! At one point, I looked over to hear Cole whispering the Gospel into his ear :)... one of those things you don't ever forget.
We begged and pleaded and finally they let Claire come back and meet her little brother. She was actually kind of fascinated with him and kept trying to touch his head :) So thankful for this moment as a family!
Cole holding his precious little hand!
We are scared to death, but so in love with our little son!
Here he is - Cole Matthew Nickell, Jr.
As of now, he's breathing on his own, though the doctors don't know how. Tomorrow morning they will perform an invasive test called a heart catheterization, to see how the blood is being routed to his lungs. Depending on the outcome of that procedure, we will then have several surgical options. So far, they've confirmed that his heart has as many complex problems as they feared, and we're just looking for options. I'm doing well and should be recovered in a few days. Cole wanted me to tell you all that he's already up and walking and doing fine :) The c-section wasn't as horrible as I remembered, though I still really dislike the fact that I was cut into. Cole and I are still dealing with the rollar-coaster of our emotions and we know that we have difficult days ahead, so we would appreciate your continued prayers. We can't tell you how much the texts, phone calls, and messages have meant to us. We feel your love and are so grateful!
Julia, Cole, Claire, and Matthew: what a wonderful and beautiful family you are! You are all heald in the hands of an amazing Father and you just tell those doctors that you know how he is breathing, because his father in heaven created him in the innermost being and is breathing the breath of life into those tiny little lungs. You are in our prayers, we love you so much and we will walk this journey with you!
ReplyDeleteTaylor, Austin and Will
Julia, I had no idea, I just backtracked on your blog. I am praying fervently for you, Cole, Claire and especially Matthew! I hope Jordan shared the amazing story of our Sawyer and pray you will find hope in God's miraculous healing of him. She may have also shared the story of CJ/Chelsea's baby who is due in September and so we know all too well what you are all going through. But that is the amazing thing that God uses our experiences to minister to and pray for others with hearts that understand. May you feel your Savior's arms wrapped around you and your family every minute of every day!
ReplyDeleteLove in Christ,
Carol Agate
The Minichans are praying for all of you and Matthew. God is a sovereign God and his name will be glorified in his creation of baby Matthew! Let us know if you need ANYTHING!
ReplyDeleteJulia and Cole, I am praising God with you on the birth of your precious son! What an amazing gift from our Creator! I have been praying and will continue to lift up Matthew and the rest of you in prayer in the unknown days ahead. I cannot imagine what is going through your minds right now with not knowing what is to come from day to day, but I know that ya'll are resting in the fact that our Sovereign God has known from the beginning. May God bless your family and please know that we are praying!
ReplyDeleteRebekah Slater
Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for the precious pictures and re-telling of Matthew's birth. I almost feel like I was there in person. As you walk this path, I pray that The Lord will give you grace for each moment not only to face decisions but also to celebrate life in this tiny son of yours. Connie Bouldin
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I have to tell you that I'm in love with this site. Secondly, I'm very impressed that you've updated this so quickly. It's not like you had a baby today or anything. We are praying for you, Cole, Claire and Matthew. To God be all the glory! What a wonderful day for y'all. We love you guys and will continue to pray for your family. Let us know if you need anything! -Parker and Matt
ReplyDeleteOh and p.s. Matt says that I have to include that Matthew is an excellent name choice. And that it means gift from God (I'm sure you know this). I'm pretty confident that he thought that was just what his mother thought of him. Haha!