Miss Abigail is coming home early this afternoon! We’re thrilled. Off to do a few last minute things …

Rejoicing in Jesus,
Sarah for all the rest

I think I’m a little overdue on an update. We are grateful that Abigail is doing well. She continues to have some brady’s (you can google on “bradycardia preemie” for more details). The number has fallen to 6-8 but she needs 2-3 to go home. We are adjusting to this new dymanic of life. Melanie is at the hospital from 7:45 am until 12:30 am – not an easy schedule for someone trying to recover. However, she is resting between feedings and doing pretty well. I’m proud of her.

Days here can get long, especially when I start to think, that in my opinion, there’s little reason for this level of care. Again, that is my impatient opinion and contrary to God’s leading so far. He is in control and directing our steps. I’ve prayed that He would make His way very clear, and so far He has. Our path here at the NICU, this time, has been very easy compared to many parents with children here. We were reminded of that multiple times over the past few days, whether it was the emergency transports (babies needing even more specialized help than they can provide here), seeing a parent and nurse crying earlier today, visiting with a mom whose baby had relapsed and was back under more significant care…  Our time with Abigail here has been blessedly easy and without trauma and complication. I know things can change.

It is amazing being part of the hospital. It’s a melting pot for society. I was coming back from a run one morning a couple weeks ago and a homeless guy was asking the parking lot attendant where the emergency room was. I’ve seen the sweetest looking children calling men who looked like gang members “Daddy.” The staff has spoken of treating the Hall family here – they founded, among other things, Hallmark Cards. I look around the cafeteria and every person there, who are not staff, have a story to tell. And most probably have a hurting or sad heart. Melanie and I desire to be a light here, to connect with people, to encourage and speak of our Lord Jesus. It’s an overwhelming opportunity, for some “folks” (my dad has another term he prefers…) from the hills of Kansas.

Specific prayer requests:
-That Melanie and I will be a light
-That Abigail will grow past the bradycardia issues
-The Melanie will recover
-That our confidence will remain in our Lord.

Nathan

Our sweet Abigail!

Abigail has a special “glow” about her (Joseph and John’s name for the special lights: Mr. Rubin). Praise the Lord that Abigail no longer needs the bilirubin lights!

Melanie with Abigail.

A Happy Family

It’s about 10:40 pm, Melanie and Abigail are sleeping. Abigail eats in about 20 minutes so she is acting a bit restless even though she’s not awake. She is still having some of the heart-rate dips. I haven’t asked how many as I haven’t really wanted to know. But, they are still there. We’re continuing to pray that her weight gain begins and that the heart-rate dips (brady cardiac) will cease. She continues to self-correct, in other words, her heart rate picks up on it’s own, usually after only a few seconds.

Melanie is very, very drained. But, she is being a trooper and is committed to doing all she can for Abigail. At this point, that involves pretty much just feeding her. My Mom is helping us so between her and I, we are handling things like getting Abigail in and out of her crib, diaper changes, taking the temperature, and other things. Melanie’s recovery is challenged by the muscle atrophy she experienced due to 7+ weeks of bedrest.

Thank you for the comments you’ve left. Through the guidance of the lactation consultants here and regular processes here at the NICU, we are doing alot of what has been suggested. Abigail receives her feedings overnight when we’re gone via her feeding tube. It drops the food straight into her stomach. Ideal? No, but better than a bottle, so we’re grateful for that option. We’d love to have the “tube” off her sweet face, but it’s serving a purpose right now.

Even though we’d wanted to have Abigail home by now, we are grateful for how well she’s doing. Things could be much worse. We continue to look forward to when I get to strap the car-seat into the car and she’s sitting in it. It’s hard for me to see Melanie under such strain, but that can’t be helped right now. God is the one directing our steps and we have confidence that His way is best.

Again, thank you for the prayer support. This child’s life has been bathed in prayer!

Nathan

“For this cause we also, since the day we heard it,
do not cease to pray for you…”

Hard to leave at night…
�
“For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit…”

I wanted to give everyone an update on Melanie and Abigail. First, Abigail is doing very well. She continues to be good at nursing for which we are very grateful. We’d started to look forward to taking her home, but she’s had a number of episodes where her heart rate drops below a certain threshold. It comes back up within seconds, so the staff has told us it’s nothing to be concerned about. But, it will keep us from taking her home. They want to see five or less on a daily basis, and she’s been averaging 10 or so the past two days. This is common in preemies and something she will outgrow we’re told – might take a day, might take a week. We’re grateful that she “self-corrects” because a child that needs stimulation (ie a touch of the cheek, pat…) has to stay in the NICU for one week without an episode like that. It was very hard at first for me to accept this, but getting a few hours sleep last night makes it more bearable. In fact, I’d written a blog update late last night when I was pretty down but elected to “try again” now that my attitude has improved. I guess even adults can struggle with having a “bad attitude.”

Melanie is good, hurting and recovering, but good. She’s gotten a little bit of sleep over the past 8 hours, and that has perked her up. We did our infant CPR training last night so that is out of the way. Those videos are a bit scary . . .

We’re discharged from the hospital today. Part of my challenge yesterday was figuring out how Melanie could continue the feedings when we’re in a nearby hotel. Short story is, at least at night, she can’t. This was very hard for me after seeing my wife pull herself out of bed way too soon after a c-section in order to feed and work with her baby. Now, she won’t have the privilege of doing that overnight, and Abigail won’t have the benefit of that mommy/baby time. However, it can’t be helped. God is in control, and we’ve seen Him direct in definitive, tangible ways. We’re trusting that He is continuing to do this. Melanie’s spirits are good. She will work with the lactation consultant today to determine the best way to handle living offsite. We’re praying through all the details we can think of.

If Abigail can outgrow this brady cardiac issue then that, at least at this point, is the remaining item keeping us from taking her home. She does have a “car-seat” test, but that shouldn’t be an issue. I have to keep reminding myself that she is still a preemie, and came 5+ weeks before she should have. She’s a strong, sweet child, and we are grateful that what little health issues she has are minor and not of concern to the NICU staff.

We continue to be grateful for your prayer support. I’ll summarize them below:

• Melanie’s strength/recovery
• Melanie’s heart as we move to a hotel
• Abigail’s growing out of the brady cardiac issues
• Abigail’s health in general, that nothing new would pop up

Lastly, I saw a blog comment where someone noted praying for the family with the “sick preemie” I had mentioned in a previous post. How kind – I have been as well. They transferred that child to another hospital that was better able to handle the congenital birth defect he/she had. So, I haven’t seen them since that afternoon.

Also, I would request prayer for a sweet missionary family we know. We have grown to love the Lockwoods over the past few years, and they are going through a challenging time right now. They would benefit from your prayer support as Daniel is facing some possibly serious health issues.

Nathan, Melanie and Abigail

Sweet sleep.

Psalms 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

A short update for everyone. Two prayer requests, first for Melanie. As many of you know (and I’m learning), newborn feedings take a long time. (I’m also learning about newborn messy diapers, wow! , but I digress.) When you do this every three hours, you get very little sleep in between. Melanie is already “over-doing,” but I’m concerned she’ll really, really, overdo. So, please pray for her.

Second, naturally is Abigail. She is doing well. She’s a sweet baby girl. She didn’t nurse quite as well today; I think because her formula supplements, to guard against dehydration, are a little high. Please pray that her nursing will stay good and that Melanie’s body cooperates and works well. No major health issues/crisis from last night or today – PTL!

As I left the NICU a few moments ago, they were working on a sick newborn. The dad, in his mid-20s, was standing there watching his baby being worked on . . .  it was pretty overwhelming. I’ve been there, done that. It brought back so many memories but also such gratefulness that we are not retracing those steps with Abigail. Guarding against fear is a challenge, but God is giving grace day by day.

Melanie’s mom is with us and doing a great job of helping out. We are grateful for her time investment in us and little Abigail.

Nathan

Abigail and Daddy: Abigail is now in her crib!

Let me start by thanking each of you who have prayed, loved, and left comments for us. We have not gotten all the comments read yet, but we’re working on it. I’ve told this baby that she has many, many people around that world that love her.

Second, she has a name – Abigail Hope Maxwell. Abigail, meaning “father’s joy, women of beauty and discretion” – it brings tears to my eyes as I type this. She has brought and will bring joy to my heart. The “beauty and discretion” part comes from the description of Abigail in 1 Samuel. We chose “Hope” for her middle name as her time in the womb was a time of hope for us, at the beginning as we looked forward to meeting her, and towards the end as we sought to maintain hope for how things would turn out. This child did bring us hope!

We’ve had a girl’s name picked out for some time. I liked it, but when Abigail was born, I didn’t sense a peace about our original name. So, we waited and prayed. I told God that I would use whatever name He directed in. Names are important to God, and I wanted His will in this. At one point a day or two ago, the name “Abigail” came to mind. I thought it was nice, but didn’t think much of it. But, it kept coming back and coming back. I shared with Melanie last night that I wondered if God was directing in this and asked her to think/pray about it. This morning, when I woke up the name was still on my mind and it was like I was thinking of her as Abigail. However, being rather dense, I wanted to be sure it was God’s leading. Scripture says that the heart is evil and wicked, I know mine is from experience. I desired total confidence in knowing that this was God’s leading and not my invention. After reading George Muller’s biography, one thing he would do when he sensed God’s leading was ask for and wait for a definitive sign. A sign that he would see and his heart would confirm was of God. I walked down the hall this morning around 9:00 and prayed that God would confirm His direction in a clear way – a way that even I wouldn’t miss. As I walked over to the NICU I wondered how God would show me, I couldn’t think of a way for Him to do it.

I sat down in Abigail’s room, and opened to where my “Read through the Bible in a Year” plan (minus the 18 or so days I’m behind…) told me to read. I was a chapter or two past the David and Goliath story in 1 Samuel when I started. Within a chapter or two I was reading about David and Abigail, and sitting there looking at Scripture with tears in my eyes. I knew as soon as I started that section it was God’s clear, definitive direction. Melanie confirmed that her heart liked the name and thought we should go with it.

So, all that to say – Abigail Hope.

I share the above paragraphs because it is so encouraging for me to see God leading. He has directed each step of the way, even the c/section birth. It’s not been an easy path, but He has lead, and we are grateful for that.

Abigail decided to stick her foot outside the womb Saturday night which prompted the c/section. Due to the rushed nature of the c/section, and Melanie’s desire to be awake, Melanie had a very, very hard time with it. It was one of the worst experiences of her life. However, she was a trooper, survived and is recovering well.

Abigail is proving to be a very good nurser. We are grateful! I didn’t even know you needed to pray about things like that. However, she is doing a great job with it. The NICU has Melanie feeding her every three hours, so Melanie isn’t getting a huge amount of recovery rest, but that can’t be helped. Again, Melanie is being a trooper and working hard to take care of her baby. We’re pleased that Abigail will have the structure and benefits of the schedule when she gets home.

Abigail needs to show that she can gain weight and not trip any of the alarms for awhile to go home. So far, she has done great. The weight gain should start before too much longer and her health appears to be solid – no alarms so far. No ventilator, no IVs, she’s in a regular crib and out of the incubator! Just a cute little baby girl with a small NG tube (for nutrients if needed) and sweet little face. We’re getting to “parent” her by doing diaper changes and taking temperature.

I think that brings you pretty well up to date. Again, thank you for praying and loving Abigail. We’re thrilled to have her as a part of the family.

Nathan

Big yawn. “I’m sleepy .”

It is late Sunday evening, roughly 24 hours after our little girl was born. We haven’t had much sleep, but we’ve had quite the day! First things first, Baby is doing great. I’ll keep referring to her as Baby as we haven’t settled on a name. I’m frequently impressed in Scripture with the significance God puts on names. I haven’t sensed his definitive leading on this child’s name so it’s still a matter of prayer.

Baby arrived at 34 and half weeks – shocking us by showing up as a girl (and weighing 6 pounds 4 ounces). We had wanted to be surprised but felt it was a little boy; we were very wrong. While not our desire, she was delivered by a semi-urgent c/section. Both Melanie and Baby came through it great. Due to her gestational age when she arrived, she will be in care of the NICU for a little while longer. We don’t know whether that means one week, two, or maybe more. However, even though she’s in the NICU, she’s strong, healthy, and alert! She has no IV’s connected, just a small feeding tube to help her with some nutrients while she’s learning to nurse.

I’ll try and post a more lengthy update in a day or two – Lord willing with a name!

Thank you for your prayer support. There were some challenging times during her birth, but God carried us through. We had desired God’s clear leading, and it was clear. Why He chose this route I don’t know, but there was no mistaking it!

Nathan

Little Miss Maxwell soon after birth with her daddy.

Sweet Miss Maxwell

Mommy and baby.

Just a quick update to let you know that Nathan and Melanie’s little girl was born safely by C-Section this morning a little before 2 a.m. She is healthy and in the NICU as is the hospital’s procedure prior to 36 weeks. We’re waiting for Nathan and Melanie to have a blog post after they get a few hours of sleep .

Rejoicing in Jesus,
The Maxwells

At 12:45 a.m. we received a call from Nathan saying that they were preparing Melanie for a c-section. We are now praying and awaiting the news.

Trusting in Jesus,
Teri

Talking with Nathan on the phone .

Resting.

Monitoring baby!

Working on Scripture memory.

Mom keeping track of the number of flawless times of reviewing verses !

Sarah curled Melanie’s hair during a visit today.

Mom and Melanie.

Sarah and Melanie

Still waiting!

Rejoicing in Jesus,
All the Maxwells

Sometimes when God answers prayer He does it in a way that doesn’t look like an answer. In fact, it can be disconcerting and scary. But, that’s where trust comes in. In our case, an answer to prayer doesn’t make the future any more certain, doesn’t remove all concerns, but it does re-assure us that God is leading. I recently wrote in a friend’s graduation card, “May God make your way clear and your footing sure.” As I wrote it I realized it was also the prayer of my heart for us.

Melanie had an ultra-sound yesterday. They found that fluid levels were low but acceptable. They also discovered that Baby Max had changed positions. On Friday, he/she was head down. Now, Baby was shoulder presenting, head off to the side. To the medical profession (in the US), this means C-section. To me, this was great cause for concern, and I was ready to call for and participate in panic in the streets. When the sonographer (fancy word for lady doing the ultra-sound) left the room, Melanie helped me see that God had answered our prayer. There would be no pressure from Dr’s to induce. This is what happened, the Dr. came in, gravely said that things looked good except for Baby’s position – there would be no way to induce now and if something would happen, we were looking at a C-section. We were all surprised that Baby had shifted; I guess Baby Max didn’t know he wasn’t supposed to do that.

While this doesn’t make the future any more clear, in many respects creates more questions. But, it is God’s leading, we are confident of that. God completely removed the possibility of inducing from the agenda. It was something we didn’t want, but weren’t sure how long the Dr’s would be willing to let the pregnancy continue. What the future holds, I don’t know. But, it was comforting to us to see God’s leading. Yes, there are still major issues. Infections are a real, significant threat. Fluid loss also, baby’s new position would contribute to easier fluid loss than before. In addition, we now have the possibility of a C-section hanging over our heads. So, we really are still in uncertain times. But, we see God’s leading and are seeking to trust Him and be grateful for when His hand is evident.

Nathan

Melanie enjoying a hand-made card from one of the Maxwell girls.

Mother’s Day Dessert, complete with patient bar-code from chart to identify it as personal so no-one else grabbed it from the freezer.

It’s a little strange to continue putting up posts that say “Still waiting…” and yet that’s what we’re doing. We continue to be blessed by those leaving comments. Thank you for taking the time to encourage us. We also are so grateful for the prayer support. As far as anyone call tell, Baby Max (as a reminder, just a generic nickname) is healthy and happy. We appreciate the willingness of the Dr’s to allow the pregnancy to continue. Melanie and I are firm believers in letting things work naturally, unless there is a compelling reason to intervene. At this point, that reason hasn’t presented itself.

Here are a few specific requests:

There is a greater risk of Baby getting an infection as the pregnancy continues with the membranes not intact. There would most likely be signs of an infection if one set in, which would then necessitate delivery. We’re praying for protection for Melanie and Baby from infection.

Fluid levels are being closely watched around Baby Max. If these drop to low, delivery would be needed.
And the regular ones:

Protection/strength for Baby, as well as avoidance of NICU (Neo-Natal ICU) after birth.

Protection and endurance for Melanie during labor and delivery. She’s weakened by 7+ weeks of bedrest.

So far, neither of the top two have been issues. However, things can change. We’re desiring God’s will above everything, even above figuring out what a “smart decision” would look like. A Christian fully trusting in their Lord is a Christian at rest. God is providing many opportunities for Melanie and I to learn to rest and trust.

I’ll close with one cute story… the hospital beds have tons of buttons to do all kinds of things. I was in the process of seeing if the bed would get any lower (very legit reason, I like to sit in the chair next to the bed and put my feet up on the foot of the bed and then read out loud� , and got a bit carried away with the buttons. I had the upper section of the bed at about a 45 degree angle, and the lower portion pointing down, at a little bit less of an angle. Melanie was feeling like she might slide out of the bed, right onto the floor and was starting to suggest I fix the bed. Right then, a nurse walked in. It was about all Melanie could do to lay in the bed and try to look natural while the nurse took her vitals and did whatever else she came in for, all the while Melanie was trying not to a) fall out, b) laugh. As soon as the nurse walked out we both burst out laughing as I quickly pressed the buttons to correct the position. Why not do it with the nurse in the room? Who wants to look like they were playing with the bed?

Nathan

Still waiting .

Nathan

Melanie and I are a good way through a nice Sunday. We don’t normally “do business” on Sundays however with this being Mother’s Day and my desire to make Sundays in general, and this one specifically, special, she had Mexican (her choice) carryout for lunch. I ordered from a new semi-fast, authentic place that “had the best fajitas in Kansas City” the order taker said (not quite). But, Melanie liked her tacos and thanked me for having them go light on the cilantro!

We’re reading a George Muller biography together. We’ve just gotten to the part where he’s saved and committed himself as a missionary. We’re desiring to learn about prayer through this and looking forward to being challenged by his life.

Its funny, the cleaning crew very carefully cleans the tv each day. We’ve laughed about how that’s one thing we’d never know if it were grimy or not. We’ve wondered how many other rooms here don’t have the constant noise and filth spewing forth – probably not very many. For us, that’s a result of our commitment to “come out and be ye separate.” Sadly, weekend nights are movie nights for most in the US- including Christians. I wonder if people driving by your house (or walking past your room as in our case ) will see the flash and glow of a TV or the lack of all that that comes from a family spending quality time together in the Bible. What light/Light is shining in your home?

Nathan

“For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb” (Psalms 139:13). 

Waiting.

Waiting.

Time goes by.

Resting in our Savior,
All the Maxwells

Another night has passed. The more time goes by the more we realize we don’t fit the “norm.” Water breaks, we get to the hospital and the hard contractions stop. So, we’re waiting, and waiting. Time is now measured in days as opposed to weeks. We’re grateful the dr’s are willing to monitor and let Melanie’s body, along with BabyMax, signal when its time for real labor.

It’s funny, we had just started to let ourselves make plans for more than a day or two out. We have each of our siblings over for a birthday dinner after their birthdays (sometimes months after due to schedules). My sister Sarah’s dinner was to be last night. That didn’t happen. The funny thing is that Melanie’s sister Anna’s dinner was to be the evening of our first hospitalization. Maybe we should quit planning these birthday dinners…

We read Psalm 27 and 34 last night. We love the word picture of the Angel of God encamping around those who fear Him. This is what we’re praying for BabyMax. Psalm 27 has the challenge to seek the face of our Lord, not on our own initiative but as a directive from Him. It concludes with “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”

Nathan

Melanie’s water broke early this morning but hard labor hasn’t followed. We are back at the hospital. Once again we have no idea when anything will happen, but for now things are relatively quiet. Dr’s are content to watch/wait. At this point Baby will probably come sooner rather than later but that’s all we know.

Thank you for your prayer support of BabyMax and Melanie. I remember picking up a book from a popular Christian author (I’ll leave the name out) at a book store 10+ years ago and flipping through it to see what it was about. One line stood out and stuck in my memory, something like “No, we can’t do that yet, the saints are not praying yet!” Driving in to the hospital this morning, that line was running through my head. It is a blessing to have prayer support!

Nathan

We received a call from Melanie about 4:30 a.m. saying that her water had broken, and they were in the car headed to the hospital. She said her contractions had definately picked up. She is at 33 weeks so they are back at the hospital where Susannah Joy was born. She would have had to be 34 weeks to go to the hospital they were planning to deliver at. The good news is that they are familiar with the hospital and staff. The difficult part, in addition to it being so early for this baby to be born, is that this is the exact week in pregnancy that Susannah Joy was born. Thank you for your continued prayers. We will update as we have news.

In Christ Jesus, Steve and Teri

Still Resting 

I’m a bit late on a post – sorry! Things continue to be pretty quiet, still at home and still waiting. We are noticing an increase in contractions, whether that is regular pregnancy progression or other things we don’t know. But, Melanie is now almost to week 33 – something we’re very grateful for.

We continue to be so grateful for the prayer support. Here are some of the things we’re praying about:

• Baby’s protection, both physically and spiritually, from any harm.
• Baby’s strength- we’re asking that whenever Baby Max shows up, that he/she is ready for life and doesn’t need medical support/assistance. When Melanie was hospitalized, one of our nurses, who previously took care of Melanie when she carried Susannah, said, “I just know you’re going to take this baby home.” Her comment about taking this baby home caught us off guard. But, we realized that is what this is all about, giving Baby Max as much time to get strong as possible because we want to take this little one home and raise/care for him/her.
• Labor/Delivery – that both Melanie and Baby would come through it fine. Melanie can be a little apprehensive after a traumatic birth with Susannah and the strength/stamina loss due to weeks of bedrest.
• Hospital Arrival – that Baby Max gives us enough heads up on his/her arrival to make it to a hospital.

Nathan

Nathan and Melanie and BabyMax