Another day in Cash's world

Casher is definitely a little trooper. He hasn't eaten, he keeps having to have a tube put back down his throat (since he has a tendancy to pull it out), and he's poked and prodded everyday. But he remains sweet and calm through it all - with just a little crying and fussing. Right now the stuff his stomach can't process is being sucked out of the tube and the next step is to have it removed by gravity. After that is successful and works for 2-3 days, they will finally be able to begin bottle feeding him. That will be a slow process. So we are looking at a few more weeks in the NICU. It's tough but we hope things will significantly improve once he starts eating. We know we will feel better knowing he isn't hungry anymore! Well, here are some photos from today. Casher pulled out his tube so we got to sit with him for a while with it out. It's so nice to see his entire face. He has a very expressive mouth and it curls up at the corners in a sweet smile every once in a while. He is our beautiful boy...love, Kari

casher's first video montage

This is my first attempt at making a video montage. software isn't that great, it ended up being too long and in the wrong order-don't know how to fix it, watch as much as you like-enjoy! -Mitch

Family photo

This photo is from Monday (which seems like a looong time ago!) but I wanted to share it with you all. Love, Kari

Casher gets dressed up

When I got to the hospital this morning to see my little guy the nurse decided we better put an outfit on him because his arms were cold. They have just about turned off his warmer all together so he is ready for clothes and blankets. It was fun to get him dressed and see him in an outfit. I keep thinking to myself - remember this time - don't wish it away - just enjoy every second because it only happens once. Staying in the present moment has really helped me get through each one. I just remind myself how God provides for all my needs -and Casher's - no matter how big or small. I keep seeing that over and over. After Nan (Mitch's mom) held Cash for the first time (yah!), I held him for a long time. He slept very peacefully and when we returned four hours later he was still asleep. Then he slept some more in Mitch's arms this evening. (I love seeing my boys together!)

It was just a day of small blessings with Casher sleeping so well and seeming so at peace. It helped me a lot after yesterday. His output on his NG (tummy) tube is still high, so we will keep praying for that to diminish so that he can start eating. Other than that he is just about completely off the pain medication and the warmer. He recognizes Mitch's voice and mine when we come and visit and it's so sweet to see him respond to us. His nurses are amazing, special people (thank God for nurses!)

Well Mitch intended to add a video today but he is in bed. He went back to work today and as you can imagine it's hard to be at work and away from Cash. He's pulled in two directions, but it will get easier. Thankfully Mitch's mom is here and cooked us a wonderful dinner. Thank you all for asking how we are doing - it's busy going from the hospital to home and back again and again, remembering to eat, now work for Mitch, and trying to keep in touch with all the people we love so much. We're so grateful for all of your love - texts, emails, messages, calls, cards, gifts and prayers. Keep em coming!

I gave Casher a big kiss from all of you today and he sends his love back to you. ~Kari

Prayer for Kari and Casher

Sorry no cute video or pics til tomorrow. Its late Wednesday night, we just went and visited Casher, and he truly gets more adorable every time i see him. He is still doing well, he got an IV taken out and no longer requires any oxygen at all! They are now starting to slowly reduce the temperature of his bed, as he will have to maintain his own temp before he can leave.

We're having a tough time right now only because Casher seems to be getting ahead of his own healing. He is strong, resilient and ready to eat!!!!-unfortunately his body isn't ready yet. He gets fussy and is calmed down by his passy which is nice but thinking about our little baby boy being hungry and not being able to feed him is the hardest thing we've had to deal with yet, it's particularly hard for Kari.

As I sat looking at him tonight I remembered what a blessed thing it is to be in this tough spot. I think about my friends and family who desperately want to have a baby and can't; and I imagine how unbelievably hard it must be for parents who can't afford to feed their kids. We are so blessed by God-the technology, money, care takers and faithful friends and family needed to get Casher through this are all in place and working in harmony.

So please continue to pray for humility and patience for Kari and I and for Casher's health, we need his digestive system to get up and running properly so he can eat all the milk Kari has been so diligently providing and the nurses have been saving.

Thank you all for your prayers, love, and positive energy-it really encourages us when ya'all post comments.
I will edit and post some cutsie tootsie video tomorrow.
-Mitch

Who knew POOP was so exciting!!!

Cash had a big day yesterday, he got is ventilator out, we both got to hold him for the first time since he ws born, and he made poopy for the first time! The poop is very important in his case because of all the work they've done on his abdomen. Right now the only nourishment he gets is from an IV. He had been peeing well enough, but most of the waste from his food is coming back out of a tube in his stomache because he hasn't been able to process it properly. Now that the #2 is flowing the doctors will closely monitor is intake/output and decide when his tummy tube can come out. Then its onto breastmilk. Once he eats like a normal kid and maintains his temperature he can come home with us! We still don't dare guess when that will be, but the doctors still say he is right where they would like him to be at this point. Please

keep praying for forward progress, healing for kari's tummy and wisdom for the doctors and nurses. thank you all so much. -mitch

Casher-Doing sooooooo well!

This morning Casher is really awake, alert, and wiggly. The doctors continue to systematically take him off of the ventilator. He is breathing very well, but not quite completely ready to breathe on his own. He will hopefully be off the ventilator today! He is still on a lot of pain meds since he had major surgery and there is still a lot of swelling in the abdomen from the the contents being moved, snipped and rearranged. Overall he is doing great and making tremendous progress!!! Thank you GOD. -Mitch

Casher Opens his Eyes!!

Today Casher is doing so well that the Doctors took him off the paralytic drug and he is slowly starting to move around again!!! He had his catheter taken out (much more comfy) and as the video shows-he is starting to open his beautiful little eyes! -Mitch

New Mommy, Casher and Nan

I always knew Kari would be a natural. This evening Kari, Nan, and I visited Casher during care time. Mom was there with me while I took Cash's temp, changed his diaper, and a few other things Kari and I get to do to feel like we are taking care of him. The doctors and nurses continue to be amazing, they are very reassuring, great communicators, and are extrememly personable and professional.

Casher's condition: He is progressing along just as the Doc's expect for a baby in his situation. We constantly thank God that Cash made it to full term, that makes everything he is
going through much much easier.
His pressure goes up then down, he gets dehydrated then he's got too much fluid, his temp is high then low. All the while his care team knows exactly what to do and aren't suprised by anything.
As you can see he is still incubated, the oxygen tube is necessary as the doctors choose to keep him paralyzed so his wound can heal. In the next day or two they will take him off that drug and he will wake up, be breathing on his own, moving kicking and crying. Once that happens his body will learn to operated with all the modifications. Once his digestive system starts working correctly he gets to start
eating breast milk, getting strong and healthy
and be able to come home with us. The doctors tell us it could be up to 4 weeks before he starts eating/digesting...but we have a feeling its gonna be much sooner than that.
You know what we know now...
here is our plea: we need all of you to pray for quick and complete healing for baby Cash. We trust God to take care of him and know He will, we just want everyone to be in allignment on what we are praying for.
Kari and I are doing well, enjoying this warm up period that most first time parents never get to enjoy. More soon... Mitch

a note from mommy and daddy...

Its late friday night, our sweet baby Casher is one day old. We just got back to our room after spending our "care time" with baby Cash. I can't imagine a sweeter more perfect little angel. I want to thank all of you who are following his life so closely. Your love, prayer and positive energy really keep us going, and we can't get enough.
Kari and I have had a lot of time to prepare for our current reality and I must admit it hasn't been nearly as hard as i thought it would be. Though he is hooked up to every monitor imaginable, his condition is constantly changing, and there isn't much Kari or I can do, we feel a tremendous sense of peace due to our wonderful Doctors and Nurses along with your prayer and support. I can't wait for all of you to meet Casher, he has already brought so much joy to our lives. We love all.
Mitch and a very sleepy Kari

Casher Surgery Update

Casher had his surgery yesterday afternoon.  It took just over three hours.  The doctor took her time and was able to get everything back into Casher's abdomen. 

They are keeping him sedated for a few days so that his surgery site can heal.  He is on a ventilator and a feeding tube just until he is able to start moving things through his system without help.  He is back in the NICU and looking pink and beautiful.

Kari was able to make it down yesterday evening to tell him hello and is now frequently by his side.  Mitch and Kari and very thankful for all you prayers.  And feel so blessed that God has continued to watch over them and Casher.

We will keep posting pictures and updates as we have them.  Thanks again for your prayers, thoughts and phone calls.

New Baby Photos

Another Video of this beautiful boy

Casher Kouba

Happy Birthday Casher!

Welcome to the world Casher!  Born this morning at 9:30AM.  Baby boy.  Casher David Kouba.  He weighs seven pounds even.

Kari and Mitch are doing great.  Kari is recovering and Mitch it down in the NICU with Casher.  I will be posting photos momentarily.

More information about Casher's surgery should be coming this afternoon.

We are in room 1110 at Presbyterian Saint Luke.  We will let you know when Kari is feeling up for visitors.

Thank you for your prayers.  Please keep them coming!

The big day is tomorrow!

Mitch and I are relaxing today doing some last minute things to get ready for tomorrow. But mostly relaxing, praying, and enjoying the moment.

The cesarean is tomorrow at 9 am (Mountain time). We will be at Presbyterian St. Lukes. Please continue to check the blog for updates as we plan to update it frequently, especially right after the baby is born and over the next few days and weeks.

Thank you for praying with us and loving us.

Love,

Kari & Mitch

Final ultrasound photos of baby paisley!