Prayer request...

Please pray with us for wisdom for the doctors and decisions for Cash's care. We need him to continue to keep the breast milk that he is fed by bottle down. We also need prayer that he will tolerate some testing that will be done in the next couple of days and that the results will be conclusive.

Please also join us in prayer that Cash will not need another surgery. We ask for his complete recovery.

We will post updates soon. Love, Kari & Mitch

Yes, still in the NICU...

Casher is hanging in there. The answer is yes, he is still in the hospital! People seem to be asking that a lot lately. It has been 6 weeks today that he was born. We were hopeful he would be home by now but his progress is slow. Once again the answer seems to be that it just takes time for the gut to work. He is still spitting up a great deal. He looses weight and then gains weight. They increase his feedings and then they hold because he doesn't seem to tolerate it. Before he can come home he has to eat well and gain weight. He seems to go from feeling pretty good to being very uncomfortable and therefore very unhappy. We continue to shower him with love. It's tough finding the balance with work and life and visiting the NICU...We are so happy to have Aunt Kristen here for a visit! Hospital policy is that only parents and grandparents are allowed to visit Cash. So, you'll just have to wait to meet him. It will be worth the wait! Thanks for the continued prayers of healing and patience and peace.

Casher is sweet. That's about all there is to report! He is still getting 24 cc's which is good. He seems to be doing very well with it. The docs will probably increase it slowly over the next few days. He is hungry and wanting more. We are all having to be patient! Here are some photos of Cash with his Nan and giving Grandfather the "one eye" look. I also included one of cousin Dawsen just because she is so cute!

Quick update from Papa Mitch

First off, make sure you read Kari's last post-important info in there about what we've been up against lately. Since Kari wrote that Cash seems to be doing a bit better, first and foremost he pooped 3 times in 3 hours today! This is very big because he has only been pooping once a day at most. He seems to be a little more comfortable and were hoping the docs will start upping his food again. Pray for our patience, for us to be present and enjoy him right now, and of course for Casher. Pray that his little digestive system is figuring it out, he remains comfortable, and that he will get to come home by the end of the month. We love you all so much and can't thank you enough for your thoughts, prayers, and positive energy. -Mitch

Slowly but surely...

The last few days have been tough on Casher (probably harder on mom and dad though!). They increased his amount of milk per feeding significantly three days ago but he just wasn't ready. After two days of throwing up and a very fussy, uncomfortable baby, the docs decided to reduce his feedings from 30 back down to 18 cc's. We were told to expect this would happen. We just can't rush him. Of course, we want to get him home as soon as possible but we want him to be completely healed and eating well. At this point the doctors are not even mentioning a date he will get to come home. It could be a couple more weeks. We are praying for him to turn the corner and get home to us soon. Thanks for your continued prayers for Casher's healing. Love, Kari & Mitch

p.s. thank you Emily and the Partins for the adorable DKNY clothes! Cash looks so cute. He's got several of the nurses wrapped around his little finger. They love him!

New Video of the Cash Man-He's 1 Month Old!

Here are a few more snippets of baby Casher's daily life. As you can see he doesn't really do a whole lot but he sure is handsome!! I can't wait to show him off to the world, until that day (hopefully very very soon) we offer video clips so everyone can can see what an angel he is. Keep those prayers coming. Love -Papa Mitch

Goodbye Gram and Grandpa...

Grandma and Grandpa left today. We miss them already. There is nothing like having the love of your family to fill you up and bring you peace. We are so glad they could be here the past two weeks. We will see you in two point five months Gram and Grandpa!! Casher will be very ready for his "exercizes" and all of your love. It's amazing how love heals the soul and does the body good. We are all very healed from your visit...

and he sleeps...

Eating, sleeping, being sweet...

Casher is busy. Well, busy being loved and being fed every three hours and sleeping in between. How does that compare to your schedule?! He just has to keep eating, keep it all down, and they will continue to increase the amount of milk he gets per feeding. It is slow going, but all going well. We are not even talking about when he might get to come home yet, so it could be another two weeks. So for the moment we are happy to share these photos with you of our sweet little boy.

Is it a smile or just gas...you decide.

So its a question for the ages. Casher is sittin' in my lap sound asleep and starts making a series of faces. Eventually he ends up with this silly adorable smile on his face. Is he dreaming of winning the big race, the girl saying "yes, i will go with you to the prom," or is it gas. I personally am convinced he is having happy dreams.

Casher is doing so so so so well. We are really happy with where he is right now. He has his tube out for good, he is eating four times a day, pooping here and there, and gaining weight and getting stronger. We are very focused on the little victories in his life, and taking some ridiculous amount of pictures.

So here is what I'm wondering... as time goes on and the weeks turn into months, the months into years do these little victories happen less or matter less, or do we just appreciate them differently? I feel like these days are so precious, I would like to pause time and just enjoy this time. I fully intend to continue being present and enjoying moments with my beautiful wife and little man. If any of you ever feel like I am taking my life and these relationships for granted please feel free to bring me back to whats important.

Thank you as always for your prayer and positive energy. And oh by the way if anyone is still wondering prayer works. -Papa Mitch

Cash gets his tube out and gets to eat

Today was a big day for Cash. He got rid of his tube (hurray!) and got to eat (hurray!). After a very fussy morning, he calmed down after his tube was removed. Now we can see his cute face. He is getting 5 ml's of my milk every six hours at the moment which is just about two gulps - but it's something. We will see how he tolerates this and the docs will slowly increase the amount. Thank you so much for your prayers. We are thrilled to have him one step closer to coming home. Love, Kari

Casher meets Grandma and Grandpa Swann

It has been a while since we have posted an update - Casher's status has pretty much remained the same. About mid week we thought he was going to get the tube removed (that sucks the stuff his intestines can't process out of his body) but the volume was too great and the surgeons don't think he is ready to process this stuff on his own yet (or eat). They call his intestines "sleepy" and are just waiting for them to wake up. At this point we are just taking it day by day. We got excited that his tube would be pulled and then when it wasn't we were a bit discouraged. So, for now we are asking for prayers that his intestines will wake up and begin to function so that he can eat. We are also praying for Cash's comfort as he is really hungry but cannot eat anything. As his mom it just kills me to think he is hungry but I keep focusing on how well he is doing. He's such a blessing to me. -Mom

Casher is definately a warrior! He is so so so sweet almost all the time. Can sleep for hours at a time, can sleep through getting his temp taken and being changed. He has also been known to get quite fussy when he is hungry or is being moved too much. His cry is loud and undeniable. We are just loving this time, we know he will only be this little one time and we are doing our best to be present and enjoy. Please continue to pray for Casher's digestive system, and Pray for Casher's mommy and daddy that we will figure out just what it means to wait upon the Lord.
-Dad