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