My New Lip!

But how could they ever get upset with this little face?

I am contemplating very deep things as I lay here in my crib... not just thinking of a plan to get my hands unswaddled so I can suck on my fingers... uh oh I think I just got caught! :)

I am so grateful for all those people who have been praying for me this whole time. When I am too small and too weak to pray, you have lifted me up. You can see how small I am so you must know that I have a very big God. Because little people can only endure big things when God is their strength.

I am about to go into surgery, and I feel pretty brave. My parents tell me that is because so many of God's children are praying for me right now! I know it is going to hurt, but it will be worth it if this temporary struggle makes me (and my parents) look a little bit more like our real Dad in heaven. 

Dad and I are celebrating my four month birthday! I want to grow up to be just like him! Maybe I love him so much because he reminds me of my real Dad in heaven, the One who looks after me day and night, sustains me, and has a big plan for my life. Tomorrow I will get my new lip. I'm not excited about it now, but it will be worth it if with my new lip I'll look a little more like my dad.

One Week Until Surgery!!

...while visions of those Clemson Tigers dance in my head !!

I can't wait to go surfing with my dad!

Sweet little Tiger!

just chillin on my boppy!

In Savannah for my first wedding!! 

Don't I look cute?

My first Easter!!

Sunday afternoon, just hangin out with mom

Baby dedication Sunday!

Isn't dad handsome?

Look how big I'm getting!!

My new NAM!

Catchin some rays with mom and dad! After getting theses wires attached to my nose I was pretty worn out, and I needed some time to relax...

Awe!! He loves his momma!!

Hangin out in the bumbo! MOOO!

Chillin with the fams!

Training him up early...Go Tigers!

God gives and takes away. Blessed be His Name

Thank you so much for all of your prayers.

We feel each one. Our hope is in Christ Jesus so we look forward to heaven and thank God for every day He gave us with Daniel.

I love you so much my little Daniel, my sweet lamb.

Noah gets his NAM!!

Noah got his NAM today and boy does he look sharp in it! NAM stands for nasoalveolar molding. It is an appliance that molds the hard and soft tissues of his lips and mouth into a better position for surgical correction to be performed later. Amy and Noah were at the prosthodontists office for several hours in order to get this thing in and adjusted correctly. Noah is handling the NAM better than we expected and he actually seems to feed better with it in. He will wear this appliance 24/7 for at least 3-4 months before he has his first surgery to correct his lip. We only take it out once a day to clean it and clean his mouth and that is not a fun experience for him!

Big yawn!

"I'm not sure about this thing..."

Tuckered out from a long.... day.

                                                     

This is the NAM. It looks like a baby denture

with two beads on the front that allow us to 

attach rubber bands and tape.

Finally home!!

Noah is already 10 days old ! and is doing so well! So far all genetic tests have come back negative! He is gaining weight and able to hold down most of his feedings!! We cannot thank you enough for all your prayers! God is faithful and has done more than we could have asked or imagined! Wow! We are so amazed at our God, the Great Physician! He is so so gracious to us!  

Noah's first surf lesson!! 

first bath !!

Out of the hospital just in time to watch his Clemson Tigers play for the first time in the Gator Bowl!!  ... Needless to say, he cried himself to sleep that night... 

Noah has arrived!

such a miracle!! 

we finally get to bring him to our room and cuddle! 

visiting hours in the nursery !! 

I can't believe he was inside of me! 

Noah has bilateral cleft lip and palate so feeding has been a bit of a learning curve, but Noah has been pretty patient with us as we learn all the tricks!  I think he is as anxious to go home as we are! 

He is finally here! 

6 lbs 5 oz and 20 inches long!

God is so good to us!!