Seton is now 14 weeks old. As for an update…not much has changed. Seton started wearing Size 1 diapers this week. His current feeding tube has been in for 13 days and we are hoping to break the current record of 21 days.

We had an appointment with Dr. Habersang today. Seton now weighs 8lbs 13oz. and is 22.5in long. Seton is doing really well with swallowing, so Dr. Habersang’s office is going to schedule a swallow study within the next 30 days.

   

We have been working on a sleep schedule for Seton. This is a challenge! It has been a struggle for all of us not to hold him all night. We hope by getting him to sleep for longer periods of time in his bed so we won’t need as much help from our family, who graciously comes over night after night to watch our sweet boy – allowing us to get some rest. Our nurses are helping us out also by allowing Seton to get mad at them when they keep him up throughout the day.

Heather Ladd (http://heatherladdphotography.com) came over this week to take 3 month pictures of Seton. Heather truly is an amazing photographer, and we are very excited to see the outcome. We will definitely share them with all of you. Heather also took our maternity pictures that we posted earlier. She did a wonderful job with those, and I know Seton’s pictures will be great also.

Seton’s hands are starting to open up a little bit, and he seems to have a little bit more control of his fingers. He will have his first visit from an Occupational Therapist next week to start working on his hands and fine motor skills. He continues to see his Speech Therapist every week and is making progress in that department also.  We take each small step in healing as it comes and believe for a miracle.

Thank you all for your support and prayers. It means so much to be surrounded by so many wonderful people that are willing to help.

- Shawna

I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8

Seton – when we both wake tomorrow morning, you will be 3 months old.  I wasn’t sure this day would come, but it is upon us, and I’m incredibly grateful.  You fill a new place in my heart everyday.  I get excited about walking in the door each morning and each afternoon to see you and rub your little head.  It’s such a joy.  Such a strong boy and such an awesome buddy.  Your mom joked this week about not knowing anyone else who gets to celebrate a birthday each passing week.  I love that we get to share that with you.  I can’t wait for next month to write you again.  We love you.

Seton has not had a doctor’s appointment in a few weeks now, so there hasn’t been too much to report.  He’s gotten over his congestion and crud the lovely Amarillo weather brings us all in the spring.  His breathing and swallowing are both improved and much more manageable for him and us.  As long as things continue, we’ll look forward to his swallow study at some point next month.  By our crude home methods, he is weighing about 8 pounds 10 ounces, and his little legs, arms, and chin are getting chunkier by the week.

After 12 days of his feeding tube being in, we had a little mishap last Friday and made our all-too-familiar pilgrimage to BSA Radiology to visit our friends for a new tube.  While we were there, Shawna and I realized our visits may not be so inadvertent.  Seton has those nice ladies wrapped around his tiny, crooked fingers and is quite the flirt with them.  We like to start ‘em young in the Oliver clan.

Pain is an interesting emotion – capable of withering every good thing set before a person.  The minority in number but the majority in control.  When we stir each morning, it stands at the foot of our bed stalking us.  I’ve let it occupy far too much of my life recently.  It is an overpowering thought and emotion most of the time, but I think we have finally come to point in our expedition where we truly want God’s will for our situation.  It means that we have faced, acknowledged and discussed if Seton does not continue life with us, it is for the good of us all.

There isn’t a week that goes by without an unknown person stopping me to ask if I’m Seton’s daddy; always proceeded by the story of how they found us and how they’re praying for us.  It would be nearly impossible for us to say that someone isn’t guiding our way and our surroundings as we move down the path.  Although many days are deeply difficult, we continue to be blessed and uplifted by so many.  Thank you and bless you.

We’re standing – believing that God is capable and sovereign, and taking every drop of grace and mercy to wait as patiently as we know how.

Zane

“I remain confident of this; I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart, and wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:13-14