July, 2007 - UPDATE

Dear Friends & Family,

Thank you so much for your patience in waiting for this update and thank you also for your continued prayers for baby Micah.

In the last update, we reported the wonderful things that happened while we were in Pennsylvania at the Institutes. Micah smiled and cooed, he moved his legs and feet for the first time, and we found that Micah was beginning to see. We also found out that he was lacking in oxygen to his body. They showed us how to "mask" Micah for 20 seconds. This is where he breathes in his own carbon dioxide. When this was done, the oxygen saturation levels went up and Micah would become more aware of his environment. Micah was not drinking from a bottle at all and was being fed liquids through his tube. He was liking baby food but not eating much at all.

Since returning from the Institutes, Stephanie has been working on gradually implementing a nutrition program and physical/visual therapy program that the Institutes gave them which was specifically designed for Micah. I am thrilled to report that Micah is eating food through his mouth fairly well now. At one time, he was eating up to 2 jars of food per feeding (approx. every 3-4 hours). Now, though, he has been eating about one full jar per feeding. He still continues to get his milk and water through the feeding tube. He also continues to be a very healthy little boy. After the visit to the Institutes, Micah was taken off of his reflux medications and was beginning to be fed food via his mouth. Since then, he has not had any problems with reflux! Micah is still not gaining weight (he was under 13 pounds at his last check-up a month or so ago). Stephanie has been adding almond oils and other natural supplements to his food which were recommended to add calories, but he still isn't gaining weight.

As you can see from the darling photos, Micah smiles so much now. A few times, he has focused in on a toy he likes that is being held over him and he has extended his hand towards it. This is a miracle in itself! He can see and his precious brain is telling his arms to reach for it! This doesn't happen often but still, it is huge progress.

Micah's physical/visual therapies ("patterning") are underway. When he gets his full therapy sessions in a day, his legs are bending by the end of the day and are not spastic at all. It is amazing what a difference the patterning makes in reducing his spasticity. The challenge has now become having enough help to do his patterning consistently throughout the day. Micah's therapies need to be done all of his awake hours (with the exception of when he eats, naps, has a diaper change or just needs a little consoling).

Since Micah's success with the patterning is dependent on the consistency and frequency of it being done every day, we are in desperate need of volunteers who would be willing to help for any amount of time they have available. I would like to help Stephanie by working out a weekly schedule of volunteers and time slots that they can come to assist her with Micah. At this time, his patterning only takes two people to do them. Eventually, it will take a total of three people to pattern him but for now, we only need one extra person to help Stephanie. They live in Fullerton, California, near the 57 freeway and Yorba Linda Boulevard.

Would you please consider volunteering to help pattern Micah? If you are local and have any time to spare during your week, we would so greatly appreciate your help. We will schedule a few dates very soon where you would be able to come and see a demonstration of what his patterning entails. You can be trained at that time as well. It is really very easy to do.

Also, there may be times in the future where Micah may be down at our house in Ladera Ranch (a community within Mission Viejo). If you are able to volunteer to help in Ladera Ranch, please also let us know that. It is most important for volunteers in the Fullerton area, though.

If you are able to help with Micah's patterning, will you please email me as soon as possible with the day(s) and time(s) you would be willing to spend? Also let me know which areas you can help in (Fullerton or Ladera Ranch, or both), keeping in mind that Fullerton is the most important location we need help in. I will contact you right away and can answer any questions you may have.

Micah is approaching his first birthday on September 1st! Can you believe one year has almost passed? Looking back on the year, I am awestruck at God's goodness and His mercy. He has truly blessed our family with a precious, precious gift of love - Micah. Thank you for loving our Micah and for walking this miraculous and wonder-filled journey with all of us.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE FOLLOWING:

PRAY FOR CONTINUED PROTECTION OVER MICAH AGAINST ANY INFECTIONS OR ILLNESSES.

PRAY THAT MICAH WOULD GAIN WEIGHT.

PRAY FOR A COMPLETE HEALING OF MICAH'S SIGHT.

PRAY FOR HEALING OF MICAH'S BODY & MUSCLES. THAT ALL SPASTICITY IN ALL PARTS OF HIS BODY WOULD BE HEALED AND THAT HE WOULD HAVE FULL, PURPOSEFUL USE OF HIS ARMS, HANDS, LEGS & FEET.

PRAY FOR A COMPLETE HEALING & RESTORATION OF HIS BRAIN.

PRAY FOR CHRIS THAT HE SUCCESSFULLY FINISHES SCHOOL & THAT WHEN HE DOES, HE GETS A STATE BOARD TEST DATE SOON.

PRAY FOR STRENGTH FOR STEPHANIE TO DO ALL THAT SHE HAS TO DO WITH MICAH.

PRAY FOR MANY VOLUNTEERS TO HELP WITH MICAH'S PATTERNING.

ALSO, PRAY THAT GOD WILL CONTINUE TO USE MICAH TO TOUCH PEOPLE'S LIVES & HEARTS AS HE HAS DONE SO ALREADY.

In your prayers, please join us in thanking the Lord for all He has done, for all He is doing now and for the wonderful things He has yet to accomplish in and through our precious grandson.

Much love and blessings to all of you,

Grandma Teri