ALL IS WELL!

Witt seems to be feeling better! He had his pediatrician appointment yesterday. It went very well except he did get another round of shots! The doctor thought Witt's lungs sound fine even though his oxygen is still turned up some.

Melanie said Witt gained 2 pounds. She called this his "I'm Fat" picture!!! Austan and Melanie now have to brush Witt's 9 teeth(so far!!).

Witt has a scheduled cardiologist appointment with Dr. Macicek on June 7th. For now all is very very well...Glory!!!!

STILL FEELING TOUGH

Sweet Witt is still not feeling well. His osat level is lower than normal...Mel has had to turn his oxygen up from 1 1/2 to 2 liters and even so his osat is only 96. (He normally stays up at 99-100.) Mel and Austan still AMAZE me! Right now, they are having to make decisions about whether or not to withhold diuretics...Witt had diarrhea over the weekend so there was concern about him getting dehydrated...but, now they're worried that his lungs might be a little wet. Managing Witt's fluid levels is such a delicate balancing act...what incredible parents Witt has been blessed with! They are deciding now whether to take Witt into the pediatrician's office this afternoon. He has an appointment for tomorrow but they might go ahead and take him in today. Mel has also called Dr. Macicek for his opinion. Praise God for the marvelous health professionals that Witt has been blessed with!

Speaking of being blessed with...today is Karen's birthday!!! She has been such a precious blessing to so many. She is a Godly wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, friend...she wears many hats with grace, love and compassion. She blesses us all daily!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KAREN!
WE LOVE YOU DEARLY!!!
~Cheryl

(**update...Dr. Macicek has already called back and he feels like it's fine to wait until tomorrow to take Witt into the pediatrician. Witt is resting now, his oxygen is staying up around 99 and his breathing seems to be less labored...Praise God!)

A LITTLE UNDER THE WEATHER!

Witt has not felt great the last couple of days. He's had some diarrhea which for Witt can become a serious problem. They caught it early though. The cardiologist had them change his feeds and hold off on some of his diuretics. He is still not able to back to his normal feeds but he also doesn't seem to be dehydrated. This is always a major concern with Witt since the goal is to keep him as dry as possible which helps his lungs but the cardiologists certainly do not want him dehydrated. I am very grateful for the very specific wisdom about Witt that God has given the doctors, and especially Melanie and Austan!

This past week Melanie and Austan had to change out Witt's trach tube. This needs to be done once a month and this was the first time for them to do it at home. This involves taking the old trach out, putting the new one in and "bagging" Witt to help with his breathing and keep his oxygen saturation up until he can be hooked back up to the ventilator. I am amazed and grateful!! I am grateful that God continues to equip Mel and Austan to accomplish whatever is needed for Witt's care and I am amazed at how they handle all this!!!

BITS AND PIECES!

"Bits and Pieces" is an appropriate title for this post. First, because I feel like the information I want to share is just some bits and pieces! Witt has been home for a month!!!! It feels like even more than that. Thank You, Lord! Melanie, Austan and Witt are all settled in. Witt has had fun visits with his family and has even ventured out some! He has been to Dr. Macicek for his cardiology check-up and to his new pediatrician where he was given a round of vaccinations. A small adjustment has been made in Witt's diuretics and Mel is even giving him a little baby food! It's such a blessing to just have some bits and pieces to report!!!

Secondly, this title is appropriate because it is the name of a very dear friend's blog (www.bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com). We met Sonja because she was one of our Zapp dealers but we have been blessed by her life in Christ! Today she posted about Witt. It is such an encouragement to me because it reminded me of God's purposes in Witt's and all our lives. I pray that God continue to be glorified through Witt's life in these days at home...these glorious normal days at home!!!

Graham, my youngest grandbaby, came to visit...

"Watch the hair!!"

"Hey, stick your tongue out!!"

"O, we're holding hands!"

The boys!

SMILE AND A THANK YOU!

Sometimes no words are necessary...just a smile from Witt

and huge thank you for all your prayers!!!!

PROMISE LAND

Witt is still doing wonderfully well!! Melanie and I took him on Monday for a blood test but we don't have the results yet. Dr. Macicek made a change in Witt's diuretics and the blood test is a follow up to that. Witt is getting several of his front teeth! He is drooling and chewing on his fingers. Every now and then he grins big enough to see them! Witt is finally on a Medicaid program called CHIPS. Melanie just heard from the man with the Rider 28 program and things are progressing very well there. This is the program that is only dependent on Witt's condition. The man is waiting on one more piece of paperwork then he can send everything to the nursing home where Witt has to stay overnight in order to be accepted into the program.

Right now I marvel at God. I marvel at His sovereignty and I marvel at His provisions! By God's incredible sovereignty Witt was created and formed and by His unfailing provisions every detail continues to be taken care of! By God's sovereignty Witt and all the blessings with him were given to Melanie and Austan. One morning not too long ago I was just sitting with God asking Him how could my life go on as normal when Mel's and Austan's would not. Their life was going to be hard and not so normal. You know what my God said?!!!! He said I have it all wrong...this is Mel's, Austan's and Witt's "Promise Land"!!! This is a "land" filled with blessings and the fullness of Christ. Yes, just as with the Israelites there would be hard times, struggles and battles but it is flowing with milk and honey!!!! Thank You, Lord, that You have led Melanie and Austan to their "Promise Land"...thank You that You, Your strength carry them every step of the way. AND thank You, Lord, that all of us get to taste of their honey...thank You, Lord, for Witt!!!

ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE

BLOOD TEST!

A LITTLE AFTERNOON NAP

AWAKE AND PLAYING!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, MELANIE!!!

Our pastor said it very well this morning when he said, "Mom’s are the light of the world for their children". A mom's light shines a beautiful glow of love around the things that give their children life. Witt has four great grandmothers, two grandmothers, and one mother that have provided time; prayer and love to a little boy who has needed more than most of us will our entire lives.Thank you Vicki and Karen for the sacrifices you have made for your children, as they have tirelessly needed to be the light of the world for Witt. Your examples have made this journey Melanie and Austan have walked the light for them. Thank you for being the great mothers you are and the grandmothers you have become.

God brings mothers and babies together. His perfect love has given Witt my daughter Melanie, who’s love for Witt never ceases to amaze me. She almost effortlessly moves between being nurse, mother and wife. Mel has become an advocate mother for Witt when difficult decisions needed to be made. She has trusted the spirit of Christ to lead her and guide her along this path. Do difficult days lie ahead? Most assuredly, but with the prayers of mothers (and fathers) certainly being lifted up everyday, Mel and Austan will have a strength that gives Witt the light he will need to live his life.

Witt doesn’t speak yet, but if he could, he might say today with outstretched arms, “thank you for being my mom, I love you this much!” His smile at lunch today said it all for me every time he looked at Melanie, "Hi Mom, I love you!"

Mothers...enjoy your day and know that you are truly a blessing from God.

Vickie, Mark, Elle and Witt!!!!

Vickie and her grandbabies!!

Karen, Melanie and Witt!!!

YOU ARE NAMED WITT HARRIS BECAUSE...

Yesterday another blog did a post on why you picked your kids names so I thought I would join in.

WITT HARRIS

Witt is a family name on Austan's mom's side of the family. I fell in love with the name Witt before Austan and I were married. I knew it was Austan's middle name but then I learned it was his mom's maiden name as well. We both knew if we ever had a boy there was no question as to what the first name would be. Austan's grandparents Bonnie and Ronald Witt are two of the most loving people I know. They love Witt with all their heart. They have a special relationship with Austan and all their grandkids. Witt was their 8th great grandchild and I could not think of a better family name to carry on. I forget that Witt is not your "normal" name but I think it fits our little guy perfectly.

Harris comes from my mom's side of the family. My grandfather's name is Alfred Harris but around here we call him Grandbud. Grandbud has played a huge part in my life as well as all his grandkids. He took us to our first day of school for as long as I can remember. I think he even took us after we could drive ourselves. He never missed a game I played in and he was the loudest fan there. Everyone at my school knew and loved him. Austan knew Grandbud before we starting dating since we went to the same high school. I think Grandbud loved Austan before I did. Grandbud is so passionate about his family and because of that I love to be around him. He loves the Lord and walks in faith everyday just like we do with Witt. I truly adore him. Austan and I knew it was the perfect name to pass onto Witt.

I love each part of Witt's full name because it is a testimony of the amazing people in our lives.

HAPPY FACE, SAD FACE!

Melanie said that Witt has discovered his sad face. Cheryl's response to this video describes it perfectly! This is what she said, "That is the BEST video I've seen in a loooong time! I LOVE it! I LOVE HIM!!!" Be sure your volume is on so you can hear Mel's voice.

VISIT TO DR. MACICEK

A big howdy!

Witt had his cardiac appointment with Dr. Macicek today. It went very well. Dr. Macicek was surprised how good Witt's lungs looked! No echo was done just an EKG and that was fine. The plan now is to not make a lot of changes. At some point they may lower the ventilator settings but not right now. Dr. Macicek said that they expect Witt's heart to get worse but they don't have any idea of the timing. We know that there is really not anything more that medicine can do for his heart. That's why I try to leave all my expectations with God! God does know AND He is in control of every breath that Witt takes and every beat of his heart. I don't know the exact plans that God has for Witt but I know He is in control of them. So...I look to God...I expect God....I bow to our King!!!!

It was a good but tiring day

at Texas Children's!

HAIRCUT!

Witt is sporting a new haircut. Melanie decided

it was time to trim his pretty locks!

Witt's heart rate has been elevated some over the last couple of days. Melanie has talked to the nurse in the pediatrician's office. Many things can cause this one of which is being to dry. It was decided to withhold some of Witt's diuretic. This morning his heart rate is still up a little. Fortunately, he has an appointment with Dr. Macicek(cardiologist) Monday morning. How great is God's timing...how Great is our God!!!