He never ceases to amaze me...

Today was a great day for Carter! Last night around 2:30 he had output. He was able to have his nasogastric tube removed this morning and he is now on clear liquids! He is doing great! He feels so much better! He even sat up for a few minutes this morning and wanted to play with his toys AND gave me a big smile! I have to admit the past few days Brandon and I have been a bit nervous. It is never easy to see Carter when he is so sick. He is usually a fighter. This time he was too exhausted to fight. He had a dressing change and I.V. inserted with only a mere cry. Anyone that knows Carter knows this is uncharacteristic of him. He is a fighter and screamer if he feels the need. As a mom (and nurse) I knew something was not right with Carter. We are so fortunate that God bestowed the need for another surgery for Carter on our surgeons heart. Brandon and I both felt so much peace after Carter's surgery yesterday. I honestly believe this was in part all of the prayers that were lifted up for our little family. We are honestly grateful for all of your faithful prayers. We have been asked by so many if there was anything that could be done for us. We do not want anyone to ever feel sorry for us or to think we are asking for pity. We are blessed beyond all measures, we get to watch God work first hand in our child each and everyday. We are truly blessed and would have our lives no other way! The only thing we want and need is prayer! Please continue to pray for output, Carter's intestinal tract to heal and absorb as it should. Please continue to pray for peace, healing and strength.

Melts my heart!

Our God is so awesome! It was only yesterday that Carter was hardly able to hold his head up off of his pillow and today he sat up! He never ceases to amaze me! I am so blessed to witness his works first hand.

 Playing with hot wheels that a few of the teachers at BES got him!

 CHEESE!!!

 Playing with the elephant and balloons his girlfriend, Lilly Ford got him!

Ready to eat some candy! :)
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."
Proverbs 3:5-6

Surgery update 9/29/11

Carter had another tough night last night. Around midnight he pulled his ng tube out. His nurse and I fought him to get another one inserted only for him to pull it out again. He was restless and miserable all night. His stomach grew larger by this morning and he was extremely pale. When our surgeon came around, he took one look at Carter and said he needed to go to surgery today. I called Brandon at work and he hurried to the hospital. Carter went to surgery and as of right now I feel it was a success. Carter had a stricture towards the end of his intestines. Carter's tummy has already gone down and he looks so much better! He was finally able to rest this afternoon. We are so thankful to God for placing the need for another surgery in our surgeons heart. We have an AWESOME surgeon! We are waiting for Carter to have output and then we will start clear liquids. Once he is tolerating his feedings we will be able to go home. Let's pray for output! The poor baby has not been able to eat since Sunday at lunch. Thank you all so much for your relentless prayer!

The toughest boy I know!

The toughest boy I know!!!

There have not been many changes with Carter today.  His heart rate has stayed down and his temperature is still fluctuating, although it has not been too high today.  He is so strong, he did not even cry with his dressing change today. His nasogastric tube has continued to drain, although his abdomen is still distended. We are still waiting on him to have some output before he can have anything to eat or drink.  Our surgeon is going to give him until Friday to have output before putting him through another surgery.  We are praying for output! Carter slept most of the day and for the most part seemed peaceful.  We are extremely grateful for this!  We are so thankful God has brought Carter this far, to Him be the Glory!

 Carter decided to wake up for a few minutes and watch a little TV.

 Our home away from home...

Sleeping so well with Larry the Cucumber :)

I thank each and every one of you for your prayers and continued prayers.  We are more than blessed to have such great followers of our little gift Carter.

Today was another tough day for Carter. The anesthesia began to wear off last night and Carter was extremely uncomftorable. His abdomen became distended around lunch time, requiring him to need a naso-gastric tube. His abdomen is still distended, we are praying it will go down soon. Our surgeon was also worried about a possible infection, due to the abdominal distention and fever. They have started him on more antibiotics and we will continue to monitor him closely.

We thank each and every one of you for your words of encouragement and prayers. We know that God will continue to bless Carter in everything he does and through your prayers.

Surgery 9/26/2011

Today Carter had another surgery on his intestine. It was a more intense surgery than we had once expected, although we were very happy with the news we received. Carter had an EXTRA 15cm of colon! When he was born he only had 15cm.  Our surgeon had to make two large incisions and we are praying they can remain infection free.  Carter is currently in a room in the PICU Step-Down Unit. His heart rate continues to be very elevated, his fever remains high, and he is requiring oxygen at this time. Carter is having trouble getting comfortable and he is very restless. This is definitely the worst we have seen him since his NICU stay at birth. The doctors believe it will be several days before he is able to eat and they will continue to monitor him closely. Your continued prayers are much needed and most certainly appreciated.

13 months...

Who is 13 months old today?

Me!

Cheese!

Today Carter is 13 months! We had an appointment with our general surgeon at Batson today. Carter is scheduled for surgery Monday the 26th. He has continued to have tummy trouble and we have decided it is time to do something about it. Unfortunately, it is going to be a more intense surgery than we had originally thought. Our Dr. will use some of Carter's intestine that is not currently being used. He will attach it to part of Carter's intestine that he is currently using. It's a little confusing and hard to explain. We are just praying it will work. We will be staying at Batson for atleast a week. I have to say i'm not looking forward to another hospital stay, but I am ready to have all of this fixed! To all of our prayer warriors out there, keep the prayers coming! Please pray for Carter to have little pain and an uneventful surgery and hospital stay.

Look at my teeth! I have two on the bottom and I am working on my top two front teeth!

God has placed the parts, each one of them, in the body just as He wanted.1 Corinthians 12:18

A year ago yesterday Brandon and I were able to bring our little gift home from the hospital. It was 5 months earlier than we had anticipated. We hurried to get everything ready and were beyond thrilled to take him home. I sometimes think taking him home was better than his birthday, it felt like he was finally ours! Here are a few pictures from our very special day!

Ready to go!

This is tough work!

On the way out! Can you see me?

On the way home! :)

Home!

YAY! I'm home!

Sacked out!

Here he is 10lbs. heavier on Saturday.  We took him on a wagon ride at the park. He LOVED it!

Cool dude!

Sweet Feet!

A few days after Carter turned one he decided to start WALKING behind his walker!! This is now his favorite thing to do! He didn't go very far but we are very proud of him!

Here he is now..only a few weeks later!

Carter's 1st Birthday Party!!!

Carter's Birthday party was yesterday, September 3rd. He had a VERY happy Birthday! Here are a few pictures from his big day!

 The Birthday Boy!!!

 The Cake!

 Happy Birthday Carter!

 He got a TON of gifts!

You expect me to eat this?!?!

 YUCK! I do not want this on my hands!

Carter had about 50 people at his party! He had a great time and we thank each of you for making his big day so special!

Carter's Surgery 8/31/2011

This morning Carter went to the hospital for surgery. He has been continually having intestinal issues for the past two months. After tons of medial opinions and medicines the doctors agreed it would be best to go in and take a look at things. They went in with the hopes of finding the problem and fixing it at the time of surgery. The surgeon did dilate the intestine hoping this will solve the problem. If this isn't the fix he needs, Carter will be having a complete revision to his ostomy and it will also be relocated to a new site. We are thankful for God's hands being on Carter through this procedure and for all of the prayers that our friends and family continue to give to God for our little boy's healing. We also appreciate the surgeons, nurses, and all hospital staff. Thank you again for all your prayers. We are looking forward to Carter's birthday party this weekend and hope that he will be pain free and in good spirits.

One year old...

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17

It’s hard to believe this little boy is a year old today! On August 20, 2010 at 9:29 am a 3lb 3oz little baby boy was born. I only got to see him for a few minutes before he was taken to the NICU. Due to my high blood pressure it was 9 hours before I got to see and hold him. I will never forget the first time I saw him. He was perfect! I think I felt as all moms do the first time seeing their baby, I looked him over. Just to make sure nothing was wrong with him. I could not find a thing, he was perfect! Right then I feel in love with him. A few of the first words I shared with him were that I loved him so much and that I needed him to fight and to be strong. I knew that at times it would be tough and sometimes painful but I would always be right by his side and one day when all of this was over and he had no more life on earth he would have a new life with no pain and that it was really something worth looking forward to.

Through the grace of God Carter has overcome and has beaten the odds. We were told Carter may not have full sensation from the waist down due to his spinal defects. I am proud to announce that Carter is crawling! He goes all over the place and can even pull himself up to standing. We are so proud of him! Carter is still extremely happy and very rarely cries. He has really started to talk the past few weeks. He said Dada for the first time a few days ago and thankfully Brandon was home to hear it. He has figured out how to say yes and no by shaking his head. He has really become aware of his surroundings and points to everything he wants. One of his favorite things to do is tell you how old he is. He holds his one little finger up when you ask him how old he is. Of course he still loves to play patty cake and sing. Carter still struggles to gain weight although he is now up to 15lbs! He wears 0-3 month clothing and a size 2 diaper. We attempt to feed him some sort of solid food at least 3 times a day. He eats 4-5oz every 4 hours and usually wakes up once or twice a night for a 1-2 oz snack.

We are so proud of all Carter has overcome this year. We are so honored and thankful to be part of his life. This time last year Brandon and I had no idea of the miracle we were about to witness. We were not certain if Carter would survive much less thrive. As I look at him today it’s hard for me to believe he has special needs. I just see him as being so perfect and I guess that’s why God chose me to be his Mommy. One of our sweet friends Laura Quick with Flutterby Photography took Carter’s one year old pictures. She did an amazing job and we are extremely thankful. We had Carter a small party today with his Nana and Pop Pop (my mom and dad) since it was officially his birthday and we are planning a larger Mickey Mouse swim party over labor day weekend. Here are a few pictures of Carter’s special day. I want to say a special thank you to Laura Lee May  for making Carter’s adorable and yummy Veggie Tales cake. Happy Birthday Carter!

　

Of couse he HAD to get in the water!

Here are a few pictures from the day Carter was born, he has come so far!

Then he put a little child among them. Taking the child in his arms he said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me.” Mark 9: 36-37

He was not real interested in eating his cake, but atleast he tried!

Isn't this cake cute!

All of the gifts are from my Mom and Dad, do you think he is spoiled?

Happy 1st Birthday Carter!

Carter update...

Our appointment at UAB was canceled again. Due to Carter's test results on Friday our surgeon wanted to see him today. Our surgeon decided he would try to manipulate Carter's bowels in an attempt to get them flowing correctly. The procedure is painful and I was given two options. Carter could be sedated and go to surgery on Thursday or we could attempt to do it in the clinic and if Carter did not tolerate it our Doctor would stop and we would schedule surgery for Thursday. It was a tough decision, but I decided to let our Doctor try it in the clinic. This way Carter did not have to go through being sedated, not being able to eat, an I.V. and everything else that goes along with surgery. Carter did really good. He is still a little sore and we will need to go back in 4 weeks and have the same thing done again, but we are extremly happy he did not have to go through another surgery. We went Tuesday for Carter's feeding evaluation and got some really good tips and different tools to help him eat. He did really good today. He ate an entire jar of baby food for lunch!! This is really good for Carter. He usually eats one or two bites on a good day. So we are really excited and are praying he will start gaining weight. We did reschedule our appointment at UAB. Carter has an appointment Thursday with our urologist and we will go to UAB next week for his MRI with sedation.

Test...

Carter went for a barium study of his intestines on Friday.  He did great! The study showed an area of his intestines that is not functioning correctly.  It is not contracting and causing his stool to puddle in one area, which in turn causes bacteria to grow. We are not sure exactly what we are going to do about this right now.  We were given two options thus far and we are not crazy about either one.  One is to have surgery to snip the piece of intestines out that is not working correctly and the other is to place him on long term antibiotics until we have another surgery and possibly have it fixed then.  I really do not want Carter to have surgery right now.  We are trying to allow him a little rest time before he has his "big" surgery.  I really dont want him on long term antibiotics either due to the side effects and other things it will cause.  I am also unsure of having his bowels worked on at the time of his "big" surgery, because he is already having so many other things done and I feel like that is too much at one time.  If we do decide to have the surgery now it will be a long and hard recovery.  So right now we are just very unsure of what we are going to do.  Our G.I. Doctor and surgeon are trying to come up with a game plan of what to do and what is best for Carter.  Right now we are praying for wisdom for the Doctor's that they will come up with the best solution.  Our surgeon is supposed to call me this week to let me know what they have decided.  Carter is scheduled to meet with a speech therapist at UMC's feeding clinic on Monday, we are going to UAB for a therapy evaluation on Tuesday and we have an appointment with our Urologist on Thursday to check his kidney function.  We have a busy week! Please pray they can figure all of this out soon and we can get him well!

Updates....

The Cline's have been very busy! We took Carter to the Pediatrician on Monday.  He had been pulling on his ears and having some tummy trouble for a while.  He had an ear infection, virus and we are going tomorrow for more testing on his intestines.  Carter is still not interested in baby food or anything except for oyster crackers and puffs, so we are going to take him to the feeding clinic at UMC on Monday.  We are going to attempt to take him to UAB again on Tuesday for his therapy evaluation. We tried to go this past Tuesday and after driving four hours our appointment was cancelled.  We will also be taking him back to UAB on the 11th for his MRI with sedation.  I took Brandon to the pulmonologist Wednesday and we learned a little more about sarcoidosis.  It is a very serious disease, although he will do well if he keeps it controlled.  He started a round of steroids today and went for blood work and a lung function test.  He will go back to the pulmonologist in six weeks to see if the steroids are helping or if we need to try something else. So, needless to say we have been very busy!  We are praying we can get Carter's tummy problems figured out and that Brandon's steroids will resolve his symptoms.