tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60194336764657769352023-11-16T04:18:31.702-08:00Baby James Reeve CDH JourneyWe thought it was a good idea to set up a blog to keep you all up to date with baby James's CDH journey.
Currently tucked up in Mummy's ever growing tummy he is safe and warm and thanks you for coming and saying hello.
There are plenty of appointments organized in the coming months so to keep you all up to date I shall update this site. Feel free to come and visit to check where little one 'is at'!
Lots of love to you all and thank you for your constant love and support!Michael and Elizabeth Reevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220313295177315193noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019433676465776935.post-40591569714359700722010-02-07T13:38:00.000-08:002010-02-07T14:01:36.068-08:00Catch Up<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_pUnjjLzjSFcfAbXC7kSkZ4SBqdKbKZiTHlI74UAow3MaYQ9uC0RqE1S2tac6_380JBh8caiqDUWVubCKLggeniDU_o2R9_Hf_7neQxHi9n3XIW0ZckrXXP7ymf97BCi16KN6cz6RiUX/s1600-h/IMG_0375.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_pUnjjLzjSFcfAbXC7kSkZ4SBqdKbKZiTHlI74UAow3MaYQ9uC0RqE1S2tac6_380JBh8caiqDUWVubCKLggeniDU_o2R9_Hf_7neQxHi9n3XIW0ZckrXXP7ymf97BCi16KN6cz6RiUX/s320/IMG_0375.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435620787302683442" border="0" /></a><br />Hi All,<br /><br />I just wanted to touch base with you all and catch up.<br /><br />Since we came home from hospital things have been great. James is growing so fast and loves life! It's almost as if he knows how lucky he is to be here! He's a sweetie.<br /><br />James sits now and is very sturdy on his feet. He's not showing much interest in walking quite yet though.<br /><br />James' story is being published in 'Baby Surrey' magazine in June so there will be some great CDH exposure from that. We are also trying to start the 'adopt a hospital' here in the UK and are in the process of putting together some media.<br /><br />For now we thought you may enjoy a few pics....<br /><br />Love to you all xxx<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxGEEvDXb68kgTo_eSxUUcfprciHQ4ZWg0Tzo0b-TAM5KmBbKnwhv97S32_Ya2ruORlBkkreqknyAlCRFKfig' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Michael and Elizabeth Reevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220313295177315193noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019433676465776935.post-54470325772024776232010-01-03T13:06:00.000-08:002010-01-03T13:25:09.221-08:00Re-herniation, PICU and UpdateHi All,<br /><br />Well goodness me what a time it has been! I'm sorry for not posting before but this has been one massive whirlwind!<br /><br />I still check on the blogs all the time and ove to read of the progress of babies and angel families. My thoughts remain with you all and I hope you all had a great Christmas.<br /><br />Up until around the middle of November, things were great. James was flourishing and being a total sweetheart, a very happy and content baby. We noticed a slight change in the physicality of his breathing but thought little of it, we thought it was probably due to a tight diaphragm, we went to the doctor who assured us there was nothing to worry about. Things however started to worsen and so we ran James up to A & E who told us it was the beginnings of Bronchiolitis and not to worry because he was still eating well and his O2 saturation was 99.<br /><br />Then he got poorly, very poorly and very fast. He went from having a cough and being slightly whiny to going limp and tired in the space of a few hours. He was admitted to hospital where he was treated with RSV (bronchiolitis). There was an outbreak in our area. They did a routine Xray and boy what a picture!!!!! James' intestines were all back up in his chest. He had been living with a full hernia. He was not intubated but very ill and extremely tired from having to work so very hard to breath.<br /><br />After a few days at our local hospital, and thanks to a very pro-active doctor, we were rushed up to St George's on blues. On arrival James deteriorated nearly instantly. He was peaking 40 and was limp and lifeless, we were sat in resus ....to date the worst and hardest hour of my life!<br /><br />James improved and after 3 days was taken back into surgery for repair no2. This times Mr Nicolls had to add in a patch.<br /><br />James was extubated three days later and tolerated food again after 4 days. He was such a fighter and we are so indescribably proud of him.<br /><br />On paper this sounds one hundred times less painful than this part of the journey was. In all honesty I felt pain in a part of me I didn't know existed, I had nothing left to give but yet wanted everything to give to help our amazing little warrior.<br /><br />CDH is an unknown quantity and we continue to work to solve this.<br /><br />James is home now and doing great. Thank you for your prayers.<br /><br />Praise God<br /><br />Beth xxxxMichael and Elizabeth Reevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220313295177315193noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019433676465776935.post-6445884183117458212009-09-02T13:22:00.000-07:002009-09-02T13:53:13.857-07:00Hospital Appointment, more on the cause of CDH and pediatrician ECMO in US opinion...Hi All,<br /><br />firstly I have to report that they think James is doing 'Great'!! He is gaining weight and growing on a par with a 'normal' twelve week old. His development is right on track and he 'looks very good'. Yipeeeeee! It feels like I've recieved his first 'excellent' on a school report. So proud of this little boy. He fills me with Joy at least 100 times a day. Well done baby boy!<br /><br />They took a chest Xray to monitor and it looks good but we'll know more about that at Mr Nicolls clinic on September 15th. Generally he is doing well though.<br /><br />It was strangely nice to be at the hospital today. Familiar and nice. I guess this was the place this journey began.....and although that journey was so hard, it gave us the most precious gift in all the world.<br /><br />I had some really interesting conversations with our consultant and pediatrician about CDH research and treatment. They would support any independent research we embark upon and will make the geanologist available to us. They also gave us the name of the person to contact to receive medical advice and expertise. They suggested that more research needs to be put in to causes as well as cures.<br /><br />Before I write this next paragraph please be aware I do not want to offend ANYONE! I feel it is only fair to share things like this to help CDH talk, evolve, learn and STOP!!!!<br /><br />We had a long discussion about the vast differences in treatment between the UK and USA. The pediatricians here in the UK are highly concerned with the way US babies are treated. ECMO is only a last resort in very few babies here in the UK. It is very, very rare for a CDH baby to be transferred for ECMO here. Why then is it so common in the USA. With the CDH community hit so badly at the moment, I really think we need to be asking questions....why is the UK survival rate 70-80% in 2008/2009?????? What are the differences.<br /><br />Please don't get me wrong, I am really NOT criticising the medical staff who took care of our beautiful babies....they are amazing and I genuinely believe they are doing the best they know how with each and every baby. I just want to make sure the 'norm' is really the best!<br /><br />I'm really sorry if my posts are intence and questioning recently. I'm throwing thoughts around, trying to make sence of 1000 things! I've watched too many friends go through the worst possible thing for a parent to bare and I want to change things.<br /><br />As I said before, please don't take anything with offence......I'm thinking out load.<br /><br />With love to you all<br /><br /><br />Beth xxxMichael and Elizabeth Reevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220313295177315193noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019433676465776935.post-56326841881198225002009-09-01T14:44:00.000-07:002009-09-01T14:56:40.505-07:00Is Nitrofen causing CDH????!!!!Hi Guys,<br /><br />I'm absolutely determined to get more research going and have been trawling the web!! It seems there are hundreds of medical journals linking Nitrofen ( a prohibited herbicide ) with CDH. In FACT (and this makes me steaming angry) in order to try and realise a possible cure for the condition, they induce CDH in rats with Nitrofen. They know that feeding Nitrofen to rats on day 8.5 of gestation will cause its babies to have CDH...hmmmmmm!!<br /><br />Now I kind of get why this isn't public;y discussed - Nitrofen after all is illegal in the U.K and USA but I'm wondering if there is a black market for it somewhere or if one of the components in Nitrofen is common in another, widely used herbicide or pesticide? I need a chemist or chemical analyst. I'm on the case. As of tomorrow I'm making it my Erin Brochovich type mission to look in to this.<br /><br />Right now I'm thinking ..... how dare they know of a cause of CDH and not make it SO public that all the laboratories in the world aren't researching further.<br /><br />Whilst researching I also found this....and I quote ''Antenatal steroid therapy, by suppressing pulmonary ACE activity, may reduce the risk of pulmonary hypertension developing in human newborns with antenatally diagnosed CDH.'' That's right....and were you offered this???????? I certainly wasn't. Basically, steroid treatment might help CDH babies with their pulmonary hypertention.<br /><br />If anyone knows anything please please please help me. xxMichael and Elizabeth Reevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220313295177315193noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019433676465776935.post-90016833333615770842009-08-31T12:37:00.000-07:002009-08-31T12:42:06.627-07:00Angel Ireland & Fighting MaxHi All,<br /><br />It pains me tell you that beautiful Ireland Rose lost her CDH battle yesterday. Please pray for Chanda and Mike, may they find peace and purpose as they water the earth with their tears. I cannot believe another sweet baby has gone. We REALLY need to find out what's causing this terrible defect.<br /><br />Baby Max is also fighting really hard right now and needs our Urgent Prayers!! He was just about ready to be extubated when a major setback caused him to require ECMO. May he continue to be a little warrior.<br /><br />Please pray folks....the CDH community needs you!<br /><br />Lots of Love Beth & baby James xxxMichael and Elizabeth Reevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220313295177315193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019433676465776935.post-88239305117258369242009-08-30T13:37:00.000-07:002009-08-30T13:50:15.135-07:00Pondering, Praying & Giving ThanksHi all,<br /><br />Sorry its been a while. We've been establishing a routine and getting back to the grind.<br /><br />Firstly let me tell you baby James is astounding everybody and being a little dream! He is much bigger and fatter now and playing little games. He has the most beautiful temperament and smiles non stop. He adores his Daddy. We cannot believe how blessed we are to know him and thank you will never be enough! We have a neo-natal medicine check up on Wednesday so I will report on his health after that.<br /><br />I'm sitting here in floods of tears having just read Jackson's blog. It seems totally unfair that he is not with his Mummy & Daddy, doing the things that James is. I'm not sure its possible to miss someone you've never met but there is a genuine hole in my heart where baby Jackson should be. Candice and I were in touch during her pregnancy and I was so sure these little guys would grow up to meet each other and swap 'pirate stories' about their scares. We love you Candice, Rob and Angel J. We pray for you......I just wish there was more I could say!<br /><br />Now that we are settled into life at home I'm really keen to step the 'CDH work' up a gear! So far we have planned to run the Nike 10k next year along with another couple who are great friends of ours. We will obviously be raising money for CDH. Bearing in mind I'm a singer, we're also extremely keen to organize a fundraising concert - if anyone has any ideas, please send them my way.<br /><br />Always remembering Maxton, Kaden and Jackson.<br /><br />Lots of Love<br /><br />Beth & baby beautiful James xxxxMichael and Elizabeth Reevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220313295177315193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019433676465776935.post-60940532370224829092009-08-12T06:27:00.000-07:002009-08-12T13:15:36.015-07:00Baby Jackson & UpdateHi All,<br /><br />Firstly let me say how sorry I am to hear that sweet baby Jackson has lost his fight with CDH. This inspirational little boy touched the earth with his bravery & this world will be a worse place because of his loss. Please pray for Candice and Rob whose strength is astounding. May they find peace.<br /><br />Mike & I have just returned from a week away in Norfolk. It was so lovely to be away as a little family! James was a dream and loved spending so much time with his Daddy. He seems to have come on so far in the last 7 days & he experienced some memorable 'firsts'. James went to the sea, saw a castle and discovered his fists!<br /><br />We are still having weight gain issues. Having spoken to the peadiatric diation we now appear to be on a better track and have a deeper understanding as to why this has occured. James was given TPN (introvenus food) for a total of 3 weeks. This causes blockages in the liver which can effect the absorption of food, the liver function will improve but this can take a while. They have therefore resorted to a full diet of Infatrini milk - a high calorie prescribed milk. Hopefully this will help him catch up.<br /><br />I feel I should also share about his asymetric stomach. Following the surgery, James has a larger left side abdomen than right. I spoke to the surgical registrar about this today and he said it's really common following CDH remair surgery and it is caused by a weakening of the muscles because they have been cut. This will also repair itself in time.<br /><br />I'm surprised that issues which appear to be 'common' in CDH babies are not published and offered as information to parents. I therefore have decided to take this in hand and produce a simple 'post operative' CDH fact sheet. If any issues have arisen with your little CDH babies following their operation, please can you drop me an email so I can add it in....thank you!<br /><br />Other than the above, James is a wonderful little boy and my only regret is that he'll never get to play with Maxton or Jackson, or in fact any of the CDH Angels. We remain grateful every day that we were blessed with the gift of watching James grow.<br /><br />Much love to you all xxxMichael and Elizabeth Reevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220313295177315193noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019433676465776935.post-88787549747615292272009-07-21T13:15:00.000-07:002009-07-21T13:29:53.941-07:00Time Flies....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37Cp3GREu-P9VTaPp5oezBoptQpyUxVbfUXkS4YAYkgWyn1Px7cPM5ByTsRZ8Tijh34D0PICR33HbVrWe3qiwQ5rne5H0PppRUPvkYjyU3wyveqJg2mx7uqn7VPrmW_DX3yg3_nc5Kjlh/s1600-h/(null).jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37Cp3GREu-P9VTaPp5oezBoptQpyUxVbfUXkS4YAYkgWyn1Px7cPM5ByTsRZ8Tijh34D0PICR33HbVrWe3qiwQ5rne5H0PppRUPvkYjyU3wyveqJg2mx7uqn7VPrmW_DX3yg3_nc5Kjlh/s320/(null).jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361012781502934354" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">First play time<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5MyjpmznIp-a86MaIrsoaHG5Bfd1tiJRceONMf6BVpAcETvXJkFq0TSdbxGd9fgfb-kSbK94lbUSHacPi12JMCGBca1BdCwuGK3uwZU6gobUaEaXHK19bti8B_oxcGUtQGyyy6J9adlrk/s1600-h/(null).jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5MyjpmznIp-a86MaIrsoaHG5Bfd1tiJRceONMf6BVpAcETvXJkFq0TSdbxGd9fgfb-kSbK94lbUSHacPi12JMCGBca1BdCwuGK3uwZU6gobUaEaXHK19bti8B_oxcGUtQGyyy6J9adlrk/s320/(null).jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361012780209533202" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The aftermath of night feeds.....<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyr-Pj4dmEPnC_OyYOALffdsGd9IlmWcH7dP6f4ncCTpXBvU8AuOIUvSqcH_hxY0E025bWHYULmlS9vJT6nLzBy3rOSPjLdSbFOqbVbQxSfx0Ui-UuP0czqXQkmsICk-PxYCKDNu5ljrkO/s1600-h/photo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyr-Pj4dmEPnC_OyYOALffdsGd9IlmWcH7dP6f4ncCTpXBvU8AuOIUvSqcH_hxY0E025bWHYULmlS9vJT6nLzBy3rOSPjLdSbFOqbVbQxSfx0Ui-UuP0czqXQkmsICk-PxYCKDNu5ljrkO/s320/photo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361012776894364146" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">First outing to a coffee shop.....where else ;-)<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXlTwWPxyyyUEWUOEnl7TyFmWloMS-q0hrPE8gS1F9_IsXmR1Hku5PTr5QduZfbd7L1qXiHAjUMXnThUkiEIyRcDVNGZtKzGYCHIq524zQ5j3pEOiFZJr46snvWQmrDqAewZ2fWLWocmXd/s1600-h/photo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXlTwWPxyyyUEWUOEnl7TyFmWloMS-q0hrPE8gS1F9_IsXmR1Hku5PTr5QduZfbd7L1qXiHAjUMXnThUkiEIyRcDVNGZtKzGYCHIq524zQ5j3pEOiFZJr46snvWQmrDqAewZ2fWLWocmXd/s320/photo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361012773204016194" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Smiling at Daddy first thing in the morning<br /><br /><br /></div>Hello All,<br /><br />Wow, I cannot believe our little boy has been home for 2 weeks tomorrow. I can now see why people say you wake up and they're 18! SLOW DOWN please....I want to take in and enjoy every single minute with beautiful baby James!!!<br /><br />Things really are better than I ever can imagine and I love being Mummy more than anything in the World. I love our little family and we have a wonderful life. I cannot express how grateful we are that God has blessed us with this outcome.<br /><br />James has settled well. He feeds every 4 hours at night and 3 hours in the day. We are still having to 'top up' his feeds with a bottle after he has breast fed but it seems to be working as he put on 8oz this week. Yipee.<br /><br />He is a very happy little baby and loves watching....well anything! He's really nosey and I can't think where he got that from!<br /><br />Anyway, thank you for checking in, we love to share this journey with you. Please continue to pray that many other CDH families can bring their beautiful babies home or at least find peace in the blessing of such special children....we can learn so much from each and every one, the angels most of all.<br /><br />We are so happy and hope you enjoy these pics. xxxMichael and Elizabeth Reevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220313295177315193noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019433676465776935.post-19016956980621848392009-07-10T07:52:00.000-07:002009-07-10T08:23:03.743-07:00SupriseHello Everyone...<br /><br />My deepest apologies for the delay in 'blogging' my phone has been down since the weekend so I haven't been able to access email to update my brother. You guys have been so great in following the blog and giving us such wonderful support and we are so grateful. We certainly haven't forgotten you!!<br /><br />This has been possibly the craziest and most wonderful week of our lives.<br /><br />Following the previous posting we returned to the high dependency to find that James had not been returned onto the Cpap ventilator. The nurses had decided to only have it there for 'rescue' in case he gets tired. James rose to the challenge and although he needed a few ours the following day it was bye bye Cpap FOREVER by Friday.<br /><br />Then...he started thinking that milk really is yummy and demanding more and more of it. Everything they put through his NG tube into his little tummy he was eating! So they upped him by 3mls every 3 hours until he reached full feeds at 6am on Sunday morning. Throughout the night on Friday, Saturday and Sunday I was attempting to establish breast feeding which we FINALLY mastered at 3am on Sunday. James was so happy to be feeding well. Because he was clearly tolerating his feeds, by 9am Sunday morning we had said goodbye to the NG tube and hello to 'on demand breast feeding'. Things really do move quickly once you're on the home stretch.<br /><br />They decided to let us 'room in' with James on the Monday night so we could establish feeding as would be achieved at home and to get us used to the lack of monitors. We loved this! We were with our baby boy with NO tubes and no one watching our every move. What a moment!<br /><br />On Tuesday however we had a little bump in the road. Overnight James had managed to loose 100grams so they needed to monitor his weight a little closer. They decided that if he put on sufficient weight overnight that he could.........................wait for it.................go HOME!!! So as you can imagine we fed, fed and fed our baby boy, so much so that he did 10 poo's in a day.<br /><br />Throughout the day on Tuesday and Wednesday we were taught how to bath, give mediation, recusitate and monitor baby James. Then there was the weigh in and.................. he had gained 45 grams. Thats all he needed and was DISCHARGED.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">After 22 days in Neonatal Intensive Care,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3 Days in High Dependancy,</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2 days in Special Care, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2 days - rooming in, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">a total of 29 days on Hospital out baby has come home!<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">We are so proud that James is such a fighter. God has given us a miracle and we will be thankful for him every day. The staff at St Georges' have been wonderful and we will remain indebted to them always - Thank you!<br /><br />We have made some great friends throughout this journey and are so grateful to all of you for your thoughts and prayers - they certainly got us through this roller coaster.<br /><br />Thank you to all of you and I promise to post photo's and and update tomorrow. As you can imagine though we are totally shattered.<br /><br />So delighted to sign off as a family at home..........<br /><br />Mike, Beth and Baby James Michael Reeve<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></div></div>Michael and Elizabeth Reevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220313295177315193noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019433676465776935.post-78197508241731882802009-06-30T03:19:00.000-07:002009-06-30T03:21:46.394-07:00A Promotion<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">Hi all,<br /><br />I'm so sorry for the delay in updating, days just fly here & yet seem to stay still.<br /><br />Baby James is nothing short of a little fighter. He is now managing on a 10 hours off, 2 on Cpap ventilation cycle. He gets tired during the tenth hour but his blood gases say he's managing fine. Clever little lungs. He also gets very grumpy when he has to go back on, not that I blame him!<br /><br />Feed wise he's really picked up. He's up to 10mls every 3 hours, increasing by 1ml whilst he tolorates. BIG NEWS today as well...he got to breast feed for the first time. He didn't entirely understand but is trying. It was beautiful to partake in something natural and bonding with my little boy. It was an incredible moment & one I shall never forget.<br /><br />Now for BIG NEWS number 2, James has been promoted. He was moved down from Intensive Care to High Dependancy. Yipee!!<br /><br />Anyway it's been a good few days although we catch ourselves & are careful to get excited! Thank you again for all your prayers & support!<br /><br />Please pray for another CDH baby who arrived this morning. She is yet to be named but is beautiful!<br /><br />Thanks again.<br /><br />Mummy Beth xx</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, -webkit-fantasy;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40YBOemhrdWIMw911A9mGABvVI3BwZbpLoVc7lHNMTPK138m7tfQzvmfhlR8lz0VBQW5S_dzs8Us4xOMFi55E4WYzj056Af5tUijDP_suAOHzFipick563EXLzvxSJuaSwXldYOJ34EoM/s1600-h/james10.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh40YBOemhrdWIMw911A9mGABvVI3BwZbpLoVc7lHNMTPK138m7tfQzvmfhlR8lz0VBQW5S_dzs8Us4xOMFi55E4WYzj056Af5tUijDP_suAOHzFipick563EXLzvxSJuaSwXldYOJ34EoM/s320/james10.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353063778990510930" /></a>Michael and Elizabeth Reevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220313295177315193noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019433676465776935.post-27502168420800823982009-06-24T01:30:00.000-07:002009-06-24T01:34:04.852-07:00Father's Day<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, fantasy; "><blockquote type="cite"><div><span>Hi folks,</span><br /><span></span><br /><span>Hope you're all well & all the Daddy's enjoyed Fathers day. I'm pretty sure Mike was the most excited Daddy around!</span><br /><span></span><br /><span>The lovely nurses on the NNU made cards for the Dad's with a picture on. Clever baby James also went shopping & brought Daddy a card and present! Most special of all was that Mike got his first cuddle with his son last night, a very special moment. James looked so small and adorable in Daddy's big hands!</span><br /><span></span><br /><span>James has been doing very well with his routine & even stretched to 4 hours off Cpap at a time. His new cycle is 8 on, 4 off. Well done baby J!!</span><br /><span></span><br /><span>Feeding appeared to be going well but little boy had bright yellow aspirates on Sunday night so they've suspended milk feeds for now. Mummy's hoping that's a very short term measure.</span><br /><span></span><br /><span>We are so proud of our little warrior & I'm learning to adapt to life up here. Mike's gone back to work so it's a little harder now but nothing a few good books & lots of baby time won't solve. The consultant suggested that it's likely to be the beginning of August by the time we're discharged but it's worth the wait a million times over.</span><br /><span></span><br /><span>Thinking of Max's family this very hard weekend & praying for them as well as the Studdard twins.</span><br /><span></span><br /><span>Lots of love</span><br /><span></span><br /><span>Beth xxx</span></div></blockquote><div><br /></div></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVtZJBKQU9PmD9_l4ZSVMgwczBRq6pNA62EaboyOzpb4BZrX1rjm8GZkqcu8NF6vLKL1GjqvFtKzF0FH4VjUY8eGt_3TYG7hOWZl-UVz2OcRc75IbwovRXuztsJYnMUG-3KcX8OwIQpLp/s1600-h/james9.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVtZJBKQU9PmD9_l4ZSVMgwczBRq6pNA62EaboyOzpb4BZrX1rjm8GZkqcu8NF6vLKL1GjqvFtKzF0FH4VjUY8eGt_3TYG7hOWZl-UVz2OcRc75IbwovRXuztsJYnMUG-3KcX8OwIQpLp/s320/james9.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350809243186189874" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCqCBxIp0GCCG8t-LlngpnhsvlxhDoczEITBh2uNwH-lXxyDLPx0kWMxmr7DWYuu3m1bmjOTKsjvVJhc8_8EC3NUkmCrLV08OvFqO6iw4dy8U1wlgcA8gNeO1i6oVIOEZfOCG4xtpTp_U/s1600-h/james8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 235px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCqCBxIp0GCCG8t-LlngpnhsvlxhDoczEITBh2uNwH-lXxyDLPx0kWMxmr7DWYuu3m1bmjOTKsjvVJhc8_8EC3NUkmCrLV08OvFqO6iw4dy8U1wlgcA8gNeO1i6oVIOEZfOCG4xtpTp_U/s320/james8.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350809240141939074" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXlxSYHOM4iO8SbyVBR4y9CDyqebecdX6i34s3rcWFta1rjjGhhzF-iijn5Bowh-6Sg6ac_cgjtlPIW1umCdWvjjZzBxG0MtCD2LqCJ_0M20WRymFKD9a6hY52EKqpKrQK8JrexeVOiC2u/s1600-h/james7.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXlxSYHOM4iO8SbyVBR4y9CDyqebecdX6i34s3rcWFta1rjjGhhzF-iijn5Bowh-6Sg6ac_cgjtlPIW1umCdWvjjZzBxG0MtCD2LqCJ_0M20WRymFKD9a6hY52EKqpKrQK8JrexeVOiC2u/s320/james7.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350809235946341234" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;"><div><br /></div></span>Michael and Elizabeth Reevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220313295177315193noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019433676465776935.post-82516974544128909412009-06-20T00:34:00.000-07:002009-06-20T00:35:18.514-07:00The Rollercoaster<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">Hi all,<br /><br />Sorry for the delay in posting, yesterday was a tough day! The night after James was extubated, they tried to give him a break from the Cpap for 6 hours. We were extremely delighted to hear this & the doctors decided on a cycle of 6 hours on followed by 6 hours off. We couldn't believe how quickly this was happening. However, it proved to be too much too soon for little one. He was quite distressed by the end of the 6 hours off & was visably struggling to breathe. The following 12 hours he was exhausted & drained, he looked poorly again & it broke our hearts.<br /><br />Still being the fighter that little James is, he battled through & is managing well on a 2 hours off 10 hours on cycle. He is retaining his carbon dioxide levels but that will rectify itself SLOWLY over the coming weeks.<br /><br />James has started feeds! They began on 1ml every 3 hours, which has just been upped to 1ml every 2 hours....yum yum!<br /><br />This NNU journey really is a rollercoaster. The ups are so high & the lows are almost too much to bear. As James is getting more alert it's even harder to watch him live this beginning in life. We thank God for our little miracle & long to take him home...not many more weeks we hope!<br /><br />Congratulations are in order for Shawn & Stephanie who gave birth to their beautiful twin girls Brooke & Kamryn. Please pray for them.<br /><br />Please keep praying for our beautiful baby James.<br /><br />Mike & Beth xxx</span>Michael and Elizabeth Reevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220313295177315193noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019433676465776935.post-27205392190264242542009-06-16T15:41:00.000-07:002009-06-16T15:42:00.641-07:00Excited over poo!!!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">Hi all,<br /><br />Just a quick update on the marvels of beautiful baby James...<br /><br />I don't really know where to start, so much has developed in 2 days. Yesterday when we went to help with James' first nappy he had done a poo. To most new mums and dads that's a reason to wince, however for us it shows so much progression. It means James' bowels are now working and it meant mummy & daddy could do a real parenting job. It's crazy how excited you can get over poo!!<br /><br />Next, James was taken off morphene & swapped to paracetamol. He keeps sneezing & hiccuping now. So sweet!<br /><br />When it came to afternoon cares, they decided to weigh little boy. Because they were moving all the wires anyway, they decided I could have a cuddle. This was certainly a moving experience. Baby James curled his little body & legs into me and settled into the most relaxed sleep I've seen him have. He certainly knew he was in my arms & we both loved every second of it.<br /><br />Finally the biggest progress... On arrival to the unit this morning we were notified of James' extubation. This means he has been taken off the ventilator and placed onto a Cpap machine, one step closer to breathing on his own...clever boy! Mike & I couldn't believe how fast he's progressing.....a real little miricle.<br /><br />We're hoping to start him on a little bit of milk tomorrow so we'll let you know how that goes.<br /><br />Lots of love & thank you for your love, prayers & support....keep them coming.<br /><br />Mummy Beth xxx<br /></span>Michael and Elizabeth Reevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220313295177315193noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019433676465776935.post-89816887939799554872009-06-14T15:58:00.001-07:002009-06-14T16:02:30.442-07:00The latest on little James<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">Hello all,<br /><br />Well baby James is incredible!! He is doing so very well! His 48 hours post op have been on the whole very good. He had a minor blip about 6 hours after his operation when they discovered his red blood cells were very low, causing his stats to change. However, following a blood infusion & some fluids he returned to normal pretty quickly, since then his blood gases have been good. They have successfully weaned his venilation pressure from 20-19 and he is on .25 oxygen.....very good!<br /><br />Now for the exciting part.....they have turned off his paralytic drug. Over the next 12 hours James will start to wake up!! He is doing so well!! Mike and I are so excited to see his little eyes open & watch him respond to us. He's likely to become alert very late this evening so I don't think we'll be going to bed ;-)<br /><br />James never ceases to amaze us. He is such a 'little warrior' as Daddy calls him! God is certainly unfolding a miracle in front of our eyes & we are so thankful!<br /><br />Please continue to pray for baby James' recovery, we yearn to have a cuddle & feed him!<br /><br />Thank you again for all your love & support<br /><br />Mummy & Daddy Reeve xx</span>Michael and Elizabeth Reevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220313295177315193noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019433676465776935.post-23107055729556048072009-06-12T14:51:00.000-07:002009-06-12T14:53:02.786-07:00Post Op Update<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_IKB5pyv_Pjhx1WV74rQeKCEEnmEV8dvTX2Tyg7DuNNidUDaH8c48pDXwKtaXKv7XNFL4kjXkMpC9vyPhDimX_Y3tv3v5NaILle6L-4Twoh0Kr3z9HREjTvWUhpygZ1kA75TR7nSCoav/s1600-h/James5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho_IKB5pyv_Pjhx1WV74rQeKCEEnmEV8dvTX2Tyg7DuNNidUDaH8c48pDXwKtaXKv7XNFL4kjXkMpC9vyPhDimX_Y3tv3v5NaILle6L-4Twoh0Kr3z9HREjTvWUhpygZ1kA75TR7nSCoav/s320/James5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346562438016799394" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKwHgnf5AZycWAfIFDU8Dvc4J_ltpCCk6CVMdn0vSTtTWGf_JdLaSbeXK0OpsXvFb65LN1cMGjKpei-3-UwtLbJTTxn7ZJ-BL10LFAz_KyI-wqxtKQV8-7jIGNoK7RHWxhlHzD0vXliO6/s1600-h/james4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 235px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKwHgnf5AZycWAfIFDU8Dvc4J_ltpCCk6CVMdn0vSTtTWGf_JdLaSbeXK0OpsXvFb65LN1cMGjKpei-3-UwtLbJTTxn7ZJ-BL10LFAz_KyI-wqxtKQV8-7jIGNoK7RHWxhlHzD0vXliO6/s320/james4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346562431750565138" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;font-size:medium;">Hi all,<br /><br />Baby James has done wonderfully. His surgery went well & he is stable and so very brave! The spleen, stomach, small intestine & a few loops of the large intestine were up in the left side chest cavity. This is not unusual and everything was moved down successfully! They did not need a gortex patch for the hole but did need to sew the muscle tissue to his rib, again this is fairly common during this nature of repair. The surgeons seemed happy with how it went and are confident about his recovery. Obviously this is majour surgery though so we need to monitor all his bits & pieces carefully. The surgical team will check on him daily. We are so thankful to the wonderful staff here...they are nothing short of amazing!!<br /><br />Since his op James has been stable & they continue to wean his care as is appropriate, he is tolerating things well at the moment.<br /><br />I have uploaded an x-ray of him post op with everything in the right place....doesn't his chest look lovely & clean now?!<br /><br />Today was one of the toughest of our lives & we are so thankful to God for our miracle baby boy. He is amazing beyond words. We are so proud of our little warrior.<br /><br />The next 48 hours will be a chance to see how little James copes with his organs in the right place. We will let you know how this goes.<br /><br />Mike & I are exhausted and delighted at the same time. We couldn't ask for more from this inspirational little chap! He is already showing Mummy & Daddy how he fights. The last 3 days he has been through so very much & we adore him more than we ever imagined! We will thank God every day of our lives for giving us the most special gift.<br /><br />Thank you so much for your prayers everyone! Please keep them coming, he has some way to go before he is totally better but we have total faith that the miracle will continue.<br /><br />Ashley-James wanted to model baby<br />Maxton's bracelet for you!! See picture ;-)<br /><br />We are off to say night night to our beautiful son.<br /><br />Thank you again everyone!!!<br /><br />Mummy & Daddy Reeve xxxx</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, -webkit-fantasy;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></div>Michael and Elizabeth Reevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220313295177315193noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019433676465776935.post-73667167135348042502009-06-12T05:33:00.000-07:002009-06-12T05:38:10.258-07:00IN SURGERYlittle James has just gone into surgery. Beth would like all the prayers you can muster for the next few hours!!!Michael and Elizabeth Reevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220313295177315193noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019433676465776935.post-38357859517337010282009-06-12T00:28:00.000-07:002009-06-12T00:29:18.383-07:00Baby James Update<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; ">Hello all,<br /><br />Firstly thank you so much for your kind wishes, prayers, love & support....James is a very blessed little boy & we have been so touched! We can read your comments even though we can't update the blog remotely...my brother (uncle James) is doing a great job for us though!!<br /><br />Baby James is being an absolute star. His stats remain very stable & they've only got him on 27% oxygen (room level is 21%.) For those CDH nerds....we have managed to keep him away from ECMO & nitric oxide alltogether so far....praise God. If he continues to remain stable overnight they are going ahead with his repair surgery tomorrow (Friday) at 1pm. We really need your prayers folks, they have certainly worked this far with his night nurse calling him a 'miracle baby'. Please pray as hard as you can. I have a new understanding of love now & am really yearning to take our perfect little boy home. In short......please pray!!!!!<br /><br />Thank you again for all of your support & love and we'll let you know asap if surgery is going ahead.<br /><br />God bless & night night.<br /><br />Beth xxxx</span>Michael and Elizabeth Reevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220313295177315193noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019433676465776935.post-24789276443599277982009-06-10T15:10:00.000-07:002009-06-10T15:20:38.333-07:00Stable and doing well - first pics from the hospital<div>Baby James is doing well. They've now moved him on to a conventional ventilator and are gradually reducing the level of support they're giving him which he is tolerating well. If he continues to respond as well as he is now, they have tentatively proposed Friday afternoon for his repair surgery, but it is still too early to say with any certainty. Now the moment you've all been waiting for... the pics:</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0ax-7OZEiSweNtFPNlGd-2Z38ZNK4O7BhxdQyq7jxlVUE3bivnZXiiIS80bRixbrM916oydYV__T8B6D66ieJ-FTsLsLpjuZ_r8dotXekTPL8Y_QPCvjb_TJNE74BtAOb5tvham2IXjN/s1600-h/james3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD0ax-7OZEiSweNtFPNlGd-2Z38ZNK4O7BhxdQyq7jxlVUE3bivnZXiiIS80bRixbrM916oydYV__T8B6D66ieJ-FTsLsLpjuZ_r8dotXekTPL8Y_QPCvjb_TJNE74BtAOb5tvham2IXjN/s320/james3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345827054605753090" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4Y2u05cETvuOXTfXs8jduNiDHt2UTREzIGcBIPFeUAMrn86kBK3ruCZYPS7KNpbhoNQ1Dfa8GX9NyIlCfEFvfeRVEuzObKghlscRAow5FUiRIjwDmZWVWXKZGp2ZCIvztATOflfU_t1a/s1600-h/james2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4Y2u05cETvuOXTfXs8jduNiDHt2UTREzIGcBIPFeUAMrn86kBK3ruCZYPS7KNpbhoNQ1Dfa8GX9NyIlCfEFvfeRVEuzObKghlscRAow5FUiRIjwDmZWVWXKZGp2ZCIvztATOflfU_t1a/s320/james2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345827052501544850" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhN2CnlwKJr07F92TM4wBqRdA6zykTIR7NJXko9rDGDqPWktkQpr0zghSw3EfLNYUDNuTkFHhoIsIl_2KhxNdo_TZ_49f6b3j1zM3lBe1albjU3B9V3Zz6A4hVLi2EMVd8sZIG2Ek4jiHp/s1600-h/james1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhN2CnlwKJr07F92TM4wBqRdA6zykTIR7NJXko9rDGDqPWktkQpr0zghSw3EfLNYUDNuTkFHhoIsIl_2KhxNdo_TZ_49f6b3j1zM3lBe1albjU3B9V3Zz6A4hVLi2EMVd8sZIG2Ek4jiHp/s320/james1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345827046148076978" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4a0OxCmI6tNWpzK9YjRK4vNbD6gBLinrRBQDZ-AT7I5Euz461mQUVUeCzCEPvRbBs-rP9KeJYptQvCFU6jpEYqniU6td8VGiIHiDIEEMDxyNVZRtI92LSoDU-NdQw10rj4IDTmaN_lRAP/s1600-h/james0.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4a0OxCmI6tNWpzK9YjRK4vNbD6gBLinrRBQDZ-AT7I5Euz461mQUVUeCzCEPvRbBs-rP9KeJYptQvCFU6jpEYqniU6td8VGiIHiDIEEMDxyNVZRtI92LSoDU-NdQw10rj4IDTmaN_lRAP/s320/james0.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345827045864269362" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Michael and Elizabeth Reevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220313295177315193noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019433676465776935.post-36141671170153916902009-06-10T01:37:00.000-07:002009-06-10T01:44:10.730-07:00UpdateBaby James has stabilised well and his left lung is "lovely and big". The plan now is to leave him to rest and recover for a few days and then the doctor's will decide if they should reduce his support. His operation will be towards the end of the week at the earliest but apparently there is no rush.<div><br /></div><div>Beth is, as you'd expect, very tired; but both her an Michael are in good spirits.</div>Michael and Elizabeth Reevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220313295177315193noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019433676465776935.post-61085445484628335802009-06-09T14:14:00.000-07:002009-06-09T14:16:48.439-07:00The New ArrivalMike and beth have been blessed with baby James Michael Reeve born 9:20pm weighing a little 6 pounds and a bit.Michael and Elizabeth Reevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220313295177315193noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019433676465776935.post-87142443027503510202009-06-09T11:37:00.001-07:002009-06-09T11:38:04.079-07:00ALMOST THEREAlmost there!!! Water's broken and contractions are strong and often.Michael and Elizabeth Reevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220313295177315193noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019433676465776935.post-86781218447425905332009-06-09T10:02:00.000-07:002009-06-09T10:06:17.550-07:00FinallyBeth's induction finally got underway at around 2pm this afternoon. She seems in good spirits and "baby James is being very good and calm". The process can take some time but i'll let you all know more as soon as I do.Michael and Elizabeth Reevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220313295177315193noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019433676465776935.post-87651077031661203932009-06-09T02:06:00.000-07:002009-06-09T02:11:23.252-07:00Well it appears I was a bit quick off the mark.<div><br /></div><div>As it transpires there were further delays and Beth is still now waiting to be induced. She should be seeing a doctor early this afternoon and once she has things will hopefully get underway quickly. Fingers crossed for the induction this afternoon as the wait isn't making things any easier!</div>Michael and Elizabeth Reevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220313295177315193noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019433676465776935.post-89360028473491582152009-06-08T09:10:00.000-07:002009-06-08T09:34:29.255-07:00The first of the big days<div>As some of you will already know Beth, Michael, and bump-James began a long day with an early start at the hospital this morning. Following a considerable wait for an available place that stretched through most of the afternoon, Beth has now been induced.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'll update this blog with any more news as I have it, in the meantime Beth and Michael ask that everybody pray like mad (or, if that's just not cricket, pray like sane but with more than the usual enthusiasm).</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks to everyone for your continued support!</div><div><br /></div><div>James (Beth's brother)</div>Michael and Elizabeth Reevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220313295177315193noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6019433676465776935.post-59484697027466857132009-06-01T05:09:00.000-07:002009-06-01T05:27:16.855-07:001 Week Today & 38 Weeks...Hi Folks,<br /><br />Well we are now officially 1 week away from the BIG DAY!! I'm very much hoping James decides to come before then just to make sure he's naturally 'cooked' but obviously, if he wants to stay put we're all systems go for Monday.<br /><br />I'm feeling fine, hot but fine and really looking forward to meeting this little boy. I cannot believe how fast this has all gone.....it seems like yesterday we got our 'positive' result, then the diagnosis and now its baby time!<br /><br />We really ask you to pray now, we have faith that God will give us with the blessing of bringing our precious baby home but please continue to pray.<br /><br />Also please pray for baby Avery, she is struggling at the moment but is being an extremely brave little girl, her family needs your prayers, as does she.<br /><br />Finally, a big thank you. Thank you to all of you for your prayers, thoughts and support throughout this pregnancy. The 'CDH friends' we have made have been an invaluable source to us, talking through diagnosis and birth plans and also just getting to know some wonderful families, babies and angels we would never otherwise know. We continue to pray for you all and look forward to sharing stories in the future. Also my students, friends, family and everyone else at Wintershall have just been incredible, your prayers are remembered and I pray so very hard that you will be able to meet baby James in person very soon.<br /><br />Love to you all and we'll keep you posted as often as we can when little one comes along.<br /><br />With much love.<br /><br />Beth and Bump James......xxxxxMichael and Elizabeth Reevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01220313295177315193noreply@blogger.com11