Just wanted to share a few pictures...we are loving our time together as a family of 4!! Helen is a SUPER big sister and is extremely interested in all things baby. Ethan had his first "outing" (other than to doctor appointments) to the pumpkin patch at Helen's preschool for some family pics. He is such a sweet baby...loves a bath...a good sleeper...and is GROWING...up to 10 lbs 11 oz this week!! Hope all is well and you are enjoying FALL!!
- BONNIE

I know all of you remember JR...well I spoke to his dad Rudy this morning. He said that on Tuesday of last week they told them that JR was probably not gonna make it. They arranged for his mom Kimberly to get to hold him on Wednesday. Rudy said that she held him for hours. Imagine two months and not being able to hold your child. Later that night JR started getting a little better. On Thursday he improved more and on Friday they took JR off of ECMO. This is nothing short of a miracle! Rudy said that they still have a long way to go but this is a good sign! Rudy and Kimberly are giving all the glory to God! I asked him if we could do anything and he said to continue to pray for his son. I told him that we had a great group of friends and family that were prayer warriors and they would be on their knees for his son just like they were for Ethan. They have been keeping a journal on www.caringbridge.org/visit/jrgibson/journal. (See link on right side under "Please Pray"). I just found out about the journal or I would have told everyone sooner. He will also send me his address tonight and I will post it if anyone wants to send them anything...they will be up there for a long time unless God decides that JR can leave sooner. Praise God!

One Month Old

What a busy week we have had since Ethan has been home!! He is doing wonderfully!! We came home Wednesday, September 30, with no monitors or medication. His NICU pediatrician in Birmingham fully discharged us to our pediatrician here in Dothan. We do not have to go back to Birmingham for any follow-up appointments - PRAISE THE LORD!! He weighed 8 lbs 15 oz the day we left Birmingham and had gained to 9 lbs 6 oz as of his doctor's appointment on Tuesday. His pediatrician here in Dothan said his heart and lungs sound great, and we don't go for another appointment until his 2-month check-up...just like any other healthy newborn!! We are AMAZED that he is "fully recovered" after being so terribly sick, and we are so thankful for the Lord's healing power!!

Helen has been SUCH a good big sister. She loves kissing and hugging on him and "playing" with him in his crib. She loves helping with diaper changes and thinks it is HILARIOUS when Ethan tee-tees or stinkies on one of us! She spent the past two nights with Meme and Jack (Bonnie's parents), so Bonnie and Ethan have thoroughly enjoyed some quality bonding time.

Everyone has been so great to call and bring us meals...we are so thankful for the friends and family in our life. Walking in our house for the first time in 3 weeks was the best feeling. We will never forget the relief it was to have Ethan at home and to have our whole family in the house together. We are praying that Ethan will stay strong and healthy, that Helen can be re-trained to sleep all night in her own bed, and that Mama and Daddy get some rest too! Here are a few pics from our first week at home. Much love to you all!!