Blood Pressure Good!

Today was check up day and Opa Bos took Momma Hannie and Gerad in to see the Pediatric Cardiologist since it was quite the winter weather. Gerad's blood pressure was perfectly normal, but they still wanted to do a blood test. They had a very hard time drawing blood from his veins so they had to take it out drop by drop from his heal. Poor Gerad! One day he was sitting quite contently in his chair when he started to bring forth sounds from his diaper, not once, not twice, but lots of times. Momma Hannie suspected a big mess, but not quite this big!

Ahh, the joys of motherhood...!

She.....worketh willingly with her hands
Pro 31:13

More pictures to enjoy!

:: This week Hannie had just told the doctor that he doesn't really like his soother, but she put it in his mouth anyways since they were checking his blood pressure (goes very tight) and he took it so nicely. He likes to surprise his mommy like that! ::

:: sleep, sweet boy ::

Come one, come all!

:: These pictures are here to provoke everyone to come to Ontario and see this adorable little boy for themselves! Who first? ::

Stay tuned...more pictures to come!!

The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart...

Pro 15:30

Pictures of our Little Man!

Hello Everyone!

Today Gerad went for his check up and he now weighs 12.11 lb!!! And measuring a tall 60.8cm! Everything with his heart is good although his blood pressure was measuring high, so he gets blood work done next week to see what is causing it. High blood pressure and his treasured heart may not be a good mix!

He loves playing in his play pen with all his bright colored toys. The train quilt he is laying on is made by an elderly lady from the nursing home where Hannie used to work.

Pray that his blood pressure goes down.

And we know that all things work together for good

to them that

love God.

Romans 8:28

Check Up Next Week!

Today was the day Gerad needed to be in Toronto for an echo and a check-up. But, yesterday they called, and if Marvin and Hannie were comfortable with not coming they could wait till next week and then just go for the check up in London! So, that is what they are doing!

It's an 'all-over' good sign, and I am thankful!

Here is Daddy Marvin with a fussy little Gerad when he was still being tube-fed. After an exhausting night, this is how Momma Hannie found then in the morning.

Growing...

Sleeping,

but well aware we were taking a picture of him!

Next week Marv and Hannie will be taking him to Toronto again for further testing. He is growing and getting more and more into a routine; falling asleep easier and being more content. When a photographer came this week to take his picture, he didn't smile his big broad smile until the photogragher was out the door!

Somehow I am not surprised...

He is just very smart!

The first step in child training is to decide what you want your children to become and then become that very person yourself. ~Micheal Pearl

Daddy's Boy!

Someone To Thank!

When Gerad came into the office he went on a monitor to check his heart rate and oxygen level and that was good. Liz (the headnurse ofpediatric cardiology) listened and everything, including shunt, sounded clear. Everything looked good. Gerad mightv'e been overtired and Liz wasn't worried but did say it was good that Hannie and Dad took him in. Hannie says: 'He REALLY was not waking tho.'
Marvin is on his way home now too.

Thanks for praying.

Someone to Thank ~Geraldine Koehn

There is Someone who daily my needs doth supply,

These things don't just happen, there's Someone on high.

'Tis His mercy and grace that allows me to live;

He deserves all the thanks I can give.

Refrain~I have Someone to thank for ev'ry new day,

I have Someone to thank for the gifts on life's way.

He's the One who expects and One who accepts

All the thanks that I feel each day.

There are many who do not believe in the Lord,

Say He never existed to create the world.

Oh, how empty their hearts and how lonely their days

With no Jesus to thank and to praise.

Refrain~ I have Someone to thank for ev'ry new day,

I have Someone to thank for the gifts on life's way.

He's the One who expects and One who accepts

All the thanks that I feel TODAY!

Praises!

The Lord has heard our Prayer! Opa Bos, Hannie and dear Gerad are on the way HOME!

I have not talked to Hannie yet, but will update more later!

God is Good!

Lift Gerad up in Prayer!

Opa Bos, momma Hannie are on their way to London with baby Gerad. Gerad is breathing, but not waking up. He woke up when she bathed him this morning, but he doesn't seem to wake up completely. Other than that he cried alot last night (although I don't know how he was throughout the night), this is all I know. Hannie had a hard time getting a hold of Marvin at work, therefore Opa Bos is taking them in.

Pray with us:

Dear Heavenly Father, you already know what we are praying for, but we ask you to keep our dear sweet Gerad safe. Help him to wake up soon, give the doctors wisdom when they see him and may You guide them. Lord, you know there are many sick children and people in that hospital, so we ask you to help the health care workers to make the right decisions who needs medical attention the first. Keep Hannie strong and be with Marvin. We Pray he already knows about the situation and that he is on his way. Keep him safe on the roads and bring him quickly to be with Hannie. Lord, they need your strength at this very moment. Help them to see Who you are and that they stand in need of you, now and always. You are the Giver of Life, and the Sustainer. Show your Love, Your Power, Your Compassion. Be with the grandparents too, strengthen them. We thank You that You are only a prayer away. Watch over the boy we love so very much. Heal him, we ask, in Jesus' most Holy Name, Amen.

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.

Romans 12:12

(will update as I know more...)

Beary Good

'psst....hey Gerad...want to come play with me?'

'aw, Gerad...come on...wake up! Let's play! Please?'

Sigh. 'You really are sleepy, aren't you?'

'oh, goody! You woke up! Come, sit close to me. I love you, Gerad!'

' Still a bit sleepy?? Well, I will sit here with you then

and dream about the day you and I can play for real.'

Monday was appointment day in Toronto for Gerad, as it is every two weeks. He weighs 10.12 pounds now! Next visit they will do bloodwork to check his enox level and do an echo. He is a beary sweet boy!



Come unto me,

all ye that labour and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me;

for I am meek and lowly in heart:

and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Mat 11:28,29

Enjoy Everyone!

a picture says a thousand words!

He can smile, he can smile!!! A little nap, mom!

Twee hartediefjes...Gerad met nichtje Gesina

New Picture!

Gerad has a ‘sticky’ to his name! He is often called Gerad the Grunter by who else but his mom and dad! He grunts when they change him, he grunts when he sleeps, he grunts when they snuggle and he grunts, grunts, grunts. An oh-so-cute grunt!

Last week at his weekly checkup he was 9.8 lbs. Yesterday he was a good 10.2 lbs! He is doing good with only getting his injection twice a day to keep his shunt open. He smiles and smiles a lot. Even at his mom. It is a very cute broad smile. He still spits up and sometimes a lot, but overal he does better all the time.

All along the way the company Marvin works for has been very supportive, allowing as much time off as he needed and so on. This week Marvin and Hannie received a large gift of money from a fundraiser campaign the company had organized and a beautiful blanket for Gerad with his name and date of birth in a big heart shape. The blessings didn’t stop there. You can imagine the cell phone bill that skyrocketed with all the phone calls made during their hospital stay. But God again was gracious, and it took one phone call from Marvin to the phone company asking if something could be done and they dropped the charge to a mere amount!!!!

God is able to make all grace abound toward you.

2 Corinthians 9:8

The Boy That Stole Our Hearts

Sleeping peacefully...

The dishes are done, the floors swept, and the laundry caught up. Mother Hannie is happy because Gerad is being soo happy and nice and lief. Now they are both happy. And because they both are happy, Dad Marvin is happy too. Now we have one very happy family on Middle Town Line.

Gerad is getting into a routine and you can tell he is gaining weight now too! He seems to have his nights and days in the correct order and feedings are going good and he is not crying so much anymore. Last night on the way to a wedding reception he cried and cried and Han and Marv didn't think it would be a good night. But he surprised them by going to sleep quickly for a l-o-n-g stretch and they were able to enjoy the evening.

Our Miracle Boy...

An adorable boy with big eyes, cute nose, kissable lips and a dimple when he smiles! Yes, he is smiling! To his dad, of course, because he just can't wait to trail along behind him to help with the fall clean-up of the yard. When I visited this afternoon, it was not hard to notice the LOVE his parents have for him. The appreciation and thanksgiving that flows when they hold him, stroke his cheek yet another time, shower him with kisses or look into his beautiful big eyes. They are in awe and Dad Marvin calls him a Miracle. Yes, a miracle and true evidence that God cares for us, loves us, answers prayer and gives us what we ask for. Even when our requests are great and our petitions and desires be endless. But, the greater our need, the more He can show us how mighty He is, how strong, how powerful and how compassionate!

O that men would praise the Lord for His goodness.

Psalm 107:8

You mean he cries??

Gerad drinks,

Gerad cries,

Gerad sleeps,

and Momma Hannie sighs a sigh of relief.

For a precious moment....

Yes, according to Hannie, he cries, and cries alot. On tuesday they went for another checkup in Toronto and he behaved so well the doctor had a hard time believing that he cries so much. Hannie thought: "Je kuunnen ut wel, jongetjen..."

He did not gain any weight, but that could also be due to the fact he was weighed on two differnt scales, one in London, the other in Toronto. They are experimenting different things to see what makes him cry, but other than that his stats (blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen level) showed better than a week ago.

He is still very cute, and being his aunt, I can say his cry is a very soft , adorable sound.

Mother Hannie doesn't always think so.

Weeping may endure for a night,

but joy cometh in the morning.

Psalm 30:5

Come Visit...!

First, you have to wash your hands...

then you may hold and touch and snuggle baby Gerad!

This is his feeding tube. Where mom Hannie is holding the tube,
that is how far it was into his body!

Gerad and one of his friends!

What sacred trust! What holy thrill!

To hold my newborn, soft and still-

A soul to live eternally;

Dear Lord, we humbly look to Thee.

No more tubes...

Yes, our little Gerad has no more tubes or wires attached! After a visit with the pediatric cardiologist in London, Daddy Marvin got the go-ahead to take the feeding tube out. That means he is drinking everything he needs from the bottle!!!!

I hope to post some pictures of Gerad soon, now that he is looking like the real him! Today Home Care is coming again for a visit, just a checkup and to answer any questions Han and Marv may have.

Hannie is getting the taste of having a newborn baby~she is tired!!!! =)
But I am glad she is, for it means she is at home and adjusting to the normal life of having a new baby! She, and Marv too, have alot of memories of the past weeks to simply digest, to laugh about, smile, to appreciate, to cry over, be thankful for and to just stand still and be in awe! They are very happy to be home! It really helps alot that willing hands are blessing them with meals. What would we do without friends and family!!!

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts...

and be ye thankful

Colossians 3:15

Home, Sweet Home!

My heart is overwhelmed with gratitude and thanksgiving to see my dear nephew Home, alert, awake, looking around and acting like any other baby! How special he is!!!

If only you could all see for yourself how adorable he is!

Today his bottle feeding was good, with no leftovers to go through his feeding tube! He is such a joy to see. I was able to hold him for the first time, feed him a little, cuddle him and change his tiny diaper. Oh, and did I say he is adorable?

For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised:

1Ch 16:25

THIS IS THE DAY...

...that the Lord has made,
we will greatly rejoice, and be glad in it...

because...

Marvin, Hannie and Gerad are

coming HOME!!!!!!

To Gerad, from 'tutte' Grie

Dear Gerad,

Hoger dan de blauwe luchten
en de sterretjes van goud,
woont de Vader in de Hemel
die van alle kinderen houd.
Ook voor zieke kinderen zorgt Hij
kent je tranen kent je pijn.
Ja, voor groten en voor kleinen
wil de Heer een helper zijn.
Daarom vragen wij eerbiedig,
vouwen wij de handjes saam,
Heer die altijd naar ons luistert
neem ook ons gebedje aan, Amen.

Love 'tutte'Grie, ome Jan en de kinderen

A Day Closer to Coming HOME!!

This picture was taken on Monday evening.

Oh, the joy of holding your own little one in your arms! Marvin and Hannie can’t get enough! Today Opa and Oma Bos visited and there was Hannie, strolling around with her dear baby Gerad in her arms! Later on she came into the room and walked over to the crib, but baby Gerad was not there….but laying safely and contently in his fathers arms in the chair!

Feeding is still difficult, but the doctor said this afternoon that that is quite normal for a baby like Gerad and it could take up to four weeks before that is better.
If all goes like it is, they might be coming home the beginning of next week!!!! Gerad will come home with his feeding tube and tonight Marvin was being taught how to put a feeding tube into Gerad’s nose. For the first while after they come home, there will be a nurse that will come every day to see how things are going, gradually reducing the times she comes. Until his next surgery alot can change, but they want to wait it out as long as possible so Gerad can mature and grow stronger!

What shall I render unto the LORD

for all his benefits toward me?

I will take the cup of salvation,

and call upon the name of the LORD.

Psa 116:12,13

Quick update!!!

Gerad is off his monitors!!!
Now Marvin and Hannie can walk around with him freely!!!
Every hour a nurse comes in to check his vitals, and today he also had his discharge echo done, of which we do not know the results from, though. Drinking is still not the way it should, but we hope our prayers may be answered soon!

Drink, Gerad, drink!

Everything is going quite well, however Gerad still has difficulty drinking his bottle. He does take it and drinks till he gets too tired. The rest then enters his system through his feeding tube. Han and Marv have to feed him slowly and stop with the bottle when he falls asleep or when he starts coughing etc., just so he doesn’t get too tired and his heart doesn’t have to work too hard.

God Bless Marvin and Hannie as they have been learning to give Gerad his blood thinner injection. He needs it twice a day until his second surgery so his shunt will not clot.

The only other medication Gerad is getting is for reflux, so he doesn’t gag so much when they are feeding him.

Dear little Gerad, we are praying for you that you quickly learn to like drinking from your bottle! Be strong and keep trying! We will also pray that your mommy and daddy stay strong as they learn to give you your injections to keep your little heart healthy and working! Know that you are very much loved!!!

Simply trusting every day,
Trusting through a stormy way;
Even when our faith is small,
Trusting Jesus-that is all.

Singing if our way is clear,
Praying if the path is drear;
If in danger, for Him call,
Trusting Jesus-that is all.

Sleep Well Tonight Gerad (and parents!!)

Nothing has really changed, other than Gerad drinking from his bottle three times today! What he didn't drink went through his feeding tube, but him drinking from the bottle is still good progress!

He does have the nights and days mixed up, sleeping soundly during the day and keeping his parents awake during the night! (me just thinks baby Gerad needs a little talk with his tante Bou!)

Tea Michele visited Gerad last night with uncle Albert.

For health and healing, Thank You, Lord,

Who values each soul's worth;

Whate'er You send, we humbly say,

Thy will be done on earth.

A Special Note!!

Hi, How are you doing? I am doing ok.

Saturday was moving day for me!!! I went all the wayto the fourth floor. I have my own room that I get to share with my dad and mom! Just like I would be doing if I was at home. Mom and dad get to do lots of stuff to me now like diaper changes, washing, feeding through my tube, making me more comfortable and lots more things.

Yesterday nurse Alaina took my pacing wires out. They were there to hook up to a pace-maker if I would need one. The wires went through my skin and the ends sat right on top of my heart. But now they are out and I am thankful that they did not have to be put to use.

I was very fussy saturday night. We didn't get much sleep because i kept crying and throwing up, and I did NOT want the bottle. Doctors accessed me and they decided that maybe I was getting my belly filled too fast so now I get my milk through the tube again but its hooked up to a pump that regulates how fast the milk goes into my tummy and I have been feeling much better already.

I stopped getting the bottle yesterday because I was not drinking and it took too much energy out of me trying so hard and that burns too many calories and I need all the calories that I can get!This afternoon a lady will talk to mom and dad and try to slowly bottle feed me again and give some tips to help mom and dad feed me.

Also some BIG news!!!! All the medication lines are out! All I still have is the PICC line and that is so the nurses can give me medications if I need it! I also still have a feeding tube that goes in through my nose and then to my belly. One thing I don't like about that (and mom doesn't either) is that now I get a needle two times a day that I get blood thinner through, so that my shunt doesn't clot.

There are still sticky things on my chest to monitor my heart and the red light (that you have seen on pictures) is still on my foot or hand to monitor the oxygen level in my blood. So as you can read a lot has changed for me! But so far the doctors and nurses are happy with how I am doing, and as soon as i start feeding better my mom and dad can start thinking about taking me home. That's all for now!

Love Gerad Neels

Parental Love and Duties =)

Little Gerad is learning and been drinking from a bottle fairly well! Last feeding he drank 20 cc and then was too sleepy to drink the remaining 5 cc so that went through his feeding tube. Every three hours he does receive 3 cc more milk, so build up his intake.

He has been moved to fourth floor into a parent room where Marv and Hannie have a shower/bath room and a bed and cot in the room! They enjoy feeding, burping, bathing, diaper changing, dressing when he needs it: and hugging and snuggling Gerad simply when they want to!

Marv said he has a good cry: evidence of a healing throat and a good pair of lungs!

Marv and Hannie, here is Ceasar!

Our boys got to play with him and Buddy a bit yesterday!

'My God is so BIG,

So strong and so mightly

there's nothing my God cannot do...'

This is the Lord's Doing...

Gerad and his 'new look'...

Gerad and his new room...

and Gerad in his new bed!

I will praise thee;

for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:

marvellous are thy works;

and that my soul knoweth right well.

Psa 139:14

The Wonder of It All!

I am very blessed to bring you a good report once again!

Gerad is entirely breathing on his own, he is down to two medications, one for his heart, and morphine. (morphine being down to 18 mg from 50 mg last week!) He receives two different liquids foods besides the 9 cc of breastmilk through his feeding tube.

Although he does not like being handled, Marv and Hannie enjoy holding him and can't get enough! They are aiding their son to practise drinking by dipping a soother or drink nipple into milk and letting him suck, but he has a hard time of getting the idea to suck, swallow, breathe. Considering he is our little fighter, he will get through this. One step at a time! We love you, Gerad!

Because all parent-patient rooms were full up on fourth floor, they hope to have one available tomorrow!

What is man, that thou art mindful of him?

Hebrew 2:6

Thank you!

Hello Everyone!

Just another Big THANK YOU for all the loving support
that we have been getting!!! Words can not tell how touching it all is. Thanks
for all the meals, phone calls, cards, visits, thoughts and Prayers! We
got to hold Gerad last night! Those were precious moments!!! Gerad loves to be
bundled up tightly and cuddled! Also a big THANK YOU to Tante Bou for all
the time and effort you have spent on Gerad's blog up till now! As you can see
from the comments, everyone is very thankful that they can follow along day by
day. Also thank you very much to everyone that has left comments and sent
us e-mails the last few weeks. It really helps us to get through this difficult
time. Take care everyone!Love Marv, Hannie and Gerad!!!

To Hold and to Love

After supper Hannie was exhausted, so she went for a sleep. When she awoke, she went out to find Marvin and lo and behold, he was sitting in a rocking chair holding Gerad in his ARMS! She texted me with excitement and that it was HER TURN NEXT! Marvin said it was like being a dad again!

What a blessing!

How sweet to hold a newborn baby

and feel the pride and joy he gives;

But greater still the calm assurance

This child can face uncertain days because He lives!

More of God's Goodness!

Things have been improving so quickly these last few days! From 12 different medications a few days ago to only 4 today! His chest drain is out now too, as is his oxygen tube in his nostrils that they put in just to aid him a bit. His I.V. in his right foot is out as is his catheter. Now he 'only' has his PICC line yet, two I.V.'s into each groan and his feeding tube.

And the most exciting part is that Marv and Hannie might get to hold him TONIGHT yet!!!

Opa and Oma Neels hope to go back home come saterday, so they might even be able to hold him too yet before they go!!!

Usually a heart patient goes into a 'step down' room (with four other patients and one nurse)before being moved into a parent room on fourth floor, but most likely by the end of the week Marvin and his family will be on the fourth floor, since he came off the heart medication today and so bypass the 'step down' room! Isn't God Good?

So far Marvin and Hannie have still been able to stay at the Childrens Hospital which means being right down the hall from Gerad instead of a few city blocks away during the nights! Yes, God is very Good!

This is the LORD'S doing;

it is marvellous in our eyes.

Psa 118:23