Joseph's Day- June 25th

Dear Joseph:
You are your Mommy and Daddy's daily reminder that we serve a mighty God! Sweet baby, when you were born your esophagus didnt connect to your stomach, that silly thing connected to your trachea! But, dont worry God knew exactly where you needed to be, and who He was going to use to care for you. You were so excited to meet us, that you decided to come two months early! You little stinker, you havent slowed down since! When you arrived you didnt get to stay with Mommy and Daddy. Both you and your twin brother Johnathan had to be taken to the NICU. Baby, you were a sick little boy, who couldnt breathe without help. But let me tell you, this is when our Lord Jesus heard your name loud and clear! Prayers for Joseph and Johnathan Warlick went up in masses! Jesus began His work in you! The next day after your precious 4 lb 3 oz self was born you had your first of several surgeries. Dr Yang, who we know God chose for you, placed a feeding tube in your tummy, so that you could get some of your Mommy's yummy breast milk and grow big! It was so important for you to grow. Dr Yang and Dr Shenai wanted you to be 5 lbs before your big surgery to repair your esophagus! Sweet boy, you were amazing! You never lost an ounce, but Mommy must tell you that you had to fight hard. Baby, there were tough times for you. But- your Mommy and brother Johnathan never left your side. We never came back to Crossville, Mommy told them she would come home when she had two baby boys. Mommy stayed 10-12 hours a day with you at Vanderbilt Childrens, and then after dinner she would take Johnathan back to "Aunt" Kim's house in Nashville, only to wake up and come see you again! I am pretty sure that the doctor's and nurses grew to expect to see all three of us all day. Baby- you just needed extra help. You needed someone to stand there and hold your pacifier, because the tubes all in your mouth kept making your pacifier fall out! Silly pacifier! Oh Joseph, how your Mommy cries thinking about how strong you were while in NICU. Baby- it was a hard and long road. Those beepers and monitors going off all the time. Your biggest problem was all the secretions that would build up in the upper part of your esophagus and throat, would cause you to stop breathing. The amazing nurses would have to run in and suction you, and then you would try and breathe all on your own again. Actually, Mommy and Daddy became pretty good at suctionong you ourselves in the NICU. Your nurses were awesome and we both had our favorites, they cared for you and loved on you so much. You boys had so many people visiting you and praying for you. Grandparents, friends, and strangers would visit, mail, and pray for you both. Also, you would be so proud of Daddy. Daddy drove the 2 hours back and forth every other day to see us. Daddy would drive 2 hours just to make it to your last feeding, and to change your diaper and hold you. He then would turn around and go back to the vet clinic or leave at 4 AM the next morning ( only after he stopped in at the hospital to tell you he loved you, and check on you ). Baby- even during the night when you were sleeping, Mommy and Daddy would call the nurses and check on you when we were up feeding your brother Johnathan. One of the hardest days in our NICU experience was the second week, we brought Johnathan home, but left you there to be healed. Speaking of healing, your big day came on JUNE 25, 2007! Dr Yang came in on a Monday morning and said that this would be the day. You had an awful weekend before that, and your little body was tired of fighting those silly secretions and suction! So, Daddy hurried back to Nashville and made it for your big surgery. Also, Grandpa and Grandma Holmes came to Nashville regularly, and they were there too for the surgery day. They kept Johnathan so that Mommy and Daddy could pray during your surgery. Let me tell you- the news was good!! Dr Yang had plenty of tissue length to repair your esophagus and you made it through!!! Baby you were on the ventilator, had chest tubes, feeding tubes, and IV lines everywhere. But- baby you were healed. Dr Yang still performed a surgery the following week for pyloric stenosis, but you thought that was easy compared to the esophagus! Baby, I am so proud of you. You came home 7 weeks after you were born, and this was before your due date! Joseph- you have had NO complications from your surgery. You are completely caught up to your developmental milestones. You are full of energy and have the cutest smile and personality! I want you to know how much Mommy and Daddy love you, but more than we can love you, Jesus loves you. Jesus used the doctors and nurses to heal you. Baby, you have a big testimony to be such a little boy. May God have the glory for your life, Johnathan's life, and your precious baby sister's life. So, today on June 25, 2009 I am humbled to tears thinking about you. Just remember your verse from the Bible, Psalm 77:14: You are the God who performs miracles, you show your power among the people. Joseph, we love you and are proud to be your parents.