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He came on my DD's 10th birthday, June 15. His mommy, my sister, had a rough and painful labor. She was well overdue and induced and it wasn't a good experience. She is doing well now though, and baby is overall healthy. Mommy and Daddy had no idea their little Ethan would be born with a severe full cleft palate though. They got a quick peek at him then he was off....they got to see him but not hold him and barely touched him before he was transported to Arkansas Children's Hospital (which happens to be a FABULOUS place). He is an absolute doll, and the NICU nurses say he has a great disposition, sleeps well, and has been eating pretty well until recently. Now instead of about half of his feeding being through the tube, it's most of it. He can't go home until he can take the feedings from the bottle (it's a special nipple for cleft palate) and doesn't need the tube at all. He was 7.5lbs and seems to be otherwise healthy. He has his lip taped and a special tube in one nostril to try to get it growing over and forming properly to lesson the surgeries he'll need. He has half a top lip and only one nostril, and missing much of his top palate....and he's beautiful. Please pray for him and his parents. They aren't yet married....he's 23 and she is 24. He has never held a baby before though she is pretty baby experienced. They are a sweet couple together and though it didn't happen in ideal circumstances, you can tell they will make good parents to little ethan, and they are good to each other. I had never met him until the day she was being induced, so it's been a wild week. He loves my sister and he loves my nephew...so he's gotten off to a good start

Tamara, I will be praying for little Ethan and his parents. Having your first baby can be scary enough especially one born with special needs. It sounds like he is in great hands at the Children's Hospital. Please keep us updated on his progress!

Praying for little Ethan and his mommy and daddy. Yes, please keep us updated!

Awe...what a precious little baby Ethan is. I'll be praying for him and his mommy and daddy

Aw! What a doll! I'd be praying for them!

PPrayers for all of you.

Aww, he is so beautiful. I will be praying for little Ethan, his parents and the hospital staff and medical professionals that are working with him. Please let us know if there are specific prayer requests. I have very often found that the more specific my prayers are, the more clearly I can see God's provision.

Thank you all! He's no longer feeding well and needing more of each feeding through the tube. He can't come home until the tube can come out. So please pray specifically that he will be able to feed from his bottle and have no need for the tube.

We prayed this same prayer for both Wyatt and for Emmett, when they each were in the NICU. Each were there 2-3 weeks, and it was tough to see them struggle. God's provision is always enough, however, and He used that time to draw me very close to Him. I was amazed to see how He helped my little ones make gains. May the Lord draw your sister close to Him, and may He help your nephew learn to drink well from his bottle and have his tube removed soon.

In Christ,
Julie

Praying for your nephew! That is a rough start. Praying that God will bring him all the physical care he needs adn that his healing from surgeries would show the healing hand of Jesus. Praying also for the parents that they would see Jesus in this and be guided by Him in their steps. Sounds like you have been a great help to them. It sounds like they are going to need you through this walk. Praying also for strength for you as well.

Will be praying for Ethan. He is special to my heart because my Ethan is now with Jesus, and he was buried (one year ago) on your nephew Ethan's birthday, June 15th. May I ask his middle name?

Take care.

Praying for your sweet nephew and his parents!

Praying for your precious little nephew!

Prayers for your family Tamara! He is beautiful!

Shannon, praying God Holds you in His arms as you grieve your loss. I know this year marker must stir up so many emotions. Our sweet Ethan is Ethan Michael.


And ladies, God has heard all our prayers! Ethan has not only taken ALL his milk via bottle, but almost double what he was getting via bottle combined with tube feeding. He had a "going home goal" of consistently taking 55mL in less than an hour all through his bottle. He started yesterday!!! I got to hold him the first time today and love all over him. What a sweet boy he is. Thank you all so much for praying for him!!