Baby Ricky!

I just got an update from Casey on sweet Baby Ricky and I thought I would share it with you since so many people have been asking how he is doing.

Talk about a fighting spirit - this little miracle is doing amazingly well. He just hit a huge milestone - 5 pounds! He's having some trouble swallowing his saliva but seems to tolerate a bit of milk from a bottle so they are consulting with an ENT tomorrow. Most of Ricky's feedings are still done through a tube feed but he is a content and happy baby. He opens his eyes more and even smiles - for a child who was described as "a waste of valuable resources and time" by several doctors immediately after his birth he certainly is bringing a whole lot of joy to a whole lot of people!

Ricky was given a blanket from the SES prayer shawl ministry which Casey wraps him in each night and she swears that the reason for Ricky doing so well is because of the prayers he is getting from everyone! Thank you so much for all of your prayers and well wishes for Casey, Rick and Ricky - what an extraordinary gift to be able to be a part of this baby's life for as long or as short as it may last.

Sleepy baby - 12/09
I love this one! Look at those beautiful eyes! It is very common for babies with Trisomy 18 to not be able to make eye contact but Ricky seems to have overcome that very quickly - especially when it comes to his Mom. Casey is amazing - loving, patient, knowledgeable and compassionate with all of the doctors who have no idea what to do with a baby that was not supposed to survive birth. Seeing her with Ricky warms my heart - she talked about not knowing if she was strong enough to handle things before Ricky was born but if you saw her now you would see a mother lion - protective of her little boy and loving every minute of his life - from tube feeds to CPR to never sleeping she is so brave for her little guy!
So keep praying if you can - for healing of Ricky's throat and resolution of digestive issues, for his tiny little heart that the hole will close, for Casey and Rick that their strength and courage in these hard days ahead!