Blessings, gratitude and joy

I've been a bit "incommunicado" lately, it's been a scary couple weeks here.  My nephew, Landon, was born on Monday, Dec. 17th and we I was very excited to finally meet him.  He is the first child born to Nick and Emily Bartels, he does join his 16 yr old sister, Lexi. 

StartingWednesday, just as Nick and Emily were getting ready to take their new baby home, they get the news that they want to take Landon to the American Family Children's Hospital in Madison right away.  Landon was born with a defect in his aorta that restricted the blood flow to his lower extremities.   He also has a couple holes in his heart that the doctors feel will heal as he matures. Once he arrived in Madison he was evaluated by the cardiologists and it was decided that the surgery would be required, and that was done on Friday afternoon.   Landon aced his surgery and has recovered at an amazing pace, he's exceeded all their expectations for recovery.  
There is one small issue, he isn't eating as well as he should and from what I understand, that's not out of the ordinary for an infant after surgery.  He can go home as soon as his eating improves to a certain level, we are hopeful that can happen in the next couple days.
Here are a couple pictures I took of Landon on two different days.

Landon on Saturday, Dec. 22nd the day after surgery.  (he's had a little morphine for pain here)

Aunt Kelly and Landon on Saturday 

Landon with the blanket I knitted for him~Christmas day (that's a feeding tube in his nose)

I would like to thank everyone that sent me prayers and thoughts for our family during this time.  I am continually humbled by the out pouring of concern and thoughtfulness of others.  I KNOW that all the people praying for Nick, Emily and Landon is what made the difference in his outcome.  I would like to ask you to continue to include them in your prayers as his recovery progresses.
May God bless each of you for your kindness. 

Continued prayers please

Please continue to pray for my nephew, he is scheduled to have surgery today to repair an aorta that supplies blood and provides circulation to his lower extremities.  His prognosis is good, but so is prayer.  I know in my heart that God is watching over Landon and his parents. 
Thank you all for your support and caring. 

Here is a link to  Emily's blog that has pictures of him and a post about his progress. 

Prayers needed

Please pray for my nephew, Landon, he is on his way to UW Children's Hospital.  Not sure of all the details, but there is some concern about his heart.
I'm too scared to have much else to say, so please just pray for him.

Welcome to the World Landon

Monday brought a wonderful gift to our family.  Nick and Emily (my brother and sister in law) welcomed Landon Irvin Hollis Bartels into this world at 2:21 am on Dec 17th.  He was 7 lbs 9 oz and 21.5" long with a thick head of black hair.

Say Hello to my newest Nephew.........

It's dark because he doesn't care for much light yet.  Hoping to get more photos soon.  Ins't he perfect?  

(ps-that's me holding him) 

Big sister, Lexi, and Landon