He's Here, Praise be to God!

To all who are following our blog, passing it along to others, praying for us, and even to those who are fasting, we want to thank you. Your actions have touched us more than you will ever know.

Jacob Elliot Tuley was born on January 26, 2009 at 7:46PM. He weighed 6 pounds 13 ounces and was 21 inches long.

It was a beautiful experience and God was SO present throughout our labor and eventual delivery. We had to have a C-Section because Jacob's heart rate was going way down during contractions. Later, in the OR, we found out that the cord was wrapped around his neck, causing the problems with his heart rate. However, God was definately in control and Jeff and I felt the prayers throughout the whole day and the Peace that only God can provide.

Here's what we were previously told about our delivery and prognosis...

and here's how God responded yesterday evening during our delivery.

1) We would not hear him cry.

He cried two little squeals.

2) He would not be able to take any breaths.

He took breaths before the doctors were able to intebate him.

3) He would immediately turn blue and pass.

He pinked up and was even kicking around.

Upon delivery Jeff was able to get a few pictures while the NICU doctors and nurses worked on Jacob. They were able to stablize him enough for the long trek to Children's Hospital in an incubator. They briefly showed him to me and then whisked him away to the NICU at Childrens. Jeff was able to go with him and the doctors as they transported him in a capsule. Jeff got to move him from the capsule to the bed. As of right now, Jacob is still in the NICU at Vanderbilt Children's hospital. We made it that far! Yay! We weren't even sure whether we would make it past labor and delivery before he would pass from this life, and yet, God showed us that Jacob is a FIGHTER!

Jacob is breathing with the help of a ventilator, but taking his own breaths as well, about 20-30 a minute. His heart rate and blood pressure are consistant, like other babies that have had Diaphragmatic Hernia. His kidneys are working and he has made it past the first steps of the process. He is even opening his eyes and looking around. He has stablized on a ventilator and is not on ECMO (a bypass machine), which is a good sign.

I was able to see him later that night, once the epidural had worn off and I could move my legs again. :) They had to wheel me over to Children's, almost a half mile walk, so that we could be together. What a joyful time for Jeff and I to be together with our son. We were so blessed to have that time with him together.

Today the doctors will come and assess how Jacob is doing, and how his body is responding to the treatments. If they think he can handle surgery without ECMO, they will attempt that some time today. They may have to put him on ECMO, but we are hoping that Jacob will surprise us all! He already has.

We are definately not out of the woods yet, and we have a LONG way to go, but we have treasured the hours we have had with him and what a JOYOUS few days it has been!

Please keep the prayers coming! Praise be to God that we have made it this far!