James Thomas Jr.

Around eleven o'clock last night, my brother took his wife to the hospital to deliver their fourth child. Shortly after three o'clock in the morning, my brother called to say the baby was breached. They tried to move him, but failed to do so because of his size, or so they thought. They were moving for an emergency Cesarean.

As four in the morning rolled around, I headed to help my mom pack and book a flight to get their as quickly as possible. We waited, and were worried when my brother hadn't called within the hour. My parents waited for time to take my mom to the hospital, and I left for home to try and get some rest.

I was driving down the road, I went through an intersection and immediately felt a flutter in my heart that let me know something was just not right. Prayers were pouring out me like

rain waiter overflows in a full bucket. For the next five or six blocks, I prayed and cried. I was just turning from the park when my mom called and told me to come back.

I flipped the car around and quickly called my husband to come quickly. My thoughts raced about our little precious boy and his dear momma and all the possibilities. As I arrived, I learned that James Thomas Jr., or little Jim, was born weighing a wonderful right pounds at 6:01am. Sadly, he was born with a hole in his back. They did not know much at the time, except that he would be seen by a neurologist and he could be handicapped. We all waited with baited breath, as my da

d would say, to hear more. We went ahead with plans, and my mom flew out just as the autumn sun was rising. Josh and I headed home, with a quick stop for some fast breakfast food at good old Mickey D's, and attempted sleep.

It was quiet from about the sunrise until about eleven. James Jr. would be having surgery less than twelve hours after he was born. Around the same time, my mom's plane landed, she grabbed a cab, and made it to the hospital quickly only thanks to the dear lady cab driver who helped my mo

m out tremendously.

Just as my mom arrived to the first hospital, she learned James Jr. was being moved to the Children's Hospital, but she was able to see my sister-in-law before heading to see James Jr. and my brother. Shortly after James Jr. was taken into surgery while his mommy was transferred to the same hospital so she could be near him and his daddy.

Three hours and some minutes later, little Jim was out of the operating room, and doing well. The hole was the size of a silver dollar, and it appeared he did have a sac of the spinal cords and such (not sure if this is the accurate explanation) but it was popped sometime before or during delivery. A lot of possibilities lay ahead of James Jr. including paralysis from the waist down, urinary or digestive problems, and possible fluid in the brain.

James Jr. is currently in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit where he is being closely monit

ored. If fluid does stay in his brain, they will move him to surgery for a shunt. If he does not, he could be home with in the week. James Jr. has his grandma, my mom, by his side tonight while his daddy stays with his momma. She said he has tiny ears like his Aunt Mimi, a tight grip, and is absolutely gorgeous. They are also closely watching for any movement.

We are so thankful for all the prayers and love being sent in the way of James Jr. and his family. We are so hopeful for him and know that God is listening to all everyone's prayers and deciding what is best for little Jim. Please continue to send positive thoughts, prayers, and love that way so it can surround him as he endures these trials.

James Thomas Jr.

October 3rd, 2010

6:01am

8 pounds

"A new baby is like the beginning of all things-wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities."

~ Eda J. Le Shan