A Very Early Arrival

Ryder Gray Dane

born

September 2, 2009

12:44pm

16 ½ inches

2 pounds 15.3 ounces

Even though we were taken by complete surprise that our sweet baby boy arrived two and half months early, we have full confidence that our good and gracious God knew this day would come long ago. We’ve had an emotionally and physically exhausting past few days, but we are in good spirits and are so thankful to God for the precious gift He has given us. We continue to trust in His goodness and faithfulness.

If you haven’t heard what’s gone on the past week, here’s a quick recap. We arrived at the hospital around 8pm Tuesday night and were told that this baby was definitely trying to come early. The doctors and nurses spent all night working hard to slow Beth Anne’s labor and they were able to buy us an extra 15 hours after they gave her a steroid shot that they very much wanted to get to baby Ryder’s lungs. By noon on Wednesday, he had decided it was time to make his appearance and we saw him for the first time at 12:44. He is much bigger than we expected him to be…very long and skinny!

So far baby Ryder is doing great. The NICU team was in the delivery room waiting for him when he was born and they immediately got to work on him. He got a breathing tube, which was replaced that night with a less invasive breathing aid, and even that was already removed today. He’s breathing on his own and doing very well! All of his vital signs are good and we’re getting nothing but positive reports. As of last night, he was up to 3 pounds and 3 ounces. He will probably stay at the hospital for about two months while he grows bigger and stronger.

We are so thankful for our family and friends who have surrounded us and loved us so much over the past few difficult and crazy days. We have already seen God do so much through your prayers. The most important thing for Jeremy through all of this has been to be a strong supportive husband. God was not going to let him do that on his own. As much as Jeremy tried to be strong, he still found himself leaning against a wall in the delivery room Tuesday night, barely able to breathe and staring at the ceiling to keep the tears from flowing. Through the prayer of a good friend, Justin, God truly transformed him into a rock for our family. Jeremy stood close to Beth Anne all night long with no sleep, no food, and a strength (emotional and physical) that only our God can provide.

God has continued to show Himself to us through the body of Christ. We have been supported by so many in ways that we could never have imagined. Our yard is mowed and pretty; our kitchen is full of gifts and food (which we just learned will continue through October!). Thank you, Lord, for the grace and the goodness you have shown us through our friends, family and through CityView. The body of Christ is an indescribable blessing. For it, we are forever grateful.

Friends, we ask that you please continue to pray with us that our sweet baby boy will thrive and grow. Pray for wisdom for his doctors and nurses to give him exactly what his little body needs. Pray that his little body will be guarded against infection. Pray, also, that mom & dad will stay healthy so that we can continue to come see him daily. Pray for mom & dad as we try to work into a complete new lifestyle that we never expected. We know we have a long road ahead of us and we cannot thank you enough for praying with us as we enter this new phase of our lives.

Love,

The Dane Family-

Jeremy, Beth Anne & Ryder