Sunday, December 16, 2007

Day 14 - Acting normal

Trayc's mom took the "night hours" so we were able to get another good night sleep, I'm really going to miss these 8 hrs of straight sleep when she leaves. Fortunately the snow is coming down in Tennessee so we've talked her and Grandma into staying at least until Wednesday. Tristan had a good night, except that his apnea monitor went off at 4:19 am which means he stopped breathing for 20 seconds so Trayc's mom quickly unwrapped him and stimulated his feet, as we were told to do. He immediately started breathing again and didn't have any more problems the rest of the night. We originally had a pulse oximeter but on Thursday the geneticist advised that we switch to the apnea monitor because it would be more helpful to us. It monitors his heart rate and his breathing pattern but you don't see any numbers. Honestly, this is better for me because I concentrated on the numbers all day and just as they would start dropping, which happens when they sleep, I would get scared. So, Friday night we received the new apnea monitor. This is the first time we've had an alarm since Tristan was 2 days old, in the hospital, so we are thankful for that. Tristan had a great day today. I cannot say it enough, he has stolen my heart, especially when he turns his little head and looks at me with his dark eyes and smiles. I remember back in August when the "high risk" doctors said that Trisomy 18 babies are severally retarded and have lots of problems as they are considered "incompatible with life" (I'll never forget those words) therefore he would never act like a normal baby! I say "Really?" to that today. So far he is acting just like a normal baby. He eats every 3 hrs., he sleeps, he has dirty diapers, he cries, he sucks on his paci, he smiles and most importantly he loves his mommy to hold him. I also believe he knows the difference between each of us and although he may never be able to speak a word, he says so much with his little eyes. I know he must feel how much we all love him, after all we completely SMOTHER HIM WITH KISSES ALL DAY LONG, so why wouldn't he understand and feel that? I am so thankful the Lord is allowing Tristan to act like a normal baby, it is so comforting to us and it is great for Tanner to feel that normalcy too. I believe that when Tristan is no longer with us we will cling to these precious "normal baby" moments and they will help soothe our hurting hearts. Tonight Tanner went to our church with all of my and Trayc's family because one of his cousins has a part in the Christmas concert so we stayed home and spent time with Tayden and Tristan. After the concert Trayc's grandma came back to our house and is staying with us tonight to spend some time with Tristan. Please pray for Trayc's mom and grandma tonight as they take the "night hours", please pray for Tristan's strength and that he will not stop breathing again and pray for us as we face another new day tomorrow.

19 comments:

So Blessed said...

Thanking God for His blessings on your family...and praying for all of you each and every day. It is so precious to read about the love that is so evident in your family. It makes my heart smile.

Anonymous said...

I found your blog through a friends' and have been following up with it over the past few weeks. [Not sure if that's weird or not?!]

Tristan Asher Hostetter is such a beautiful boy, my goodness he really is perfect, and in every single picture he is so peaceful and sweet. He is so alert, and focused, it's really just so wonderful to see! He is a perfect example of how our God doesn't work within the boundaries of statistics and numbers.

What a beautiful live he LIVES.
You all pour your love in abundance on him 24/7 [literally]!
All he will ever know, no matter how many days given, is the amazing love of family, friends and the Lord.

He is a beautiful boy that God is doing a work IN and THROUGH. His purpose is GREAT, and so many lives are being changed because of his story, and your faith, and trust in God.

Glory to God for this miracle baby, and blessings on you and your family as you take things one day at a time.

Kara said...

Praising God for all the miracles! How I do miss Target, I love to shop there! We live over 2 hours from one now:( I will continue to lift you all up! It is so wonderful to get a good report daily!

Kara
sahm22boys.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Still praying!! So excited to hear your daily updates! Again, thank you so much for sharing with us. He's such a beautiful baby, your other boys are too, of course! I'm so happy to be hearing of how you are all spending so much time just loving him! That's what he needs! And such a neat thing for your boys to be learning and growing from too. :)

Kim said...

I continue to be amazed at all the time God has granted you with sweet Tristan. What a precious, precious Christmas gift! I am praying with all my might that he is with you Christmas day (and beyond!).

And may I say, he is one handsome, handsome little boy!

Laurie in Ca. said...

I love your updates, just love them. I love that Tristan is stealing hearts, this is what babies are supposed to do! I love that he is being compatible with life each and every day since his birth. Doctors can only think so far, but our God goes all the way and more to show His goodness to us. Your journey has been blessing my life day after day as I see the goodness of the Lord posted here and your hearts going full blown for this amazing little baby boy. I pray for all the time God has planned for all of you to be open and sweet and full of love. You guys really know how to celebrate Christmas and you can thank Tristan for this. Praying for the night shift ladies to be a peaceful and blessed one. Yay snow, get to have them around a few more wonderful days. God sure has everything covered doesn't He? Peace and Love and lasting memories to all of you.

Love, Laurie in Ca.

Anonymous said...

He is such an angel. What a cutie! Loved seeing him suck on his pacifier. We are keeping you all in our prayers. Little Tristan is so lucky to have a family who loves him so much. You are such an inspiration to all of us. God is using you to touch so many people. Alison Kennedy

Millicent said...

I just came across your blog from another and wanted to say hi. You are a beautiful family who has been blessed with a beautiful little baby! You are a testimony to God's love!

Rebecca (Ramblings by Reba) said...

I pray Tristan keeps on truckin' with no breathing difficulties.

Rebecca

Cathy said...

I love to wake up and click on your blog. I enjoy hearing the joy you feel each day with Tristan. Praying for many more if that be Gods will.
Cathy & Annabel

Anonymous said...

Tristan Asher, button nose,
We prayed for you today,
That God would grace your family,
With yet another day.

Another day of comfort,
And another day of love,
Another day of miracles,
Each sent from high above.

Another day for all to see,
The sweetness in your eyes,
Another day of tickles,
And another day of cries.

And if the Lord should grant this day,
In the arms of your sweet mother ,
Then Tristan Asher, button nose,
We´ll pray yet another.

GibsonTwins said...

I found your blog through another blog and I would love to add a link to it from a wonderful prayer support website (www.asherandjacobsfriends.com). I would love to have everyone out there praying for your sweet little boy and for the whole family too. If you don't want it added, we will respect that, but I wanted to offer some prayer support to you.

Your Gospel-Loving Friend said...

Every time we check in to your blog we are so excited to see each tiny step little Tristan is making! God is so good & we are praying for you & the boys. What a miracle! Jeremiah 29:11

Anonymous said...

Thought you might want to check this site out. God Bless you.
http://home.supernet.com/~gfeinc/index.html

Kim (marygracesummons.blogspot.com) said...

Praising Jesus that Tristan is SO compatible with life and is focusing his sweet face on his family and smiling at the love you guys are giving him!! I love seeing another day when I check on you guys. Will keep praying for more and more and more.....
Kim

Anonymous said...

Praise the Lord for 14 days!!!! Thank you for taking your time to update all of us on Tristan's little sweet life. I read your blog every morning and look forward to seeing a day added to the blog! God is so good!!!! Still praying and believing God!!!

Bless you and your family!

Anonymous said...

You have been a good testamony to lots of people. Thanks for speaking out.

vim+dash said...

hey tracy-
so glad to see tristan is doing well! again i am so amazed and so thankful. i love what the "anonymous" post said: "what a beautiful life he LIVES. you all pour our your love in abundance on him 24/7. all he will ever know, no matter how many days given, is the amazing love of family, friends and the Lord." how true! my hat goes off to you and your precious husband and children who chose to endure what was most definitely a difficult few months before tristan was born and now to embrace each day with him fully, wrapping him a love that so many healthy children in this fallen world may never know. you have chosen a difficult path, you haven't taken the easy way out, and for that you are to be commended. thank you for reminding me of the precious moments i had with my girlie and for reminding me that there are more to come, someday...

love always-
boothe

conorbootheandgirls.blogspot.com

Donna said...

My Cousin Tristan
Unlike other baby's Tristan is not normal. He had Trisomy 18 when he was born. Its been two weeks now. And when I saw Tristan for the very first time I knew he was going to live. Well the doctors told us that he might not live when they took him out of his Mom's stomach. But he did! And he is still living right now. When we went to their house, little Tristan was lying on the soft, warm couch. And I love Tristan. And today I still think he could be at least 50 years old. And that's my cousin Tristan.

By Taylor Hostetter
9 years old