July 29th

Today felt like one of those days that we’ve prayed about for so long.

Both of our boys are doing really, really well.

Declan continues to amaze us. He’s still slowly weaning on his ventilator settings, and the conversations about trying to remove his breathing tube are becoming more real every day. If everything continues to go the way we hope, the team is looking toward sometime in the next week or so to attempt extubation.

We won’t be sharing a specific date because things in the NICU can change in an instant, and we want to protect our hearts and give the medical team the flexibility they need. But we would love to ask everyone to begin praying now.

Pray over the doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, and every decision that will be made over the next several days.

Pray that Declan’s little lungs are ready and that, if it’s God’s timing, this will be a successful step forward. We are hopeful… and cautiously excited.

Colton is doing wonderfully too. He has such a fun personality these days. He’s playful, a little bossy (which doesn’t surprise us at all), loves his baths, and has become so calm during his trach changes. Watching him trust his nurses and care team is incredible. He’s still a little puffy as they’re continuing to balance his electrolytes, but overall he’s doing so well and continues to make steady progress.

One thing that really hit us today is that… they’re paired together now.

For those who don’t know, that means one nurse is now able to care for both boys during a shift. For months, they each required their own dedicated nurse because they were simply too sick. They were paired with more stable babies. Seeing them healthy enough to be paired together is something we honestly never imagined we’d get to see, for a long time!

Will it always stay that way? Maybe not. Things can change quickly in the NICU. And we’re also incredibly thankful for the amazing primary nurses who have loved our boys like their own. But seeing them together under one nurse feels like another reminder of just how far they’ve come.

As for me…

I’m feeling something I haven’t felt in a very long time. More Hope.

But if I’m being honest, hope is scary.

After six months of learning that things can change overnight, part of me is still waiting for the other shoe to drop. I catch myself preparing for bad news instead of fully embracing the good. It’s hard to let your guard down after everything we’ve been through.

At the same time, I find myself thinking farther into the future than I have in months. Thinking about goals. Thinking about the H word. Thinking about life beyond the ICU.

Those thoughts are exciting… and terrifying… all at once.

Right now, we don’t need huge victories. We just need steady days. Stable days. Boring days.

Those are the days that get babies home.

We hope over the next few weeks we’ll have even more exciting updates and be able to start sharing some of the bigger long-term goals ahead. But for now, we’re celebrating consistency, stability, and two little boys who continue to fight every single day.

Thank you for continuing to walk this journey with us, celebrate every milestone, and pray alongside us. We truly believe your prayers have carried our family through these last six months.

We feel you!

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Today we come to You with grateful hearts. Thank You for the steady progress You’ve given both Colton and Declan. Thank You for every small victory that has led us to this moment.

Over these next 7–10 days, we place Declan completely in Your hands. If it is Your will, prepare his little lungs and body for a successful extubation. Guide every doctor, nurse, respiratory therapist, and caregiver with wisdom, clarity, and peace. Give them discernment in every decision they make.

Lord, calm our anxious hearts. Help us replace fear with faith and trust You with every outcome.

No matter what the coming days hold, remind us that You are already there, walking before us.

Continue to strengthen Colton as he grows, heals, and fills every room with his sweet personality. Keep both of our boys safe, protected, and surrounded by Your love.

Thank You for every person who has prayed, encouraged, and stood beside our family. We ask that You continue to carry all of us through this journey until the day we finally bring our boys home.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

Colton practicing bottle feeding

Declan holding my hand. Always and forever my miracle baby.