From An Open Heart

 

 

by Lexi Cobb on Friday, February 18, 2011 at 5:28pm

You all have known me for a long time now, and probably know that Jared and I can be pretty private people, but God is working on our hearts slowly to become more open. Our family has had a few struggles over the last year with jobs and babies, but have also experienced some amazing moments, too. This week we found out that our new little baby boy will have a heart condition when he is born, and will need extra care. At this point we don't know a whole lot, but I will continue with updates as time progresses. We will know more March 4th when we travel to Little Rock. I'm telling you all this because you have been such dear friends for as long as I have known you. I love you all and appreciate all your cares, prayers, and love. It is easier to say this because it is about us this time, but I am a firm believer that God doesn't give us anything we can't handle and that there is always a purpose. Knowing early and knowing what to expect (somewhat) along with a postive outlook will help along the way. Thank you all for all your love and support!

 

36 weeks and so ready to meet you Carver!

Our adorable 5 year old Corbin (my baby before the baby)

March 5

Thank you all for your prayers, love, and support. I can't express how much it has really helped us all. Good news... baby Carver is perfectly healthy other than his heart. Between UAMS and Children's Hospital in Little Rock, they're going to mend his little heart, so he can get to know all of you pretty soon. We'll go to Little Rock to deliver him, and then he'll be put on some medicine until he can start the first surgery of the three heart procedures. Here's an adorable 3D picture of Carver. I just can't wait to see my new "hEaRtThRoB" face to face!

 June 7, 2011

Yes, little Carver Lee Cobb arrived today at 1:03 pm and weighed six pounds two ounces at eighteen inches long. Jared and I got to hold him and love on him before he was transported the Children's. Jared will stay with him tonight, and I can go in the morning. He'll have his first surgery Friday. We'll keep you updated. Thanks for all the prayers and love! Heart Hugs to you all!

Carver Lee Cobb  June 8, 2011

Just a little update on Carver.... First, thank you all for the wonderful e-mails, texts, prayers etc... Carver is doing great! Second, Jared and I will meet with the surgeon some more tomorrow to hear more about the procedure and Corbin will learn some, as well. Finally, he will be having his first surgery on Friday around one. It is a six to eight hour procedure, so he'll be very tired afterward but on the road to recovery soon! Corbin loves to visit his brother but hasn't been able to hold him yet. As Carver starts to heal, Corbin will have a chance. I'll send those pictures and more later. Heart Hugs to you all!

June 10, 2011

Carver is out of surgery and going to his new room. Thank you for all your prayers. God is so good to us!

June 12, 2011

Thank you all for the prayers since Carver's surgery. You are all amazing people and have had such sweet and encouraging words. Jared and I are so thankful for you. Please keep praying for Carver and his recovery. Each day has been a roller coaster of emotions but our prayers are being answered! Thank you Lord for our special little Carver! Heart Hugs to you all!

June 13, 2011

Carver's Heart Hugs

These hearts are a beautiful reminder of how much Carver is loved back home. The... children at our church, Johnson Church of Christ, made these especially for Carver to have heart hugs wrapped around him during his stay away from them. Each one has a special note or picture to Carver. It was so fun to hang in his room this morning. Thank you kiddos!

June 15, 2011

Sweet blue eyes peeked at Jared and I today...Carver is doing well, and he has a huge fan club here in Little Rock, too. Jared and I filled a plastic tub with candy for Carver's crew of nurses and doctors for being so "sweet" to our little boy! Thank you God for another day making baby steps in recovery!

June 16, 2011

Sweet, sweet Carver Lee is nine days old and doing well. I think he can feel how much he is loved by you all and how many prayers have been said for him. Thank you ever so much!

June 17, 2011

Arkansas Children's Hospital is an amazing place with wonderful people. Everyday Jared and I hear a story of hope and inspiration! Thank you God for letting Carver be one of those stories.

June 18, 2011

Carver saw himself today for the first time. I bought him a new book with the faces of animals replaced with a mirror. He won't remember it, but he just stared at himself. I don't blame him; I love to stare at him, too! He's doing great and getting stronger everyday thanks to you and all your prayers. Thank you God for each day with Carver!

June 19, 2011

Carver's doctors will be seeing how much he can handle on his own tomorrow. He has done really well so far and tomorrow will be a BIG day for him. As we all know, no day is too BIG for God! Lots of prayers, please. Heart Hugs to you all!

June 20, 2011

Thanks everyone for the prayers. Carver did have a good day, but his doctors changed their mind about letting him do a little work on his own today. They let him rest again today, and said they may try tomorrow. We were a little disappointed but doctors know best. We all want Carver to be on his "A Game" when its time. Keep up the prayers; we appreciate each and every one of them! Love you all!

June 21, 2011

Brian Cobb

Major set-back. Please, pray for little Carver

Miracle

by Lexi Cobb on Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at 10:40pm

We witnessed a miracle today...Carver's repair surgery went well! The OR team went in thinking Dr. Immamura would need to repair a valve, but then saw it could be fixed by trimming the aortic patch he had created during the first surgery. And finshed up with a clip on his shunt to help blood flow correctly to all of Carver's body. It was a success! Carver has gone through so much in his 15 days of life, and as his mommy I wish I could have made it all go away. I've prayed that it would have been me instead of Carver, but I know that is not part of God's plan. God has a reason, a purpose, and He and Carver have spread more hope than can be imagined. We cherish every day with Carver. He is a sweet, brave soul that we have all fallen in love with. Jared and I appreciate you all and every single comment, gesture, and most importantly prayers you have offered us. It makes our hearts swell with pride to share our son with such wonderful people as ALL of you! God is always listening when anything concerns our heart, and we just thank you for helping mend ours. Carver is sleeping tonight and will be ready to tackle tomorrow! Thank you, God!

June 23, 2011

A good, long rest for Carver today. Which hopefully means you rested better as well, too. I know we did. Our little guy is doing great and looking forward to another good day tomorrow. Sorry these posts are always so late, but we like to see him before we go to bed at night. Around this time is the best opportunity to get on Facebook. Thank you so much for making yesterday one of the most amazing days of our life!

June 25, 2011

Enjoying every minute of having two precious sons. Took Corbin to the Wonder Place in Little Rock and played our hearts out, and then because ACH is such a "wonderful place," they let me brush Carver's little gums. Too fun! I am one blessed Momma.

June 26, 2011

One of our favorite nurses at ACH just received the National Daisy Award for nursing. She is one of those ladies that will go out of her way to make you feel loved and well taken care of. We are so grateful to have her as Carver's nurse. This week his nurses and doctors are trying to pull off some fluid from his body so eventually Dr. Immamura can close up his chest. Another precious day with Carver.


June 27, 2011

Sweet, brave Carver is doing well coming off of some of his blood pressure medicine, but he still has lots of fluid that needs to come off his body and he will need to pee soon to show progress. Thank you all for the lovely posts, comments, and prayers. Each one is appreciated so very much. We tell Carver daily about all the people who love him so dearly and about your prayers. Hearts hugs and kisses to you all!

June 28, 2011

Carver was placed on CVVHD dialysis today. Which is a typical type of dialysis to help the kidneys and to take off fluids safely and a little quicker than the PD dialysis he was on. It seems to be working for the little man. Blood pressure is good and he should have a nice night. Every prayer is heard and God is truly blessing us every day through this journey!

June 29, 2011

Carver has had quite the day. He did well on the dialysis machine last night but today his body didn't like that. The CVVHD machine hasn't been used on a newborn before at Children's, so this evening Carver was placed on what is called an ECMO machine. It will pull fluid off his body efficiently, and he should be looking more like himself by Monday. I'll let you know how our little sweetHEART does tomorrow!

June 30, 2011

Thanks to our ECMO friends at Children's Hospital Carver is looking a little more like himself today. His face is less swollen and his baby blues are bright eyed! His blood pressure is good and his nurses are able to take off some fluid today. Thank you Lord for this day!

July 1, 2011

"My God is so big, so strong, and so mighty there is nothing my God cannot do!" Good day for Carver. He was able to come off of one of his blood pressure meds and some fluid today. Little baby steps but steps either way. Pass around the Heart Hugs today!

July 2, 2011

Love and Joy

by Lexi Cobb on Saturday, July 2, 2011 at 8:53pm

Such a good, encouraging day! Carver came completely off one of his heart medications and down on another. This is important because the more medications they can wean him off of now the fewer he'll have to be placed back on when he comes off ECMO. Baby Carver is less swollen today as well. All very good things and moving in the right direction. Also, Carver listened to some music from his Dozy Dolphin, had a story read to him, and sucked on his paci. It was a joyful day! Thank you all for praying for good days for Carver. Heart Hugs!