September 29

It has been a long two weeks since Keegan has come home. We are still trying to get him to gain weight, so he is on a high calorie diet. It has been a very slow process, and it feels like we take two steps forward and one back. Other than his weight gain, he is doing well. Courtney is still adjusting to Keegan and not having mommy to herself. But she is a good big sister. She is always concerned when he cries, and she loves to help burp him.

September 23

Everyone is doing great. Keegan is eating very well, and Courtney is slowly getting used to her little brother. Keegan has a nurse that comes to our house to check on him twice a week, and she says he is looking really good. He isn't gaining weight as fast as we would like, so we are working on getting him to eat higher calorie milk. Please pray that he will start to gain weight. The good thing is that he isn't losing weight. Courtney is getting some teeth in, so she has been a little fussy. She is learning to say new words and loves to read and play with the dogs. Keegan has a check-up on Thursday. Pray that everything looks good.

September 19

We are slowly adjusting to being a family of four. Courtney has warmed up to her little brother, and has been very gentle towards him. Today when Keegan started to cry, Courtney pointed to his bottle and said, "more, more." She understands that when he cries you need to give him more from his bottle. Keegan is doing very well. He is eating and gaining weight. I think he enjoys being out of the hospital and not being poked every few hours. Other than a few moments of craziness, ( when Courtney and Keegan need mommy's attention at the same time), we are doing good.

Keegan is home!

Keegan came home today!!! We are so happy to have our family all together. Courtney loves to rub her little brother's head. So far she hasn't been bothered by him coming home. She is just happy Mommy and Daddy are home as well. We ask that you to pray that Keegan will continue to eat well, and won't get lazy. Right now our main focus is to get him to gain weight and finish healing.

September 12

It looks as though Keegan will be coming home on Thursday. We are very excited and can't wait to have our family together. He is eating very well. Almost 2 oz at every feeding. It still takes him 45 minutes, but he is getting a good suck and swallow rhythm. He had another echo-cardiogram today, and his heart looks really good. Please pray that we have an easy transition bring him home.

September 11

Keegan's feeding tube has been taken out, and he is doing very well with eating. It still takes him about an hour to eat 50 cc, but it is really good that he can eat all by his self. The nurses are saying he could be home on Wednesday or Thursday! We are busy getting everything ready for his home coming.

September 10

Keegan is eating about 1.5 oz out of a bottle, which is great! It still takes him about 45 minutes to an hour to eat that much, but he is slowly getting his strength back, and soon it will take him no time at all to eat. The feeding tube will come out after he is eating 2/3 of his feeding by mouth every time. We are hopeful that he will be home by this coming weekend.

September 9

Keegan is eating better. It is a slow process, but he is getting better with each day. He eats more at night than during the day. At night he will eat 2 oz of milk out of a bottle, but during the day he only eats about 1/2 that. He no longer has any IV's or tubes (except the feeding tube through his nose.) Keep praying that he will master eating.

September 8

Keegan is very slowly learning to eat. Other than that, he is doing great. He is healing and starting to act like a normal baby. He cries when he is hungry and when he has a wet diaper. It has been fun to take a more active role in his life.

September 7

Keegan has moved out of the ICU and into a regular hospital room. He is doing great. He is doing good with sucking on a pacifier or bottle, he just needs to learn to suck and swallow. The nurses say it takes time, but he will get the hang of it. Now that he is out of the ICU, his care is much more hands on for me and Nathan. We get to change diapers, feed him, and pick him up when he cries.

September 6

Keegan had another great day. He now only has one IV line and his chest is healing very nicely. We are still working on learning to eat. He ate 1/2 an ounce today when I fed him, and the rest went into his tube. He should be moved out of the ICU tomorrow. After he learns to eat on his own, he will be ready to go home. We very much appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers.

September 5

Keegan had a much better day today. He is slowly coming off the IV's and learning how to eat. He will soon be moved out of the ICU, and into a regular room.

September 4

Keegan is still doing well. We did hit a little bump in the road this afternoon. He got stressed while the nurses were trying to give him a new IV line and his heart rate dropped. Thankfully there were doctors there to pace him out, and he is doing fine now. His heart rate is good and his blood pressure is good.

Big Sister Courtney

Courtney has met her little brother, and gave him a pat on the head. She was more interested in the IV's and tubes and computers that were beeping. She is doing great. She still hasn't gotten used to the idea of Mommy and Daddy leaving everyday to go see Keegan. Right now her favorite things to do are read books, mainly animal books, play outside with her friend Isabelle, and watch Elmo on TV.

Keegan September 3

Keegan is doing really great. His recovery is so amazing. Everyday he is doing better. He is breathing on his own again, and they have taken the tubes out of his chest that were draining any extra fluid around his heart and lungs. Tomorrow he will get to eat by himself for the first time. (after his surgery, they tube fed him). We thank God everyday that he is doing so well.

Surgery Day August 28

Keegan's surgery went great! He is now recovering. Thanks to everyone who is praying for him.

Keegan Update August 27

Keegan continues to do well. He is on medicine that doesn't allow him to eat until after his surgery. His surgery is schedule for August 28 at 7:30 am. Please pray for the doctors as well as Keegan.

It's A Boy!

Keegan Aaron Lembke was born on August 24 at 5:24 pm. He weighed 8 lbs 4 oz and was 20 inches long. As most of you know, Keegan has a heart defect known as Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. (The left side of his heart is underdeveloped). He will need surgery in the coming days to help redirect his blood flow. Other than that, he is doing very well. He is breathing on his own and crying a lot, which are both good signs.