It’s a little strange to continue putting up posts that say “Still waiting…” and yet that’s what we’re doing. We continue to be blessed by those leaving comments. Thank you for taking the time to encourage us. We also are so grateful for the prayer support. As far as anyone call tell, Baby Max (as a reminder, just a generic nickname) is healthy and happy. We appreciate the willingness of the Dr’s to allow the pregnancy to continue. Melanie and I are firm believers in letting things work naturally, unless there is a compelling reason to intervene. At this point, that reason hasn’t presented itself.
Here are a few specific requests:
There is a greater risk of Baby getting an infection as the pregnancy continues with the membranes not intact. There would most likely be signs of an infection if one set in, which would then necessitate delivery. We’re praying for protection for Melanie and Baby from infection.
Fluid levels are being closely watched around Baby Max. If these drop to low, delivery would be needed.
And the regular ones:
Protection/strength for Baby, as well as avoidance of NICU (Neo-Natal ICU) after birth.
Protection and endurance for Melanie during labor and delivery. She’s weakened by 7+ weeks of bedrest.
So far, neither of the top two have been issues. However, things can change. We’re desiring God’s will above everything, even above figuring out what a “smart decision” would look like. A Christian fully trusting in their Lord is a Christian at rest. God is providing many opportunities for Melanie and I to learn to rest and trust.
I’ll close with one cute story… the hospital beds have tons of buttons to do all kinds of things. I was in the process of seeing if the bed would get any lower (very legit reason, I like to sit in the chair next to the bed and put my feet up on the foot of the bed and then read out loud :), and got a bit carried away with the buttons. I had the upper section of the bed at about a 45 degree angle, and the lower portion pointing down, at a little bit less of an angle. Melanie was feeling like she might slide out of the bed, right onto the floor and was starting to suggest I fix the bed. Right then, a nurse walked in. It was about all Melanie could do to lay in the bed and try to look natural while the nurse took her vitals and did whatever else she came in for, all the while Melanie was trying not to a) fall out, b) laugh. As soon as the nurse walked out we both burst out laughing as I quickly pressed the buttons to correct the position. Why not do it with the nurse in the room? Who wants to look like they were playing with the bed?
Nathan
I am happy to hear that you are still waiting. I am also happy to hear that you can still laugh during these difficult times. God is awesome and has His mighty hand on baby Max. Thanks for the updates~
I check ya’ll’s blog a few times every day. I appreciate every update even if it says,” Still waiting….” To me that is great news because BabyMax is staying put a little longer. Ya’ll are still in our prayers!!!!!
Enjoy the “rest” while you can. Before you know it you will be running around the house looking for car keys that the little one has hid, fishing (and buying) a new cordless phone out of the toilet, cleaning up what once was a brand new roll of toilet paper that is all over the floor, cleaning up baby food that the little one decided to share with you- possibly all in the same day. What joys to remember now when they are teenagers.
We keep praying for you and checking the blog regularly. We live in the Czech Republic so my checking throughout the day really makes no sense as you are 7 hours ahead…just praying and wondering what is going on. Praying the peace of Christ over you all.
I’ve been checking regularly, praying often for you, our family has just been blessed with a healthy baby boy (my first grandson!) and I’m praying for your family to have the same overflowing joy. All in His perfect timing. Thank you so much for keeping us posted.
blessings,
Niki
PS – we met your family a few years ago when they spoke at the LEAH homeschooling conference (upstate new york) and were so blessed.
Homeschooling with a meek and quiet spirit is one of my all time favourite books. 🙂
YES STILL PRAYING FOR YOU ALL IN GOD WE TRUST RIGHT TIME WILL COME , I KNOW IT HARD WAITING BUT LORD WILL BLESS APRIL
glad to see the update. we keep praying for all of you. God is in control and what a blessed thing it is to be able to rest on Him and trust Him! We are anxious to “meet” this little one, but every day he stays put gives him extra time to grow and develope. Thank you for the specific requests, we will be faithful to pray. Blessings to all of you.
You two are just too cute! 🙂 I always played with the bed controls when I was in the hospital (there’s not a whole lot else to do 🙂 ), but here the hospital beds have those cranks on the bottom of them that have to be turned manually. Daniel always has fun “adjusting” me 🙂
If I remember correctly, you are 34 weeks tomorrow…that’s great! We pray for you every day and the children colored you some pictures and wrote you some more letters yesterday.
Timothy is standing here next to me and wants to tell Mrs. Melanie a riddle to make her smile. Riddle: What kind of key is to big to carry? Answer: A donkey. 🙂 He also wants to suggest a game for the two of you to play while you wait…He says when he is sick in bed, he loves it when I come in his room and play “I spy”.
I remember playing that game with Elijah when he was little one time. It was his turn and he “spied” something that was “Dandelion Yellow”. I guessed every yellow thing in sight and couldn’t get it, so I gave up. He so innocently with a grin of triumph said, “Your teeth”! 🙂
Thank you for your updates…I’ll share your updated prayer requests with the little ones and Daniel tonight at devotions.
love and prayers,
Jaynee
Thanks for letting us know specifically what to pray for! I’m so glad that baby has held off for this long. You know, I’ve been praying all along that baby would hold off until after Memorial Day. When Melanie’s water broke, I thought the baby would be born soon. Now, I’m thinking that after Memorial Day could actually happen. That’s 13 days, and you’ve already gone 5! 🙂 God knows when this little one will be born. May He keep you in perfect peace and grant a safe delivery and good health to Melanie and baby.
Thanks for the continued updates! I think so many of us feel so close to your family for all the many ways your family has touched ours. So we appreciate you sharing this experience with us. We will uphold you all in prayer.
In Christ,
The B. Family
And we are “still praying!!!” Thank you for including us into the priviledge to pray for you all. I have each prayer concern you have listed written in my prayer journal and I had to smile when I crossed off that answered prayer that baby gives you enough warning to get to the hospital in time. 🙂
How funny! I was in the room when my oldest daughter gave birth to our grandson (our first grandbaby) last month and I remember all those buttons. I kept hitting one with my knee while my daughter was in the last stages of labor-she thought I was trying to distract her but it was an honest error-they were just at the right height for my knees. 🙂
I’ve been watching and waiting with you and praying for all to go well.
too funny!!! our family is praying for y’all!!!
True confession: until recently i couldn’t figure out why you were calling the baby babymax…. um maxwell? i am much slower after having 6 children than i used to be:)
blessings
christa
Thank you so much for updating; I think about you often and pray throughout the day.
Your faith in our Lord is a blessing to all who come in contact with you.
May he keep your spirits up and give you much to be joyful for!
We are out of town and I have to come to the hotel computer to check on you all. I try to check at least twice a day. Please know that I am praying for you all. Thank you for your specific prayer requests. Now I know how to specifically pray. Thank you for letting us know how you are doing so we can participate in the prayer support. It’s a blessing to us as well.
Looking forward to a birth announcement!! Cheryl
Hee, hee, I too have trouble with those pesky hospital beds – and I’m a doctor! (Now I am actually a doctor turned stay-at-home mom.) Patients would ask me if I could help them adjust their bed, and I would be like, “Uh, I’ll have get a nurse to figure this thing out.”
Still praying for you guys.
I am so glad nothing has changed. Waiting at this point is good.
Praise God for moments of humor and laughter. It is a great stress reliever.
Prayers coming from the Pacific Northwest!!
At least you are having fun while you wait! 😉 Very cute story! Praise the Lord things are staying the same. May they continue to until baby is ready to be born.
May the Lord bless you as you read George Mueller’s biography. It is so inspiring. Oh to have such faith!
Looking forward to Baby’s arrival with you,
Theresa for the G’s
Just wanted to let you know that I’ve been praying for you (although I haven’t left a note before) and checking your blog twice a day to check on things. We understand a little bit of the situation as one of our church ladies went through a similar situation at about 30 weeks gestation. The baby arrived one week after her water broke, and is now home and thriving. Amazing in a Third World Country!
Here in Australia, I wait with prayerful anticipation for your continuing reports. What an encouragement your lives are to me! Psalm 40:1-5
I have been keeping up with your posts and really appreciate the updates! Your family has been in my prayers over the past several weeks. I am so glad to hear baby is staying put. I am wondering if you would be willing to let us know what names you are considering for your little one!
Love the humor! I truly believe that God delights in His children and good humor. Funny moments like that can often relax individuals facing stressful situations. I know from my personal experience how wonderful it is to have a husband be supportive during such delicate situations. You’re doing a great job taking care of Melanie!
I’ve been checking here several times a day also, and, of course, praying for all of you and Baby Max.
I was in the hospital for heart surgery about 5 years ago and we had a similar thing happen with the bed. I felt like I was always slouching down and couldn’t scoot back up on my own. We got into a predicament while trying to find a comfortable setting. Nathan, maybe you can get one of those “geri chairs” that are kinda like recliners! They usually have them in all the hospitals. They are comfortable enough to sleep in if you’re really tired. We know this from experience.
Can’t wait to see Baby Max!
Blessings–
Dana
Lord, please keep your hand and your peace in the hearts of Melanie and Nathan. Thank you Lord for keeping BabyMax’s health in your hands. Amen
Our Lord is awesome!
LOL! 🙂 You guys are too fun — even amidst the ‘waiting’ — sounds like the Lord is filling you with joy in His presence! 🙂 Thanks for the updates — it’s always a blessing to hear how you’re doing and how faithfully God is taking care of you and sustaining you in the midst of all this! 🙂 We’re continuing to pray here — thanks for more specifics so we can focus our prayers better! 🙂
“In you our father’s put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them. They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed.” Psalm 22:4-5
“I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body will also rest secure, because you will not abandon me…you have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Psalm 16:7-11
Dear Nathan and Melanie,
I just discovered your blog and your story last night on your family’s website, and I want you to know I am praying for you and your precious blessing. As I was up in the night with my own infant, I found myself in prayer for you all– and as the Spirit does, He moved me to pray just in line with what you posted as requests today. Isn’t the Lord good to use us this way? I’m baffled and amazed at His intimite care and concern for the smallest details in our lives, and humbled when He choses to use me in His work. We will continue to lift you up in prayer and thank the Lord in advance for His awesome work in growing your young family. If I’m up in the night again tonight, I’ll be praying that you are NOT… that you’re resting peacefully and your bodies preparing for the blessed arrival to come.
I am so blessed by your update. Fully relying on God is a wonderful way to live your life, and I appreciate your reminder.
Lord, we give thanks for this time that Nathan and Melanie have to rest in your arms, while they await the arrival of your precious gift. We pray that baby be kept safe and warm inside mommy until You deem otherwise. Please surround Melanie with Your arms, keep her strong and resilient as she awaits the arrival of her healthy strong baby. Please lift Nathan up as the head and strength of this family, keep him vibrant in Your spirit as he quiets his soul and listens to your voice.
All this we pray in your name,
Zane and Melissa
i find myself praying for you all while i am at work and then checking on your blog as soon as i arrive home. your faith and trust in god is truely inspiring to me. also your sense of humor is so good in all things–laughter is the best medicene, after god of course. continuing to keep you in our prayers. blessings, mrs. mari
We, like others, have been checking your blog several times a day even though we are on vacation! Even the grandparents have gotten in on the anticipation! We thank God and you for every little “still waiting” update, and look forward to praising Him for BabyMax’s safe arrival.
Isaiah 40:11
He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom,and gently lead those that are with young.
So glad BabyMax is staying put…every day is worth so much in the womb at this stage…!
If you make it to 34 weeks, will you get to go to the “regular” hospital to deliver?
~C
Laughter is good medicine.
Thanks for the updates. Following your faith journey is a blessing – your testimony through the Word, Psalm 27 & 34 was also our encouragement for one day in our journey (totally different context, but a wonderful example of the power of The Living Word to speak to every situation).
We visit your blog frequently, waiting & praying with you. Thanks for sharing specific prayer requests also.
Btw, it amazes me that it is possible to not be required to give birth (c-section) after 24 hours. You & Melanie are breaking ground. God Bless you for being willing to think outside the box and “Trust in the Lord”
“…for we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Cor. 5:7
Thanks for the update. I keep checking in and praying for your requests. Kathy
We are still praying for you all. Loved the bed and buttons
story. The Lord is so good to give us laughter in the midst
of difficult situations. You both are a blessing to us!
Keri
Thanks for the updates and specific requests. I will continue to pray and wait. Try to keep that sense of humor – it helps.
I am so happy to read once again that your are all doing well! I told my husband last night that it was time to go to bed…then as he walked past our office room to go upstairs, he said, “I thought you were going to bed!!” I said, “But first I have to check on the BABY!!” I am so appreciative that you have allowed us…all of us who check on you…sometimes hourly…to be a part of your life! You are a huge encouragement to us!! Blessings and prayers to you! Beth in Indiana
We are praying for you too in Montana. Thank you for allowing us to walk alongside you in this journey, and partner with you and the Creator, for Baby Max. The Lord really uses your entire family to encourage and inspire us – so thank you! I read this verse today, and wanted to share it with you…
“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
For by him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth , visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities;
all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things,
and in him all things HOLD TOGETHER. ” Colossians 1:15-17
God Bless, and thank you for keeping us updated!