Update: Heading home for weekend. Mel will be on bed rest. We have another check up Monday at 9:30am to make sure baby is still healthy and happy. Thks again for thoughts and prayers!

Jeff and Amy George stop by to help pass the time... Settlers!

Hmmm...

What's wrong with this picture?

Next up...Toprol-XL

Here is the latest medicine update. Mel and Lil'B have been purged of Amiodarone. We will now begin a beta-blocker called Toprol-XL. A beta-blocker is used for many reasons including chest pains, migraines, lowering blood pressure, etc... in this case we are using it to regulate the irregular heart beat. However there are possible side effects. So we would appreciate your specific prayers in these areas:

-Dizziness

-Drowsiness

-Trouble sleeping

-Low Energy

-Nausea/Throwing up

-Depression

Thank you in advance for your prayers. We will keep you posted on the outcome. The good news is... If Mom and Lil'B handle medicine well we get a weekend pass. :)

When the oceans are raging...

As I wrap up the day in Rm 561 I came across this picture. Taken earlier today it reminded of several passages of scripture.

(Psalm 4:8; John 14:27; Col 3:15) Please take a moment to look them up and meditate upon them. Maybe even memorize them to remind you where your peace is found during cloudy days.

I am thankful for the peace we find in Christ Jesus. When the oceans are raging we find stillness in His presence.

Waiting game...

Making memories as we wait...

It's a new day...

Since Monday, we've been in:
Children's Memorial Herman
Labor and Delivery rm 561
6411 Fannin
Houston, TX 77030
Yes, back in the hospital. However, since we are in a less critical area of the hospital than before, people are very relaxed and nice about things like how many visitors you can have in your room, visiting hours, and people bringing food into your room. So come on down and help us pass the time. They even let me and Casey walk around the hospital for about 20-30 minutes.
All those small details to say this... There has been no change in Lil B's heart rate since we've been here. So, it's possible that they could take him as early as next week, or we could be here till 34 weeks (I'm 31 weeks) and then they would take him. Lots of unanswered questions right now. I'm literally posting the only information we have. It's a waiting game - day by day and hour by hour. But for now a visit to the Cafe Hermann with chubs and hubs will have to serve as a "romantic walk in the park".
Thank you for your continued support, prayers, and encouragement. It's truly a blessing to call you family and friends.
Here's to hoping I can post something different later today when the Docs come in.

Late night... Date night.

Before calling it a night Mel and I made like ninjas and got some ice cream at the one and only "Cafe' Hermann"

Round 2... ding... ding!

Lil' B Update: We went for a chk up today and it did not turn out as expected. Cardiologist said this is the toughest atrial flutter she has monitored.We are being admitted to up the dose of digoxin and monitor Mel and Lil B. Its day to day waiting game. Pls continue prayers.

Sincerely,
Casey

Chunkin' Deuce!

Rollin' on Tweny-2's!

Doc gave us a thumbs up and green light to go! Home here we come... Rollin' on blacked out 22's!

180's Baby!!!

As proud parents we are pleased to announce our boy is pushing through and making great progress!

His heart rate is down to the 180's and the thought of heading home is becoming a reality.

Thanks again for all the prayers.

06/16/06... Prophet, priest, protector, provider

Then the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him."-Genesis 2:18

June 16, 2006...a day I'll never forget. Receiving the blessing to be a prophet, priest, protector and provider all in one day.

As a prophet I would teach and lead the ways taught in the Holy scriptures. Obeying His commandments proving my undivided love for my savior Jesus Christ.

As a priest I would learn to listen and console offering advice that honors our Lord.

As a protector I would learn to fight. Defend anything or anyone that would harm my family. Teaching them the tools they must acquire to survive in this world. Both spiritual and practical.

As a provider I would learn to recognize the needs and fulfill them. Being a good steward with life and using the resources we are blessed with to advance His mission.

...and along the way I have a wonderful co-laborer, best friend and helper. My lovely bride Melissa. She is truly a champ. Proving it once again these past few days. It is a privilege to live this life with her. Serving together for the glory of our Lord. May our marriage reflect Jesus Christ. May my leadership mirror His.

Sincerely,
Casey

Rm 406 Biggest Loser Contest

And the winner is... Lil' B. Broke 200's this afternoon. Lil' B, Medicine and Mom seem to be getting along. Dad is proud :) Thanks for prayers.

Lunchtime Delight

12:15pm - Just finished with the echocardiograph and I'm pleased to say... 200's to 210's for Lil B's heart rate. He's an ace. He's working hard to slow down, but we need a little more time. I'm still feeling good, no major side effects to report.

Morning Glory...

As church services begin across our nation, I'm sitting in a hospital room. No biggie really... He's here with me just like He's with the man in the jungle. When you are a part of a faith family, especially one that stretches from nation to nation, even when you are not with them physically you know they're still there. Thanks for the support, encouragement, love, and prayers.

Just a few morning glories to share:

5am - blood work and EKG

7am - nurse change and temperature check

8am - breakfast

9am - took second dose of "big gun" medicine. Yey haw!

10am - high-risk OB comes to monitor Lil B and still finds no fluid. She's very pleased, and so are we. Hoping for more reports like this all day. So far I have no symptoms from medication except a lowered heart rate and some drowsy/dizziness.

We are waiting for the fetal heart rate monitor to come in and give us an official heart rate. I'll post as soon as find out.

Friends, Flowers, and a Fresh Shower

This afternoon and evening passed by rather quickly. We had some visits from friends, an unexpected arrangement of flowers (purple and gold of course) and I even got to take a fresh shower. That's right a "real" shower. None of that sponge bath stuff.

Most importantly, Lil B's heart rate was in the 220's tonight when they did the fetal monitoring. Whoo hoo!

At midnight tonight, I'll receive the second dose of the "big gun" medicine so watch out Sunday... Here we come.

Where's Melissa?

Say hello to my little friend...

Meet the "Big Gun".

CIMU 406 a little longer

We had some visitors...wink wink and more than just the girls who made my nails super fantastic.

11:00am - the high-risk OB came in and did our daily sonogram to check Lil B's vitals (8/8 of course). There was discussion on beginning a new medication today to make sure that Lil B's heart doesn't spike again and that there will be no fluid build up.

11:45am - As the high-risk OB finished up, they were rolling the echocardiograph machine in to look at all the intricacies of Lil B's heart again. The heart rate is still bumping in the 230's and the fluid amount around the heart is staying the same (just a little above normal). There was more discussion on starting a new medicine: Amiodarone or the "big gun" as Dr. Horenstein calls it.

12:15pm - Dr. Horenstein, who was at the zoo with her family today, pops her head in our room and totally takes us by suprise. She wanted to check on us personally and be in on the decision making for the implementation of the "big gun" drug. Wow! I definitely feel well looked after and am thankful that we have, what seems to be, the "right" doctors looking after us.

1:00pm - So after much discussion, all three doctors (my cardiologist, the pedia-cardiologist, and the high-risk OB) have made the decision to start the Amiodarone today and monitor me and Lil B here in CIMU 406 until Monday or Tuesday. They want to watch my body's response to the new medicine and Lil B's heart and fluid rates as well.

1:30pm - Lunch is served. Now we wait... we rest...repeat.

2:00pm -  Another EKG for my heart to test vitals before the new medicine is started.

Stay tuned.

CIMU 406 Day Spa

Room 406 comes complete with breakfast in bed and nail spa.

It's a new day and a new room

Late last night, while devising an ingenious plan to escape, we were moved from CCU 17 to CIMU 406 (same hall but a different room). I can only infer that one less C means closer to home of course.
So the events of today in our new room will begin here:
2am -The labor and delivery techs came to monitor Lil B's heart rate again mostly because 2am is an opportune time to turn on the lights, wake mommy up, and spread a cold gel on her stomach. At any rate Lil B's heart is still beating irregularly and around the 230s.
3am - zzzzzzz... Lights, EKG, blood work, and vital signs. Check.
7am - After some more sleep, the Labor and Delivery nurse comes for her daily consult. Mostly to inform us that they will be keeping us through the weekend. So, the glimmer of hope standing on one less C is a huge facade. Oh well, I'd rather be monitored closely just in case Lil B has a spike in his heart rate again. Two more days without my bed or Marley. Poor girl. I'm sure she utterly hates sleeping on the couch and in the middle of the bed.

Looking ahead to the horizon of Monday.

Typical day in CCU 17

7:00 pm - planning the escape

8:00pm - Execution

10:00 pm - Busted...

This little guy has GPS. No crazies running around loose in this hospital.

Typical day in CCU 17

5:30 pm - With the fluid so minuscule and heart rate lowering slightly, we have been able to enjoy some visits with friends, a slower stream of of docs, a few farkle games with mom and dad, and a a little down time. Whew... It's been an interesting day, but I'm looking forward to seeing my bed and Marley soon, soon, soon.

“A smile confuses an approaching frown.” -Author Unknown

Early today I was greeted with this picture. 

I couldn't help to notice all the smiles. Immediately it made me smile. There’s something about a smile that brightens a day.

Why should you smile?

1. Smiling Changes Our Mood

2. Smiling Makes Us Attractive

3. Smiling Is Contagious

4. Smiling Relieves Stress

5. Smiling Boosts Your Immune System

6. Smiling Lowers Your Blood Pressure

7. Smiling Releases Endorphins, Natural Pain Killers and Serotonin

8. Smiling Lifts the Face and Makes You Look Younger

9. Smiling Makes You Seem Successful

10. Smiling Helps You Stay Positive

So, why should you smile?

11. Smiling makes a grumpy person awkward

Remember... “A smile confuses an approaching frown.” -Author Unknown

Speaking of smiles… we are so very thankful for the visitors who have stop by to share a smile. You know who you are. High fives all around or... maybe some tree. :) 

Typical day in CCU 17

11:15 am - We had our daily sonogram to check Lil B's bios as they are referred to around here (taking breaths, his movements, etc). Lil B got an 8/8. He's a fighter. No fluid around his heart, lungs, or abdomen. Champ.

12:30 pm - Dr Horenstein came to do our daily echocardiograph to measure all the blood flow, heart rate, etc in Lil B's heart. She in all of her four foot, disheveled, heavy accented glory was happy to confirm that she also found no fluid around the heart, lungs, and abdomen. Also, she was excited to report that Lil B's heart was beating between 205-237 which means the second medicine is beginning to work. Yay! Yay! Yay! However, the effects of the second medicine on me are not so great. I'm floating between super jittery and extremely lethargic.

12:45 pm - Dr. Horenstein decided to stop the second medicine and monitor both our heart rates one more day. So it looks like we might be able to come home as early as Saturday or Sunday. The sooner the better.

1:15 pm - Finally, lunch is served and feeling better. Casey even brought me a sweet treat: a fantastic cupcake. That's why he's my fave. Now... we wait. Again. But this time with an end in sight.

Typical day in CCU 17

9:00 am - ate breakfast and took second dose of digoxin and sotalol. Come on Lil B work with your mommy. Geaux low heart rate, geaux low.
10:00am - Dr Anderson (boss man in the CCU) came in and checked on my progress. He always has at least five residents with him, but today there were just a few.

Typical day in the CCU

7:00am - Nurse shift change, but we won't see Amanda till Monday (she's been with me at night since Tuesday). She was fantastic, except for the shots to my backside (reference to earlier pic post).
7:30am - Cardiologist does a checkup on my heart. Everything looks good still. Which means my body is handling the new drug well... No side effects to this point.
7:45am - OBGYN does a checkup on my vitals and monitors if I'm contracting or not. Vitals good. No contractions.
8:12 am - An alarm sounds in the hallway... Craziest sound since I've been here, and there's been a lot of weird sounds/alarms. It was like good mix between a tornado alarm and a fire truck. Strange. Don't know what it belonged to or what it meant. Don't want to ask considering I'm the most lively patient on the full capacity CCU wing. Aka-I'm the healthiest and the youngest by a long shot.

Stay tuned.

Typical Day in CCU Room 17

4:00 am - bloodwork for morning labs

4:15 am - EKG to measure how Melissa's heart is responding to Digoxin & Sotalol

4:30 am - back to sleep

 

More to come...

 

Lil' B in 4D

4D Ultrasounds take 3D ultrasound images, or 3D sonograms, and adds the element of time to the process. The result: Live Action ultrasound images of your baby. Some people refer to the procedure as prenatal imaging, 3D imaging, a 3D scan, or 4D scan.

Creepin' like a NINJA!

No pain, no gain.

We discovered yesterday that Mel would be receiving steroid shots to help mature the baby's lungs. I found it humorous when the nurse asked... "Left or Right?" I guess you'll never know... :)

BEFORE

DURING

Stepping it up... Round 1 of Sotalol (SOE ta lole)

Update: Lil B's heart rate is still 220-230. So, the docs will be adding a second medication. I will get the first dose this evening. Again, we will be waiting for medicines to lower the heart rate for an extended period of time which means we'll be in CCU at the Memorial Herman Heart & Vascular Institute until at least Sunday or Monday. We will continue to post updates as we receive them. Getting restless in the bed, but hope to be home soon. Thanks in advance for the continued prayers.

Daughter like father!

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Please check back periodically for updates.

UPDATE: baby's heart rate is down from 240-260 to 220-230 today. Good sign. No change to small level of fluid around heart, lungs, and abdominal cavity. Waiting for another 24 hrs to see if medicine will lower rate even more.

I will do my best to post an update often.

Love you all, The Belgard's

This is a test.

fast forward to the present

Casey and I have been serving at White Oak Baptist Church in Houston, TX for the past two years. We L.O.V.E the faith family we serve with and want to say thank you for loving us with open arms. Also, I've been teaching at Clifton Middle School for the past two years. I teach 7th grade to some incredible inner city students who have really enjoyed seeing me "get fat" over the past several months. Which reminds me... we are currently expecting our first child... that's right a bouncing baby boy. Can't you just see Casey beaming with that "that's my boy" daddy smile.

Like father. Like son. 

My students love giving lil B a high five as they enter my classroom, and reminding me of how I'm not supposed to pick up things, wear high heels, give homework (because it causes more stress for me to grade of course) or other tidbits of pertinent pregnancy information from the perspective of a seventh grader. 

They really are clever. 

Needless to say, we're thrilled to bring into the world a future mountain biking sensationalist, piano playing punter extraordinare, or ambassador of the gospel to all nations; but of course an LSU tiger fanatic who's beating to his own rhythm... literally.

Which brings us to the next phase on this journey to meet our incredible little guy. To catch you up to speed on the adventures in lil B's life, we will be posting all updates here on the blog. So please stay tuned.