Thursday, December 3, 2009

Braden Needs Your Prayers

Braden William Betts was born this afternoon at 2:18pm. He was 2lbs 9oz and 14.7in long - quite a bit bigger than we had expected. Julia started showing signs of an infection this morning, and after various tests, the doctors decided to perform a C Section. It was the eve of gestational week 28 (12 weeks early).

Julia is recovering now in Post-Partum, and will be fine. Her temperature has already come down from this morning after antibiotics and other meds. After Braden was born, I was able to follow him and the doctors to the Neonatal ICU (NICU) while the doctors wrapped things up with mom. Braden has developed a case of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). It's not uncommon for extremely premature babies like Braden, but he will likely be very sick for the next several days. He will be in the NICU for a minimum of 7 weeks.

He is in great hands with the doctors here, and will benefit greatly from all of the support and prayers that you all continue to offer. We are not yet ready for visitors, but will keep you updated here.

45 comments:

  1. All of you are in our thoughts and prayers - stay strong and faithful - we love you guys.

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  2. We're praying hard...Daisey Dog is sooooo excited to meet her little bro!! We told her about about him already :-)
    You guys stay strong...those NICUs are amazing! Love you.

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  3. You're in my prayers. You are such strong people, and I know the newest addition will be just as strong.

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  4. Praying hard and often and sending my love to all three of you. Stay strong and let us know how we can help!

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  5. Betts Family-definitely praying for you and sending all of our love. Braden knows how much he is already loved and is going to pull through like a champ. :)

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  6. Julia and Brian - we are praying for your precious family and know you will all pull through. Stay strong and please let me know if there is anything I can do. ~Kendall

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  7. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.

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  8. Thinking of you and praying for Braden to be strong. Love you guys. Whitney

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  9. We are sending good thoughts, vibes and prayers. Love to you both, Deb, Dennis and Madeline

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  10. Sending positive thoughts and prayers for Braden. Let me know if you guys need anything. Jeannine

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  11. Thinking of you both and Braden during this time. He's got great genes and fabulous professionals to help him through this. Stay positive and let us know if you need anything. xoxoxo

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  12. We're praying for you and have faith that all will go well. Love, Uncle Steve & Aunt Sue

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  13. Braden has a great NICU, doctors and nurses - so thankful for that. He's had a rough and early entry, but he has the best folks working with him. So thankful for the great staff at that hospital to get him through. I'm glad his parents have him there.

    Anything you need - please don't hesitate.
    - Lora

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  14. Thinking of you all and sending lots of prayers and positive thoughts your way.

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  15. Welcome to the world, Braden. There are so many prayers for you and your parents. God bless you.

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  16. Hope all is well and safe. Love you guys.

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  17. He's got the Slamer clan pulling for him in Ohio. Love you guys!

    Sarah

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  18. Your family is in our prayers. We have a friend who was pregnant when I was pregnant with Lainey (due in February) and he was born in November at 27 weeks. He's a happy, healthy little boy now who happens to wear a hearing aid, but you'd never know it. Prayers for the best possible outcomes for sweet Braden. Jen Hopkins

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  19. The Alt family is praying for you. Braden is a gift and clearly God is still in the miracle-making business. -Blondie

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  20. The Garcias are praying for you.

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  21. Brian, Julia, and little Braden,

    you all are always in my thoughts and prayers. Kumi

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  22. You guys are in our thoughts and prayers.

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  23. Dear Sweet Baby Braden,
    Welcome to the world, little guy. You've got the best parents around and you're already surrounded by so much love and care. Your job now is to breathe deeply and grow strong. I know you can do it and can't wait to meet you some day soon.
    Steph & Uli Elsea

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  24. We love you guys and are praying really hard for Braden. We can't wait to meet that tenacious little guy! And don't worry about your other baby - between Boston, Mattie, and Gobo she's in good hands (paws). :-)

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  25. Congratulations Mommy and Daddy Betts. You and Braden are in my CONSTANT thoughts and prayers. Every breath I take is a breath for Braden's continued health and development. God's Blessings on you, Braden's nurses and doctors, and Baby Braden. May he grow stonger minute by minute. I'm thankful for all your friends who have posted and those who have supported you in so many ways so far on your journey. The old African saying really IS true: "It takes a whole village to raise a child." Braden is blessed to have so many people who love him. Love and hugs to all three of you.

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  26. Praying for the three of you. - NG

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  27. Welcome Braden. The whole family is in our thoughts.

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  28. Sending thoughts and prayers your way. Can't wait to meet the newest addition the Betts family!

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  29. Positive thoughts and prayers for all you. Welcome Braden!

    Donna G.

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  30. Sending so many thoughts and prayers your way for you guys and Baby Braden! - Katie L.

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  31. You all are in my thoughts and prayers. Welcome Baby Braden! - Anna

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  32. You guys have sooo many people thinking of you!!!

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  33. I pray that BW can get through this and that this proves to be a small challenge at the beginning of a fabulous life.

    Scoob

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  34. Sending lots of prayers and love your way!!

    LOVE YOU!!!!

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  35. We will continue to pray for all of you.

    Prayers from across America.
    TSFL friends of Grandma Donna

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  36. Congrats on Braden's arrival! Hang in there! We already know you guys are super strong and will no doubt make it through next phase. Thinking and praying for you! Can't wait to meet Brayden and see you. Love you, Kylee

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  37. Praying for you guys and sending love and hugs your way.

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  38. Sending continuous prayers and positive thoughts your way! Your family is so strong, and Braden can certainly feel all the love.

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  39. Sending prayers and warm thoughts from San Antonio. The Howe family is pulling for you guys. Have faith and be strong - Braden is a gift and he will come through this strong and healthy. Love, Justin and Mary Howe

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  40. Congratulations on the newest addition.
    Stay positive. Your strength is inspiring to those around you. Reach out if you need anything at all.

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  41. Sending positive thoughts and love to you, Brian and precious Braden. Love, Jen

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  42. Julia -
    The next few months will be trying for sure, but you guys will get through it. My best friend had her little boy at just shy of 30 weeks when her blood pressure spiked and her husband awoke to her in a full out seizure, and they had to take Aidan to safe her. Two years later, you can't even tell that this crazy kid was once a 3 pounder who spent several months in NICU and months of his first year on oxygen. Miracles happen every day. Hang in there... We're thinking of you all :)

    - Sharon

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  43. Julia, Brian, and Braden,

    You are all in our prayers. Julia, we wish you a speedy and recovery with minimal pain. Brian, we pray for your strength and stamina in the days ahead. And Baby Braden, we're all amazed at how far you've come and will continue to pray for your good health and growth. Know that you are all surrounded by the love of many and the presence of a powerful God. We look forward to seeing everyone as they move towards good health! Let us know anything you need! The Kerns Family

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  44. Hang in there Betts fam. Baby Braden is in good hands, we're thinking of you every day. ~Kathryn

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  45. Just a note to let you know that we have kept you all close in prayer. You have many prayer warriors in Houston. Upon hearing of the little Braden's birth, we contacted 3 different prayer groups we are affiliated with. They intern contacted others and those others contacted others.... The little guy and his mom and dad are being held high by so many!! As parents, when we have done all we can in the natural, our most mighty and prevailing tool is prayer. Taking the power of prayer and standing in faith, in the gap, for our children is the best thing we can do. Take heart, for the insurmountable love you have for Braden can't even be compared to the love God has for Him. What better place for your son than in His righteous hands!!! You have been so strong. Continue to believe in the things unseen like you have never believed before!!! We are standing in faith and love by your side.
    Brigid and Mark

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