Category: General Family News

After 23 days in the NICU, our little Micah Kenyon came home late Friday night, June 27. Micah’s name means “Who is like Jehovah?” or “Who is like our God?” Over the past two months, dealing with pre-term labor, bedrest, an emergency C-section and a preemie in the NICU, I have been continually amazed seeing God’s hand in our lives and in Micah’s life. As we give a brief update on all that God has done, we also want to say thank you to so many of you, who have faithfully prayed for us. We have felt your prayers and known God’s grace in a deep way during the past few weeks.
Last month at this time, I had no idea what the month of June would hold—I was psyching myself up for bedrest until June 26! But God knew.
Psalm 139 says, “. . . in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” This passage has filled me with an overwhelming awe of God, and at the same time, it has been an incredible comfort! Micah was not seven weeks “early” in God’s book. God knew that Micah would be born at 32 weeks and 6 days. God knew he would spend three weeks in the NICU and come home a healthy 5 lb. 6 oz. baby boy! Who is like our God?
Initially the neonatologist told us that getting off tube feedings and learning to bottle-feed while holding (and gaining) weight would be the last “hurdle” before Micah’s discharge. In the end, his continued heart rate drifts and breathing irregularities were what kept him there the last week. The neonatologist has prescribed daily doses of caffeine citrate for his heart rate drifts, and he will be on an cardiorespiratory monitor for the next few months. At this point, it seems to be an issue of immaturity, which he hopefully will outgrow before he comes off the monitor. He has had only two apnea/brady episodes since coming home, neither of which required intervention.
Again Psalm 139 has been a comfort. God knew, before Micah was born, that his lungs would be strong enough he would not need to be on oxygen. God also knew that his apnea/bradycardia episodes would continue, requiring the caffeine and the monitor. None of this is a surprise to God!
As I hold Micah, I reflect:
“God, you formed Micah’s lungs. His heart. His “inward parts,” the psalmist says.
“You ‘knitted’ Micah together in my womb.
“Nothing about Micah was hidden from You, when he was ‘being made in secret, intricately woven.’
“He is wonderfully made. . .
“Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well!”
And in awe, I say, “Who is like our God?!”