Sunday, May 18, 2008

Babies

Saturday, May 17

I woke up this morning around 5:30 with a pungent teetee diaper in my face. After a happily busy Graduation day, we got to have a little sleepover weekend with Sweet Baby James. (He is currently staying at the home of an angelic friend named Anna.) He fussed a little around 1:00 a.m., so I used that as an excuse for some nocturnal cuddle time.  I slept the rest of the night on about 6 inches of bed, but it was so worth it. I got to sneak little touches of velvety thunder thighs throughout the rest of the night.

I have to confess that Katherine slept in our bed a good bit when she was a baby.  She was colicky, so Brooks would go get her and walk her around the house until we’d finally give up and I’d just let her nurse again.....and again.  We were usually too lazy to take her back to her own bed after that.  Dr. Nancy assured us that people have been sleeping with babies for centuries, and you’d have to be knocked  unconscious not to realize that you were lying on top of one long enough to smother it.  So sleeping with James brings back happy flashbacks of that euphoric first baby magic.

God’s Timing........just go figure.  I ponder many things. For instance,I wonder why James came when he did, several years ahead of schedule. The doctors are stunned that the AVM rupture wasn’t precipitated by his birth. Being the strong, stubborn pioneer woman that she is, Katherine refused all offers of pain relief when James was trying to make his debut. Although it wasn’t part of the original plan, Amie and I got to stay in the birthing room throughout the whole process.  The doctor didn’t want to come in until Kat was dilated 10 centimeters, but that time never came.  Jay and I were enlisted into service, holding hands, lifting legs, administering oxygen, doing whatever the brave nurse told us to do in that interminable interval between her final call and the doctor’s arrival at the hospital. There was quite a bit of purple-faced pushing in there.  Why did the AVM remain intact through all of that, calmly continuing its time-bomb ticking until an inauspicious day in April when James was six months old?  I am confident that there is a reason, even if I don’t have a clue what it is.

It is a little strange caring for James before going to the hospital.  James cannot yet feed himself.  Neither can his mother.  James cannot walk, talk, change his own diapers, or bathe himself.   His mother needs assistant in these areas as well.  James can hold his head up now, something his mother has not yet relearned how to do. But she’s got one up on him in that she can communicate with hand signals. Both can get their points across with tears.  When James cries at night for no apparent reason, I let him get in bed with me and I rub him gently until he falls asleep.  When a tear drips down his mother’s face, I sometimes get in bed with her and rub her, too.

They can learn new things together, God willing.

I guess it’s a good thing that I absolutely love babies.

“And he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”” (Matt. 18:3)

11 comments:

Reba V. Stabler said...

Dear Kim,

My name is Reba V. Stabler and I met you at Katherine's Bridal Shower in Montgomery although I am sure you don't remember me. I am a member of FBC Montgomery and a friend of the Wolf family. I have known Jason since he was a child and have watched him grow up. I just wanted to let you know that I have been thinking of you and praying for you during this whole process. I also want to tell you what an awesome person you are and how you are touching the lives of so many people in such a positive way.

The first time I met Katherine she was with Mary Ruth at Ladies Luncheon we had and she was introduced as Jason's girlfriend. I remember that day well and how much I thought of Katherine even then. After Jason and Katherine married and moved to California, I have kept in touch with them via email mostly. I have always had tremendous love and respect for the entire Wolf family and Katherine is certainly no exception to that. She is so bubbly, charismatic, fun, loving and caring. Jesus shines through her. I don't know too many people her age that have such a caring and loving heart like Katherine does.

Jay (Rev.) always encourages us a parents to "raise young champions for Christ". You and your husband have certainly done that where Katherine is concerned. Katherine is a beautiful, beautiful example of some awesome Godly parenting. I don't know why Katherine and all of you have to endure this most heartbreaking situation. Yet somehow through all of it you, your husband, Katherine, Jason, Jay, Mary Ruth and all siblings are shinning so bright for Christ. Your faith and open transparancy is so inspirational to all of us and brings glory to God.

I have recently discovered your "Blog" page and have been so moved and touched by your sweet spirit in the midst of so much heart ache. I also listened to Katherine's lesson on "Your Identity in Christ" the other day. It was so sweet to hear Katherine's voice and hear her share her heart. I have been thinking a lot about some of the things she said and the spiritual truths she shared and how to apply them in my own life as a wife and mother.

Thank you for being a Godly mother and raising such a precious and Godly lady like Katherine.

I truly love Katherine and have had several special personal times with her.

I also firmly belive that in God's time, we will all have many, many more glorious moments with Katherine again.

Until then, please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers daily. God Bless you.

Much love, Reba V. Stabler, First Baptist Church; Montgomery, AL

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

Anonymous said...

Dearest KIm-

And "babies" certainly love you back!!!! I can only imagine the comfort that Katherine and sweet baby james are EACH receiving from your luminous presence in L.A. (although I have to ask---are YOU the grandma who was victim of the projectile vomiting mentioned in a previous post?---so sorry about that!) It is good that you can read their signs of love for you in all of their manifestations.

I have never prayed so continuously in my entire life for anything like I have for your family. Thank you for bringing me closer to God.

In Love and Light,
Killian

Travis & Jeri Tidmore said...

HI Kim,

We are in Texas now and praying from here. I am sad we can no loner visit the family at the hospital - but trust that we are there in spirit. Give Katherine, Jay and Jamesy a hug from us! We miss them already!

Jeri, Travis, and baby Owen

Anonymous said...

every single time I read your words I weep! how is it you gift us through your trials? clearly
god is using you.I too have never prayed more. I think there is a mighty army marching right along with you all.
I am excitied for the day we all can gather and rejoice with Kat and her family in the complete healing what a mighty celebration that will be.
I filt you up in prayer today.
suzi

Ginny Evans said...

You touch my heart each time I read your blog and I, too, have never felt so led to pray daily for someone as I have Katherine. Oh, to know her and you and the entire family!! Those who do have surely been touched beyond anything they could ever imagine. I look forward to the day when I can travel somewhere, anywhere, to hear Katherine in person give her testimony of this season in her life and maybe on that day I will have the priviledge of meeting all of you in person. God is with you on every step of this journey......Love in Christ, Ginny Evans, West Monroe, Louisiana

cin said...

I loved this blog. I, too, wondered why she made it through natural child birth without the AVM rupturing. Amazing.

We pray for Kat constantly as she is still NEVER far from our foremost thoughts.
So glad for God's hand upon all of you...and His glory. I have the distinct impression that there is more to come (of His glory)through all of this...
You are a GREAT mom Kimber. You love so incredibly well.
I miss the Arnolds in Athens. A lot.
Cin

cin said...

I love this blog. I, too, have considered why the AVM didn't rupture in childbirth. AMAZING.
We pray for Kat constantly - she is never far from our foremost thoughts. God's hand is upon you all and His glory is being displayed. I have the distinct impression there is more to come...of His glory through all this....
You are a GREAT mom Kimber. You love SO VERY WELL.
I miss the Arnolds in Athens...A lot. :)

Callie said...

Dear Mrs. Arnold,
I don't know you, but I just wanted to tell you I am constantly praying for Katherine. Your "babies" post made me cry! The last part was so beautiful! I was in a car accident in February, so from the brain-injured stand-point, I know how difficult it is. I had so many people praying for me, and it has been just over 3 months since my accident (where I suffered severe traumatic brain injury and the EMT's almost didn't bother life-flighting me to Atlanta because they didn't think I would live). I know that Katherine has thousands and thousands of people praying for her, and I know, from personal experience, that God works amazing miracles! I know that He has a reason for everything He does! I continue to lift you all in prayer all the time!

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/callieheintzman

Leah Hulsey said...

Kim,

I love reading your blogs. Having a young child, this one hit home. What a parallel, Katherine and James. He is here for a special reason! I need to see more pictures of that cute thing! I can't wait for him and Maeve to meet! Britt and I talk about y'all every evening, it has become a part of our evening routine. He's not computer friendly (imagine that), so I share the updates. We continue to pray for y'alls journey ahead and send praises for the progress that has been made! Keep writing I enjoy being apart of it! Lots of love from Georgia!

Britt, Leah, and Maeve

Amanda said...

Hello Kim,

My name is Amanda Twilley Snyder and I went to Samford with Katherine. (She was two years older than me, so she might not remember me:)

Anyway, I have been following your story and I want you to know that I am praying for all of you! I am a mother of a precious two year old little girl and my heart litterally is broken for you and your family.

As a mother I can not begin to grasp what you are going through or what Katherine must be going through. I pray that you all will be comforted during this time of healing. I firmly believe Jeremiah 29:11 that God has a plan for Katherine! I'm amazed at the amount of members in all of these groups supporting prayer for Katherine and I pray that God will be glorified and made known to people who do not know Him. If you ever need anything, please email me at asnyder@briarwood.org

With love and prayers,
Amanda

Karen said...

Hi Mrs. Arnold,
My name is Karen Lesser Ponds. I went to Samford with Katherine. She was older than me, but I got the opportunity to get to know her during a Miss Samford pageant! Her love for Christ and for everyone bubbled over in everything she did. She was an inspiration to me from then on. I have tried to read all of the updates and your blog to be able to specifically pray for y'all's ever changing needs. I have prayed for your family, the Wolfs, Katherine and everyone this is affecting. I am the mom of a 7 month old daughter and I cannot begin to understand what you are going through, but I know that the Lord is showing Himself mightily through this. I cried and cried when I read your post comparing James to Katherine. I love everyday watching my daughter, Maggie, as she learns to do new things for the first time, but I was struck by everything Katherine is going to have to relearn to do, all the skills that I take for granted daily. I pray for Katherine each day, that her spirit will not be crushed and that she will minister to those around her even when she cannot yet speak! I pray for Jason that His love for Christ will abound more and more. That he will love Katherine more through this than he did before and for their marriage that the Lord will bless it mightily! And of course for little James, that he is adjusting well to not being with Mommy all the time. It breaks my heart to write that, I just cannot imagine lying in a hospital bed unable to do all the "mom" things that I do and take for granted. I just pray harder for y'all whenever I think about Katherine and her families!! Right now I pray for you as a mom, I can only imagine how much strength it takes just to get through everyday, but rely on the Lord and He will mount you up with wings like Eagles. You'll run and not grow weary and you'll walk but not feel faint (my paraphrase of Is. 40:31)!!!! Thank you for sharing your heart through words.

In Christ,
Karen