Happy Grandpa

Dearest grandson Lyon,

I am so happy that your mom, who loves you so much, has now had the opportunity to hold you in her arms. I know you felt her deep love for you.

Love,

Grandpa Tom

Finally Bonding

Since Lyon finally got off the respirator yesterday and over 1000g we were able to do what they call "Kangaroo Care." Basically this is being able to hold your baby skin on skin. Studies show it helps their growing progress in many ways. So last night the doctor finally gave the ok for me to hold him. It was a long time coming since I haven't held him once since the day he was born and now he is over a month old. Let me tell you it was an unreal moment holding him for the first time. He is still so very little. He just laid there on my chest while I held him and sang to him....
I could hold you in my arms
I could hold you forever
I could hold you in my arms
I could hold you in my arms forever...

He did so well being held and the nurses said he loved it. We just sat there and snuggled for about half an hour, getting to know eachother for the first time, as tears came down my cheeks and I just looked up and said "thank you, thank you, thank you Lord"

Progress Update

Lyon is back on the C-pap breathing machine! This is better than the
ventilator machine because it only assists him in breathing instead of
breathing for him. This is another step towards Lyon's respitory freedom.
Yay!

Sunday 8-26 Update Ammendment

Ammendment: For those of you looking at the most recent pictures and
wondering "what the heck is Marie talking about that he has Ariki's nose??"
well, in those photos Lyon just got his mask off (air through the mouth
instead now) so his nose was all stretched and pushed upwards. Now that he
has had the mask off for about a week, his nose has reshaped to a nice
little Rarotongan Ariki nose. Sorry we don't have pics of that.

Marie

P.S. for those of you wondering if Lyon is part wolf with all that body
hair, the answer is no. It a thing called Languno that babies have all over
their bodies that usually falls out at or around birth. Let's hope his falls
out too.

Sunday 8-26 Update

As of Sunday 8-26 Lyon is doing much better. He hasn't had any major
desaturation episodes (stop breathing) for a couple days. He is also up to
22cc feeding every 3 hours (he started with 1cc). His weight is up to 2lbs
11oz (1.23KG) and steadily climbing. I am also happy to report it looks as
if he might have Ariki's nose...at least it seems that way for now.

On the flipside, they are monitoring his heart because they think he might
have a heart murmur. Also, he has some fluid in his brain, they aren't sure
if it is blood or something else, but no cause for alarm yet. They are
monitoring both these things closely and I will keep you updated on this.
Marie

Continuing to grow and develop...

Nurse Delight Saito, one of the great staff at hospital.
- Grandpa Tom


The Lyon sleeps tonight.



Kia orana Grandpa John, Grandma Tua and Aunty Esther.
I am gaining weight daily, now up to 1 kg 249 g. Grandpa
Tom has been reading your blog entries to me.
Love,
Lyon Tehananai'a










Dr. Sarah Nickelson and Grandma Carmen loving Lyon.


Marie reported last night that Lyon is now taking 20cc of milk
every three hours. The doctor said that as he gains weight he
will be better able to deal with any challenges.
Mahalo Ke Akua.
Grandpa Tom


Nurse Trisha-Lyn. The staff at Kapiolani is wonderful!!!

Akamaroiroi!

Dear Ariki and Marie,                                       Thank you very much for the update on Lyon Tehanana'ia's progress please lets all pray together and have faith, you know what, that child is very special we don't know whats he up to hahaha but any way lets all walk together in this.Nice to hear your happy voice on the phone and we are happy too.Thinking of yous and baby all the time.May God bless yous and baby and all the familys over there.Many aroa and love from us all in Wellington.Please kiss baby Lyon Tehanana'ia for all of us and a big hug to Ariki and also to you.    Lotz of love mum, dad and Esther. Lyon Tehanana'ia need you with him. Take care.

Lyon's Getting Better

I talked to Lyon's nurse this morning. Lyon is doing much better since Monday. He seems to be responding well to the antibiotics that they put him on for his blood infection. He has also gone down on his ventilator use which is good because it means he is breathing more on his own and needing the ventilator less. So I think we have seen the worst of this little hurdle and he is getting back on track.
He is now up to:
2 pounds 11.8 oz or 1.24 Kg

Lyon's Update

Aloha and Kia Orana Friends and Family,

I just wanted to give everyone an update on Lyon because he hasn't been well the last 2 days. Yesterday and today he had many episodes where he forgot to breathe or just stopped breathing. In response, the nurses had to "bag him" which basically means they had to hand pump air into his body to get him going, something like CPR. He did bounce back every time. The team thought this was very unusual considering he has been having great progress until
this point. After some blood tests, the doctor called me tonight with the results. It appears Lyon has a blood infection. They aren't sure where it is from or how he got it, but they will be able to narrow what type of infection it is exactly as it develops. In the meantime, they have him on antibiotics to kill the infection and hopefully soon after that they can wean him off the ventilator. At that point he can work towards breathing with only the assistance of the C-PAP machine again. This is better for his body and brain.
Let's all keep praying for a miracle for him to recover and get back on the road to recovery that he was doing so well on.

Thankful,

Ariki & Marie

A word to your ear!

Hi! Lyon, just reading your mom's e-mail to us this morning gave me an encouragement that you know what's happening around you. You know everything that's happening."wow" praise God. Well I said last time that you can see and smell, now you know.   Well, a word to your ear; A lion never gives up, it always finds a way to survive the worst possible danger that comes it's way. You are a gift from God and God will always be with you.   To mom , the cub needs his heart and that you. Dad his strength  is you. The rest of us, we are his fortress. how wonderful   Love you tender, love you true, we will always be true. The gongs are ringing for a champion has come.   Akamaroiroi e Lyon Tehanana'ia, tei akeo te Atua I teia nei. Toou maroiroi no te Atua. Psalm 100. God bless you. Grandpa John.

Thank you

Dear Lyon Tehanana'ia;                                       Thank you for  your lovely photos with your beautiful parents Ariki and Marie.I can see now that you have put on some pounds wow!!! That is awesum you're a fighter and a very strong boy.The Lord is watching you everyday and all I have to do is to keep praying and that will take me to Kapiolani hospital to see you hahahaha.Its your mum and dads wedding anniversary today 20th August maybe you can confirm that with your parents.So you keep us posted with your latest poses haha, its just wonderful to see you in you parents arms.Take care and God bless you and your parents.I love you so much and smile God loves you. One day I will hold you in my arms and thank you once again for your photo poses. Many aroa, hugs and love from                                                      Grandma Tua Foster By the way you aunty Esther is fast asleep and also to Grandpa John                                            Have a good night.

Lyon is thriving. Thank God!!!

Happy anniversary

To Ariki and Marie,                                Kia Orana to you both in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Amen!                                 Congratulation to you both on your wedding anniversary and may God bless and guide every steps and ways you both take, and also congratulation also for the arrival of yours handsome son Lyon Tehanana'ia.Many aroa and love from all of us in Wellington. Take care and Kia Orana e Kia Manuia to you both.Love you all.                  Mum, dad and Esther xxxxxxxxxx