Baby Devin is here!

Devin James Rose came into the world at 10:04 on April 7^th. 8lbs even, and 21 in long.

Dan and I woke up at 3:30 a.m. on the 7^th to head to Dallas. I don’t think I slept that night, but we made to the hospital at 5:00 a.m. They first thought he might be here around 12:00 or sometime after, but in true Rose baby boy style, Devin didn’t want to keep people waiting. So, shortly before 10:00 they rolled us to the O.R. to get ready to meet our baby. At 10:04 Devin came into the world. I briefly caught a glimpse of him, as they rushed him back to the next team. He looked perfect, and very much like one of his 3 brothers. You would never know from the outside that his heart isn’t normal.

Dan and the cardiology team left the O.R. at Parkland Hospital shortly after to make the 11 minute run to the cath. lab at Children’s Dallas. The doctor who was doing Devin’s cath. procedure had ruptured his Achilles tendon the week before, but specifically waited to have his surgery so he could be there for Devin. Our cardiologist had said from the beginning, he is the only one you want to do this delicate heart procedure. We are beyond grateful he made that sacrifice to be there for Devin.

We know that many people were praying for all the doctors and nurses who would be there throughout all of this. Every person has been handpicked, and has gone above and beyond what needs to be done to help bring this little boy into the world, and help him thrive!

We were blessed with one very special nurse (who we also found out attends our church) who served us so well. Since she is a nurse, she was able to take pictures throughout birth, transporting him to surgery, and through the cath. procedure. As a photographer; this was a HUGE blessing. She also made sure I made it from my hospital to Devin’s hospital later that day, so I could meet my little man.  

His first night went as well as it could. There were no further complications with the heart catheter, so they were able to do his open chest banding procedure the following day. This was to help control the blood flow to his lungs to prevent damage.

Friday & Saturday evening have been much less eventful, which has been good. The staff pay attention to everything, and have been very thorough in explaining every little detail to us. They want us to know exactly what meds he’s on, where they want him to be, and their plan to get him there. We feel we are in the absolute best place for all of this to happen.

Today we got to see him open his eyes for the first time! Our little fighter is in there, and he looks like he’s trying to tell us all about it. He is intubated presently, so we haven’t gotten to hear him cry since he was born. We’ll get there. If he’s anything like his brothers, we know the day is coming where we’d like him to stop chatting. But for now, we can’t wait to hear any little noise!!

The next step in this process is waiting. Waiting to make sure he’s reaching the goals they want before they can schedule his first open heart procedure. We are obviously thrilled that so many prayers have been answered. From birth through 2 surgeries, he’s doing so well. We also still know things are not normal with his heart. Things could still change at a moment’s notice, so we appreciate your continued prayer that he will stay healthy. Any kind of sickness, infection, etc. could set us back and be dangerous for him.

Please continue also to pray for our family. Everything is still new to all of us, and we know these next coming weeks & months are going to be difficult for the other 3 boys, and our whole family as we won’t all be in the same place very frequently. Just pray for protection over all our hearts that the Lord would continue to sustain and bring peace to all of us.

Also pray for the many other families on this floor. As we get to know them, and hear their stories, it is just hard to hear what they are facing. I am so grateful for Children’s hospital, but so sad that means it is a hospital full of children.

Again, we can’t thank you all enough for your continued prayer and support of our sweet little Devin. We know your hearts are tied to his. We can’t wait to sit and tell him about all of this when he gets older, and how many people across the country were praying for him by name, and for his heart.

God is good, and so faithful. We have seen so many specific prayers being answered through all of this. To God be the glory.