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Baby Walt Update: 7 Months Old and Chunky as Can Be

Baby Walt Update: 7 Months Old and Chunky as Can Be

Miracle upon miracle upon miracle

It’s been a few months since I’ve shared an update on Baby Walt, mainly thanks to the world shutting down and life changing suddenly and dramatically, though not necessarily badly. Walt turned 7 months old last week, which is hard to believe and also, truly miraculous.

For those new to Baby Walt’s incredible and dramatic story, our little boy Walter was born November 24th via emergency c-section. Immediately after birth, he was diagnosed with an extremely rare heart condition called Ebstein’s Anomaly and life flighted to Houston’s medical center.

After a few horrifying weeks in the NICU, things took a turn for the worse and his doctors moved him to the PICU. On December 9th, Walt had heart surgery. Surgery which could not have gone better (according to the surgical team who was a-mazing). He then had to learn to breathe on his own, and he did. And the final boss was learning to eat, which took some time, but he eventually mastered. Miracle after miracle after miracle and he came home December 30th.

When he was born, we were told Walt might not make it through the night. But he did. Then we were told his heart might not be able to function properly. But after a little snip and tuck, it did. Then we were told his lungs might not work as they should and he might need a respirator indefinitely. But he didn’t. Last it was trouble eating and a call from a doctor on Christmas Eve explaining the potential need for a permanent feeding tube. Walt now weighs more than 20 pounds and is growing like a weed. He’s SO chunky and has the most adorable Michelin Man legs. It’s common for cardiac babies to struggle gaining weight and miss developmental milestones. Walt hasn’t dealt with either.

Our last pediatric cardiology appointment was at 6 months. It went so well that we don’t have to go back until his first birthday. Two issues they were continuing to watch are completely gone. While there’s still a mild malformation, his heart is functioning without issue.

He is the happiest baby ever. Truly. He is allllllll smiles unless he’s hungry or about to crash into napdom. He’s super playful. So far, has zero interest in learning to crawl and would rather stand up or pull himself up. And he adores his big sisters.

I hesitate to type this out of fear of jinxing us all, but Walt is finally sleeping decently long stretches at night. He’s on the verge of cutting what feels like 4 teeth at once. He blows raspberries all day long. It’s so sweet. He loves splashing around in the water, any water — pool, bath, he loves it and doesn’t like to get out. He has the most pitifully adorable lip roll when he meets a stranger or is upset by something.

Much life has happened since Walt arrived, but one thing remains constant — God is abundantly faithful. We may face trials and adversity (and have), but they do not bring us evil or harm. Rather, we’re refined. Our faith grows. Resolve is strengthened. And ultimately, everything works out for our good in ways that are truly unimaginable.

God has been with us and with Walt through this entire ordeal and months later, we are still seeing his provision and his providence in our lives and in the life of our son. Walt has rearranged our life and our priorities and shifted our view of… everything. In the best of ways. We’ve been and continue to be abundantly blessed by the prayers of so many people all over the world. Many we know, even more we do not. People earnestly and diligently praying for our son and our family. Easily the most amazing thing I’ve yet to experience in life and the true embodiment of the body of Christ. God is always and forever faithful.

The same day Baby Walt was life-flighted to the NICU in the medical center (I was in a hospital on the other side of town), I asked my Aunt to write “Psalm 91“, not the entire passage, but simply “Psalm 91” on a piece of paper and asked her to tape that piece of paper on Walt’s tiny little plastic box bed. She did. That piece of paper — dirty, crumpled, and worn, stayed on his bed until he was moved out of the PICU in preparation for coming home in a recovery that was marked with one miracle after another after another. It was with him to, through, and after surgery. Walt and his recovery are an incredible miracle.

I’m certain there are many other potential tragedies we’ve been spared because of God’s divine protection, because He honored His promise to keep us safe. He never fails to fulfill his promises when He’s reminded. Never.

As we continue on our journey, I hold on to this (and others daily), “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23

Thank you for praying for our son and for us. We thank you and we love you.

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Comments

healthguyfsu | June 30, 2020 at 8:07 pm

Did Baby Walt put on his COVID 15?

What a heartwarming story, Kemberlee. You and Walt are truly blessed.

Great news, bigger, stronger, faster

He’s an angel and you are blessed

I wanted to ask, do you feel you have to ask God to keep his promises to keep us safe?

notamemberofanyorganizedpolicital | June 30, 2020 at 8:53 pm

Exodus Chapter 23

25 And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.

legacyrepublican | June 30, 2020 at 8:58 pm

Thanks for the reason to smile. God bless!

So good to hear happy news these days. What an adorable little man!

Beautiful!
We sometimes forget what a wonderful world we live in that a baby like Walt can be saved by modern medicine.

Love the stars (and stripes?) outfit! Is that brisket on his mug?!? 😉

I’ve been thinking about the scripture that says we overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony (Rev. 12:11). Not “and reciting scripture” – but the “word of our testimony”. How I wish whenever we assembled it was to line up and testify … we’d all be emboldened and the enemy plugging his pointy ears!

Your testimony makes everyone who hears it stronger. Thanks for that!

perfect

Anyone else think that the first photo is “Strong candidate for a Gerber jar?”

Thank you for the news, Kemberlee! Glad to hear ALL of it! God’s blessings to you all!

Colonel Travis | July 1, 2020 at 12:16 am

So happy for your family, KK. Thank you for all these updates and it is so nice to read this amid all the nonsense going on in the world.

Such wonderful upbeat news! I am so happy for your family! Continued prayers going forward – please update us from time to time. I think your son has been permanently adopted into the LI family!

Wow! Baby Walt looks ready to enter in arm wrestling tournaments! Such wonderful, positive news. You must be so proud! God Bless you all.

Our prayers were answered.
A Great Grandfather

Close The Fed | July 1, 2020 at 9:01 am

He looks cuter all the time!

michaelharris99 | July 1, 2020 at 9:51 am

God bless Baby Walt.

Another Voice | July 1, 2020 at 10:58 am

So pleased to have you continue your updates on “Baby Walt”
and to share that joy to see how this little dude is blossoming.
Thank you for sharing.

SueBobTexas | July 1, 2020 at 11:14 am

The Houston hospitals are amazing. Our son had corrective heart surgery there over thirty years ago at the tender age of three weeks. He is now the father of a healthy son. We did save all his medical reports so that when his wife was pregnant they could share that information with the doctors. Best wishes for you and your family as baby Walt grows into a fine young man.

harleycowboy | July 1, 2020 at 11:27 am

Great news. I’m so happy for your family.

Beautifully written.

Oh, how did I manage to miss this? Thanks for the good news!

I was an adult with children of my own before I learned to recognize all the bad things I had missed, because I had vigorous, wily parents who chose to enjoy their children. Take care, and raise up a good man.

I absolutely adore the latest picture of happy chunky Walt! Our Lord definitely knows how to reveal his wonderful miracles to us. Walt is one of Our Lords most fabulous examples that Babies are wondrous
gifts of joy on this earth! I wish I could reach out to hold and kiss this sweet baby boy!
Your family is So blessed with Walt and your darling girls. May you continue to experience many more miracles as Walt grows! He Is such a handsome sweet baby boy! God Love You All!

I absolutely adore the latest picture of happy chunky Walt! Our Lord definitely knows how to reveal his wonderful miracles to us. Walt is one of Our Lords most fabulous examples that Babies are wondrous
gifts of joy on this earth! I wish I could reach out to hold and kiss this sweet baby boy!
Your family is So blessed with Walt and your darling girls. May you continue to experience many more miracles as Walt grows! He Is such a handsome sweet baby boy! God Love You All!