It’s been a long times since I did a Baby Walt update post. Over a year, in fact. For a few reasons. One — that he’s doing so well. And two, it’s hard. Hard to venture back into two years ago when my little man made a dramatic arrival, turned blue, and was whisked away in a helicopter to another hospital where he wasn’t expected to make it through the night.
But Adonai is a faithful King. An incredible and faithful Lord. And my son, who was born with an incredibly rare heart defect, is now two-years-old continues to baffle doctors.
For those not acquainted with Baby Walt‘s story, my son is a walking miracle. We were not aware of his heart condition until he was born via emergency c-section just before Thanksgiving two years ago. 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. A week later, Walt had heart surgery. Surgery which could not have gone better (according to the surgical team who was a-mazing). But then he wasn’t waking up, neurology got involved, but moms just know things about their babies and I assured them he was sensitive to medication. The next day he was up and awake. 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.
The horrors were many. His first Thanksgiving with us was particularly awful. But God was with us, is with us, and remains with us and with my son every step of the way. He is Emanuel. No sooner did an obstacle arise than a solution was presented.
To fully appreciate how amazing his story is, I refer you to previous posts which chronicle his early months in greater detail.
Walt is now a gianormous little man. Off the growth charts (heart babies tend to struggle gaining weight, but not this little guy). A baby no more, we are firmly into the twos. He can single-handedly destroy a room in 30 seconds. It’s impressive. He loves cookies, is enjoying looking at Christmas “treets”, and loves anything with wheels. Walt takes great joy in making us laugh and would live outside if I let him. If there is a machine making noise, he appears to check it out. He’s also learned how to drag things around to climb to reach whatever it is he thinks he has to have — pray for me. Walter typically eats more than I do at any given sitting, but is at least polite while stuffing his face, saying “more pease” when he would like more to eat. He makes frequent appearances in work Zoom calls and pound my laptop keyboard with his giant little man hands turning things on and off, requiring me to become far more familiar with my computer’s functionality than I’d like. Most notably, he is the most consistently, genuinely happy and joyful little person I have ever met.
We last visited the cardiologist this summer and we don’t have to go back until next summer. Our conversations moved from potential procedures, to conversations in which they are baffled by how Walt’s heart remains malformed, but it’s functionality is not impaired — something they say is highly unusual. Adonai be praised.
There is so much I could say about Walter’s story and the work the Lord has done in him and through him. But as I sit here next to the glowing Christmas lights, remembering Walter’s first months here, I am humbled to serve a God who is faithful to keep His Word. Who leaves no concern or care unattended. Whose love is so vast and profound that He sacrificed His own son to reconcile us back to Him. And to know the love of His Son who willingly gave His life in our place.
During one of the hardest times of my life, so many of you were faithful to pray for us. The Legal Insurrection family is just that — a family. The love, kindness, and support I experienced through that time was truly amazing.
There were many times I was sitting in the hospital, next to Walter’s little plastic box, where I read through comments on posts and they strengthened me and encouraged me when I desperately needed it. Thank you for loving us and for praying for us. I am truly, eternally grateful for you. I thank you, and I love you.
A verse that is forever seared into my spirit and soul, one that I clung to during Walter’s early months — Hebrews 10:23, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” Always faithful. And He will never, ever put our hope to shame. “The Scripture says, No man who believes in Him [who adheres to, relies on, and trusts in Him] will [ever] be put to shame or be disappointed.” — Romans 10:11 (see also Romans 5).
As we head into Christmas week, may His perfect shalom rest upon you and in you. May you be blessed with love and joy in exceeding abundance, and may His perfect, encompassing love envelop you and restore you to wholeness.
Merry Christmas, y’all.
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