The Little Big Helper

Abby loves to help around the house and when she makes pizza with mom, she gets her own little batch. She had extra fun this time.


It's been hard to be away from Abby, but we had decided earlier that this was the best way. Now given the circumstances it affirms it was a good decision, but also harder than we thought. In November we were away from her for 7 days so we will be close to doubling. It's affecting mom the most as she spends the most time with her and most of her daily routine revolves around her.

She seems to be having a great time with those watching her as she hardly gives us a sentence on the phone:( But it may just be her way of dealing with it. We can't say enough about how much we appreciate those taking care of her while we are gone!!


This is Reina pulling Abby this weekend. Reina moved in with Grandpa and Grandma Uken last year to help with Stuarts allergies. Abby doesn't seem to miss her at home, but loves to play with her when they get reunited.

We are exited to see how Abby reacts when we get home. We are sure she will be trying to help take care of baby Isaiah from the get go. She already named one of her dolls after him and thinks he will be in her room right away. When asked if she wanted a baby brother or sister, she always said both! We will see if she's paitent on the sister part...

Isaiah has been eating and sleeping well and for the most part has his awake time during the day. He is a fairly calm baby and his rare crying is quite soft. We aren't complaining!

We got to watch Isaiah's Saints win on Sunday (we are only 1hr from NO). Daddy reminds him that Saints finish strong when he eats!

The storm surge from Katrina came just blocks from his hospital and it was a major emergency center after the storm. Everything seems to be cleaned up from the 2005 storm, but almost every residential beach front lost is still vacant and for sale.

We will be exited to introduce Isaiah to everyone when we return home. Just keep in mind that when we do venture out or if you visit that you may not be able to hold him due to the risk of catching a cold. Hopefully he gets strong this winter and it won't be as big of a conern in the future.

No word at this point of where the papers are at. We should know more tomorrow. After his appt. we will stop at a new hotel within an hour or two of the border. Needless to say we will be ready everyday to take off in a minutes notice.

Trying to patiently wait,

Stu, Tashia, Who Dat? Isaiah, and from far away Abby

He can send you anywhere from here

The truth found in James 4:13-15 is reality to us right now as it has been before. Anthony took us on a 2 week stint to Houston, TX. Now our latest son Isaiah sends us on the road to Mississippi with less than 24hrs notice. We knew it could happen fast and that we may be going to a state out of the region. Still, we were a bit unprepared, at least mentally for this.



About 3 weeks ago we opted to send our book to California for a baby due in February. We hadn't heard back on if we were picked and another baby in Louisiana was already born and leaving the hospital in a week. We again chose to send our book. 8 days ago Sunday at 5pm we got the call we were picked for the boy. He was ready to leave the hospital and he was actually in Mississippi on the coast. So we packed last minute for a 19 hour drive and up to a 10 day stay. It was a whirlwind to say the least.

We left Monday at noon and stopped at 9pm just south of St. Louis as neither of us are good night drivers. Tuesday at 4pm we arrived at the hospital and got to meet Isaiah for the first time. We agreed for one last night of good rest and began our "room in" with Isaiah the next day. After two days we brought him out to our temporary abode at the Hampton Inn just after lunch on Friday. We had originally hoped that the interstate paperwork would clear early and be able to leave Monday or Tuesday.

Well, God not only controls the where, but also the when. We learned that week long cold snap was too much for the deep south. The government building in Jackson that processes the papers was closed all week due to extensive water main breakages due to freezing. Also, Monday (today) is a holiday. So we reserved through Wednesday and will have an appointment 2 hrs north, then continue to the border for hopefully just a night or two. Then when we get word that the papers have cleard both states we will journey home.

Isaiah was actually born Oct 2nd of last year at 24-26 weeks and weighed 1lb 12oz. He has had a very difficult road to this point to say the least, but now is doing very well. He is now over 8lbs and his due date was originally this Wednesday. His journy may have more bumps in the road but we are hopeful that they won't be major. We had decided against a special needs child, but as we mentioned earlier, God had different plans.

Special needs is a broad term and Isaiah is probably on the light end of it at least at this point. He is currently on the lowest setting of oxygen and will probably be off that in the next few months. His biggest concerns are his eyes and his lungs. We have an appointment down here on Wednesday and hopefully it will show that his eyes are continuing to improve and will not need surgery. Due to his early arival plus his frequent and lengthy intubations he has chronic lung disease, which he should grow out of eventully. Catching a cold (RSV)or other virus is a major concern. He does have a few medications and treatments.

Compared to our first two boys, he demands much less time and precaution. However, due to his lungs we won't be venturing out much this winter. The cord from the oxygen tank isn't bad in the hotel room, but at home may be a bigger challenge. While he does have some minimal structural abnormalities (stridor) that give just a bit harder time breathing and sometimes a whistle you can hear. It was much worse a few weeks ago and hopefully will continue to improve as he grows.

With Tony and James, every little cough was a concern knowing that choking could follow and damage was taking place. We are getting used to not over reacting to that with Isaiah. It's also different holding a boy that has skin that doesn't blister from even a gentle touch. When Isaiah cries, which isn't very often, it's a comfort to know it's only from normal pain or need that any baby experiences. We didn't have Abby during most of her "baby" months, so we didn't have a chance to get over having a so called normal child.

We won't know for certain why we are here for an extended stay, but I'm sure dealing with these issues and our past is a benifit of this time. We are also making the most of this time by bonding with him, which is really important in the adoption process. Since not even grandparents can hold him the first week, it's actually easier for them!!





Well, we have much more to say about Isaiah and Abby, but will end this post for the day with plans to add more tomorrow in case we don't have internet at the next stop. We will have more pictures coming so be sure to check back.

While, we didn't sign up for a child like Isaiah, we know without a doubt that He was chosen for us. He is already a huge blessing in our lives and we look forward to bringing him home to meet everybody. You just won't be all able to hold him
right away.

Please pray for patience, for Abby and those caring for her, for us missing Abby and for Isaiah's continued progress in his health.

Trying to patiently wait,

Stu and Tashia and Little Man