more Leo!

Leanne updated her blog today with lots more pics of Leo! Check it out here!

guess who?

drank out of a bottle this weekend?

This guy did! He drank 10 ml from a bottle and then got the rest in his feeding tube. Leanne got to feed him his first bottle! Leo is continuing to do great! Thanks so much for praying for Leanne, Ryan, and Leo. Please keep praying!

Please help!

I am sure you have been waiting for another way to help Leanne, Ryan, and Leo :)

Well, here it is!

There is this amazing website called Care Calendar and it is a way to organize help for a loved one who needs it. So here is the link to the calendar we have set up for Leanne, Ryan, and Leo:

http://carecalendar.org/logon/98734

When you get to the site, please use the following information to log in to their calendar:

    CALENDAR ID:   98734
    SECURITY CODE :   8797

On this website there are a few ways you can help:

1. Bring meals
2. Run errands (Target, grocery shopping, etc)
3. Housework

 When you get to the calendar, you can click on a particular need you would like to help meet. Then you will be asked to fill in some information. After entering your information, please scroll down and click Sign Up. Then, your name will show up on the calendar to let others know this need has been filled. You will also receive an email as a reminder that you signed up to help.

If you live far away, but would like to help here are some suggestions:

• Gift cards to Target to purchase groceries, cleaning supplies, etc.
• Gift cards to grocery stores in the area: Cub Foods, Wal Mart, and Rainbow Foods
• Continue to pray!

update!

Thought it was time for an update! Leanne was discharged from the hospital on Friday and has been resting and recovering. Since Leanne and Ryan cannot be at the hospital with Leo all the time, Grover keeps Leo company.

 Leo took a vacation under the lights and mom and dad had to join in the fun with their shades!

And lastly, Leo got to wear his first outfit ever! Then, later he initiated his mommy and daddy into the parent club by peeing and pooping on them :)

Leo update: He is doing great, off all oxygen, moving in the right direction. Eating more every other feeding and decreasing his IV. Loves skin to skin snuggle time with mom and dad. Again, he is doing great!

Leanne update: Her oncologist said Friday that the tumor looks like the medicine is working already! Praise the Lord! We go back in 3 weeks to determine what the next step is.

Thanks for continuing to pray for Leanne, Ryan, and Leo. Here are some specific requests:

• Praise! They are so thankful for the nurses and doctors that cared for Leanne this week and their wisdom and compassion.
• Praise! For Leanne and Ryan being able to snuggle Leo daily.
• Praise! They are so thankful for the knowledgeable nurses and doctors that care for Leo daily.
• That the tumor would keep responding to the medicine and shrinking.
• That Leanne would continue to heal from surgery.
• That Leo would keep growing and doing well.
• That Leanne and Ryan would have peace as they leave Leo each night. They know he is in the best hands but it is still hard.

As promised ...

Here are lots of pics of the Miller 3!

First, here is a pre-surgery picture of Mommy and Dr. Daddy.

Now for some Mommy and Leo moments

And we don't want to forget the Daddy moments

The whole family :)

I couldn't leave out the pictures of sweet Leo!

Look at that precious face!

He is on some oxygen and does have a feeding tube

Working on that sucking reflex

And for a size comparison, here is Leo next to Ryan's hand

A little update about Leanne:

With the great news yesterday that the cancer has not spread anywhere else in her body, the doctor's have changed their plan of care for Leanne. Right now they are trying some hormone therapy to slow the growth of the tumor. (The cancer Leanne has is hormone driven, so they are essentially trying to take its food away) We do know that most likely a combination of more chemo, radiation, and surgery are in the future. We just don't know when. But, like the past few months, we will trust God that He will give the doctor's wisdom to know how to best treat this cancer.

We still need lots of prayer! So please keep praying for Leanne, Ryan, and Leo:

• Praise! that Leanne and Ryan were both able to hold Leo
• Praise! that Leanne and Ryan have both been able to get good rest
• Pray that Leo would continue to grow healthy and strong
• Pray that the cancer would quit growing
• Pray for wisdom and knowledge for the doctors and nurses that are treating Leanne and Leo
• Peace for Leanne, Ryan, and their families as they await what the future holds for them
• Peace for Leanne and Ryan as they head home (either Friday or Saturday)

Great news!

No baby pictures today (I promise there will be some tomorrow), but we got some great news today. After two scans today, the doctors told Leanne that the cancer has not spread anywhere else in her body!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Later this week Leanne will know more about the plan of action for her care.

On a Leo note, he was moved from the NICU to the special care nursery this afternoon. The special care nursery is for babies like Leo who just need a little more attention than is given in the typical newborn nursery. He is also off his CPAP! Meaning, he does not have to wear his oxygen face mask anymore. And Leanne got to hold his sweet little head today! Such a special moment for this new mommy :)

Keep those prayers coming! We are so thankful for your partnership in that way.

Introducing ...

Leo Christopher Miller

3lbs 9oz

17 1/4inches

Isn't he precious?!?! Sweet Leo was born via c-section this morning at 11:37am. He is in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit), but doing great! Leanne is recovering well and very thankful to have such a sweet baby boy to celebrate. And Ryan is one proud Daddy! Both sets of grandparents have been to the hospital and are prouder than words can express. And all the Aunts, Uncles, and cousins send LOTS of love from far away! A little meaning behind the name ... Leo is Ryan's grandpa's name who passed away when he was younger; Christopher is Leanne's dad's name. And Miller is obviously their last name :)

Even though things didn't go as planned, we are so thankful for your prayers. Besides, God's plan is far better than anything we could ever think or imagine! (Jeremiah 29:11-13) Please continue to keep Ryan, Leanne, & Leo in your prayers. Here are some specifics:

• PRAISE!!!!!!!!!! the Lord for a beautiful baby boy!
• Praise! that Leanne was able to deliver Leo without complication
• Pray that Leanne and Ryan can enjoy Leo without the burden of what lies ahead
• Pray for wisdom for the doctor's and nurses as they determine the next steps in the care of Leo and Leanne
• Pray for strength for Ryan as he leads and makes decisions for his new family of 3
• Pray for rest for Leanne and Ryan
• Pray that Leanne's pain would be under control
• Pray for wisdom & knowledge for the doctor's as they determine the plan for Leanne based on the results of scans she will have done tomorrow.

Thanks for praying and keep checking back for updates!

Almost here!

 

Leanne is 32 weeks and Grover will be here tomorrow! The excitement is intoxicating! Amidst all the tough stuff going on with Leanne, God has such a blessing in store for them. As they head into the hospital tonight we ask that you would be so faithful in prayer over the next 24 hours. Here are some very specific requests from Leanne. Please pray for:

• A natural delivery for Leanne
• Wisdom for Dr's & nurses as they guide Leanne and Ryan in making decisions
• Peace for Leanne and Ryan as they navigate the care of Leanne & Grover
• The ability to enjoy every moment with Grover without the burden of what's ahead
• God to reveal His plan for Leanne, Ryan, & Grover

**From Leanne: Thanks for every single text, email, message, card, & letter. We have read all of them and appreciate it more than you know. It has been such an encouragement. You are such a blessing to us. We wish that we had enough time to respond to each one of you, but we can't. We love you all and can't wait to introduce our son to you tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!

celebrate!

There has been a lot to celebrate! We celebrated that Leanne has made it to 30 weeks!

Only 2 more weeks and we get to meet sweet, little Grover!

Leanne and Grover were celebrated in Henning with Ryan's family & friends. Isn't that diaper cake the cutest?!

Leanne got tons of cute stuff! Thanks to all who were able to celebrate with Leanne in Henning.

After Christmas, Leanne and Grover were honored at a shower in Eden Prairie.

Once again, Leanne and Grover were showered with lots of love and cute stuff! Thanks for coming out and loving on Leanne.

Please continue to pray for Leanne, Ryan, and Grover as they await Grover's arrival on January 10th. Please pray for:

• Safe, natural delivery for Leanne
• Continued growth for Grover
• Continued health for Leanne
• Peace for Leanne, Ryan, and Grover

Thanks for all of your love and support!