It's been a difficult day for me emotionally. They told us we would be going home, and the day just dragged on and on, until finally they released us at 6:00 p.m. We're also having to catheterize him more than we expected, about every 3 hours. The nerves to Toby's bladder are damaged from the Spina Bifida, therefore affecting the muscle, so his bladder gets unusually large. To keep it from being enlarged, we have to catheterize him every 3 hours. Even then, we're getting large amounts, and I just wonder how we're ever going to get any sleep. He has several doctor's appointments already scheduled also, and that is overwhelming also. I wonder how I will be able to handle these new challenges and still be there for the other two boys. God has been continually asking me today if I will trust him. I know He is in control, and will continue to hold us in His arms. We choose to continue to trust HIM for HE has a perfect plan.
By Kellie Laug — Jan 4, 2007 7:54am
ReplyDeleteHello! My name is Kellie Laug I go to church with Valerie Burton. She shared a prayer request several months ago to pray for baby Toby and we did! Six years ago on the 22 of Jan. our third baby girl was born with Hydrocephalus. She has blessed our home in so many ways. God has tought us so many wonderful things. May the Lord bless you and keep you in his loving care:) Love, Scott, Kellie, Hannah, Abigail, Elizabeth, Lydia, Sophia, and Samantha.
By Lisa Belding — Jan 4, 2007 9:01am
ReplyDeleteWow! Three boys!!! I am so happy for you Bruce and Carrie - I love the pictures - Toby is soooo adorable!!!! (you look good too, Carrie - how do you do that?) Sounds like you'll be home with your new little one soon - I can't wait to meet him! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
Love and Prayers, The Belding Family
By Cheryl Fabian — Jan 4, 2007 2:32pm
ReplyDeleteDear Toby,
I can't wait to see you at home! I am glad to have a little brother. I love you! so does Grandma and Grandpa!
Love,
Your brothers,
Conor and Garrett
By Katie Miller — Jan 4, 2007 2:46pm
ReplyDeleteHi to all the Holts!
The pictures are sooo cute! I can't wait to see this sweet little boy! You all are looking wonderful, except Bruce looks sorta sleepy!!
Love and Prayers,
Katie
By John Holt — Jan 4, 2007 7:06pm
ReplyDeleteDear Toby,
We are delighted you are here, and that you got to go home today!! We will keep praying for you and your mommy and daddy too!. We love you,
Grandpa and Grandma Holt
By Adrienne Rose — Jan 4, 2007 11:47pm
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Holt Family!
I was so happy to hear that little Toby arrived and everything is going smoothly - I was praying for you last week. The teachers at Mom's Day Out are all praying for your family during this time. Tell Conor that we miss him and can't wait to see him. Toby is adorable! Take care.
-Adrienne Rose
By Mollie Bartlett — Jan 5, 2007 8:08am
ReplyDeleteHolt Family,
You do not know me but I feel like I know you. I attend Northwest Bible and I have been praying for you family. I just wanted you to know that you are surrounded in prayers, feel His arms around you during this time and the strength that you will receive will be from Him who provides so abundantly!
By Shannah Hogue — Jan 5, 2007 8:17am
ReplyDeleteHi Bruce & Carrie! I'm so glad to hear that Toby is doing so well, and that you both are, as well! Toby is absolutely beautiful (what a face!), and I said a prayer for you and for him today.
By Nellie West Tourney — Jan 5, 2007 8:21am
ReplyDeleteBruce, Carrie, Baby Toby and Boys
Congratulations on the new arrival ! He is so precious and beautiful. I will be praying for you as you get to bring him home and get adjusted to all the things a new little ones brings. God will give you the strength and knowledge to do all that is needed for your little guy. God only gives you what you can handle !
Lovingly in our Prayers and Hearts
Nellie & Family
By Amanda Butler — Jan 5, 2007 8:49am
ReplyDeleteBruce, Carrie, Conor, Garrett & Toby,
We love you guys and are so grateful for the blessing of your friendship. It has been beneficial in our lives to see the grace with which you have handled yourselves so far. We can't wait to get to know Toby. He's super cute! We continue to pray for you and think of you so often. Please don't hesitate to let us know how we can help.
Love, Bart, Mandy, Ben & Anna
By Kendra Tsibouris — Jan 5, 2007 9:24am
ReplyDeleteGood morning Bruce and Carrie,
What a beautiful baby! The pictures are wonderful. We have been praying for you all and are rejoicing that Toby's surgeries have gone well and that you are now home. I am sure that you are now feeling completely overwhelmed :), but we are praying that God will give you the strength to face each minute. He will provide all of the grace that you need when you ask Him. If you need an extra set of hands, please call me. I do not know how much help you have arranged.
Love and prayers,
By Stefani Harris — Jan 5, 2007 11:44am
ReplyDeleteBruce and Carrie:
Congratulations on your newest most-precious baby boy. We will say many prayers for Toby and his family. Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you. We will continue to pray that he will grow into a "healthy, happy" child (as we do for our Scarlett). God has certainly blessed you and will continue to provide for you as needed.
Many Blessings:
Kevin, Stefani and Scarlett Harris
By Jan Hutcheson — Jan 5, 2007 11:47am
ReplyDeleteDear Carrie, Bruce and boys. What a great website. Hutch and I have been praying for all of you and we are so happy to hear that Toby is doing well and is finally home. God has blessed him with such a loving Christian family. He is so cute!!! We hope you are getting some rest and are feeling better. Those first few weeks with a newborn are always a bit stressful, even without the challenges you are facing. When our son Jason was on a travel baseball team several years ago we became friends with a couple who also had a little girl with spina bifida. They had two other children as well. Megan was wheelchair bound but was very self-sufficient and a delightful gal. Since we travelled with this family, we witnessed their daily routine and marveled at how smoothly things went. We've lost touch with the family over the years but heard that Megan went to college and leads a very active and happy life. She was a blessing to her family and friends. Just wanted to share this with you to give you some encouragement. We will continue to pray for you and please let us know if we can be of any help. Love, Jan, Hutch and Family
By Angela Stacy — Jan 5, 2007 1:26pm
ReplyDeleteDear Holt Family,
Congratulations on the birth of Toby. What a sweet, beautiful baby. You are in my thoughts and most certainly my prayers. May God grant you the strength, patience and wisdom for whatever may lie ahead.
By Julie Seely — Jan 5, 2007 2:41pm
ReplyDeleteI'm one of your praying friends from Northwest Bible. Thank you for posting this precious photo ofyour little guy so we can all love on him from a distance.
May God give you strength for each day's demands as you carry out the mission He has assigned to you. And may your little Toby, custom designed by the Creator, grow in stature and in favor with God and with men. Love, Julie Seely
By Karla Tolson — Jan 5, 2007 5:34pm
ReplyDeleteCarrie, thank you for sharing Toby's story and progress with us. Praying for you and your family as I have been this fall at WOW.
By Jane Underwood — Jan 5, 2007 5:38pm
ReplyDeleteSo glad that you are doing this. Kent and I will continue to pray for all of you and for little Toby. If your Mom needs a break with the babysitting I will be glad to come over and watch Connor and Garrett, By the way, your Christmas picture was great! We will be praying --you are very special to us, Love Kent and Jane
By Sonya Judkins — Jan 5, 2007 8:49pm
ReplyDeleteToby is a beautiful little boy! You are daily in our prayers. I love you guys so much!!! Remember to take one day at a time and enjoy being mommy to three wonderful boys.