Evan Comes Home!

We were overjoyed when we found out that Evan would be discharged from the hospital on May, 9, 2012.  We were so excited to bring him home with us!  We arrived at the hospital that morning with his carseat.  After his checkup and going over his dismissal paperwork, we dressed him in his going home outfit and were off to take our baby boy home.  We waited so long to have him home and the day had finally arrived!  Praise God for this special day!

Fresh Beat Band Concert

If you are a preschooler or have a preschooler, you know who the Fresh Beat Band are.  They are a preschool band that has a show on Nick Jr.  Ava is addicted!  She has been in love with the show for two years now.  She knows all of the songs and most of the moves in their dances.  When Bryan found out they were going to be in concert and coming to Texas, he quickly bought tickets for Ava's birthday.  This was such a perfect "Daddy Daughter Date!"  She was so excited to go see them live.  She got a Fresh Beat Band Shirt and insisted that Daddy buy one for her brother.  "So sweet!"  She loves him already.  She loved singing and dancing along with her favorite television characters! 

Make a Joyful Noise Unto the Lord

Evan's early arrival allowed me to attend Ava's end of the year musical and birthday.  How blessed we are to have spent 4 wonderful years with her.  This time was much needed, since we had been spending most of our time at the hospital with Evan.  Ava loved that this day was completely devoted to her.  Family came in town for this special occasion.  He grandpa, Oma, and Bebe were there.  We all attended her musical that morning and much to our surprise, she sang beautifully.  She did the arm movements and everything.  During her Christmas musical she held her head down and didn't sing a note, but this time she sang loudly for all to hear.  We were so proud of our little angel.  Then we headed to Chuck-E-Cheese (her choice) for a little birthday celebration with family.  She enjoyed her Hello Kitty Cake, meeting Chuck-E-Cheese, playing games with Grandpa and of course the presents :)!  What more can a girl ask for?  Happy 4th birthday Ava!      

Welcome Evan Joshua Bannister!

On Friday, April 13, 2012 at 9:10 am God blessed us with a beautiful baby boy.  We named him Evan, meaning God is gracious.  After Evan was born, he had trouble breathing and was taken to the NICU.  Throughout the day,  Evan's condition grew worse.  First his lungs were sticking together and he was diagnosed with premature lung disease.  By the evening, the doctors told us that Evan had pulmonary hypertension and would need to be put on Nitric Oxide.  The next 24 hours would be critical  We were devastated! We prayed that if it was God's will, that He would save our son.  After 24 hours, Evan was in stable condition.  We were relieved and thankful for God's favor, The next month would be a journey as we tried to live at the hospital and take care of a vivacious 4 year old.  Evan slowly was weaned from both the nitric oxide and the oxygen and after two weeks he began the task of learning how to eat.  Evan struggled with eating, but slowly gained the strength needed to take 8 feedings in a day.  We are so blessed to have Evan in our lives.  He is truly our miracle baby!  We hadn't come up with a middle name for our son until 5 minutes prior to having to finalize his birth certificate and it couldn't have been more perfect.  Joshua, meaning God saves.  Evan Joshua Bannister....what a testimony his life is already!