Zachary's 1st Week

Blair and Keri want to first thank each and every one of you for your continued prayer, concern, and love.  Nothing has gone unnoticed but they are finding it difficult to have time to answer everyone’s questions about baby Zach.  They asked me (Keri’s sister, Sheila) to start this blog so they can direct everyone here and I will be working with them to keep this site as up to date as possible.

I will start from “the beginning”…




On Wednesday, July 25^th, Keri and Blair went in for their 34 week pregnancy check-up and the doctor had concerns that baby Zach may not be thriving as he should in the womb, so he made the decision to take Keri in for an emergency C-section. 

Zachary Charles Jones was born Wednesday, July 25^th at 6:38 pm. He weighed 3lbs 6oz and is just as handsome as can be!!! J  Keri is healing very well from surgery and feeling good.



Here he is sleeping so peacefully... handsome boy!



This one is from today (after IV was taken out) :-)

Since Zach was 6 weeks early, he was immediately transferred to the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) where he receives 24 hour care form nurses.  After he was born he was unable to fully breathe on his own so he was put on a respirator machine that breathed for him.  One day later the doctors determined he was strong enough to breathe with minimal assistance and they took him off the respirator machine.  They placed a tube on his nose to give him minimal assistance with breathing.  This was such a big step! Shortly after birth his doctor realized that his left arm was broken.  Nurses have bandaged and secured his arm and it is in the process of healing.

Over the weekend Zach had a small setback and was put back on the respirator machine and had to be given a blood transfusion.  Zach took very well to the blood transfusion.  As of Wednesday, August 1^st, the respirator was taken back off and he is fully breathing on his own (with NO help from the nasal tube)!  Also, today Zach is having his IV and pic line taken out… This means the only nutrients he is now receiving is breast milk (through his feeding tube).  He has gained a whopping pound in the last week so he is now weighing in at 4lbs 6oz!  This is also amazing news!  

Blair and Keri are still awaiting results from some blood work/tests that were taken after Zach was born.  They are hopeful that Zach’s doctor will return the results to them sometime next week.  At this time there is no indication of how long Zach will stay in the NICU.  There are no other updates at this time.

Blair and Keri want to reiterate their thanks and appreciation for the outpouring of concern and prayer for them during this difficult time.  As much as they want to talk to everyone individually, they just cannot answer all calls, messages, and texts at this time.  They feel that they need to focus every ounce of time/energy on Zach, Sydney, and of course prayer right now.  They cannot express enough how thankful they are for all the offers to bring meals/food but due to being at the hospital so much of the day they unfortunately cannot accept all offers.  They are also still respectfully requesting no visitors at this time.  Thank you so much for your understanding in this matter.   

Many people have asked what specific things they can pray for… 

Please pray about the following:

-For Zach’s body to get stronger everyday

-That he will have continued success with breathing

- For his arm to heal well

- That he will continue to gain weight at a healthy rate

-For encouraging test results next week

-For God’s comfort for Blair and Keri as this is an extremely stressful time for them

-For God’s comfort for Sydney during this confusing and difficult time

-And most of all give thanks for the positive steps already taken in Zach’s health

Philippians 4:6-7

“6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

~~You are encouraged to leave comments on the blog and

Blair and Keri will check them periodically~~