Parents-to-be are over the moon ecstatic when they discover they’re expecting a baby. Moms diligently take their prenatal vitamins, practice breathing techniques and dream of holding their newborn the instant they’re born. There’s a stroller to select, a nursery to paint, and baby names to pour over.
Julia and Jason Clardy were expecting their second baby, a little boy they planned to name Lawson. Julia, an elementary school teacher, had successfully surpassed the three-month mark in her pregnancy and felt great. But at 23 weeks’ gestation, baby Lawson had other plans.
Lawson arrived May 2, three months earlier than his due date. Babies that arrive before 26 weeks’ gestation are considered micropreemies, the tiniest of the tiny babies, according to Very Well.
However, micropreemies weigh less than one pound and surprisingly, Lawson weighed slightly more than a pound — one pound and seven ounces to be exact. He was only the length of a pencil, which earned him the nickname “pencil baby.”
Lawson was whisked off to the neonatal intensive care unit for critical care after his birth. He faced a gamut of health issues and, since he was born so early, he had a considerable amount of developing left to do.
Doctors told the couple that their son likely would not survive. He only had a 26 percent chance of living.
“Baby boy, there was not one second that the thought of you not being here crossed my mind. You were ready to fight because you have God on your side!”
Julia and Jason were beyond thrilled that their baby was alive and shared their sentiments on Facebook.
“We know God has amazing plans for Lawson and this is just the beginning of his testimony.”
Fourteen long days after Lawson was born, Julia was finally able to cradle her son, to hold him outside of the incubator. It was touch and go for months as Lawson endured numerous surgeries like a trooper, relying on a ventilator and other means to stay alive.
When Lawson turned two months old, she lifted him up and praised the Lord.
“Lawson, your daddy and I are constantly amazed at how God is using you for His glory! We will never forget the night they said you wouldn’t make it. We made a promise from that point forward we would keep our faith strong and our hearts full of joy, and boy have you blessed us in ways we never imagined.”
When Lawson reached his 100th day of life, Julia and Jason celebrated and praised God again and again. They testified on Facebook what a joyous time it was for them.
“Happy 100th day in the NICU to our pencil baby who is officially FOUR pounds over his birth weight and proving God’s faithfulness with every day that passes! Lawson, you’ve given us 100 days of pure happiness, 100 days of strength we never knew we had, and now we are 100 days closer to bringing you home! We love you so much and are so blessed to watch you grow and serve the Lord with your testimony at only 100 days old!”
On Aug. 15, Lawson passed a huge milestone — he was taken off the ventilator after enduring yet another surgery. As an educator, Julia spends a vast amount of time reading to Lawson who loves hearing his mommy’s voice. Since returning to work, it’s been difficult to leave her little boy in the hospital, but this little fighter is working hard at healing and eventually going home.
“Please keep those prayers coming because he still has some long days ahead as we transition him off the ventilator and start working with him on feeding again, BUT we are officially on the road again to getting this sweet boy ready to come home!”
What an amazing story of faith and healing! Prayers to little Lawson and his family as he continues his fight to survive.
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