Up to 1500!

At Sutter checking counts... Hoping they've gone UP!

2 teeth in 3 days

Isaiah is feeling fine. Low blood counts don't typically affect the way he feels. We're feeding him lots of iron and good supplements and praying for his immune system to be strong. We go back to the clinic on Wednesday.

He's lost 2 teeth in the last 3 days, leaving a significant hole in his grill. The top one came out when his sister yanked a water bottle out of his mouth; the lower we pulled out this afternoon because "it was time." Here's his note he stuck under his pillow (I think he must have dictated it to his sister).

(more pics of Matthias at nathanoates.com)

overheard...

Carmen: Isaiah, you've got to start doing something with your hair. You look like a banty hen.

Isaiah: I already told you, I don't care!

Carmen: Well you should!

Isaiah: (pauses, appears to think, then states as a matter-of-fact) But I don't!

low counts... shoot!

Just got back from our regular trip to Sutter for Isaiah's blood check. His counts have been low for a month but are very low today: just 200. At this level he is unable to fight infection so we'll be keeping things close to home for a while. He came home and went straight to his bed to sleep.

Would you pray for strong health and protection from disease? Thank you for your strong support.

more pics (because I can't help it)

good friends

Grateful for the good friends who have stuck with us through this journey. Please stay with us and continue to pray for Isaiah through this third year of treatment.

Here's a great shot (taken by Angela) of Jacob and Isaiah.

huge thanks...

...to our midwives. They were a joy to work with.

Read 8 things I learned from our midwives about how to be a better pastor here.

summer's last sprint

I ran a one mile run. It was hard! I thought I might stop running when I was halfway done. I started to cramp in my side. I ended up finishing in seventh place. I was proud of myself for finishing in seventh place. As soon as I finished I was very tired. I thought next time that I ran a mile like that I should probably try going slower at the first part of the race. - Isaiah

introducing...

Matthias Judah Rojas Oates

Matthias – “Gift of God” A disciple of Jesus who follows in humble anonymity until (in Acts 1:26) he is chosen by God for leadership. He serves faithfully his whole life.

Sienna and Isaiah prayed for a baby for a long time. We joyfully receive Matthias as a gift from God.

Judah – “Let God be praised” Our prayer is that our son will praise God and that others will praise God because of his life.

Our hearts are filled with praise for this baby and for his peaceful, safe home birth.

Rojas – Carmen’s maiden name, given with gratitude for her family and in honor our children's Nicaraguan heritage.

born: Monday, September 14, 2009 at 11:28 a.m.

20.5 inches 7 pounds, 15 ounces

born at home

beautiful day

Our baby boy was born at 11:28 a.m. today!

Carmen's contractions began at about 3:30 a.m. She labored hard and then pushed for about 35 minutes. She was an absolute warrior: focused and strong. I am so proud of her.

Both mom and baby are doing well. We are so grateful for his health. He's slept most of the afternoon and is nursing well.

We're sleeping on his name and will joyfully announce it in the morning.

Thank you for praying for us and cheering us on. It was an absolutely beautiful day.

still waiting...

Still waiting...

Beautiful Bellies!

The evolution of baby arrival...

big, bigger, out.

Hey Oates! You're up!

any day...

Me: well Buddy, are you feeling strong and courageous?

Isaiah: heck ya.

Driving to the clinic for regular blood check. Isaiah is feeling strong.

more man club pics

As the sun came up, the reflection on the water was incredible.

Isaiah was first in the water... and it was cold!

Steve got some good jumping shots!

man club

We started at Pink Box Donuts at 6:30. Then it was off to the American River Confluence for an early morning swim and a lot of rock jumping, rock throwing, and gold mining. Great time with some solid dads and great boys - all "who would be men."

On the way out we found a "geo cache" with the help of Steve's GPS unit. The hunt was exciting; the contents not so much.

camping

We had a great time camping last weekend. It was all boys, all the time: throwing rocks at bottles, sword fighting, shooting bows, capture the flag, huge wrestling matches in a tent, playing with pocket knives, building fires... Isaiah absolutely loved it.