September 2

I just want to get the update from yesterday far, far away so I’m going to tell you all about today.

This morning we went to the hospital and they had taken Lydia off the CPAP and didn’t even bother to put her on the nasal cannula because she was breathing so well on her own. They took her out of what we like to call the baby toaster and put her into a new, bigger crib that we are affectionately calling the baby cage. She was also in a lovely pink dress today and everyone kept telling us that she was born to wear pink!

She breathed on her own the entire day and did so wonderfully. There is still the possibility that she might be working a little too hard and need a little help again from the nasal cannula, but since she seems to do so well without any help, we’re hoping they’ll leave it off.

She was also moving a ton more today than we have seen her move and she was awake for longer periods of time than normal ( thirty minutes at a time). She got pushy with us when we were trying to move her arms and legs all around and would pull herself away or stubbornly refuse to move anymore. It seems like she’s getting stronger and the exercises we learned from the PT seem to be helping her figure herself out.

She also got a massage today, which she slept through entirely, but the nurses say it will help make her more aware of her body and strengthen her muscles.

In case you couldn’t tell from my overall happy tone, today was a much better day. We woke up this morning with such a sense of peace that whatever happens, whatever we have to do to take care of her, we’ll be able to do it. It’s so difficult in the face of such awful news to let your heart fall into despair and we did. But today, we had renewed hope and all of her seemingly small improvements today added to it. Our amazing God again gave us grace for this day and joy in the precious gift He has given us.

After absorbing all the doctor said at Monday’s meeting, which took us a little while, we feel ready to bring her home. There are a lot of things that have to happen before we’ll be able to do that and we’re hoping to meet with the doctor tomorrow or Friday to get things put into motion to get her home.

Today, God kept reminding me of how hard we prayed that He would bless our lives with a child. For two years we asked that He would give us the child that He wanted us to have in the time that He wanted us to have her. We can’t doubt that our God answers prayers because He has done exactly what we asked Him to do. It wasn’t what we expected, but we cannot doubt that He has heard us and although we still struggle, when we look in her sweet face, we can’t be anything but thankful for the good gift He has given us.

Thank you again and again for your prayers. We’re pretty sure they are what keeps us upright most days. Please don’t stop! We sure do need you. Also, thank you to everyone who has offered support in other ways. We’re so overwhelmed and blessed by your offers, but we’re having a hard time responding to all of them. Please know that whether we ask for your help or not, we count it a gift to have it offered and are so thankful for each of you.

Love to you all!