2 Appointments a Week for BPP

     Whew!  This week I've started going to the high risk OB doctor two times a week.  Blessings that I'm able to go the Franklin office for these appointments until we get closer to the due date.  It makes a big difference to not have to drive into Nashville that often.  It is challenging enough to squeeze in these appointments with the rest of "life" that goes on with four other kiddos!  As soon as I got finished on Tuesday, the wonderful school nurse called and said that Jake had a terrible headache.  He had no fever or other symptoms (to which Daddy said, "Send him back to class.  He's not sick!")  I completely agreed with him recalling that I never missed a day of school!  However, a little snuggle time was just what we needed that afternoon.  :o)  Of course, that didn't last long, as he was out the door playing the entire afternoon!
    I'm going twice a week now for a BPP (Biophysical Profile).  Basically this is an ultrasound that looks for 4 criteria.  One thing in particular that they look for that could make the test take longer each time is for "practice breathing".  Our little one has done it successfully both days.  She said sleepy babies tend to not show this as easily.   Baby is definitely NOT sleepy.  It is super active!  Prayers that these tests continue to show what they are looking for.
   I met with our Priest, Father Bala on Thursday, after my doctor appointment.  He was very comforting and shared with me a bible verse that I'm holding close to my heart now.  It is from Sirach 38: 1-12.  Hold the physician in honor, for he is essential to you, and God it was who established his profession.  From God the doctor has his wisdom, and the king provides for his sustenance.....
     I encourage you to look up the complete verse and pray it for the doctors and surgeons that are preparing for our baby.
     I am 33 weeks along today... so 7 more weeks to due date!

CHD Awareness Week

This week is Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week.  It is so appropriate that the week we all celebrate love is correlated to these sweet, precious little ones.  We attended a luncheon at Vanderbilt today to spread awareness as well as to hear a proclamation from the Governor of Tennessee on CHD's.  Jake got to miss a bit of school to attend this and was so concerned during the whole event with the time and what he was missing.  We have learned firsthand how important for research on CHDs is to be encouraged and funded as well as for pregnant mothers to know questions about the heart that they need to ask during their ultrasounds and have a pulse oximetry screening when the baby is born.  It is so scary to think that 1 out of 100 children will be born with a form of a CHD.  We had no idea when Jake was born a "healthy" baby that he actually had a CHD that sent his little body into shock and almost toxic at 9 days old.  We are so blessed to celebrate his special heart, loving spirit, strong mind, athletic body, and truly incredible life.

Ob measurement update

I had my appointment this morning with the high risk OB doctor.  They do an ultrasound every appointment to measure anything and everything about the baby, but mainly they are looking to ensure that he/ she is growing.  With the two vessel umbilical cord that this baby has (instead of the typical 3 vessel cord), sometimes, babies don't get the nutrients they need to continue growth, which would be very dangerous.  So far, our little baby has grown great and is perfectly average.  It measured 3 pounds 12 ounces today and was in the 53 percentile.  Yea!  Praying for continued growth.

Pièce de Résistance

     Today we had a big appointment that turned into over 4 hours at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital.  As we were waiting, one of the cardiology nurses walked by and said hi.  She was actually the nurse at the first school I taught at in Collierville, Tara Oaks.  We had worked very closely at the time, because of a little guy I had in my class that had a g-tube.  It is a small world!  (and God definitely has people walk through our lives for a reason!)
     First, we met with the cardiologist and she did a fetal echocardiogram.  She had difficulty when she was trying to see the hole in between the two ventricles.  The baby was turned so that its spine was causing a shadow over the parts she was trying to see.  It's amazing how they can see and zoom in on parts of the heart as small as a tiny hole in between ventricles!!  The cardiologist said during the last appointment that she doesn't like to refer to babies as "it", and since we aren't finding out the gender that last appointment she would say, "he" and this appointment baby would be "she".  It made for funny moments as Zack thinks it is probably a boy (based on the stats of HLHS) and he said it would actually be a big surprise if the baby was a girl!
    We also met with the Child Life Specialist.  She asked about how the siblings are doing and what kinds of questions they are having.  She said she would be there to help with the kids' transitioning through all of this when the baby is born.  The kids will get to go to the appointment in March and she'll give them a tour of the hospital.
     Lastly, we met with the surgeon.  Dr. Mettler was great.  I'm sure I'll repeat this again, but I just get blown away when I see the surgeon's hands.  I just think what a gift God has given him to be able to perform surgery on an infant's heart!  His personality is a lot like mine.  He said that he is very Obsessive- Compulsive.  I told him that is perfect!!!  He trained at 3 of the top heart institutes, Michigan, Boston, Virginia and even is the son of a heart surgeon.  Zack and I felt very good about putting our precious baby in his hands.  He did go through the stats of HLHS and his personally.  It can be terrifying to hear; however, we need to know the realities of what we are facing, but as the surgeon said, we believe in a big GOD!...and as I keep praying, that God is the greatest Physician!
     He did say that Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome is the Pie'ce de Re'sistance of all pediatric cardiac surgeries.  I acted like I knew what he was talking about, but had to ask Zack later.  He said that it means that the procedures (surgeries) are the crowning moment, or highlights of his career.  It's like the ultimate surgery.
     We pray that God watches over the baby and it continues to grow (I'm doing my part of eating a lot to assist in this!) as well as goes full term.  These are very important factors for the baby to be ready for surgery.  I also say prayers of thanks for friends that help out with the siblings at home as we were at the hours of appointments.  I felt mentally exhausted, but know they were probably physically worn out!!  :o)
     As we get closer to the baby's due date (10 weeks from tomorrow), I believe this will be our family's Pie'ce de Re'sistance!  Our children will see God through the miracles of this baby!
 

Birthday

Birthdays are one of my most favorite days of the year.  I think they should be celebrated weeklong.  Yesterday being my birthday, the family was very good to me, starting off with a VERY early awakening to see if we got any snow or ice that would cancel school (which we did not).  So off we went to Chick Fil A for a quick breakfast before school.  Of course, not without tears over why they couldn’t eat first before we left.  Then we get there and they ate all of their food and most all of my breakfast.  It was a fun day made special by lots of phone calls, emails, texts, and a sweet friend that brought lunch and a playdate for the kiddos so we could enjoy mommy talk. Then the reality of our typical crazy afternoon filled with ortho appointment, talent show tryout, then the mad rush to feed them dinner, homework, get ready for school the next day and then to bed. Loved every minute of it, but had a bit of a meltdown as the day came to an end and was “saddened by my gifts”.  As I type this now, I realize how SELFISH this sounds... but really, realize that it wasn’t the gifts I didn’t receive, but the reality that noone could get what I really longed for, for me, that made me upset.  I think somehow in my silly head, I just wanted to blow out candles, make a wish, open my eyes, and that wish would come true-- that the squirming little baby in my tummy would be healthy and I was dreaming all this and on my way to a vacation getaway!... Well, reality check. Back to potty training and the much needed everyday distractions. 

Look At You Now (HD) - Vanderbilt Childrens & Mark O'Shea

     I was blessed to meet last night with two HLHS heart moms.  They shared stories and experiences that will help prepare me, such as what to expect the first time we see little baby after the surgery.
     Ironically, today, one of the ladies posted the above video that was done a few years ago at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital by musician Mark O'Shea, who was born with a congenital heart defect and wrote this song.  I hope I posted it right, you may need to go to you tube and either search Mark O'Shea "Look at You Now", or put the following link into your browser:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=c_S9H66_vpM
     I couldn't believe that she posted it, for our Jake, who was born with the Congenital Heart Defect, CoArctation of the Aorta, was actually in the video (he's almost two years old in the video).  He's at frames 2:04 and 2:36 and then we are briefly all in the quick last couple of frames.  It brought pouring tears down my face as I saw this and heard the words for the first time in 4 1/2 years.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE this song.  LOOK AT YOU NOW!  How amazing and so true.  Jake is doing so great and most have no idea of his heart condition.  It doesn't and won't slow him down a bit!  Looking at him and seeing the miracle God gave us in keeping him alive at 9 days old; and now, such a healthy, smart, athletic, and determined little boy, I know this little baby will be in a video in a few years singing, "Look at me now"!

Pray with a Thankful Purpose

Today I strive to pray with a thankful purpose.  As I pray to God, thanking Him for all that He has given us, including the challenges laid forth ahead of us, my attitude will become positive.  For He does not see them as challenges, which therefore, I should also think as He does, but rather as opportunities.