A Quick Update

This is really just a quick update, because I don't want to leave you all hanging, especially when you are all in prayer for our little girl. I do want to post some new pictures, but I will have to do that tonight, so check back for those later, ok?

We talked to Isabella's doctor on Monday and found out some interesting things. We definitely had NO IDEA just how sick our little dolly was. I was getting frustrated that she just seemed to sleep through every feeding (She would barely latch on), would not even consider the bottle, and would end up having to take breast milk through a feeding tube. I made sure to not show my feelings of disappointment, but I suppose they showed through because the doctor made it a point to let me know that it was to be expected. He said that she is still recovering from being very ill. That she still has some of the sedatives in her body, so she is going to remain sleepy for days. That her throat probably is really sore from the ventilator tubes. That she has been through so much her first week of life (She is 8 days today, woohoo!), and once the sedatives are worn off completely, she is weaned from the IV's, and off the antibiotics (today is the last day), we should start to see her waking up more and taking the breast and/or the bottle. He also said that when he first met Isabella he was "very concerned about this little girl". He said that as he watched her and saw how sick she was he was seconds away from "chemically paralyzing" her. WHAT?!! I had no clue. I knew that she was having a hard time, but not to the point of this. The first pediatrician had said this would be the worst case scenario, but I guess I was in denial. In denial that she was really that bad off. I look back now and realize that it was the Lord protecting me and Tim. I can't imagine how we would have taken that information and it was already trying with the other kids and getting rest and trying to keep some normalcy for them. So, I am grateful to have gotten this information after the fact. I did notice that she seemed to be the only baby that the doctors would crowd around, and that the nurses seemed to be at her beside non-stop. I just thought it was because she is so beautiful. Honestly, that is what I thought. So, now I realize it was only one of the reasons, not the only one. hee hee

So, I prayed that God would give me a schedule that would work for Isabella, for my other arrows, for Tim, and for myself. He is good and it is perfect. I prayed that He would give me peace about her taking a bottle and that once we got home it would all just work itself out. He did. I prayed that she would be able to rest foremost and start to get better, regardless of how long it means she is in the NICU. She is. (The doctor did say it could be another week.) I am content, at peace, and hopeful. I am also thankful for all that the Lord is teaching us through this trial. How I thank God for this trial!! How I thank God for using our daughter in such a sweet way to bring us closer to him. How I thank God for all the prayer warriors around the world banding together in Him to lift up our little girl in prayer. It amazes me beyond words.

I can't wait to post pics of her in her little red dress that I got to put on her yesterday. She is soo pretty. I finally got to change her diaper yesterday, too. I never thought I would say I missed changing diapers, but changing her for the first time was like a miracle to me. It blessed me and it made me feel more like her mama. I sit and hold her for hours on end, until they kick me out for their shift changes. I have gotten to share our love for God with the nurses, have gotten to be an advocate for homeschooling, and have been able to pray for each baby and staff member in the NICU. (Isabella has a little girl in an incubator next to her that came in yesterday. She is only 1 lb 90z, but she is so beautiful. I can't believe that people have abortions when I see a little bean like that come out so little, and survive. I see God and his loving mercy in that little girl.)

I am hanging in there and would like to post my true feelings soon. And, I know, I know, you are still waiting for my birth story. I will get to it soon. I have been blessed with a good amount of milk and have been pumping regularly to make sure Isabella only gets breast milk. I am getting good rest at night and wake up refreshed and ready to be with my little angel. Tim did go back to work yesterday, but visits Isabella before and after work. She responds to him, like no one else. She loves her Daddy and it shows.

OK, I better go... I probably did not make much sense, but I am happy, so don't mind me. Love and thanks to you all for your sweet comments, constant prayers, and loving encouragement.

God bless you all,
Veronica and family
p.s. PRAISE REPORT: She just took a bottle of 60cc's this morning! She did take an early morning bottle of 30cc's yesterday morning, and the day before we could barely get her to take 5cc's, so she is improving quickly. Please, pray that she will take to the breast just as well. She does latch on, sucks once or twice, then passes out.

We are praying she comes home for the weekend. But, absolutely content with whatever God's will is, because we just want her totally well before she comes up the mountain.