So much to be thankful for

The last two weeks have been a whirlwind of thoughts, feeling, and emotions. We have so much to be thankful for. Most importantly we have a beautiful baby girl and to celebrate a new life the He created. She has proved so many doctors wrong. The neonatologist originally said she would be in the NICU for 21-28 days. She came home on the 7th day, he said she would probably have to be sent home with oxygen and possibly a feeding tube....she has neither! Praise God from whom all blessings flow! For the first week we had trouble getting her to take 40 ml of milk, and now she is easily taking 40 ml and for the last several feedings is taking 50ml! She is gaining weight and is coming more and more alert each day. It is so fun to watch her stretch and move around. She is now focusing in on people's faces and moving her head from side to side. When someone is holding her and I start talking she will look in the direction of my voice. She really perks up when Zac starts talking. The last two days she has had awake time around 5 o'clock. I think she knows that's when dad gets home and then he cuddles her for a while.

We are so thankful for all of our family and friends who have been so supportive and encouraging. The amount of people praying for Addie is overwhelming. She is on so many prayer chains. We are so thankful for this as it is obviously working..prayer moves mountains! I know there will be challenges ahead. We still have fears of what is ahead, knowing when to start the diuretics, knowing if she is getting enough calories and rest to support the extra work her heart is doing, and mostly the heart surgery that lies ahead in the next 4-6 months. Just as everyone has been there and continues to be there over the last two weeks, I know they will all be there when we are preparring for and having the surgery.

We are so excited for the future and how bright it looks. We have so many new dreams and ambitions for our little one that we can't wait for her to experience. I know she is going to teach Zac and I and those around us so much. The other night Zac and I were doing some dreaming about all that she is going to do and we had to stop ourselves and remind ourselves to enjoy the present time, because it's going to go fast.

We are seeing the pediatrician today and the pediatric cardiologist next Wednesday. We'll be seeing the pediatrician, Dr. Fox every other week and the pediatric cardiologist every week as well, so we'll be seeing a doctor every week. This will ensure that she is gaining weight and getting the necessary calories and most importantly to monitor her for fluid on the heart and lungs as that is when we'll need to start the diuretics. We will continue on the diuretics until she they begin to quit working which typically is between 4 and 6 months at which time we will have the surgery.

Prayer for Adelynn at this time is that her feedings continue to be as good as they have been and that she continues to gain weight. Pray that the doctors and nurses can recognize any problems if and when they arise and have the knowledge to treat them accordingly. Pray for her ear as we will get a recheck next week to see if she will pass the second time as many times the first test fails due to fluid in the ear from delivery. Lastly, please pray for Zac and I and our physical and emotional state as we try to give this little girl the best life possible.