Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Our Family Update - February 28, 2012


Where to start? Today was a day full of emotions.

We officially graduated today and was informed that we no longer have a medical need to see our fetal specialist. I will admit, you cannot help but develop a relationship with the staff when you're faced with the trials we have been faced with. They simply become a part of your life, family and a big part of the overall story. The good part of this is that Bridgette has presented no problems at all (which I knew she wouldn't - she's been an Angel to me and her sister). The other side of this is that Alexis appears to be doing wonderful and is growing right in alignment with the growth chart and where she's supposed to be.


Speaking of our precious Alexis, as stated, she is growing and doing very well. She weighed in today at chubby 4 lbs 9 ozs and has a heart beat of 145bpm. She is absolutely amazing and so beautiful!! At this rate she should be around 6lbs at birth.


Because we were meeting with the funeral director today our specialist confirmed measurements for Bridgette. Knowing that today was the last time we would see our specialist, they gave us the greatest gift of all.... 4D images of our baby girl. (That's what these pictures are of - both of Bridgette.) Unfortunately, they gave us no pictures of Alexis because they simply made today all about our sweet Bridgette. The next & last time we get to see her will be at delivery.

Speaking of delivery - we officially have a scheduled time for the 26th of March - we are the first ones that morning for a c-section. (I love being first) :))

I had a dear friend email me this morning and she was reminiscing about how this whole process began as a wish and a prayer and now we are only 3.5 weeks from the reality of bringing our girls into this world. Although we will not bring both of them home we are so thankful for our journey and we will forever hold Bridgette close in our hearts and Alexis will fulfill our arms, our hearts and our dreams.

We will continue to have the biophysical profile scans for Alexis weekly and OB appointments just to monitor and make sure she's doing well.

Thank you all so much for traveling down this journey with us. You will never know how you have made our trip so memorable and we will forever be grateful for each of you. So many of you have reached out to us and extended your love, support and mostly your prayers. We find ourselves in awe at the support you've shown. We have been praying about it and because so many have reached out to us about attending the funeral we have decided to open the church service up to our friends that have expressed they want to attend. We will still respectfully request that the graveside be for our family to say our final good-byes. We are not certain of the day, but if all goes as planned then we anticipate the funeral for our baby girl, Bridgette, will be Friday, March 30th at 1:00 pm. We will not have an obituary in the paper but we will confirm this date/time as we get closer. The services will be held at our church, The Ark (in Maize, KS).

As always, we will continue to keep you updated as we know more, and all we ask is that you please continue to keep us in your prayers.

"We prayed for this child and the Lord has granted us what we asked of Him" (1 Samuel 1:27)

Blessings,

Ryan, Candye, Alexis (& Bridgette, RIP 1/4/2012)

Monday, February 27, 2012



Just thinking... we officially bring our girls home four (4) weeks from today! It's so hard to believe we're so close....this is a busy week for us... we have an appointment with our OB today, fetal specialist tomorrow, and funeral director this week - so it's a go...go...go the next few days... so much to do and only 4 weeks to get it all accomplished in. I almost feel giddy inside just thinking about it. (big smile)


"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven"

Ecclesiastes 3:1


Blessings,

Ryan, Candye, Alexis (& Bridgette, RIP 1/4/2012)

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Family Update - February 23, 2012



Dear Family & Friends,

Oh my... today was amazing! I know we say that every time we have a sonogram, but I really have no other way to describe what it does for us to get to see our girls and the animation they provide. It's simply heart-warming!

Alexis is still on the honor roll. She aced her BioPhysical Profile Sonogram again today with a heart rate of 150bpm and breathing that was impeccable! Today she stuck her tongue out (classic sign she's Ryan's child) lol! And her little lips were moving 90mph (classic sign she's my daughter)... lol! I said she's probably singing since I sing to her all the time! She is still breech but oh my she is beautiful!! The video is of her talking (or singing) it up. Hopefully you can see it. They are getting harder and harder to see simply due to the fact that she's getting so big and her space is so limited.

Our other little Angel, Bridgette, is still sleeping peacefully. She is just as beautiful as ever! We met with our Pastor & his wife last night to firm up some of the funeral arrangements for her. It is so tough to talk about and even harder to plan... but I have to say, I am so thankful for my husband. This situation definitely separates the "boys from the men" and I am so grateful that I have a husband with a Godly heart and one that is so supportive and not afraid to share or show his emotions. God has been amazing to us through this all and we are so thankful for his mercy and continued grace seeing us through this.

As always we will continue to keep you updated and all we ask is that you please continue to keep us in your prayers.

"We prayed for this child and the Lord has granted us what we asked of Him" (1 Samuel 1:27)

Blessings,

Ryan, Candye, Alexis (& Bridgette, RIP 1/4/2012)



Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Belly Picture Update - February 22, 2012



Just a quick update... we are officially at 32 weeks & 4 days. Just documenting our progress and belly growth for my sisters and family in Texas so I thought I would share with you as well.


We have just a little over 4 weeks remaining until we bring Ms. Alexis into this big ole' world and we cannot wait!! We have our BioPhysical Profile Sonogram tomorrow afternoon so another update will be forthcoming afterwards.


Thank you for your continued prayers...we're getting so close now!!


"We prayed for this child and the Lord has granted us what we asked of Him" (1 Samuel 1:27)


Blessings,

Ryan, Candye, Alexis (& Bridgette, RIP 1/4/12)

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Baby Daughhetee Update - February 16, 2012




Well, it's official... our baby girl (Alexis) has made the honor roll. She passed her Biophysical Profile Sonogram again with flying colors!! Her heartbeat was 145bpm and her breathing was absolutely perfect. She is still breech but we're told not to worry that she has plenty of time to turn around. Her little legs are still up in front of her and her feet are in front of her face, and it's so adorable to see her try to grab her toes.


Our beautiful baby Bridgette was resting peacefully. She is moving up and over and just looks so crowded. Today was a little more difficult because we had to try and get measurements (the best we could) as we need to order her little casket, which is so tough to think about but we owe it to her to be prepared to give her the farewell she deserves.


Most have said they don't know how we can maintain our composure and cheerfulness during a time like this. Trust me, we are sad, but we also are so grateful that we had her as long as we did and that we still have Baby Alexis. Will it be tough at delivery, absolutely, but we also realize it could also be so much worse. I read something recently that really brought it all into perspective for me. "If you ever doubt God is there, remember this: He knew the pain we'd be assaulted with before it happened and He supplied His hands, His body, His love and His compassion in the way He knew He could minister to us and sustain us." That's so true, and I know that God will help us get through this because it's all part of His big plan and His will and He will never give us more than we can handle.


Overall everything is going very well and we are still scheduled to deliver on March 26th; which means we're just 5 Monday's away (5-weeks).....so hard to believe we are wrapping up this part of the journey and yet so excited to start the next phase. We included another little video at the bottom of this blog for your viewing pleasure... hope you enjoy our baby girl as much as we do!


As always, we will continue to keep you updated as we know more, and all we ask is that you please continue to keep us in your prayers.


"We prayed for this child and the Lord has granted us what we asked of Him" (1 Samuel 1:27)


Blessings,

Ryan, Candye, Alexis & Bridgette (RIP 1/4/2012)



Monday, February 13, 2012

Why Go To Church?

If you're spiritually alive, you're going to love this!
If you're spiritually dead, you won't want to read it.
If you're spiritually curious, there is still hope!

Why Go To Church?

A  Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of a  newspaper and complained that it made no sense  to go to church every Sunday.  "I've gone for 30 years now," he wrote, "and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons.  But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them.  So, I think I'm wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all."

This started a real controversy in the "Letters to  the Editor" column, much to the delight of the  editor.  It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher:

"I've  been married for 30 years now.  In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals.   But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals.  But I do know this. They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed  to do my work.  If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today.  Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!"  When you are DOWN to nothing..... God is UP to something!  Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible!  Thank God for our physical AND our spiritual nourishment!

I think everyone should read this so I'm sharing it!  Will you?

"When Satan is knocking at your  door,  simply say, "Jesus, could you get that for  me?

Fw: A must-read Letter from the Post Office

 


 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

We don't know who replied, but there is a beautiful soul working in the dead letter office of the US postal service.

Our 14-year-old dog Abbey died last month.
The day after she passed away my 4-year-old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey.
She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her.
I told her that I thought we could so, and she dictated these words:

Dear God,

Will you please take care of my dog?
She died yesterday and is with you in heaven.
I miss her very much.
I
'm happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick.
I hope you will play with her.
She likes to swim and play with balls.
I am sending a picture of her so when you see her you will know that she is my dog.
I really miss her.

Love, Meredith


We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey
& Meredith , addressed it to God/Heaven.
We put our return address on it.
Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office.
A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet.
I told her that I thought He had.

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, 'To Meredith' in an unfamiliar hand.
Meredith opened it.
Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies.'
Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope.
On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:


Dear Meredith,

Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the picture was a big help and I recognized her right away.

Abbey isn't sick anymore.
Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart.
Abbey loved being your dog.
Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in so I
'm sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by.
Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me.
What a wonderful mother you have.
I picked her especially for you.
I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much.
By the way, I'm easy to find.
I am wherever there is love.

Love,

God


Don't say you're too busy to forward this. Just go ahead and do it.

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Our Family Update - February 9, 2012




Dear Family & Friends,

What an eventful weekend we've had and it's simply carried over throughout the week. We had our baby shower this past Saturday and was elated to see so many family & friends and even got to meet some I've never met before (which was amazing). We were so blessed by the out pouring of love and support from everyone. We are still speechless. You will never know how very touched we are and still find ourselves in awe over your generosity and love! The hostesses did an amazing job with the decorations (pictures below) and the cake and punch was absolutely the best ever!! If you've never had Cameo Cakes... you have no clue what you're missing out on!!

It was quiet the emotional day; which started with my Mom having a spell that sent her to the Emergency Room and eventually landed her a stay in the hospital for a few days. This was very scary but thank God she is doing well and despite missing the baby shower (which was heart-breaking for her) she received good news and found some answers that will hopefully help her in the long-run. Isn't it amazing how God works in mysterious ways? We may never know why that had to take place at that very moment, and maybe we'll never know, but one thing I know for sure is that it could have ended so much different and I am just SO thankful to God for his protection and keeping her safe through it all.

We had a doctor's appointment yesterday and Alexis was quiet the character! She definitely has a lot of personality! She is so amazing! Although she was not giving us good profile shots she was certainly giving us many laughs. She had her arms over her face and would only move them to push on the sonogram machine when they would press down on my stomach. She was talking it up again and that is the funniest thing to see. Makes us wonder what she's thinking or saying? Her heartbeat was strong at 138bpm and she weighed in at 3.3 lbs. We (okay, I) joked because they showed us that she has hair on her head and we could see it at the front of her little forehead. I could not help myself and had to say - "oh no, I wonder if they got things mixed up during the IVF"? Ryan said "why do you ask that"? I said, "well babe, not sure she can be yours - she has hair in front already"!! (big laugh)... Of course we all laughed (even Ryan - thank goodness he has a good sense of humor).

Our precious little Angel, Bridgette, was still sleeping and just looking as beautiful as ever. The specialist said that she is not presenting any problems at all. I knew she wouldn't she was a gift from God and now is just a little Angel!

Overall, it's been yet another amazing week. We are blessed beyond measure and that is all thanks to God and of course because of you (our amazing family & friends). You have so made this journey one to remember and we know that you are as excited to get little Alexis here as we are. She is going to touch so many lives and we cannot wait to bring her into this big old world and help her grow into a mightily young lady!

Last, but certainly not least, we have a scheduled due date of March 26, 2012. This is just 6 Monday's away so we have a lot to get done to get ready for our girls arrival! We do hope and pray that you all can be there to help us celebrate.

As always, we will continue to keep you updated as we know more, and all we ask is that you please continue to keep us in your prayers.

"We prayed for this child and the Lord has granted us what we asked of Him" (1 Samuel 1:27)


Blessings,
Ryan, Candye, Alexis & Bridgette (RIP 1/4/2012)






















Thursday, February 2, 2012

Family Update - Our Girls (February 2, 2012)

Dear Family & Friends,

 

Alexis passed her Biophysical Profile Sonogram with flying colors again and in record time! She had a strong healthy heartbeat of 158bpm and was anything except still again! She is getting crowded in there.  It's hard to believe we're at 30 weeks tomorrow and just have a few short weeks left until her arrival.  Today she started out on her side and her Daddy said it was because she knew where he was standing (yes, she was facing him).  It was precious.  She is so amazing and has stolen our hearts already.  Ryan got to feel her kick for the fist time this week - it was a special moment in time.  The look on his face was priceless.  The picture attached is from today and you can tell they're getting harder to see.  This picture is of her little face and her mouth wide open. 

 

Our other beautiful baby girl, Bridgette, was so small and petite and looked so peaceful.  It was as if she was simply sleeping.  At least that's how we are choosing to cope with it in the interim.  We know that the day of delivery will be much different but for now that's our way of dealing with it day-to-day.

 

I also received the results back from the my blood work where they had concerns regarding toxins in my blood and Praise God it came back normal (that may be the only time in my life I hear "you're normal"... lol).  My glucose test also came back normal.  Overall, I'd say its been a great week and it just goes to prove that our God is taking care of us yet again! 

 

Next week we go back to see the fetal specialist and we'll receive actual measurements to see how much Alexis has grown.  To the naked eye she certainly looks bigger and much more crowded than before but we'll have more to report next week.  Today she was still sitting in the same way (rump down) so we're hoping she turns soon but knowing we're having a c-section guess it really doesn't matter.

 

Our baby shower is Saturday and we are so excited to see our family and friends.  Another day closer to the arrival of our girls and we're so thankful that you're sharing in this journey with us.  

 

As always, we'll continue to keep you updated as we know more, and all we ask is that you please continue to keep us in your prayers.

 

"We prayed for this child and the Lord has granted us what we asked of Him" (1 Samuel 1:27)

 

Blessings,
Ryan, Candye, Alexis & (Bridgette - RIP 1/4/12)