Family Update 06-21-2012

Daddy in waiting....

It's been quiet a journey to-date and it just keeps getting better! We laughed yesterday as I took pictures to document our recent journey.... mainly because we joked that Ryan's motto from here on out will more than likely be... "Waiting On A Woman"... considering that he now has a daughter too!  Poor guy.... :)) 

First, I have to share the picture of Ryan & Alexis from Father's Day.  Clearly this is another "first" that we got to experience in this new journey. I  certainly consider myself blessed beyond measure to have these two in my life!

Daddy & Alexis, 6-17-12

Now onto our update... and a Praise Report. 
Yesterday we were faced with what we're going to call "a slight bump" in our journey.  It started a few weeks back when a dear friend of mine brought it to our attention that Alexis had a semi-flat spot on the right side of her head.  When we went in for a checkup with our family doctor we pointed it out.

Our doctor wanted to confirm the sutures were not closing prematurely.  Something I did not know is an infant's skull is made up of six separate cranial bones (the frontal bone, the occipital bone, two parietal bones, and two temporal bones). These bones are held together by strong, fibrous, elastic tissues called cranial sutures. The sutures and fontanelles are needed for the infant's brain growth and development.  So you can see where the need to address this sooner rather than later was critical.  

Morning Feeding

CT Scan

As a precautionary measure she had to undergo a CT Scan yesterday. Of course, the first place we turned to was our God.  Then our family, friends, and church family began praying for her. On Sunday night (before her procedure) we had her prayed for at our church. I wish you could have seen all of the "little hands" (kids) that came up and prayed for her. It was such a beautiful and amazing moment. If you don't believe in the miracle of prayers, you should; especially when they are prayed with the unwavering faith of a child.

At first they told us they would (more than likely) sedate her to avoid too much exposure to the radiation. Turns out it was not needed and our baby girl simply ate a full bottle and slept through the whole thing.  I cannot lie, I was concerned.  Deep down I trusted & believed that God was in control, but I also admit that I was scared.  I hate to admit it, and I do not want to give the devil credit, but I was worried.  However, I am elated to report that we received results this morning and they are "normal".  Actually, the report stated there were NO ABNORMALITIES.  I joked with my sister this morning that on the bright side - it is now officially documented that Alexis is normal... despite how she turns out in the future, we can honestly say that she was normal at least at some point in her life (lol). 

Dress-up in Mommy's pearls

Precious!

Afterwards, we went home to change clothes so we could go run errands and make some long awaited visits to some really special people. We got a little side-tracked and started playing dress-up, which was SO much fun! But got back on-track quick so Daddy wasn't "waiting" on us yet again. :)

For a couple of months we had been meaning to go see Dr. Tjaden (IVF doctor) and his staff which helped make our dreams a reality.   

Alexis, Dr. Tjaden & Megan (RN)

We dropped off some stuff at the NICU department, stopped to see Dr. Wolfe, and then headed over to see Dr. Tjaden and team. They were so excited to meet her. This group of people will definitely remain in our lives forever!  I have been telling Alexis that she's going to grow up to be a doctor, just like Dr. Tjaden.  We have been patients of Dr. Tjaden's for over 15 years and it's simply hard not to develop relationships after that long.  We just love them all.

Remember a few blogs ago when we had to make that trip to Texas for a very sad, but special funeral; & Alexis decided to "burp" at the most inopportune time (just as they started playing Taps)?  Well, we now have yet another embarrassing moment in time... just as Dr. Tjaden was holding her, loving her & coo'ing over her... she decides to not burp....but yep, you guessed it... she looked up at him with those big, beautiful, blue eyes, smiled that infamous gorgeous smile, and then passed gas... not once but twice!! God bless her little digestive tract it's all working just fine.  I'm sure when she's all grown up - reading these, she'll so appreciate that I took it upon myself to share these "incidents" with everyone! One thing is for sure - there is never a dull moment with her! :))

Last, but certainly not least or any less important on the adventures yesterday, we stopped by to see our sweet Bridgette and take her a new wind-chime.  I admit I cried thinking how I so wish we could have been introducing her to the IVF team yesterday too, but I know it simply wasn't in the bigger plan.  

One thing I have learned throughout my years in this journey we all call "life," is that - you simply don't always get to choose the outcome to every situation.  But, if you are steadfast in your Faith, then I am convinced that every trial you overcome will become yet another testimony for you to share with someone else who may need encouraging.

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12)

And, if we will just trust in Him, it is scriptural that He gives us the strength to face our challenges ...

He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful. (1 Corinthians 1:8-9)

As always, thank you so much for following our story and mostly for keeping us in your prayers.  Until next time... never under-estimate the power of prayer!

And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith (Matthew 21:22)
Blessings,

Candye~