It’s wrong to think about food first, but again, we’ve been so blessed near and far by the people who are pitching in and keeping our 2.23 tummies full. Thank you, thank you. The oven part of our gas range broke this week and I haven’t had to use the oven itself thanks in large part to the kindness of others (and my love of pasta), so I’m a happy girl. Kevin says he can fix it. I say it’s stove shopping time! We’ll see how that pans out. Pans out – get it?!!!! Ah, me….
We’ve had our latest appointment with our baby girl. That’s the first news – she seems to still be a girl! Never certainty with that due to the no amniotic fluid, but it’s good enough for us. Second, her abdominal fluid has doubled; not what I was hoping for. Hello, manna for the moment. We will gobble you up and praise, praise, praise for today’s time with our little lady – even this moment. They gave us a weight estimate for the first time: 2 lbs 13 oz. That’s about 23% of where other babies would be. They gave us a 4D view for a minute and it was beautifully and uniquely ours. Fortunately, she seems to have Kevin’s nose. She has my open mouth and constantly moving lips. =) Kevin was with me this time, so they gave us extra time together. I love our nurse. Giving, they are. Yoda-sized, baby is.
We’ve gotten a lot of prep work done since we don’t know what kind of time table we’re working with. We’ve picked out a plot at Memphis’ Memorial Park in the original Babyland. We’re not putting hard money down until the time is upon us – cue the miracle!!, but the prep is part of the process and we’ve found a peaceful spot nestled among babies from the 40s and 50s and there’s something cool about that to us. We’ve lined up a local artist who does newborn hand impressions in clay and a wonderfully supportive photographer who does volunteer shots with a national group called “Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep.” She said we’ll want it even if we experience a stillborn birth and even if we don’t look at the pictures for 10 years. She’s done this a lot, and she says we’ll still want, so we are doing it. I trust her. As God would have it, of the four photographers who do this volunteer work in MS and TN, she is not only the best based on her portfolio, but she is a strong Christian; she has a sister named Shannon; and she was best friend’s with her grandmother. Those who’ve known me my whole life will see the similarities shining through in that long sentence. My scrapbook is a growing box full of love; it just needs to be organized and, well, scrapbooked – not my forte – but a friend is letting me dump it on her, and I’m sure it’ll come back to us wonderfully made.
In non-baby news, Kevin’s position at work was terminated. It was a surprise – corporate cutbacks – a January necessity – nothing personal. He had been there six months – last in, first out, as they say. God is as in control of our finances as He is our health, and we are doing great. Kevin is a planner, a provider, a leader and a family man. Kevin walks the walk. We’re blessed to have a generous severance especially since he worked there for such a short time. Don’t confuse our dependence on God with a lack of effort or involvement to excel in our lives on earth. We use the brains He gave us. We are working like dogs to find the next best job opportunity, and we are not idle. We are so thankful for the men and women who are also networking on our behalf and pointing us in promising directions. Personally, it has been a tremendous blessing to have Kevin by my side at the funeral home and at all the weird places we’re going – big and small. I broke down while returning a shirt with a snag in it at the maternity store the other day, and he was there to say my name and phone number and address when I couldn’t speak through the sobs. I think our shared experiences are also wonderful to prepare his heart for our journey together toward the future. Most dads don’t feel like dads until the actual birth, but Kevin is getting to take the baby steps – ha! – with me now. Although incredibly painful, those steps will, in hindsight, become cherished memories of us being united as a couple and standing under God in peace with Him and with joy for our baby girl. 31 weeks as of today. Peace out.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4: 6-7
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