Doctor appointment

I saw our new OB yesterday. I was so excited to go, silly I know. Andy and I had been praying for a doctor that would be able to see me and deliver Hope. Even though I have been going to the high risk doctors almost every two weeks they are just watching Hope and her issues very closely. They will not deliver her. So... we were in big need for an OB. We met Dr. Sorenson when I was in the ER for the kidney stone fun. After sharing our hearts about being Christians and wanting to fight for our daughter's life , she shared her faith and Andy asked if she could be our doctor.

The appointment itself went really well. The doctor was wonderful, she remembered me and Hope's situation and was ready. I still have protien in my urine, +1, so she will be watching that closely. Right now my 24 hour urine doesn't show preeclampsia, but the levels are going up a little. She will probably order more 24 hour collections in the future. The nurse called Hope a very active baby and a "stinker". Everytime she would finally find her heartbeat Hope would kick and move and was all over the place. I told Andy that she is strong and is a fighter in there. That's a good thing! Her heart rate was good and they were pleased.

Here is the best part of the entire visit. I was getting ready to leave and the doctor said, please let me know if there are any specific things you need prayer for and I will pray. Then she asked if she could pray right then. She laid hands on me and prayed for the pregnancy, for Hope's healing, and strength for our family. I was just floored. Not only did God answer our prayers for a doctor who would care for me, He went above and beyond. Oh how He loves you and me!!!!

Hope's Life Verse

Ok, so I am being presumptious by giving Hope her life verse before she is even born. But, I am her mommy. She can change it when she knows the Word and decides one for herself. :) I don't know about you, but when I find a Scripture that speaks to me or one that someone gives me I underline and date it. Needless to say, there are alot of underlined Scriptures in my Bible. This verse was given to me on January 22, 2010 from a very good friend for our baby. We were just going through the process of the amnio and waiting for the results. When she emailed me this verse I wrote it on probably 3-5 index cards and put them up and carried one with me. I was just doing my Bible study and flipped by this page. Elisabeth was sitting by me reading her Proverbs for the day and I said, "sissy, I need to read you this verse. And remember, God's Word is true. He keeps His promises, He can not lie." After reading it to her we talked about it and I thought more on it. Yep, this verse is for Hope. Andy and I already see her as a miracle, as we do our other 4 kids that we were told we wouldn't be able to have. For Hope, she has been a miracle to us in so many ways and she is not even in our arms yet. With her pregnancy we have been humbled in unimaginable ways, miracle. We have been able to share with non-believers in the medical field our feelings on life begins with conception and this life we have been given is a gift from God, miracle. Hope is thriving and strong despite us being told she would not make it past this date, and this date and so on, miracle. The amnio came back normal, miracle. The cystic hygroma went down a point, miracle. Through this huge trial Andy and I have been growing. Sometimes it feels like we are going backwards, but... The truth is, our faith is being strengthened daily as we have no other choice than to lean totally on the One true living God, miracle. There are SO many more things that I can list, but I'll let you take some time to reflect on the many miracles that God is doing in your own lives. So... I can say with confidence that for now this is Hope Asaiah's verse!

"He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted." Job 9:10

I cannot wait for the day that she is born and we will put this verse on her little bed in the hospital for all to see! What a testimony this little girl is!!!

Ultrasound February 15

Here is the latest picture of Hope Asaiah. She was very sweet and kept putting her little hand by her face. You can see her hand above her head.

This visit went really well. The ultrasound was the full anatomy scan where they check on the organs and take measurements. From what they could see so far, everything looked good. Her heart is still a little too small to be able to see details, so that ultrasound was scheduled for March 15th. The cystic hygroma has measured 18mm for the past three ultrasounds and this ultrasound it measured at 17mm!!! Huge praise!!! Hope is weighing about 7 ounces now and measuring where she should be. Both kidneys were a little dialated, but nothing to be concerned over. The umbilical cord only had one artery and one vein, when a normal cord has two arteries and one vein. They will watch her growth rate closely because of this. They need to make sure she is getting enough blood and oxygen.

Over the weekend Andy and I spent some time in the ER. Long story short, after hours of contracting and dialating (only a finger tip) they found that I have a small kidney stone. The great thing about this whole thing is that we found our regular OB that will be able to deliver Hope. She is a christian and we liked her. She also works alongside with our specialists, which is wonderful. She is already familiar with them and knows the "process". Our specialist is just watching Hope and her progress, but nothing else with the pregnancy. They just consult. So this is another answer to prayer.

Thank you for your continued prayers for our family.

17 weeks, 5 days

The kids love this Baby Under Construction shirt :)

Well here it is....the belly! I have been told the past few days that my tummy has "popped" out. I didn't really believe it was that big of a deal until I saw these pictures today! Yikes!!! But it is a good yikes. :) It means baby Hope is growing. We like that. I can feel her kicks more often. Especially after I eat oranges, my new craving! I can not get enough oranges and apples. Yummy. We have another ultrasound on Monday at 9:15 am. I will hopefully be able to post the ultrasound pic, the last one was way too dark. Please be praying for that appointment. I am looking forward to seeing Hope and praying that we get some good news.

Romans 5:3-5

This was the prayer at the end of my Beth Moore study this morning. Isn't it amazing that when we spend time with the Lord, He is more than ready to pour into our lives! I love that. I pray that this encourages you today. I have really been reflecting on the verses in Romans.


"Lord God, help me to see that times of difficulty or decision in my life are meant, by your sovereign love and mercy, not to pressure me into impatience but rather to grow in me patience and endurance. This in turn produces experience and proven character, which ultimately grows into a hope that does not disappoint, because Your love is being poured out in my heart through the Holy Spirit You have given me." (then read Romans 5:3-5)

"Nesting"

Today a friend said, "Girl you are SO in your second trimester!" That would be because my little tummy is starting to poke out. (I will try and post a pic tomorrow Lauren!) This makes my two girls very happy. They are always touching and talking to Hope. We love that. The second reason she said that is that I am really wanting to get things ready for Hope Asaiah's arrival. We have been told that she most likely will come early , so that just makes me want to get moving even more. So..... furniture will be moved around a little. And then the fun. Going through the clothes, blankets, burp rags, etc. and seperating it. Very exciting. Anyone want to help????

Psalm 118:24

"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice AND be glad in it."

This verse has given me such encouragement. I find that I am reciting it throughout the day. I remember singing the fun song in church as a kid. But now, with what we are facing as a family and individuals it has new meaning. Here is the way it is speaking to my heart.

The first sentence is fact: This very day, today, is the day the Lord has made. What a wonderful thing. God made THIS day. He already knows what is going to happen with this day, He made it. There is comfort in that. The second part I didn't catch until I started to really meditate on it. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. This is totally a choice that you and I make each and everyday. We can choose to rejoice in this beautiful day that God has made just for us, OR not. I have to continually remind myself throughout the day to rejoice AND be glad in this very day that my loving Father created for me. Honestly, there are days where it is really hard to rejoice. I get so caught up in my own thoughts, worries, trials, etc. But then God brings this wonderful verse to mind. When we choose to see what God has blessed us with it is easier to rejoice in God and this day!