monday update from jen

Hi!

Hope you enjoyed your weekend! Things here are going well... finally getting used to the GIANT changes associated with Fairfax Hospital's huge NICU. GiGi's had great nurses... praise God! They make it bearable for us to leave her each day!

We do have several praises!!!!! She is now 3 weeks old, and weighs 2 pounds, 12 ounces!!!!!!!(one more ounce and she will have hit her "1-pound" growth goal)! Also, her head circumference continues to be unchanged, which is an answer to prayer. I am hopeful this means the production of Cerebral Spinal Fluid is balancing-out with her flow, and reducing any pressure on her brain. She is being followed by a Pediatric Neurosurgeon, and we'll to talk to him within the next day regarding GiGi's plan of care. She had an ultrasound of her head last night, but we haven't heard the report yet.

She looks beautiful and is doing all of those wonderful "baby" things... I just love to stare at her face. I see a lot of Kelly in her... time will tell. And she's starting to show her personality. I am actually feeling like I "know" her.... her favorites and her dislikes. What a blessing as her mom to feel this and to be able to tell her new nurses such things as her "voice".

I have to be honest, this week's transition has been overwhelming, and we have all felt tremendous stress. To top it off, Conor had a 4-hour emergency room visit Saturday evening after swallowing a toy. Although thankful he was not harmed, I was discouraged that "something else" had been added to our already overflowing plate. As God's timing is always perfect, we received a call from our pastor in the height of the chaos Saturday evening. The fact that he took time on a Saturday night to call (when preparing for 2 services on Sunday) shows what a true shepherd he is, but also that God laid it on his heart at the perfect time. He was deeply encouraging and shared God's truth and promises in scripture from Isaiah. But he also reminded me that Satan will try to attack us when we are tired & weak, out of desperation. But our faithful God rescues us, even sometimes at the "last watch"... and He did! And He will continue to be faithful on our journey with GiGi. After all, He loves her even more than we do!


God Bless!
Jen