Long Haul

Well friends... a decision was made this evening... I will remain in the hospital until Faith Clare makes her arrival. We're here for the l-o-n-g h-a-u-l...

This has been a tough decision and one that wasn't taken lightly, by us or by my doctor. She spent the day debating what would be best for everyone and ultimately decided that our goal is to leave the hospital with a healthy baby girl. With that in primarily in mind, she felt that the safest and most sure way for that to happen was to keep me here.

The plan right now is pretty simple- any more bleeding and we will be ready to take immediate action. I have been on antibiotics and IV fluid, but am now "wireless" except the intermittent monitoring during the day and night. I am free to move around the room as needed (... gosh, I don't know what to do with all this excess space!) and am getting my 3 square meals a day. We discussed how long this hospital stay could be, since I'm a day shy of 35 weeks, and she said that if nothing changes she won't officially induce until 38-39 weeks (basically a month away). However, she doesn't feel that we will go that long and at this point, if things progress we won't take any measures to stop labor. She will be checking me a few times a week to monitor any progression and will be watching the fairly regular contractions.

Invariably this new living situation will add some additional stress to our "home life"- Dusty being a full-time working dad, managing Deacon and his schedule and getting up here to see me- but he is completely on-board and is already starting to make some plans. I am so thankful for my wonderful husband and the amazing support that he continues to provide as we enter these last few weeks. It has definitely been a hard year and there is so much on his plate but he is incredibly capable and completely agrees with the plan to ensure the best outcome possible~ our Faith Clare being healthy and coming home with us when we leave the hospital.

Deacon and Daddy did get to come up and visit tonight and we had an awesome time. Deacon was in a great mood and I explained to him that the next time I came home we would be coming home with Faith Clare. His eyes just lit up and said, "she's coming home with us?" Oh, that precious face and that sweet innocence... if only I could bottle it up!

I have to say that we are SO THANKFUL for all of the comments and texts and especially for the prayers that are being sent up to our Lord. I love hearing all of the stories of your precious babies and how well they did, NICU or not, nursing or pumping! Thank you for the wonderful encouragement... it has given me such a renewed hope for when this little missy arrives.

If you would, please continue to pray for the things mentioned previously, and also for patience and a smooth transition to life in the hospital. I know that I will be fine... of course my mind and heart are just at home with my boys. Please also be praying for my little sister Karli, who is 39 1/2 weeks pregnant with their first child... also a baby girl. This is so hard for my family, especially my parents, as they feel torn as to where to be. All of my family is out of state in Nebraska and we are down here in Texas... just a short 14-hour drive away!

Thank you again for the prayers and so-needed encouragement! We are trusting our doctor, as she greatly understands what is at stake here... and we are trusting our God, who knows exactly what is ahead. We are so excited for the blessing of this little girl and can't wait to see her face... sometime soon.

"From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another."- John 1:16