24 Weeks and a Heart Update

 I'm 25 weeks now but we took some belly shots over a week ago...just so you readers know...it's not because I think I look Ah-mazing during pregnancy...I take pics for my memory, in case my blessings ever want to see pics of mama's belly when they were in utero...and for my mom. Oh and for anyone else that shows very quickly and looks further along than they are...these pics are to comfort them.

Yesterday, we had the third echo and we took along all three loves with us.

Rosie with a lollipop...those are a life saver when we are in the room waiting...well that and the iPad that E decided to bring along this time. That seemed to work wonders...shocking, I know.

I should probably ask my hubs to take a pic of me on the table during these but usually the doctor is in there at that point and that might be a little awkward. Maybe I should just tell the doc we are taking a two person selfie and to just say "cheese".

Anywho, this appointment was the best one yet.
1.The doctor could not see any excess fluid yesterday-Praise God!!!!! Truly. Amazing.
2.The ventricles did not look any more thickened than they did 4 weeks ago. Praise the Lord again!
3.She did not see any defects or problems. She kept talking about how the arches and the flow all looked great.
4.His heart rate was a little fast but not out of the ordinary.
5.She said she doesn't need to see me back for 10 weeks!! So although not all the testing is done, I am so happy that I won't need to have another echo until then.
6.She looked at the brain and measured the femur. The measurements and blood flow were on track and looked good. This was something new as she had recently learned over the weekend at a conference that developmental delays are being seen with babies with heart defects because of lack of blood flow to the brain and other areas of the body.
7. She said I could give birth at any hospital I wanted and would not need to give birth somewhere with heart specialists!!! Thank you Jesus!

We have had so many fellow Christ followers praying for this baby. On Friday evening,  two of our elders from our church and their wives came over to pray for our baby. They had actually asked if they could come over and pray and I couldn't have been happier that they wanted to do that.
James 5:14 says, "Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord."

I had indeed wanted to ask the prayer team at church to pray for me after church many Sundays in a row but I either forgot because we had to pick up our kiddos from the kids program or because I was volunteering back in the nursery. 

So back to Friday, the two wives put their hands on my belly as another elder anointed my forehead with oil and all four of them took turns praying for me. 
Their prayers meant so much to me and it went exactly as I imagined. 
One of the couples lost their fourth child, a son, only a few weeks after birth due to severe chromosomal problems about 20 years ago. To have them there praying for us and our baby was so poignant and meaningful and heartfelt. 

I have had some of the kindest words spoken to me that have meant so much to me.
My friend, Melissa, told me that she would be here to support us and help us if our baby was born with any heart or chromosomal issues. 
My friend, Patti, told me in an email
"Praying for you all, especially that little one whom I have come to love : )." Such sweet, sincere words.
And my dear long time friend, MaryBeth, sent me another encouraging card this week. She has sent me two during this pregnancy to let me know I am prayed for and loved and it is such an encouragement. 

 To be told I will be supported and that my baby is already loved by others fills my heart to the brim.
I know when these things happen, this is another way that I am being loved by Jesus. These friends are His hands and feet.

Snow and Love

On Valentine's Day Eve we got at least 13 inches of snow which meant two days of snow days for Miss A.
She was thrilled.
Miss A out on the deck-

 Rosie was too scared to venture out...

 The snow was so high it was difficult for them to sled....

 So they buried their legs in it instead-

 My fantastic hubs shoveling our driveway-

 Content to stay in the Cozy Coupe

Before the big snow, Miss A and E went to a Daddy/Daughter dance in our neighborhood-

Miss A worked on her valentines box and valentines for school-

 They were sent home with labels from school to glue on to each valentine.

Because of the snow, there was no school on Valentine's Day and thus no party so her party was this past Thursday on the 21st-

The morning of Valentine's Day, my husband made a special breakfast for all even when I had planned to make (canned) scones...so it was quite the delicious breakfast:

 Then one gift and Valentine for each kiddo...this was the biggest gift for Valentine's Day they have ever received-

 Because Miss A already has an umbrella, she got Queen Elinor-

 Valentine we sent out to family-

 Made baked some Valentine (pre-cut) cookies-

 Played in the snow with neighbors because it was 45 degrees that day so it wasn't terrible outside-

 My beautiful roses from my husband-

 Cards and decorations-

 Our countdown to Valentine's Day Bible verses about love-

 Family photo op taken by the babysitter before our Valentine's date out-

 Delicious gelato dessert-

 Lovebirds-

 I absolutely love getting to go out with my husband and especially on Valentine's Day. We make it a point each year to go out on Feb. 14th no matter what day of the week. We are always blessed with a babysitter wiling to sit for us on that day. It can be hard to find a sitter for that day as you can imagine.
If you do not go out with your spouse on or around Valentine's Day, I encourage you to do so...to remind yourself why you decided to do this whole family thing in the first place.  Plus it is so refreshing and such a wonderful way to connect.

Second Fetal Echo

On 1/28, we had our second fetal echo. I like this office by the way...there's plenty of space for my chlidren to play while we wait.

 Miss A was at school during this afternoon appointment so she was not with us this day. E does a great job of keeping our blessings entertained while I am having the echo done because these things last quite a while and the doctor stares at the screen the whole time.

 We saw a different doc this time who really specializes in fetal heart echoes. She also took tons of photos of our baby's heart.

 The echo room...why do I snap a pic of this moment?
Because one day we will show it to our son when we tell him the story of God fully healing his heart.

 Oh yeah, there's lollipops...lots of them there...Rosie got a mystery color one...turns out it was electric blue. Of course.

The doctor we saw, Dr. T, said the good news was the fluid level (pericardial effusion) was the same as it had been at 16 weeks. I was confused because we thought the other doctor said it was gone at the last echo. Alas, it had stayed but had not increased which was encouraging.
The right and left ventricle walls still look thickened which can mean the heart is working extra hard.
She searched and looked for obstructions and flow problems (in the aorta and ductal arch) but could find none! Again, great news!
Before even the doctor could say "I wouldn't be worried", I already felt calm and felt no need to worry. I have to give credit to God for that. He is the one who has calmed my fears.
I was told to return in 4 weeks at 25 weeks for another echo on 2/25...the day after E's birthday.
We are still believing and having faith and praying daily and even moment by moment that our baby's heart will be fully healed and all of these concerns will be non-issues.