So...apparently I am more my father's daughter than I thought--I have procrastinated so long on this blog entry that I now have too much information to share. I hope that I don't forget anything. As my dad has reminded me the last few days, "Annie's people" need an update.
We are SO excited/blessed/nervous/grateful and filled with love to have our little girl home. Annie was released from the NICU on May 6th, four days ahead of the doctor's original schedule--she's already an overachiever.
Before Annie was released from the hospital Chris and I met with Dr. Andrews, a craniofacial surgeon, who explained Annie's CT scan as well as her next steps and possible future surgeries/prognosis. Although Dr. Andrews was not able to give us a firm diagnosis, he was very optimistic that Annie will live a "normal" life. Our meeting with Dr. Andrews was both encouraging and overwhelming all at the same time--it's hard to hear that your daughter could have up to 10 surgeries in her lifetime, but wonderful to know that she will be able to do all the things we hoped for her, like play sports, go to college, get married, have kids and grow old. Based on the information we have now, Annie's first surgery will be when she is 6-8 months old. We'll know more details after our appointment with Dr. Andrews on June 7th.
As promised, below are a few of Chris' and my peaks and valleys:
Peaks:
- being able touch our daughter skin-to-skin (without gloves/gowns)
- moving into a room on the same floor as the NICU
- IV being removed
- Annie moving out of her NICU room and into our room
- Chris learning how to change a major blowout with only one wipe
- GOING HOME!
- knowing God is sovereign!
- knowing Annie will be loved unconditionally by family and friends
- friends visiting the hospital even knowing they might not get to see Annie
- God using Annie's story to touch the lives of others
- being fed by our church family
- lawn being mowed by our friends at Four Star Lawn
Valleys:
- our daughter being transported from Olathe Medical to the Overland Park Regional NICU at only 18 hours old
- unknowns about Annie's future (will she walk, talk, be in pain...)
- how will we react to people's questions/looks
- questioning God's plan
- sleep deprivation
- knowing there was something unexpected/abnormal about Annie's features--observing the nurses evaluating Annie after birth.
This weekend was a special weekend, not only did I get to celebrate my first Mother's Day but Annie was dedicated at church. Chris and I were extremely happy to stand before our church family and profess our commitment to raise Annie in a Christian home.
Oh, and for some pictures...
This blog was created several months back with the intention of updating friends and family (near and far) about our soon to be family of three--never did we expect that we would be sharing one so personal and real...
Annie Grace Ward arrived on April 30, 2013 at 4:53pm...weighing in at a healthy 8 lb 3 oz and 19ish inches long. Chris and I have never been so happy and scared at the same time. Although Annie is known to many as Gerti, I have decided that she will also be known as Mighty Annie...don't let her small, cute and wonderfully made body fool you! I cannot say it enough, I am more in love with her today than I was yesterday and already LOVE being her Mama.
Chris and I have truly been overwhelmed by the love and faithfulness only our God can provide. We have promised ourselves that we will continue to share our feelings (the good, bad, and the ugly) with each other, family, friends and strangers about what we learn through this amazing journey God has laid out for us. Chris and I have had A LOT of feelings the last couple of days but we are honored and ready to be the parents God has chosen us to be for Annie.
We truly believe that God is sovereign in all things, but the journey ahead will be a long one for Annie and us. While in the womb some of the plates in her skull fused together prematurely. This caused some unique physical characteristics. We are not embarrassed by or ashamed of them, but they are distinctive. Nor do we "blame" God for them. We believe that God has done precisely as He has chosen and will be glorified throughout this adventure. We want that to be our focus.
In most respects she is like any other newborn. Her fingers, toes, heart, lungs, ears, and eyes are good and seem to be developing perfectly. She cries when she’s hungry, angry, cold or when we clean her nose. She has proven to be feisty and mighty, having already experienced an MRI, a CT scan, sonograms, IVs, and various pokes and prods of the examining doctor.
Chris and I have decided to end each day with our 'Peak' and 'Valley' as we reflect on our daily lives. We hope they will be both an encouragement and prayer motivating for you as much as they are for us. More to come with the Peaks and Valleys... for now please pray for clarity-understanding/getting a diagnosis, physical/emotional strength for both Chris and me, and guidance.
We cannot thank you all enough for your prayers, love and support...our hearts are happy and filled beyond belief.
Now, for your viewing pleasure...
