16 days and counting...

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...