Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Please Pray Today

*Reposted from the wonderful Colleen

October is Spina Bifida Awareness Month, and we SB moms have on our minds, more than anything, the precious unborn babies who are so often terminated before they even have a chance to prove their lives have meaning and value to the world. To say that 50% of all Spina Bifida affected pregnancies are terminated is a conservative estimate. But we SB moms know there is no reason to terminate a baby because of SB. Our children are beautiful and intelligent gifts from God who have every opportunity to live full, productive, and totally normal yet extraordinary lives.


 


So we proclaim Wednesday, October 20 as the Spina Bifida Kids Worldwide Day of Prayer. We believe in the power of prayer, and we are excited at the prospect of many people praying at the same time for these unborn babies. We moms can make a difference individually and collectively, but that is nothing compared to the change that can come if we have God on our side.

We will begin at noon EST. Pray for as long as you feel led. Pray individually or with another person or group. On your knees, at your desk, while driving your car … the logistics do not matter.

Here are a few things you can pray about specifically:
1. There is one woman in particular who is on our hearts. God knows who she is. She is expecting a child with Spina Bifida, and she is afraid and considering termination. Today (Wednesday) is her appointment with a pediatric neurosurgeon to find out the severity of her baby’s case and to learn more about the diagnosis. Please pray that she will go to this appointment with an open heart and mind, that the doctor will give her a prognosis that is realistic and hopeful (we believe these adjectives are not mutually exclusive when talking about SB), and that most of all, God will give this woman a peace beyond understanding and a clear indication that she should keep her baby or give it up for adoption. There are many mothers willing to adopt this baby.

2. Obstetricians are usually the doctors who first diagnose Spina Bifida based on a prenatal ultrasound. Unfortunately, most know very little about SB except for what to look for on the ultrasound. Many of us were told by our OBs very scary and inaccurate information, such as “Your baby will likely not survive,” “She will be a vegetable,” “Terminating is the most loving thing you can do for this baby.” If this is the first time you’ve really even heard of SB, and a doctor you trust tells you this, you’re probably going to believe it. Please pray that these doctors will be educated about the SB prognosis so that they can give the diagnosis accurately and compassionately.

3. We SB moms will always remember the day we received the diagnosis as one of the most terrifying days of our lives. An initial grief response is denial, which often presents as “Please make this problem go away.” Termination is offered quickly. Please pray for these mothers and fathers, that they will first and foremost trust God to get them through this scary and uncertain time instead of letting fear guide their decisions. That God will draw near to them and make His presence known, as He did for so many of us. That these parents will be so filled with His peace about the future and love for their child that they will consider carrying the baby to term the easiest choice.

4. These precious babies are absolutely innocent and helpless. They are being thrown away because they are not “perfect.” Not one of us is perfect. Please pray for the lives of these babies to be spared. That each movement and kick will remind the mother that God knit that baby in her womb exactly as he or she should be. That their lives will bring glory to our Father.

5. Many of us SB parents cite the support of our family members and friends as the biggest comfort during the time right after receiving the diagnosis. But there are also families and friends who are unsupportive and even encouraging of termination. Please pray for these family members and friends, that God will use them to minister healing to the parents’ breaking hearts. That they will be wholly supportive, not hurtful, and they will lift up and help these parents as their raise their child.

Feel free to add other suggestions for what we should pray. And please pass this on to friends, family, church prayer groups, prayer warriors, pastors, and strangers.



“Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” 
Matthew 18:19-20 (NIV)




Friday, October 15, 2010

My


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Three

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Reasons 


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to 

S   M   I   L   E!

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Home Again

...and resting peacefully. Thank you, God!

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Surgery went well today, but I can't quite say I enjoyed one minute of it. Waking my baby out of a deep cozy sleep at 4:30am, withholding food when she was hungry, and watching a stranger walk off with her...not a fan.

BUT she was her usual rock-star self and only let us know every once in a while that she was not pleased with the situation. The surgery was nice and fast, and she didn't get sick from the anesthesia. She was pretty out of it when I first saw her, but after a little snooze and some nursing, she was back to normal...just a bit sleepier. And I really can't complain about that since it just means extra cuddles for Mommy today. :)

So another success for our little Brooklyn! Thank you, thank you, thank you for your prayers. We are very blessed to have them.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Surgery #2

Hi everyone! Just a quick update to let you all know that Brooklyn is having her second surgery tomorrow morning (Wednesday) for her clubbed feet.

As I have mentioned, she has been in casts for the last 6 weeks, and we are now nearing the end of the process. During tomorrow's surgery, they will cut her Achilles tendon to stretch it out and bring her feet up a little. She will then go back into casts for 3 weeks straight (up until now they've been changed every week), then she will be fitted for her braces. Once her braces are ready, the casts come off for good! That means we get to rub those piggy toes again and watch those miracle legs kick. We can't wait!!!

Tomorrow's surgery should be a minor outpatient procedure, but it does require anesthesia, so we ask for your prayers that all goes well. Also, the casting process only has about a 50% total success rate in children with Spina Bifida, so we ask that you pray that we are in the positive 50% (otherwise, there are more surgeries in our future).

We are a little anxious about our baby having her second surgery in just 2 months, but we are thankful that this one is minor and will hopefully get those feet ready for some future walking!

We will keep you posted tomorrow, and as always, thank you for your prayers!

Friday, October 08, 2010

Foto Friday: Wonderfully Made

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She hates laying on her back and usually screams when you change her diaper.

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She loves sleeping on her side and gives me a nice 7-hour stretch at night.

She eats like a champ, but spits up. A LOT.

 She is fussy for a good hour after she eats, but as long as you keep her upright, she chills out.


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She loves noise and sleeps right through the chaos of two very busy sisters.

She smiles and coos, but usually only when looking at ceiling fans and right before she spits up.

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She wakes up VERY hungry and has the most adorable complaining cry. (I admit, I often wait to feed her for a few seconds just so I can hear it. ;)

She loves her sisters and tolerates all of their rough lovin' very well.

She actually enjoys tummy time and has been known to take a little snooze while on her stomach (gasp!)...

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She likes it when you rub her head, hold her hands, and sing softly in her ear.

She has the softest, warmest cheeks that are beyond kissable.

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She is Brooklyn. And we love her just the way God made her.


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I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Psalm 139:14 (NIV)