Today was absolutely exhilarating, especially for a certain little baby girl! We’ve been cooped up in the house all winter and have gradually started to get out again. The Flying Pig 5k run was the best yet!! Kate is one of my most treasured and trusted Nora caregivers. When she suggested this endeavor, I was immediately agreeable. Even though Nora seems to have taken well to the jogging stroller (the few times I had her out in it) I was a little anxious that THIS would be the time she wigged out. However, instead of focusing on my misgivings, we packed up and headed out, expecting great things! Gavin came along with me to cheer on his baby sister.

We met up quickly and easily with Kate, her husband John and Courtney just before the race started. Nora was charmed by the loud music from the DJ booth as we waited. Once they were given the go ahead, Gavin and I kissed Nornor for good luck and cheered them all on their way.

Off they went and on came my tears. I never would have dreamed this day possible at this time last year. Wikipedia defines the phrase “when pigs fly” as an adynaton—a figure of speech so hyperbolic that it describes an impossibility. The implication of such a phrase is that the circumstances in question (the adynaton, and the circumstances to which the adynaton are being applied) will never occur.

So, how ’bout that! (Kleenex, please…)

Nora was running today with a small fragment of an amazing team of runners known as Team Mitch. Most of Team Mitch will be running parts or all of the Flying Pig marathon on Sunday. Team Mitch was established in 2006 in memory of Mitch McLaughlin who passed away very suddenly at the age of 30 that February. He left behind a sea of mourners of which included his pregnant wife, (Kate’s sister) Maria and their then 2-year-old daughter, Ellie. Their son was born a month later and named Mitch after his Daddy. It has been nothing short of awe-inspiring to witness this community of people gather together in love to support one another and to honor Mitch’s memory and life. Amidst an unthinkable tragedy there is goodness, love, and even joy, proof of God’s presence. I was completely overwhelmed with gratitude when I was presented with my honorary Team Mitch t-shirt last year:

To see that they’ve now also included Nora was and is so completely generously beautiful! What’s even more beautiful is that Nora actually got to run with some of them today, in thanksgiving for her own life and in memory of a great, great man.

Gavin and I hurried on to a few different points of the course to cheer them on. I finally got my lips on her fat little cheeks at the finish line and ecstatically giggled at the medal around her little neck. Nora did AWESOME, made great time and great squeals of happiness along the way.

She certainly likes to jog and she likes to jog fast. I’d say that’s a good enough reason to start running if ever there was one. (That, and being chased by rabid tornadoes – which would have been my ONLY other reason to run.)

We wish all of Team Mitch the very best of luck tomorrow!

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
(Matthew 19:26 NIV)

Nora has been resting up and carbing up for the Flying Pig 5k tomorrow morning. We’ll be there bright and early in the jogging stroller to meet up with Kate and Courtney who are going to run with Nora. I will be cheering them on from the sidelines! Another short post tonight – sorry!!

Nora has to practice for the really important 5k on June 1st!

“We’re gonna WIN, Mommy!!!”

Crazy Hair Baff Baby

“I’m going to call this ‘macaroni’.”

This baby got herself all tired out after a jaunt up to the mailbox. Sooo strenuous all kicked back!

We had a fun visit from Nana and Papa this evening. We love hanging out with them!

He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
(Psalm 91:4 NIV)

Wednesday

“Scyooz me! Can I say something?”

“Um… I’m cute. That’s all.”

As planned (kind of) “we” took Nora on a jog. When I say “we” I mean “I” because Kate conveniently sustained a “minor running injury” and needed to rest for the Flying Pig 5k, 10k and marathon this upcoming weekend.

Nora really seemed to enjoy the jogging stroller! She liked the running part but did not at all appreciate my intervals of walking. It probably didn’t help that I’d just done a leg workout the day before AND I chose to go out in the heat of the mid afternoon! Some people are just dedicated, Kate!!

Those .7 (POINT 7) miles really did us in! We needed to be immediately remedied with a cool bath upon returning home!

One of the big steps we’ve taken since Tuesday is getting Nora to accept prune/apple juice! She didn’t like it at first, but we persisted and now she’s an old prune/apple juice drinking professional! She drinks an ounce before each milkie order without it affecting her intake. It seems to really help with belly troubles and we no longer have to give her the nasty Miralax!

“Juicy Couture”

“Oh, wait! Looks like it’s time to pick my nose! What???

I fell asleep on the couch this evening. When I woke up I found this on my pillow:

Love her!!!!!

Thursday

Sweetly sleeping beauty!

I have the gift and pleasure of being able to attend a Thursday morning Bible study at a wonderful church nearby. This session is on choosing joy. (Yes, it’s a choice!) OF COURSE I would notice a rainbow around the sun as I was walking in!!! I had to go back and take a picture!

I will elaborate more on the Bible study tomorrow. I do have to get some sleeps for now!

Here are pictures of Nornor from this afternoon and this evening:

Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.
(Psalm 33:3 NIV)

So maybe our family room is a little overrun! There seems to have been an all out siege!

“Good morning, sunshine!”

Today was the “Day of the Perfect Baff” that Nora had with the windows open. The fragrant Spring breeze laced with sunlight and bird songs danced with our senses.

The wind was a little chilly at times, but fortunately Nora had her 3 Owls to keep her warmed afterward!

The dietician paid a visit after baff time. Someone in this family has officially made it onto the growth chart!!!! 16 pounds, 6 ounces!

Then after that we buzzed over to Nora’s appointment with her pediatrician. She was soooo well behaved in the car!!

Nora’s heart rate was down in the 150s this morning. She’s eating very well and but for a couple of gassy troubles she was in great spirits and squealy. Of course this is the condition she shows up to the doctor’s office after we’ve spent the past 3 days freaking out and bombarding her team of doctors with emails and phone calls!!

“Oh! Is something the matters?”

In all likelihood Nora was a little dehydrated from losing so much fluids during her disagreement with Nutramigen. There weren’t any outwardly obvious signs–she was still wetting lots of diapers, still had tears, etc. but I did notice that her mouth seemed a little dry the other day. Now that we have her back on the soy she’s been keeping 95% of everything down. She’s regained her hydration, thereby lowering her heart rate!

On last check this evening I got some readings in the 120s! Her baseline is usually around 135.

This baby really likes to make sure we’re all on our toes! Thank you for praying us through her hijinks!!!

I was so in love with the weather and actual Springtime today! This tree in our front yard is in its peak of beauty right now. It is an explosion of fragrant blossoms, alive with the hum of thousands of bees and bird symphonies! I stood next to it this afternoon admiring the contrast of the pink against the cerulean blue sky, indulging my lungs to the perfumed air. Sheer perfection. If you look closely you can see a bee in the foreground blossoms.

Let the trees of the forest sing, let them sing for joy before The Lord.
(1 Chronicles 16:33 NIV)

“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.”
(Isaiah 40:8 NIV)

Something sparkly caught my eye and I found myself wandering down to the creek.

I saw a quote somewhere that said, “Time spent in nature is never wasted time.” There were a thousand other things I “should/could” have been doing, but none of those things would have untangled the knots in my mind heart and soul the way that nature can. I need to do this more. Hopefully Nornor will be able to come with me AND enjoy it someday soon!

“Dat might be kinda fun!!!”

Soooo happy to see Brudder and receive loves and cuddles from him!

We spent the rest of the evening blowing bubbles, taking a walk and laying around outside on the deck.

Tomorrow is jogging stroller try-out! Wish us some lucks!!!

I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
(Psalm 16:7, 8 NIV)

As if to send us all completely over the edge, our fire alarm system decided to malfunction with unnecessarily shrill decibels and flashing strobes at 4:42 this morning. As Gavin so aptly put it, “So much for going back to sleep… ever again!!!” That’s just not a nice way to wake up at all.

Nora’s heart rate did go down throughout the night but it was back up in the 190s this morning and she was very fussy. It was such a relief to have it go back down again as the afternoon progressed; and she was in great spirits this evening. Her sweet squeals were such music to my ears!! She’s been back on the soy formula all day today with very minimal pukies but several gassy belly episodes. :/

Nora has an appointment with the pediatrician Tuesday morning just to make sure there isn’t something else going on that might be causing the cardiac issues.

We are incredibly thankful for your prayers! Thank you thank you thank you!!!

But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
(Romans 8:25)

Friday

“Hi, Brudder! I sure do love you!!”

“This is kinda different… What are these things?”

“These beans feel funny on my fingers!”

“They sound pretty neat too!”

“Wait. A. Minute!!! It’s cuddle time, Mommy!!! See??

“Aahhh. This is what I like!”

“An this too!! I’m really, really lovable!!”

Saturday

“It’s always Baff Time!”

“I’ve been working on my thank you cards for all of my wonderful birthday presents! I still have a lot to go, but I’m getting them done little by little! I loved all the happy birthday wishes on Facebook and all of the sweet notes and cards and presents! I must be the most loved girl in the world!”

“Daddy and Gavin went to King’s Island because Gavin got a really, really, really good midterm report. Greta doesn’t get midterm reports yet, but if she did it would probably be really awesome too. Greta and Mommy went up the street to the Spring Carnival at the old school! This ride was a crazy belly tickler!!! I’m glad I didn’t go on that!”

Sunday

“Hi, Sister! I sure do love you!!”

“Here’s Mommy. Apparently I caused some troubles and worries this evening with my heart rate…”

Ohhhh Nora, Nora, Nornor!!! What are we going to do with you!!?? Yes, Nora’s heart rate was very high again this evening, at one point up to 207. The only change we’ve undergone is the switch in formula. She didn’t seem to be tolerating the Nutramigen very well, as she was puking each bottle up afterward – and continued belly pains which is what we were trying to get away from in the first place. After almost 5 days of trying, we opted to go back to the soy. For the most part she’s been able to keep the soy down.

Later this evening we put her in the bath. She did some extreme tooting and then proceeded to stink up the water. <:0 (Ack!!!!!) We eventually got everything and everyone all cleaned up and finally situated back downstairs. I received a phone call from a friend just prior to hooking Nora back up to the pulseox machine. She prayed over us, asking for wisdom, peace and relief from this situation, praising God for the sweet little noises Nora was making. Her numbers were registering in the 170s, oxygen sats in the mid-90s. After I hung up the phone Nora fussed for a couple of minutes and then suddenly it was if a switch had been flipped. Her night nurse had just arrived, so she witnessed it too. Nora became bright-eyed and squealy, checking her watch. Her heart rate dropped back down to the 150s/160s, sats in the high 90s! That was the lowest it had been all evening!! I, of course, attribute this to prayer and wonder if she had some GI distress that had suddenly been alleviated?!? Nora did have a dramatic puke episode a little bit after this, which of course brought everything back up, but after she recovered her numbers looked good again.

Recent 3:30 AM check with Nora’s nurse and her numbers are still within a stable range! PRAISE, PRAISE, PRAISE GOD!!!

These bumps in this already uncertain road can be so trying and so draining. I love this baby girl with every ounce of my being. It’s so hard not to try to control every little bit of this, to TRUST FULLY in God. I have to constantly remind myself of everything He has brought us though and from!!! I heard a great quote tonight: “The crazy thing about grace is that it meets you where you are and never leaves you where it found you.” I’m a far cry from that helpless, grieving heap on my bedroom floor back in January of 2012. None of this is a surprise to God. He planned this all out before the creation of the universe, as He did each of our journeys.

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
(Isaiah 41:10 NLT)

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
(Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV)

Wednesday

“Oh, hi! Good morning! I was wondering if I could order a milks?”

“Could we interest you in the Special of the Day? Today’s Special is the Carrot Purée. It is a waterish composition of locally grown garden fresh carrots?”

“Um… That looks kind of disgusting. Do you know if it has any texture?”

“There is a very slight texture, ma’am. Would you at least be interested in trying it? It’s gotten great reviews!”

“I’ll try a little taste, I guess. I’m just not so sure about it.”

Myhegehmhmmblbgehhh… Woah. Do I have anything on my face?”

“We’ll be right back with a warm towel and lemon, ma’am.”

“Just bring me a burp rag and don’t forget my milks!!!!”

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Nora did let me get a little taste of carrots on her mouth! It wasn’t exactly a spoonful but at least it was something! She tolerated the spoon at a side angle AND the little bit of carrots! There was some wincing and fussing associated, but no gags! We’ve had two more consecutive pleasurable carrot dining experiences since then (also just little tastes). I think we’re making progress!

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Three duckies that came traipsing across the yard at my parents’ house:

If you look closely (above) you can see the big full moon just between the trees. I was awestruck by the beauty of this scene and wondered if anyone else appreciated it so much as I did in that moment while I was waiting for the ferry back home. Three birds way off in the distance glided back and forth past the moon as if this whole picture was hand-painted just for me in that moment. So personal it was that my phone camera could barely discern the evanescence of the moon let alone the three soaring specks.

And so ends another day.

So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun.
(Ecclesiastes 8:15 NIV)

I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting people may know there is none besides me. I am the Lord, and there is no other.
(Isaiah 45:5, 6 NIV)

Thursday

Here are a couple of award winning kids! So proud!

“What’s this rainbow doing on my cheeky??? Get me in the baff quick!!!”

“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”
(Psalms 46:10 NLT)