This wide-eyed little stinker is demanding every bit of Mommy’s attention tonight!
I was in the process of writing up a post, but had to put it down for some precious snuggling. Check back tomorrow on this same day’s posting!
(Nora is doing phenomenal!)
===========
We now return to our regularly scheduled blog post:
There were so many instances along the way that God hinted and prepared us for what was to come. Some weren’t always evident in the moment, others were blatantly obvious, yet I attributed them to my overactive imagination or coincidence. Looking back I see now that me and/or my imagination had nothing to do with any of it and coincidences don’t exist. They were subtle and not so subtle glimmers of hope, magnificent illustrations of God’s love and tenderness, poignant reminders of His presence through it all.
Shortly after I found out I was pregnant I had a word stuck in my head. You know how that happens every so often – you keep thinking the same word over and over again, or repeating it out loud until it sounds weird. The word I had stuck in my head was “trisomy”. I had no idea how the word ended up lingering in my mind. I couldn’t remember reading it or hearing it anywhere. In fact, I did not know what it meant and had to look it up. “An abnormality characterized by the presence of an additional chromosome.” That sort of freaked me out, being newly pregnant. I remember my exact thought was, “Wouldn’t THAT be weird if that really happened… But good thing I only have “healthy”, “perfect” babies. Certainly that wouldn’t happen to US!!” There was no way of knowing at that time what was in store for us, but that made me familiar with the term. I knew what the word meant.
Greta’s dream, a little over a week after we received the news of Nora’s diagnosis, “Mommy and Daddy were feeding a baby on the couch, and the baby was a girl.” That gives me literal, physical chills to recall that morning. Perfect timing, God delivering us that beautiful imagery through our little girl. That seemed a little uncanny and really did offer us hope, but part of me still persuaded, “Oh, it was just a dream. Don’t get your hopes up.” No way of knowing then just how prophetic it really truly was!
At the end of January, while we were still in the process of digesting the grim news, we had friends who brought dinner to us. With Mardi Gras season upon us, one of our friends brought a king cake for dessert. For those of you unfortunate enough to be unfamiliar with the king cake, it is a dangerously delicious cinnamon pastry smothered in icing and yellow, green and purple sugar. Inside of the cake is a little naked baby trinket. Wikipedia explains, “…the person who gets the piece of cake with the trinket has various privileges and obligations.” The whole evening passed without anyone finding the baby. There was only a little bit of cake left over. I allowed Gavin and Greta each a slice for dessert the next evening. “No one has found the baby yet!” I reminded them, as I indulged in my own slice of deliciousness – the LAST piece. A couple of forkfulls later, I discovered the baby trinket. I quietly and sadly smiled at it in the palm of my hand thinking, “If only I can REALLY have the baby…” (Ask, and you shall receive!). There was no way of knowing then just how privileged we were to become!
Several others shared dreams they had about Nora before she was born. One friend dreamt that the baby would be a girl (before we’d found out her gender). The dream was very vivid and foretold that we’d be bringing her home, that she was very strong and very beautiful. (check) (check) (check). Nora appeared in the dream as blonde haired and blue eyed. Obviously her hair is dark now, but does appear to be lightening! Her eyes are indeed blue. The rest of the dream indicated that Nora’s heart was healed, possibly through a surgery. (!!!)
Nora appeared in another friend’s dream as a beautiful baby, and in her aunt’s dream she was a very, very good baby, never fussy! I expected Nora to be beautiful, but if you ever knew Gavin and/or Greta as infants “good” babies don’t exactly run in our family. Gavin and Greta each put us through a tumultuous 8 month crying jag. Lo and behold we actually got a “friendly” baby this time that isn’t intent on driving her parents to the brink of insanity! *wink* She only fusses when she’s hungry or has air in her belly.
God continues to minister to us even after Nora’s birth. The goose on the roof, the rainbows, the nurse sent in at just the perfect minute, the strangers who approach us to let us know we’re in their prayers, my husband’s reassuring kisses, the multitude of people bringing us meals, the nurses and others volunteering their nights to allow us much needed sleep, and all of the sweet, encouraging cards, notes and letters. Whether you realize it or not, you are acting as God’s hands and feet. Thank you for being receptive to that gentle nudge from the Holy Spirit. You are tangible evidence of a compassionate, gracious, loving God.
“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14: 26-27)
iwillcarryyou 
Love that picture…you’re so beautiful Miss Nora!
Love this photo! Nora is beautiful xxx you are all very blessed xx
That picture just made my night!! Little cutie patootie!! Happy snuggling!!
I don’t blame you a bit, who could resist snuggle time with that little sweetheart !
NORA ROSE IS SO BEAUTIFUL, THAT DARK HAIR AND THOSE BEAUTIFUL EYES, AND THE PRETTIEST LITTLE LIPS. SHE DOES NOT LOOK A BIT SLEEPY TONIGHT. ENJOY THE HAPPY SNUGGLING TIME. NOW I CAN GO TO BED KNOWING THAT NORA AND MOMMY ARE BOTH DOING GOOD. GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS.
Great to hear Nora is doing phenomenal! Prayers being sent your way that she continues to do well. She looks great in the pictures you have posted of her over the
Past week. She looks much more healthy and strong in the more recent pictures. It is amazing to see how well she is doing. All of the “Nora” prayers from around the world are definitely working!!!
Have a blessed night snuggling your precious baby.
Snuggle away! A picture like that says all we need to know. 🙂
She looks great!
Adorable!
All wide eyed and wondering – just where is mommy? She is so beautiful and a true blessing to your family and so many others. Enjoy that snuggling time.
Love those eyes!
Look at that sweet face! So adorable! How can you ever get anything done? Just love on her & cuddle away! Give her a squeeze for me too! 😉
What a beautiful picture of a beautiful girl!
Love this picture! So happy I got to meet you in person yesterday at Orange Leaf! So happy you and the two children were able to get out and enjoy some yogurt. Praying for Nora and your entire family!
Nora is such a sweet doll baby and testimony of God’s incredible grace! I always look forward to seeing her adorable face in your daily updates. Praying for many more days, months and years for your precious girl!!
I also have found encouragement through your blog as we are in the midst of a high risk pregnancy, due to a history of severe early pre eclampsia and found out this past week our son is IUGR and in the 5%, we will go in early this week for a level 2 ultrasound. Thank you for your daily posts of faith in the Lord!
Wow… she suddenly looks “older”… and bigger!! You go girl!! XO
Wonderful!
At some point, you need to ensure you are focusing on you, your family and Nora and not all these people around the world who are thinking of you. You, your family and your sleep are more important.
I LOVE this post!!!! I LOVE reading this beautiful testimony of God’s Amazing Grace. You are encouraging SO many people testifying of our Mighty God, and I am sure you are being encouraged as well. It is obvious to me that you are a wonderful mommy full of love for your family listening and praying to God as He guides you. It seems to me through your posts that God and your precious family are most important in your life. May His Unfailing Love continue to surround you.
I am reminded this afternoon of the verses in Ezekiel 37 about God telling him to prophesy to the dry bones and telling them to live.
Much love to you, Nora, and your whole family!!
My own miracle daughter just texted me and asked me if I had seen your post today. She told me you were singing “you are my sunshine” to Nora.
That was the very song I always sang to her when I prayed to God not to take her. She still remembers that. And she was touched to see you singing it to Ms Nora.
Hard to remember how we even managed to get through those first few days, weeks then Months. I can remember once for like 6 weeks that I only slept an hour each night to stay awake with my little one. Now she is a grow. Young woman. And I honestly wish that I had simply taken more time to just relax and hold her and not have worried so much.
Time does fly as you well know. So dont worry. Just spoil your litttle one rotten!
She looks so happy and healthy! I was smiling and crying when you were singing to Nora. You are such a strong and amazing woman. We continue to pray for you guys.
Such a beautiful video ~~ look how peaceful she is while her mommys voice and touch surround her. Just pure, perfect, peaceful love. Love, love , love!!
I JUST READ YOUR MOST BEAUTIFUL TESTIMONY. I COULD ALMOST FEEL YOUR PRESENCE RIGHT BESIDE ME. THROUGH TEARS I GOT THROUGH IT ALL. YOU ARE SO AMAZING ALEISA. YOU AND YOUR FAMILY’S LOVE HAS MADE LITTLE NORA ROSE GET STRONGER EACH AND EVERY DAY. I LOVE THE LITTLE WHITE OUTFIT WITH HER NAME ON THE BACK. SHE IS SO PRECIOUS. LOVE ALL THE PICTURES, AND THE VIDEOS. GOD IS WITH YOU ALL EVERY DAY, GIVING YOU THE STRENGTH AND KNOWLEDGE TO GET THROUGH ALL THAT NEEDS DONE. YOUR LOVE FOR THAT LITTLE NORA IS SO STRONG, I AM SURE SHE FEELS SO SAFE IN ALL OF YOUR FAMILIES ARMS. YOU AND YOUR FAMILY IS SUCH A BLESSING TO SO MANY, AND LITTLE NORA ROSE HAS BLESSED SO MANY PEOPLE. THANK YOU FOR THE BLOG, AND GOD BLESS.
I too had a baby with Trisomy 18. Looking at pictures of Nora reminds me of him. They look similar.I love their hands the best. 🙂 You are going through an amazing journey that will change your life. It will change the way you think and feel about everything and this is something you will never forget. My angel was only here two weeks. His memory and the experience still has a profound effect on me even eight years later. Kiss that special child everyday. We will be thinking and praying for your family
shahawna Cox and family
Oh my! I cannot sing You Ae My Sunshine to my own children without choking up! I definitely cannot keep my eyes dry listening to your sweet song to Nora either. She’s just so precious!
LOVE the panties on the pretty little lady! She looks so content that I think she would purrrrr if she could. 🙂
I love the blinged out bootie!!!