Hi Everyone! My Mommy is real sleepy! She’ll update in the morning! I love you!

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Or the evening….

We’re enjoying a nice restful weekend home from the hospital, obviously! Yesterday I had the opportunity to take the big kids swimming with Nana and Papa, and my Aunt Diane at Nana and Papa’s swim club.

Gavin, Nana, Aunt Diane and Greta

Meanwhile Nora was at home with Daddy smiling up a storm!! These are not little accidental dream smiles – they are the real deal and beyond CUTE!!

All that smiling makes me sleepy!!

We had a long day swimming, but we were excited to get home and see NorNor. We rode the Anderson Ferry back to our house as we usually do, but this time we got to ride on Boone 7 which is the oldest of the three ferry boats.

Heart shaped prayer tree up on the hill!

They don’t often have this one running. When I was a little girl, Boone 7 was the only boat available for trips to pick up relatives at the airport or visit Aunt Rosie in Kentucky. It is considerably smaller and fits only about 6 cars (or one big giant Country Squire wood paneled station wagon back in the 70s).

That’s me (blonde) with my cousin Amy on a trip across the river on Boone 7 – circa 1976?

We were glad to get home and love on Nora!

Here was my awesome God hug of the day.

I also had THREE enormous birds fly over my car last night. It was almost completely dark (9:35 pm). I barely saw them and they had such a huge wingspan that it looked like they were flying in slow motion. No idea what kind of birds they were! But whatever they were, they gave me the chills like no other!

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
(Joshua 1:9)

We are home. Just like Dorothy said, “There’s no place like home…”

I couldn't wait to get my bathies!!!!

It felt so good to be so fresh and so clean that I fell right to sleep afterward!

I am happy and sweet.

There is a bit of a concern over Nora’s weight gain, even though that cute double chin tells a different story. Specific prayer this week would be that Nora continues to do well with her soy milkies  and that she would gain all the weight that she is supposed to.

We have been so comforted and encouraged by all of your prayers. Thank you always!!

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
( 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NIV)

What a beautiful reminder this is!!! Eternal glory that far outweighs this? Sign me up!!

It was a good day today, despite the fact that we’re in a hospital. Nora is still continuing to tolerate the sildenafil without any complications. I realized today after a handful of e-mails and texts from friends / family that I wasn’t very clear on WHY we are here at the hospital. I mentioned this next step way back in Day 94 but I suppose that was a while ago. The days fly by so fast, I can hardly keep track of them. The sildenafil is being administered to her in increments with the hopes of bringing about symptoms of congestive heart failure — as awful as that sounds. If she is able to exhibit symptoms, it will prove that her hypertension is reversible and she will be a better canditate for heart surgery. I hope I explained that correctly. The sildenafil does not bring about permanent congestive heart failure. Symptoms will only show while she is on this medication. We’re hoping to be discharged tomorrow morning!

This afternoon I had my lunch outside and enjoyed the warm breeze, the heat of the sun on my skin and the antics of the little sparrows all over the place. They were like little wind-up toys hopping around to inspect every little bit of substance that might be a bite to eat. A juvenile fluttered her wings begging for food from her mother as a tasty morsel was tenderly dispersed into her beak. Another robust little male buried his feathered belly in a pit of dirt, vivaciously fluttered his wings, partaking in a lavish dust bath. Yesterday there were about 10 – 15 of the little “rat birds” enraptured in these amusing little dust baths. William suggested that the section of mulch was a sparrow bath house. I find such pleasure in watching these “common”, “diminutive” little birds because they remind me of Ava. Ava was far from common or diminutive; she had an incredibly unique and beautiful personality. I knew that because she lived with me for 9 years. The longer I watched and studied these sparrows in nature I began to observe distinct differences in their personalities as well. Some were bold and audacious, while others were cautious and wary of my every move. All different, all unique, each an individual piece of God’s creation. Easy to assume they were mass produced with a standard mold, void of any individuality, one-size-fits-all. Look closely and you will discover otherwise. Every little sparrow is different and known by the same God that also created the universe! Amazing to think about. “God sees the little sparrow fall, it meets his tender view, If God so loves the little birds, I know He loves me too.” (thanks for that samm!)

I left this afternoon to take Gavin and Greta to their dentist appointments. No cavities, but the crystal ball reveals lots of orthodontist visits for both. I’ll let you know when the orthodontia fund raisers will be.  (kidding!… kind of… 😉 ) While I was gone, Miss Nora Stinky Pants loaded up THREEEEEEE diapers! We talked about this while Daddy was at work and she agreed that she’d wait until I’d left to stink the town up. Way to go, NorNor! (no pun intended)

Here are pictures from today:

Nora, you have stinky hands!

WHAP!!

Sleepies

Arrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!

Yo ho ho and a bottle of milkies!

Nakey cakes

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
( Matthew 6:26-27 NIV)

I’d planned to write a little more, but my eyelids feel like they have 10 lb. weights embedded in them. It’s been a physically and emotionally draining day.

Hospitals. Blah!!

Nora was admitted around 1:00 this afternoon and they started her on sildenefil shortly thereafter. We’ve been made to feel at home and as comfortable as possible. The purpose of our stay is to monitor her on the sildenefil to make sure her blood pressure stays at a healthy level. If she does okay we might be able to go home on Friday.

We have an amazing crew of nurses (and doctors) who are taking good care of Nora and of us. We weren’t there for but 15 minutes when we were blessed by a visit from Linda M., who was my angel on earth during our last stay here when Nora was about 12(?) days old. She even rocked Nora for William and I while we went to grab a quick bite to eat!! I heard that she and Nora had quite the conversation while Mommy and Daddy were away! Thank you, Linda, and Happy Anniversary!! 🙂

I was able to get out for a little bit to go spend time with the other kids this evening at Nana and Papa’s while William and Nora stayed behind and watched the Red’s game. I am so grateful for that time with the big kids. I miss them when they’re away!  My Dad fixed me some kale and I watched half of a movie with them, and then was pestered to repeat things in “Nora’s voice”. Yes, she has a “voice” which you may have heard in the Milkies Cafe video. 😉

Real sweet kids

We appreciate your prayers more than I could ever express in words. I enjoyed a generous portion of peace today, but still incredibly exhausted!

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord , “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV)

(Thanks for reminding me of this verse today, Kim! I know and believe in God’s goodness, but I need the reminder, the daily moisturizer for my soul!)

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.
(Matthew 10:29 NIV)

There were actually sparrows flying all over the place, in and out of garbage cans, etc. being the filthy little rat birds that they are - - wink - -, but I managed to capture 3 of them together for a split second!

We somehow averted catastrophe here in our house. I shouldn’t say “somehow” because I know how. It was nothing other than a healing miracle that took place before my very eyes. Last night Greta had an upset stomach and was obviously coming down with the stomach virus going around. She went to bed crying that her stomach hurt to lay down. She did manage to sleep through the night, but come morning she was sitting in front of the toilet crying that she felt like she was going to puke. William could NOT stay home from work today. It was not an option. We made Greta comfortable up in the loft where I could hear her if she needed me, but away from Nora. After William left for work I went out on our deck and prayed, “WE.CAN.NOT.HANDLE.THIS.RIGHT.NOW, GOD!!! PLEASE TAKE THIS AWAY FROM US!!! PLEASE!!!!” I stared out at the trees and the sky for a few more minutes before I reluctantly went back inside. When I did, there was Greta standing in the kitchen asking for breakfast and wanted to know if she could clean out the kitten’s litterbox. {????? Wait… What?????} It was seriously like night and day, and I say this without any exaggeration what so ever!!! The rest of the day progressed without any incidents. I am still completely awestruck. Thank you, God!!!!!

I was feeling particularly fragile after an experience today that really isn’t worth mentioning because honestly it probably has more to do with the fact that I was fragile and overly-sensitive to begin with. If the wind blows the wrong way, I will cry. Still emotionally delicate from the previous situation, I ventured off to Greta’s dance studio to pick up her summer recital photos and DVD. I checked my eyes in the visor mirror to make sure my eyelids didn’t look like hot dogs before I went inside. Yes, I’d been crying, but not necessarily “sad crying”. It was more out of exhaustion and being overwhelmed with the good and the bad. And maybe feeling a little sorry for myself… yearning for those days when I had absolutely nothing to worry about except whether or not my cordless phone got reception out at the pool or what brand of tequila I should get to go with my frozen margarita mix. As I was walking out of the dance studio a woman approached me to let me know that she’s been praying for Nora and for our family. She gave me a big hug and on came the waterworks again. I needed that hug in that moment more than you could ever know, Paulina! Thank you! So again, I was crying, but now I was crying because God cares so much about me that He puts people in my path to comfort me RIGHT WHEN I NEED THEM. It’s really pretty amazing!

We leave for Children’s tomorrow afternoon. I feel surprisingly at peace about that. I literally feel your prayers! I was able to unclutter my head this evening (to clear room for the Holy Spirit!) during a lengthy walk through the neighborhood. Nora slept throughout the 3.5 miles. I saw a couple of bird trios and a beautiful sunset. Of course I’d rather be watching that sun set over Lake Huron, but I’ll settle for this!

I’ll update when I can throughout these next few days! Thank you so very, very much for your continued prayers!!!

So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10 NIV)

Much to Nora’s pleasure, Nana came over for a visit today. This enabled me to get out for a little while with the big kids. We only went to the library and to Target, but it was nice to get out and we had fun together! Gavin begged and pleaded for a counter top “ring for service” bell. {??? just what we need???} Fortunately, he settled on a box of muffin mix instead. I LOVE this kid’s “randomness”!!

Do you know the muffin man?

Nora is doing well. She’s still tolerating the soy milkies, but now we are worried that we haven’t seen a stinky diaper in awhile. 😦 

We are planning on having her admitted to Children’s on Wednesday. I’m not sure how long we’ll have to stay, but it’s estimated to be 2 or 3 nights. I have to keep reminding myself that 2 or 3 nights is paradise compared to what another precious family in our prayers has faced. And, as with every other visit / appointment, I would discover afterward that my fears and worries were completely senseless. Why do we put ourselves through worrying!!??

Here are a couple of videos that I’ve meant to post:

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And now much to my children’s dismay, I must mention Henrietta Pussycat*.

William stopped for coffee at Remke a couple mornings ago and ended up also stopping for a kitten. Henrietta was crying and scared at the entrance of the grocery store, so naturally William picked her up and brought her home. We’ve exhausted all efforts in finding her owners, so I figured I’d mention her on here incase someone reading is missing or wants a kitten. She’s very sweet, loves to cuddle, tolerates kids very well and she uses the litterbox. Gavin & Greta keep plotting and conspiring ways we could keep her, but unfortunately “it ain’t gonna happen”. We’d love to keep her, but already have 2 cats who are none too pleased. As if we don’t have enough going on here, right?!

* I’m not 100% completely absolutely sure this is a female cat, but if I had to guess, I’d say it was.

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Goodnight and God bless!

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
(Romans 5:1 NIV)

Today Nora had a special visit from her friend Mariana! Nora was a little disagreeable about having her picture taken since that meant she had to hold still for a second.

These precious, beautiful little girls are truly gifts from God. It was so sweet to have them together! Thank you, Barbara for coming to visit us!

Later in the afternoon I took Nora upstairs for a swim in the tub. She got tired waiting for the water to fill and fell asleep.

After a brief reprieve (5 minutes) bath time was back on again!

Nap time resumed on our evening walk to the mailbox. Please pardon all of these interruptions!

We had a nice visit from Nana, Papa and Oma this evening too. We all missed each other!

As the weekend draws to a close I am becoming exceedingly anxious. The possibility of a few night’s stay in the hospital is at hand, which has me extremely uneasy. William is very busy at work this week and can’t be as accessible as he’s been in the past. I’m scared, nervous, disappointed and sad… tired… trying to hold it all together. This time last week we were settling in for our first night in Michigan. How fast time flies.

The entire extended family is back safe in their respective homes, hopefully enjoying a good night’s rest after their long drive today. I picked up Gavin & Greta from Nana & Papa’s this evening and had dinner with them. We determined that we already miss each other and talked at length about plans for next year’s Michigan trip. It’s always a bit of a transition for us to get back to “life as usual” after having been living together for the whole week. I love those people like mad!

Nora had a really good day today! She’s been eating her new soy milkies like a seasoned pro without any excessive fussiness and even made some more pretty smiles at us. I have video footage, but it’s on William’s phone. I will have to post it tomorrow as William and his phone have retired for the night.

Ahhh. There is my mobile!

I make pretty smiles!

Mmmm. Soy milkies. That's what I like.

And now I’m off to sleep too while Little Miss is sleeping! Thank you for your prayers, especially for travel safety for my family. And thank you for all of your encouragement and advice regarding Nora’s fussiness and feedings! Kind of makes me wish I would have blogged when Gavin & Greta were babies (Colic-palooza)!! I will most certainly explore the possibility of reflux and perhaps invest in some new bottles! You’re all awesome, and I am so thankful for you!

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.
(2 Thessalonians 3:16 NIV)

The trip back home was uneventful. Nora slept for much of the way with only a few fussy periods. We stopped at a Wal-Mart somewhere along 75 and bought some gas drops for Nora. I have been sceptical of those things since Gavin was an infant. They never, ever worked for Gavin or Greta. This is why we were just now, in desperation, trying them again. For her first bottle after they were administered, they seemed to have done the trick!!!! She was actually smiling and cooing instead of writhing and screaming!

“You mean this is all it took?????” I yelled at myself. By the 2nd and 3rd bottles, despite being armed with the gas drops, it was back to screaming as usual. All hopes were dashed and I reinstated my opinion that gas drops are a scam.

We made it to the pediatrician’s office just in the nick of time… just as they were about to call it a day, and just seconds before the weather unleashed a wicked storm. Dr. Bolling didn’t notice anything outwardly wrong with Nora, no signs of heart failure or pneumonia, which were the big questions. I am such a nervous wreck about anything that pertains to doctor and hospital visits, terrified that we will be given grim news. I feel like I hold my breath the whole time I’m at any appointment for anything, waiting to be handed a lit stick of dynamite. This time a simple switch of formulas was suggested, and a  trial can of soy formula was handed to us instead. I can deal with that, and with Nora’s fussiness, as long as it just means she’s being a typical fussy baby. I heaved a sigh of relief as we exited the building, only to quickly gasp it back in. There in the sky was a big low rainbow!! Perfect reminder, perfect timing, once again.

It's just above the roof of the building in the distance

We are finally and safely back home after a long day in the car without much sleep the night before. Nora is so fresh and so clean from her relaxing bathies with Mommy. She really, really enjoyed that! Then we watched the opening ceremonies of the Olympics for a little while.

Jolly good, it was!

William and I are completely exhausted and are so looking forward to a good night’s rest in our own cozy bed! Thank you Bryan and Jen for reporting for Night Time Nora Duty at the last minute! We love you!

The rest of our family is still up in Michigan, living the good life, apparently…

Please keep them in your prayers for travel safety as they embark on their journey back home bright and early tomorrow morning!

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
(Romans 12:12 NIV)

It’s Nora’s Hundredth Day–a day we never even imagined. I’m happy and thankful for that, but I’m inclined to blame my dour mood on the miserable cocktail of hormones, gloomy weather and lack of sleep. Not to mention that Nora started the day off with another lengthy crying jag. It’s frustrating enough with a normal baby, but add to that “everything else that might be wrong” spinning through my mind. I hate to think of her in any pain, even if it is just gas pains.

If anyone can console this baby girl, it is her Nana. My Mom. My Mommy. My “Bobbity” (a nickname that evolved while trying to say “Mommy” with a stuffy nose… we think?) It was the same with me when I was just little. There was nothing and no one who could comfort me like my Mom. Her loving touches and her sweet soothing voice were magic. Nora, a part of me, would of course naturally find the same comfort from her.

And while my Mom takes care of Nora, I have my sweet Dad taking care of me like I’m still his little girl. He’s made me breakfasts, lunches and dinners and I love that he even cuts my meat up for me. He makes me feel safe and protected… blessed. I’m blessed that I don’t have any trouble regarding God as a Heavenly FATHER capable of keeping me safe and protected… and blessing me. I know what it’s like to be loved by a Father. My Dad. My Daddy. It makes me wonder why I was in such a hurry to grow up. I’d give anything to go back to those days.

Lucky kids

Nora spent her morning nap in her stroller on a 4 mile walk with her Muthr. I didn’t realize how far we’d gone until I mapped it out on my phone when we got back. I was in such a mood that I could have just kept walking and walking forever – trying to get to the end of time were it possible.

Real-life Pine-sol!

I walked to the end of Island 8 and back, across the Kissing Bridge over to Hill Island, and half way down Hill Island to the house we had previously rented for our vacations 4 years in a row. It is no longer being rented out and is currently on the market. Nora stayed asleep as I rattled the stroller down the gravel driveway. The house seemed unoccupied, so we continued on into the backyard. I stood there in the corner of the yard with a pang of sadness as I recalled so many memories. This house that had seemed like “ours” for so many years seemed suddenly cold and unwelcoming against its will. I grabbed a small pink rock and put it in my pocket before we rattled back up the driveway and back toward Island 8.

On our way back across the Kissing Bridge I stopped to gently kiss Nora’s sweet little forehead.

Nora got kisses from Daddy on their walk too!

Get. This. Off. Meeee!!!!

I got emotional today as I tortured myself with the fear of what next year’s Michigan trip would look like, if there was one. Would Nora be with us, I wondered? That’s where it started and gradually smoldered from there. I started feeling sorry for myself and angry at God as if though I were somehow the first and only person ever to be faced with potentially tragic circumstances. I already know the answer, yet still demand to know how God could have done this to us, and why couldn’t she just be “normal”? Things would be so much easier!!!

“I never said it would be easy, but it will be worth it. I’m with you,” echoed in my sad thoughts, “Stop worrying! I’ve got this!!”

Images of the crowd of people who had come to pray in my front yard. Countless trios of birds. Rainbows. Strangers who are now friends. Changed lives. My own reinforced relationship with God, my hubzbind, kids and family.

I KNOW… I KNOW… But it’s still so hard!!!!!! I DO trust that God is hard at work, doing something awesome, but at the same time, I’m human. I’m selfish, and I want things neat, tidy, and happy. With a sprinkling of happy moments throughout the days, the underlying uncertainty and sadness lurks. It’s warm and sunny toward the surface of the water, but on the days that I start to go under, I feel the cold and the muck at the bottom. It’s all I can do to keep my feet from getting stuck, drowning.

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I wasn’t able to post this at the end of the day yesterday night like I usually do. It wasn’t such a good night for Nora.  She seems to be having more and more trouble eating. Each bottle guarantees at least an hour of crying, if she even takes the bottle at all. We decided it was best to head back home. I snuck into Gavin & Greta’s fort and kissed their sweet, warm cheeks, explaining that we had to go home with Nora. I managed to hold back the tears and played up the fact that they’d get to stay another day with Nana & Papa, even though it hurt so bad to say goodbye. The tears couldn’t be contained with the warm embrace of my Mom and Dad.

Thank you for everything, Mom & Dad. It was so nice to all be together this week. We did have a lot of fun despite some interludes of sadness on behalf of this baby girl. I’m sooooo glad we were able to make it up! To have Nora be a part of it this year meant the world! Sarah, Em & Josh, I’m sorry we didn’t get to say goodbye. Thanks, Dan for helping us load up the car. Take care of those big kids for us and have a safe trip back tomorrow. We love you allz!!

More pictures from yesterday, Nora’s 100 Day Birthday:

Gavin

And now we’re headed home.

“Whoever listens to me will live in safety
and be at ease, without fear of harm.”
(Proverbs 1:33 NIV)