Written on 9:06 AM by gracefully discovering:
The girls are currently residing in a very lavish and comfortable five star hotel, and we want to make sure that when they check out in 10 weeks that they are "closing" on a spot that is just as lavish and comfy!! Daddy and some of our friends spent yesterday putting together the furniture that Grandma and Pa-Pa bought them. We are so thankful that they blessed us and the girls with two cribs, two changing tables and a dresser!! These little ladies are already so loved!!!
So anyway, we had a busy day at our house this past saturday! The guys and god mommy Rita came over to help put the furniture together, I hosted our book club, we watched the draft, played monopoly and Buzz on the PS3!! It was a very fun day!! Good food, good friends and good times! We definitely have to keep this up when the girls come- I refuse to be the couple that loses everything that we were before because we have kids! We have to set a good example for them, that it's very healthy to have a balanced life!! So game nights and date nights are still on!
Back to the nursery!!! We still have a long way to go. But we have checked some things off the list:
1) the room is painted- a very pretty lavender/lilac color!
2) the cribs are put together (and they are CUUUTE)
3) one changing table is up. Still trying to decide if we will put both of them in there- I don't want it to be too cluttered
4) the dresser is up
5) I have taken most of my stuff out of their closet and hung up ALL of their clothes that they have received already! We are defintely outgrowing this house already. With all of their clothes and mine...we are in trouble...3 girls..not enough closet space!!
I can't wait to finish the room!! It's going to be amazing. I'll keep you all updated on our progress. Stay tuned.
Here are a few pics...I will add more as we progress!
Written on 9:24 AM by gracefully discovering:
Okay enough is enough! What does a girl have to go through to have a baby. I thought having two babies growing inside of you....gaining 27 pounds in 27 weeks, feeling uncomfortable most of the time, and the nonstop nausea for 2 months was enough!
But apparently not! Apparently, you gotta have serious heartburn (and I don't think I have ever had heartburn in my life), leg cramps that make you punch your husband 3 times in the middle of the night, and the inability to walk up the stairs in your home without feeling like you need an oxygen tank.
The really sad part is that...I KNOW that this is going to get worse. I know it..I just know it!
I'm really gonna have to figure out how to shake this. Any ideas ladies??!! Help a sister out!
Written on 1:58 PM by gracefully discovering:
"HAVE FAITH" are two words that I have heard very frequently through this journey with Nia's special heart. People from all different backgrounds and age groups tend to speak those words to me- in an attempt to make me feel better.
(I'm really going to try and articulate my feelings in this blog without sounding crazy or setting myself up for backlash...sigh)
I believe that there is a BIG difference in having faith in God's ABILITY and having faith in KNOWING what He is going to do. Many individuals have affirmed their Faith in KNOWING what Gods plan is for Nia. They have told me several times that they "know" that she is going to be fine, that God is going to heal her heart and the Doctors won't find anything wrong with it, and that it will in fact all be okay...so I shouldn't stress about it.
But we don't really know that. What I know is...
1. GOD is able to do ALL THINGS!
2. GOD knows what is best for us, even when it's not what we believe is best for us
3. GOD doesn't make ANY mistakes
4. GOD is a miracle maker
5. GOD is a healer
6. GOD is an all knowing GOD
7. GOD is omnipotent
And most importantly that GOD's WILL will be done. And we never know what HIS will is- or what his plan or purpose is for our lives. So for me to have Faith in KNOWING what his plan is, is a bit naive. I have faith in 100% of my mind, body, and spirit that GOD will do what is best for our baby girl. I believe with all of my heart and soul that HIS WILL will be done. And I am praying that whatever HE decides to do (because He knows best) that HE gives us the strength, peace and patience to get through it.
I want nothing more than for our baby girl to survive all three surgeries and live a very normal, happy and healthy life. I want to shower her with all of the love that I can muster up inside of me and protect her from anything that could hurt her. I want to give her my heart so that she could have a chance at life. I want nothing more than to KNOW that GOD is 100% for sure gonna give her that chance at bringing total happiness to our lives.
But the reality is, I don't know if that will happen. There are two possible outcomes...either it will happen..or it won't. And I'm gonna prepare myself for both of those outcomes. And if anyone believes that because I chose to "deal" with it this way means that I don't have faith...then please understand that I have total faith in GOD and that HIS WILL will be done.
Written on 12:52 PM by gracefully discovering:
I found this on Gavin's mommy's blog. It is so beautiful...I had to steal it and share it with you all. Feel free to check out his blog (the link is under babies with special hearts. Today he had his last surgery of the 3-stage surgery. He seems to be doing well and mommy says that he is a very active 2 year old!!
It's a beautiful day up in heaven. Jesus is rounding up his tiniest angels, to go live on earth, and be born. One of the sweetest angels says to Jesus "I don't want to leave, I like it here, and I will miss you". He reassures the scared little angel that everything will be okay, and that she is just going for a visit. She is still not swayed on this idea. So Jesus kneels down, and says, "How about if you leave half of your heart here with me and take the other half with you, will that be okay?" The angel smiles and says, "I guess that will work". But the little angel is still a little scared. She asks, "Will I be okay with only half of my heart?" Jesus replies, "Of course you will, I have other angels there that will help out, and you will be fine." Then Jesus gives the angel more details about his plan. He says "When you are born, your mommy will be scared, so you have to be strong, and when you feel weak just remember that I have the other half of your heart." "Enjoy your time with your family, play and laugh everyday." "And when its time to come back to heaven, I will make your heart whole again. Always remember that you are not broken, just torn between two loves." -Author Unknown
Written on 11:38 AM by gracefully discovering:
It's been a minute since I've updated you all on the growing journey of our baby girls...my apologies, but there hasn't really been much to tell except that they are growing...and kicking...and moving around in there a lot!
We have decided on our girls names. We really put a lot of thought into this because we wanted their names to mean something special- and kinda describe who they are. We also wanted them to have "N" names...like their daddy. So here is what we chose!
Nia: (formally known as Fat-Fat) means purpose in Swahili. We figured that with her special heart, God put her in our lives for a special purpose and her existence on earth will serve a great purpose to all of those who come into contact with her.
Naomi: means pleasant and beautiful. She is very pleasant...i'm telling you- this girl doesn't move a whole lot, she is always just chillin! Unlike her rambunctious big sister! The beautiful part is a given...there is no way that these girls won't be drop dead gorgeous...I mean look at their parents :)
As of today Nia weighs 2.5 pounds and Naomi weighs 2 pounds even! I am very happy that they are growing right on schedule and that Nia is still my little fat mama...because the bigger and stronger she is, the better she will be able to withstand her long journey of surgeries that await her.
Speaking of surgeries: Monday, we went back to the Cardiologist (and remember how we asked you all to pray that she would either move closer to the white part of the heart spectrum...or all the way to the Black part of the spectrum), well...she moved completely to the black. Which means that the left side of her heart (which is responsible for pumping blood and oxygen to the brain and the body) didn't develop and can't do its job....thus the diagnosis of Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome.
So in order for Nia to live, she is going to have to get a 3-stage surgery. The first surgery (named after her daddy...how cool) is the Norwood procedure. She will have this within the first week of life. I posted about all of the surgeries a while ago...so if you're interested in learning about them...you can go to the older post titled "Our baby girl has a special heart" (I can't seem to figure out how to link it)
The girls will be delivered at St. Lukes and then they will take her on over to Texas Children's Hospital. This is where all of her surgeries and after care will be done. We couldn't be in a better place right now! TCH was named the 3rd best Hospital for children in the world! So I am very confident that she will receive the best treatment available!
I just can't imagine that her little tiny body is going to have to withstand open heart surgery within the first week of life...but it's what has to be done. I can already tell that she is a little fighter because she definitely moves around like crazy inside her little 5 star hotel that she has lived in for the past 27 weeks. Also, I was talking to someone (can't remember who) but she was talking about how resilient babies are, and how they recover so quickly from things that we would whine and cry about for months!
Anyway- in about 10 weeks, our journey will begin with her surgeries, recovery, rehab, etc. So please keep us in your prayers!
