Chubby Cheeks

Due to amazing technology, I have a sweet photo of Amy's little Ladybug, as she is affectionately known to her parents.

Isn't that amazing? Dontcha' just want to munch on those chubby cheeks?
Wanna see something even more amazing?

Same chubby cheeks. That's the momma of the little one with the chubby cheeks.
Is there quite possibly a resemblance?

Hmmmmm, I'm thinkin' yes.

Update:
Amy's pre-eclampsia is gone! She's been a very good girl, resting lots, and the doctor said it will stay away as long as she keeps up the good work resting. Baby still has the severe heart defect, and the doctors all say she won't go until her due date of Jan 17th but it sure is comforting to see that cute little face on the ultrasound-she even waved at her grandma!

Word

I don't know why, but I woke up feeling better this morning than I have for weeks. (maybe it was the late night spagetti dinner???)

I woke up smiling and thinking about my word for the year 2010. Little did I realize how prophetic that would be.

I've been learning a lot this past few weeks. Learning about
NICUs
PICUs
neonatologist
perinatologist
echos
ultrasounds

Since Amy's been on bed rest, I've been the chauffeur to all her doctor appointments. And we've been to the doctor nearly every day since she was released (got another one at 8:30 today).

I've worked for/been around doctors for nearly 20 years. And I've been so impressed with the team that has been assembled to take care of her.

There's a certain humility and compassion that I've noticed about these folks who work with little babies, especially sick little babies. There has been demonstrated a high level of patience and kindness when talking to a mommy who is scared to death about her baby's future. It's been wonderful to watch. My prayers have been filled with gratitude for the multitude of tender mercies that have been bestowed upon us to this point.

I'm learning more than I ever really wanted to learn this year, but that's okay. And we are still uncertain of the future but as the days progress, we take one day at a time, filled with hope and learning new things along the way.

Baptisms, Baby Showers, and Birthdays, Oh My!

So life just keeps moving on...faster than I can keep up with it!

Here's the big girl that was baptized a few weeks ago.
Our oldest grandbaby. Except she's not a baby anymore.
Time flies!!
It was a great day.

And here's the baby shower honoree.
We are SO blessed that she was able to attend her shower.
Because she was in the hospital for most of last week.
The baby is starting to have edema under the skin (typical condition with babies with heart defects)
And the doctor wanted her to be monitored.
She has mild pre-eclampsia and is now on strict bed rest.
Except for special things like baby showers.
And doctor appointments!

And the Birthday Boy is the handsome fella on the far left.
Poor guy, he seems to get gypped every year on his birthday since it falls in December.
And we remedied that...
With a nice family dinner.
Complete with favorites of lemon chicken and chocolate cake and ice cream.

So we're still alive and kickin' around here.
Decking the halls.
and Creating in Santa's workshop.

And sorely lacking in the picture taking department!!!!

Silence Broken

I'm not gonna lie.
Life is really hard right now.
And I just am not willing to share private information on the world wide web.
Kinda like profaning the sacred.
ya' know.

But know that there is a lot of kissing of grandbabies.
Fervent prayers being said.
Immersing myself in the scriptures.
Trying to allow the Savior to carry my burdens,
But sometimes they are tough to let go.....
Sometimes I think maybe I can carry them better....
Go figure.

I'm learning the HUGE importance of gratitude.
Looking for the tender mercies that occur each and every day.
And recognizing them, even if they are miniscule.
Feeling the love and warmth of family.
The strength that comes from temple attendance.

I'll try to pop back in soon.

P.S. It's finally cold here.
It's been freezing at night.
Garden?   what garden?

Lifting Burdens: The Atonement of Jesus Christ

Test Results

As always, life is crazy here.
But we got a glimmer of good news yesterday.
The preliminary test results for the amniocentesis:
No genetic abnormalities.
So far so good.

Just the little matter of the heart problem.
One step at a time.

I'm full of gratitude!

She said it Best

Again, I refer you to my Amy..an inspiring post....she gives herself the best advice on dealing with trials.

It's been a few days of tears and agonizing. Watching a beloved daughter suffer and wondering how to help her. Worrying about a precious grandchild's future. And yet, there is always hope. There have been so many others who have lifted and encouraged. There have been blessings of peace and comfort. Pleading prayers. Humble prayers of accepting God's will, no matter what.

And so we wait.
And hope.

The pictures on the ultrasound do not paint a pretty picture. There are serious defects in her little baby's heart. There are serious worries about genetic chromosomal defects. She has a team of compassionate, caring doctors. I struggled to hold in the tears when one of them gave her a tender hug after he delivered the tough news.

And so we wait
And hope.

But go read her eloquent words.
She said it best.