I am such the slacker when it comes to updates!

Once again I am sorry for taking so long to post an update. I just don't feel like sitting here and typing, especially since I have been off work for so long! I have sorta gotten used to not typing...

Anyways, I want to start by thanking each and every one of you who follow us and pray for us on a regular basis. I know that God has heard your prayers because I can see them being answered.

Just about 10 days ago I posted and asked for prayer for I was super uncomfortable and in a lot of pain. Since then the pain has decreased tremendously and I am waking up less throughout the night and have been feeling less uncomfortable. It can only be due to God answering our prayers.

I have to make note of several other prayers that have been answered in the past few months.

In the beginning, as other T18 parents can relate, I was told that 90% of these pregnancies miscarry. I prayed even prior to the diagnosis that I would not miscarry and that everything would be okay. Even though (according to the doctors) things weren't/aren't okay I prayed that God would not allow me to miscarry and to allow me to carry full term. Praise God I have done just that!

Then, I had been so worried and concerned about making it beyond the 28-34 week mark (since 2 doctors had stated early on that it was likely that I would deliver between that time). At 28 weeks to the day I was admitted into the hospital and told that it was likely that I would deliver within 7 days. Well praise God!!! I will be 35 weeks tomorrow! So very thankful to have been able to come thus far and to be able to prove those doctors wrong!

Next, we have been praying for continued growth for Eva. And once again our prayers have been answered! Eva has been gaining a steady 4oz per week since December 31st. Last weeks ultrasound (2/18) showed an approximate weight for her at 3lbs 10oz! Praying that at the time of delivery (3/17) she will be at least a whopping 4lbs 10ozs or MORE!

I am sure that I have more praises to list but they are not all coming to me right now. It wasn't till tonight that I realized all to be thankful for and all to be praising God for.

I actually got out this evening and went to my bible study life group. I haven't been to a Sunday service nor life group in weeks and could physically feel the need to go. So, despite the doctors orders, I got up and out to my local Panara to meet w/ the girls! PRAISE GOD I did! Boy does just that two hour discussion completely lift me up! The girls had called me last week, with a cell phone on speaker, and left me a message to say hello and to let me know that they were thinking about me and praying for me as well. I cried! It makes one feel so special to know that they have the support of others when the devil tries to make you feel so alone! I know that I have the support of many of you all over the world but to know that I have the support of those right here in my hometown really helps too! It was at life group tonight when I came to realize all of the answered prayers over the past few months.

Now moving forward to my current prayer requests...

I am now praying to continue to make it 3 more weeks to our scheduled c-section on March 17th.

Praying that the amniotic fluid will remain at a controlled level. Last week at 34 weeks I was measuring 36. Still not too bad I guess, but praying that it hasn't and doesn't increase anymore than that. If I deliver at 38 weeks and measure 40 weeks I am thinking that my body will be able to tolerate such w/out going into labor on its own.

I am praying for Dr. Thomas (the doctor of my choice) to be able to do my surgery that day.

Praying that we can get a time slot shortly after 8am to be able to discuss our desires w/ the neonatologist prior to the surgery (being that we opted not to write a birth plan). *****Praising God that the neonatologist of our choice is also on the schedule that week and there that morning starting at 8am!*****

Praying that the surgery goes well w/ no complications and that Eva does great throughout the whole process!

Praying that Vinnie doesn't pass out!

Praying that the echo shows the valve defect to be minimal and less of a problem than the cardiologist anticipates. *****Praising God that our pediatric cardiologist is in town that day as well as in the same hospital seeing patients!*****

AND THE BIGGEST PRAYER REQUEST OF THEM ALL.....TO BE ABLE TO BRING EVA HOME!!! AND PRIOR TO EASTER AT THAT! - MAYBE?

I will be completely content if she doesn't make it home in time for Easter (but still comes home sometime thereafter).

I am completely prepared to eat Easter Sunday dinner in the hospital cafeteria, if need be!

Although, I would love more than anything to wake up Easter morning w/ ALL of my children under the same roof! Not to mention how WONDERFUL it would be to make it to Easter Sunday morning service w/ the WHOLE family as well. I know this may seem unrealistic to most and even more unrealistic to the doctors but I serve an AWESOME God, who is more powerful than anything else WHO CAN MAKE THIS HAPPEN! All of the prayer requests that I have already made that have seemed so much smaller than this have been fulfilled and answered. No reason why I can't ask for BIG now!

We have another appointment tomorrow. Will try to update shorty thereafter.