11 months old

From this...

To this...

Who would have ever thought we would be so blessed. (I wasn't talking about the extra food people have obviously been feeding us. I was referring to the three little princesses.) Oh how life has changed since our first Thanksgiving together. We recently celebrated our ninth! And today, we celebrate the 11th month of life of our precious baby...the fighter, the one who won't give up. From the moment of birth and her situation in the NICU, until now, with her desire to get from the couch to my arms walking with a pencil in one hand and a wad of socks in the other, her determination still amazes us. She is so smart like her big sisters. Little Emory crawls faster than anyone (if walking isn't getting her there quickly enough) to get to the piano her sister is banging on. She comes screeching random shouts louder than the vaccuum when I am cleaning. She is constantly reminding us that though she is the littlest, she still has a voice and a definite opinion on how things should be done. Her favorite word is "Uh-oh," and she works so hard to say new things and never seems to give up trying with constant repetition. Her zeal for fun makes us smile, and her eyes...oh how they shine. Now, if she can just give up her one bad habit...waking her mom up multiple times per night. For all you people who think you have parenthood SOOOO figured out, have a 3rd. God bless your special day Emory. Happy Day you almost 1 year old!

Baby Mama

Tonight I committed every no-no in the book. I left my baby unattended in the floor while I checked my email. I left the bathroom door open. I didn't dispose of the water in the bathtub immediately after the bath. And, instead of fretting about it all, I got my camera and thanked God that Emory is alive. I will NOT make these mistakes again...usually I do not, but we all mess up occasionally. So, I am very pleased that all that happened was Emory took it upon herself to enjoy a few more minutes of bathtime and that I had other clean pajamas to put her in but even more pleased that an accident did not occur. Don't forget to baby proof things when you have little ones...and if you don't know how, Tina Fey's character does an incredible job in Baby Mama.

New addition to the family

No, we aren't pregnant. But, today, a baby WAS delivered to our front door. We accepted him graciously (as is the custom here where we live, when something is given to you.) He is now tied to a tree in the backyard crying for me to let him in. Apparently his previous parents allowed him in the house. Tonight I will get even less sleep...Despite the girl (that I love and adore) waking me up at least twice per night, I also have the rooster who lives in the tree outside my window (unless I knock him out of it with a 2 X 4, which I have been known to do before dawn on two occasions) and who belongs to my neighbor (with whom I have pleaded to dispose of him properly), I am quite sure I will also be awakened by Oscar--the adorable goat who won't be living with us for much longer. We found him a new home tonight...Nighty night...

Season's Greetings

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Sweet Dreams

Last night I told the girls to each choose 1 toy to take to bed with them. Trinity, very peacefully, chose Spikey the Raccoon whom she placed to sleep in a small box with a bandana on his head because he apparently had some sort of wound. Micah came banging to bed with a bucket full of items. She threw the bucket in her bed, then climbed in and began arranging toy after toy in the bucket until it could hold no more. I said, "Micah, I believe you are supposed to choose one toy." Her response? "Dis is one butet, Mommy." Translation, "This is one bucket, Mommy." She had me there...This was one bucket. So smart already. The items that she couldn't part with: a knee pad, a stuffed hippo, some ribbon, a treasure box, a wooden mallet, an extra large fake penny, an old cell phone, and a plastic eggplant...What more could a girl want?

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We bought a clown costume for a fiesta we are planning in December. The girls wanted to try it on, so that has been keeping us entertained in this cold, rainy weather.

Crushed Velvet

a funny card i sent my aunt and cousin

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I Danced with Cinder-Emory

Micah's rendition of, "I Danced with Cinderella," and Emory trying to sing a litle too.

Three Sweet Girls

These girls...so silly, so full of life. I can't imagine my life without them. Trinity is well into 2nd grade, reading anything she can sound out. She read the title of my book Have a New Kid by Friday and burst into tears. She was personally offended that I would read such a book, then said, "In your book, does it tell the parents to only let your children have a tiny bit of fun per week?" Poor girl, she worries way too much...too much like me. Micah has toned down her car screaming quite a bit but continues to keep us hopping with her newest antics. In the past week, only a few things were affected by her artistic ability. She pink crayoned the dark green couch, markered the bottom of her feet purple, penned the kitchen table, green permanent markered her new art table (hey, what's an art table for?), and painted the front of the house with purple and yellow paint. I am sure there are more, but I forget at the moment. Emory is the lovey of the world. She loves to be held while she sucks her thumb. She has started making kiss sounds. She took two steps last night and is on the road to being more mobile than I am ready for. If I am not pulling paper out of her mouth, I am moving her away from the grip of her sister and her unfailing desire to squish her. Poor Emory. We will be very excited if she makes it unscathed over the next few years...God bless my girls.

Micah on Guard

This is a picture of Micah guarding the cokes at a recent event we hosted in Mexico. Sometimes, people steal the cokes, so we put Micah on guard. With a face like that, who would steal? She is so funny. She has butterfly wings on (not sure if you can tell in the photo) and she wouldn't take them off. Micah is the silly one...She is either dramatically throwing a fit on the floor or stealing from the pantry. I have had to put locks on the pantry and the fridge. I recently read Have a New Kid by Friday. What did I learn? I don't want a new kid...I love my Micah.

Trinty and Flat Ellie

Trinity is growing so fast. She loves to play her Nintendo DS and play Littlest Pet Shop. Reading is one of her favorite things; though she still prefers books with big pictures over chapter books. Here, she is shown with two little friends in Mexico. She is holding "Flat Ellie." Flat Ellie is a drawing her cousin made of herself who is to go on adventures with Trinity. In the Spring we will report on where Flat Ellie has been. So far, she has been on the dash of the van--a lot. Anyway, look how big Trinity is. So beautiful, compassionate, and smart...and 7 going on 17.

Baby Emory

Emory's Stats:

9 1/2 months old
15 1/2 lbs
Sits, Crawls, and stands alone
really wants to walk
1 lonely tooth
says:
"Bye Bye", "DaDa", "ThiThi" (for sissy), "yay" (on occasion)
waves
claps to pattycake
has taken 1 step
beautiful

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Notes from Trinity's Birthday

Name: Trinity Laurel Burton
Age: 7 years old
Favorite thing to do: horseback riding
Favorite thing about today: eating cupcakes
When I grow up I would like to be a person who takes care of hamsters.
Quote of the day: “Ok, Mommy, now that I turned 7, I would like to go ahead and be 9.”
Mom’s response: NONE
I love: dancing and dressing up, playing with baby animals, having friends over, eating ice cream.

Name: Micah Emberlyn Burton
Age: 2 ½
Favorite thing to do: eat bollibops
Favorite thing about today: singing Happy Birthday to Trinity in Spanish
When my mom was not looking today, I colored on her sheets.
Quote of the day: “Mommy, where are all de wittle ders?”
Translation: “Where are the little girls?”
Mom’s response: “They are here, at my house. How many more do you want?”
I love: eating cookies, especially chocolate, playing with play dough, painting, and reading stories.



Name: Emory Morning Burton
Age: 7 months, 3 weeks
Favorite thing to do: eat paper
Favorite thing about today: holding on to the couch standing up
When my mom was getting the pen away from Micah today I tried to eat some plastic.
I love: holding crackers, milk in the moonlight, long walks in my mom’s sling.
One day I would like to: walk like my big sisters and run and play with them.

beach trip

A week of fun…
Trinity caught her first fish. Micah experienced the incredible feeling of sand between her toes…and fingers…and, well, diaper area…. Emory slept as the sound of the waves whooshed back and forth and back again.


We had an amazing time at the beach. We met Matt’s parents and brothers and three aunts and some cousins for a weekend of fun in the sun. Port Aransas will never be the same. We swam a lot, ate tons of Sarah’s cookie dough, dug up shrimp and eels, yes eels, and enjoyed spending lots of time with cousins. We took up a major portion of the beach with 4 Enviro-shades and then 5 and then even 6 at one point. People around us began to ask if they needed to move over. Ha! The kids had a blast, and their parents did too. All 13 of MiMi’s grandkids made it (number 14 will be here in January.) No, not from us…Jack and Maja are expecting Paden, their 5th boy. Next summer will be even more fun. Trinity might be ready to venture out and attempt skim boarding like her boy cousins did this year. And maybe Emory will not be attempting to eat the sand like she wanted so badly to this year. We were so thankful to have this time together again this summer!

grandparents

grand: magnificent or splendid; noble or revered

Whoever put the Grand in grandparents must have known my mom and dad. They were grand at parenting me and my brothers and are grand-er still at being Mimi and Poppy to my children, their grandchildren. If you try to find them at home on a weekend, you wont. Be it in Tyler visiting Alley's 3, or at the Summit Pool at Canyon Lake with Jack's crew, at the Children's Museum with Beau's boys, or at the coast "crabbing" with as many as can fit in the suburban, they will be somewhere with grandkids-any one or several of the 13.

For a week in July, they were with us in Mexico. No road is too long, (or too filled with potholes) to stop the "Grands" from seeing theirs. They arrived with another grandchild, Spencer, to see Burgos, catch up on the mission, and see the girls. Emory is still needing time to adjust to any face but her mother's, but Micah and Trinity are in full Mimi-mode from days before the actual arrival.

The visit included Mom, Dad and Spencer accompanying us on daily projects and work, a trip to the beach, and a return trip to McAllen for movies and a museum. But the highlight was just being with them. A trip for ice cream, playing cards, or singing...Mimi can make the little things so big. Without her permission, I have included a video of one night of fun at our house in Burgos. Don't tell Mimi that she's on our blog singing, but it makes me smile so big...and it takes me back to my child hood and the Grand mother and father I had, and have.

aunt Liz's house

After Emory's 6 month appointment, we came up from the border to the SanAntonio area. We were able to visit with PJ's grandmother and then headed to Fredericksburg and stayed at creepy aunt Liz's house. (On PJ's mom's side of the family, creepy is a term of endearment.) The girls were met with new pajamas, their favorite, and enjoyed playing in the girly room with toys, puzzles, and princess paraphernalia. The next morning we headed to visit more family at the 40th Jackson Cousins Reunion. More on that later.

We are so blessed by the family we have and the care they take of us. We treasure time to visit, even if briefly, when we are in Texas.

six months

This week, we celebrated Emory's 6 month birthday on earth. She has grown so big, and we realize daily how blessed we are just to have her here with us. At her appointment, she weighed in at a whopping 14 pounds and is in the 25th percentile for her age. She is wonderful, amazing, perfect in every way. Emory has the most amazing blue eyes and incredible eyelashes. When she smiles, her cheeks squeeze up so tight it looks like her face might explode. She is joyous, easy going, and loves watching her big sisters play. She rolls over and over and over and is already up on all fours trying to crawl...things are about to get a whole lot busier. We are so blessed that she has been sleeping through the night for months.

It is hard to believe where our family was just 6 months ago, praying for God to come through for us on this one. He did and continues to do so everyday. Count your blessings today and think how much things have changed from just 6 months ago. If life is great, praise God for all He has given you. If things aren't so great, remember that though it seeems like an eternity to you, for Him, 6 months are just one breath.

new pics at http://www.flickr.com/photos/10022403@N08/sets/72157603740368691/show/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/10022403@N08/sets/72157603832271957/show/

Mr. Mom

PJ is deeply embedded in swimming lessons and I am home (at my parent's in Lockhart) with my angels. The "learning process" is a priceless experience and I am sure at the completion of this week (the last week of lessons) I, dad, will have learned most of what my daughters have been trying to teach me.

I'll begin by saying that I have the most wonderful wife. She has given herself to our family, for our benefit and at her expense. She constantly reads, to gain insight into being a more complete wife and mother, she makes our house in Mexico a home, (hard to do with cinder blocks that are only good for radiating heat) and she makes each of us feel like we are the most important person in the world.

Back to my attempt at being her. Last week I proudly announced as she walked in the door from her 9 and 1/2 hour day, "Well, the house is standing and the kids are alive." To date that is still true. I felt a true sense of accomplishment as I collapsed and wondered what a ride with the EMS would be like. (slight exaggeration for dramatic effect.) As I reflected on my success, I suddenly realized that, when roles are reversed, and I am the one coming home, that the girls are usually alive, the house is standing...but also, it is clean, the clothes are washed and folded, food is ready or cooking, and PJ looks like a supermodel. Needless to say, that aside from the supermodel part, I still have some work to do as Mr. Mom.

Your prayers are appreciated.

ta dah

Micah and Mexican Nieve (ice cream)


Tonight Micah serenaded us with three rounds of “Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star,” “Jesus Loves Me,” and “The Itsy Bitsy Spider.” After each song, she demanded that we clap our hands as she yelled, “ta DAH.” She is growing so fast…So are Trinity and Emory. Trinity has been taking some ballet classes (she is a beautiful dancer) and swimming any minute that she can. Emory is four months old and growing like a weed. She weighed 12 lbs. at her last appointment. Our girls are so special. The joy they bring us is immeasurable.

Nap time for Micah, playtime for these two. Trinity and Emory talked to each other the day this photo was taken for over twenty minutes. It was the most adorable moment. Trinity would ask Emory questions and she would answer. Her mouth would bend and move until she could utter song-like sounds that brought tears to my eyes. You can see in the photo that Trinity got choked up as well. Emory is beginning to take her place in our family. Of course, she always had a spot, but she is growing so much and really letting us know who she is now and what she wants.

School for Trinity is winding down...she has about a month of first grade left and is so looking forward to the summer break and any swimming she can get in. Micah had her two year old well check. We learned all about the things we are doing wrong and working a little harder on not succumbing to her loud requests. She is precious in so many ways and loves copying her big sister's dramatic gestures. Emory is laughing and smiling and changing so much. She will be four months old this week and is trying desperately to roll over though she can only arch her back and look to the side she wants to go. She reached up and hit her toy on her car seat today...on purpose.

Mother's day was wonderful. I was reminded about how blessed I was to have my mom the almost 20 years that I had her and how God continues to bless me by allowing me to have the mother-in-law that I do. My girls and my husband make me feel so special on a daily basis.

blessed

What an amazing month. We have been so blessed. Our miracle baby Micah turned two years old March 30 and Emory completed her 3rd month of life. Who knew we would ever have more than one child? The infertility we experienced after Trinity was born seemed so frustrating and to think we have been blessed for a third time as well!

Our girls continue to bring us so much joy. Trinity is so grown up…asking questions at almost a minutely rate. She is so dramatic about her life and how wonderful or downtrodden it is depending on what emotion she feels at the moment. She has so much life in her. Her favorite things are dancing and practicing cartwheels, wrestling with her dad and talking to her new baby sister. She is so vivacious, artistic, and thoughtful. Any wrongdoing to animals brings her to tears including the thought that the mousetraps set by her dad might actually catch something. Her first grade coursework is slowly coming to a close, and we hope that the new teachers she gets for second grade will be a bit more entertaining. She is currently doing a homeschool on DVD program through a previously recorded satellite broadcast. It has been a wonderful option for our busy family. I can’t express how much I miss her on a daily basis. I am with her the majority of her waking hours, but her independence leaves me longing for the days when she was so tiny and needed me more. It is a hard stage for a mom…seeing the beginning of what you worked so hard to train up a child for—the beginning of her living her own life. Though age 7 is still a few months out, I see her growing and changing and desiring for her own way. I pray that she finds it safely and happily.

Micah is so cute. She makes me smile when she laughs. She makes me smile when she yells. She makes me smile…She is a miniature person. Micah copies everything her big sister does down to the sighs she makes when I tell her it is time to clean up the toys. There is no one like Micah. She loves Elmo and Cinderella. She loves to look at books and talk to the pictures as though they might answer back. Her love of life is amazing to watch. Though just a sweet two year old, she has no problem communicating what she wants, and if she doesn’t get it, she has no problem scolding you for minutes on end with gibberish that only Trinity can make out. Her favorite things are her blanky (which has to be torn away late at night in order to wash), her potty (which she stores wooden fruit in instead of using as it was meant), and money. She loves to collect any coin she can find and put it in random hiding places then come back and ask for “mo money, please.” She is the cutest when she stands in front of the pantry with the door open and one finger on her chin saying, “hmmm, let’s see.” My favorite time of day is when she is tired and still and will let me hold her and cuddle her and rock her. And even though she says, “no like naptime,” she secretly does.

Emory is beautiful. The only girl with blue eyes that might just stay blue. They are crystal like Matt’s..amazing…with the longest eyelashes I have ever seen on a human being. She loves to smile. She looks at me with the most incredible gaze, and I become lost…ready to sit for hours staring back at her. She says so much with her eyes. Like, “thank you for loving me.” “thank you for holding me.” “you are my sweet mommy.” “I will always be your little baby.” “I love it when you snuggle me close.” She LOVES to be held. She can go from a frightful gurgly scream to completely serene within seconds of being picked up. She is the tiniest one…the most helpless, but sometimes I feel that she is the strongest of the three. She has a strong character at her young age. She has endured so much in her short life. I know she will be a great leader someday. Maybe sooner than later. I am convinced she sees my mother. Sometimes when I feel my mom close by, I see Emory staring just above my shoulder, and then she will smile. I know my mother is with me, and I truly feel that it is she who tickles Emory’s chin to make her smile.

And Matt…he quite possible brings me the most joy. He constantly strives to give us a better life…to spend every ounce of time he can with the girls. He is the BEST father. No one can compare. I can’t imagine my life without him. I married him for so many reasons, but number one on my list was that he made me laugh. Sometimes he says, “I didn’t make you laugh today. Do you still love me?” My answer is yes…a thousand times over. The laughter he brings me one day is sufficient to sustain me for years. He is the most amazing gift in my life.

Thank you God for my life. My children. My husband. Forever I will be grateful.

new pics at "sister photos" link (left)

doing good

Psalm 5:11
But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

Emory saw her pulmonologist again today for the last RSV vaccination of the season. She weighs 10lbs and is doing very well. She got a great report; lungs sound very good, and the noise she makes breathing is caused by a little problem with her trachea which should resolve by her sixth month. We continue to be advised to keep her out of public places and away from children for about 4 more months. PJ's constant care and guarding of Emory has led to her good health and we are ever thankful to the Lord for His mercy towards us.

Emory has been in Mexico for over a month which is the main reason for her parents lack of updates on this page. We continue to explore ideas to have better internet service in Burgos.

Trinity and Micah are doing well and are wonderful big sisters. They are not able to interact as much as they'd like with Emory, but that day will come. We are good and getting back into the work in Burgos. It is taking new shapes and forms with three girls and we are enjoying the process of reworking schedules and plans.

Thank you for your prayers and support. You are a blessing to us.

bien grande

Emory had an appointment today with the pulmonologist. Matt took her while I stayed behind with Trinity and Micah. We figured that would work best since one of us would have to stay in the waiting room anyway with the big girls. This way, Trinity could get her homeschool done, and Micah could have a little more freedom.

Emory was five weeks old yesterday. She weighed in today at the doctor at a whopping 8 pounds 6 ounces. Wow! She has grown so much. She really has great color and is filling out a lot. The doctor said she was really healthy looking and her lungs sounded great. She received her RSV vaccination for this month, and we are good to go! Though we were cautioned to continue washing our hands before we touch her and keep her away from children, we were given the go ahead to travel to Mexico. We plan on leaving this afternoon!

We will be going for an initial trip to take several donated items and get our feet wet again. We are looking forward to being able to spread out a little and be back in our own beds! We will be back and forth to the Valley a few times in the coming weeks for appointments and to transport donations.

due date

My due date is finally here! February 18, 2008. Instead of just beginning the laborious process of giving birth, we are celebrating Emory’s first month of life.

On Valentine’s Day, Matt brought us to a little place at South Padre Island to celebrate our family. The weather was mostly beautiful. On Friday Emory turned one month old, and Matt’s parents joined us that evening. While Emory spent most of the time indoors, the big girls enjoyed a visit to a sea life research center and the turtle rescue center, as well as Italian Ice Cream and a few visits to the beach.

Trinity and Micah had great fun digging in the sand and running away from the high tide. The highlight was a giant beached jellyfish discovered by Matt’s mom but enjoyed by all. We embarrassed Matt as we tried desperately for 20 minutes to save the creature by kicking him out to sea. In the end, Matt departed so he couldn’t be associated with us, and the jellyfish ended up stuck until the sea life rescue people came. Though we never saw them and don’t really think they came, we would like to believe that he is now enjoying a comfy salt water tank with Nemo and Dori.

This week we will see the pulmonologist for a follow-up visit to receive Emory’s RSV vaccination. After this we plan a short trip back to Mexico to take a few things and slowly get back into our normal life. We are so blessed by Emory’s growth and the health of the big girls. Everyone has made it this far into flu season without illness. For this we are thrilled. God has taken such good care of us.

early valentine

This week has been great. We have had incredible weather with many trips to the playgrounds in the area. Of course one of us takes turns staying at the apartment with Emory. We have been attempting to develop some sort of schedule that works for us which usually involves removing Micah aka “Destructo Girl” from the apartment while Trinity does home school. The quarters are tight, so it is difficult for Trinity to concentrate when Micah is throwing Trinity’s abacus or attacking her beloved canine. Other than that we are slowly getting into the swing of having three children.

Emory continues to grow and has begun filling out a lot in her face. Her little bottom is no longer skin and bones. She is still wearing the Newborn diapers, but they actually fit her now. She is so precious. Just like her big sisters. Each stage is so different and wonderful, and we are so blessed to have the cautious, perfectionist, mature 6 year old and the free-spirited, headstrong, humorous almost 2 year old to go along with the angelic, mostly sleepy one month old on Friday. How amazing God is to give us this life.

There are no appointments in the next few days, so we look forward to not seeing any doctors until next Wednesday when Emory will receive an RSV vaccination. Then another appointment with my OB/Gyn on the 27th . This will be my six week postpartum checkup! Hard to believe…the time passes too quickly.

Thank you for all your continued prayers for our family. It is obvious that people are sending special requests to heaven for our comfort and safety. We feel very loved.

wait on the Lord and He will fight for you

Tuesday, February 5, 2007 we celebrated Emory’s 3rd week of life on the Earth and 38th week of being created. We visited the Pediatric Lung Specialist this day. At 5 pm we entered the office of Dr. Roberto Ayers (yes, a lung specialist, not spelled, but sounding like Dr. Airs.) We were met with the hacking cough of another child and promptly asked if we could wait in the car until our turn to be seen. The receptionist very cordially heeded our request, which began a wonderful relationship with this office. Upon entering, we learned Emory had exceeded her birth weight by several ounces. After two very nice nurses asked questions and checked her over, we met Dr. Ayers. We are so blessed to have such incredible medical professionals to bounce our concerns off of. Dr. Ayers reviewed Emory’s chest x-ray from last week and determined she has tracheal malasia (I am sure this is spelled wrong) in addition to the bronchiopulmonary disorder (another bad spelling.) Though both of these conditions sound serious, we were actually pleased to find out that she will grow out of them, and they are quite benign. Her trachea is enlarged which often causes her to look like she is having labored breathing (hence the chest retractions but no lack of oxygen.) The other disorder just means that her little lungs were forced to breathe regular air when they were not ready. He said her lungs looked very hazy which was caused by all the lung issues she had when born and in the NICU. This, too, will correct itself over time.

We were given instructions to wash our hands constantly and keep her out of public places or places where many people will be. The main key is to keep her well until she is at least 6 months old. He informed us that any illness that a normal person gets could turn very serious for Emory and would warrant a hospital stay. We were instructed about breathing treatments with a nebulizer. Also mentioned was the fact that she should be quarantined until she is over 10 pounds and not taken in public (supermarkets, restaurants, children’s birthday parties, church, or anywhere where there are several people or children) until she is 6 months old. Wow! We are the people who stopped off at Sam’s on the way home from the hospital with Micah. For us, this means a life change, which we are glad to do in order to keep her well and avoid another hospital stay.

Emory will see Dr. Ayers again on February 20th to receive an RSV vaccination and again at the end of March for the same. Then, of course, as needed if any issues should arise. In the meantime, we will take our lives day by day and make decisions on what comes next as things come up.

Trinity is doing well in her first grade home school and reading everything she can. No longer can we spell things we don’t want her to hear. Micah is busy, as Matt’s parents say, taking care of her own little world and harassing the dog. Emory is sleeping, eating, and spitting up…all the things little babies do. And Matt and I are taking turns sleeping (me more than him) and loving each other and our precious girls. This is life for now…

We did have special visitors yesterday and this morning. My brother returned from a 15 month tour in Iraq (I don’t think he really toured anything) less than a month ago. Yesterday, he and his wife Ali graced us with their presence and some great Starbuck’s cupcakes. We ate my burned lasagna and had a wonderful time visiting and playing and thanking God for returning him to us safely. I realized how blessed we are to have the medical care for Emory and the others that we do. Talking to Stoney really opened my eyes about all the little children who have no advocates and no help. Pray for the little children in Iraq—the innocent sufferers of all that is evil.

doing well

the weekend went great. emory did well. we are still keeping a close eye on her breathing, but she is getting stronger each day. we are enjoying watching the faces she makes and hearing the sounds we had forgotten come with a new born. emory has a pulmonologist appointment tuesday.

a good report

Today's appointment went well and Emory is breathing easier. It has been our prayer, remembering Jesus' words, "my yoke is easy and my burden is light". She showed improvement beginning last night.

For now, the doctor says her difficulties are most likely due to being a premature baby. Emory was called pre-term at the hospital due to her size and weeks of age. However, her lungs and nervous system are acting like a premie as we understand it. So she just needs time and to stay well.

We are again comforted by the care we are receiving. These weeks have shown us the difference a concerned, patient, and caring person can make, and what the opposite of that can do to you also. We have a plan from the doctor if Emory needs extra attention this weekend. We reviewed the symptoms we are looking to avoid in her breathing, but if she begins having them again, the plan is to admit her and avoid the ER. We are fully believing this is precaution and that we will rest and enjoy Saturday and Sunday.

Trinity and Micah are doing well for two little girls being carted from appointment to appointment and passing days in the car with videos and dad. They are familiar with the McDonald's, Chic-fil-A, and Burger King playgrounds, as well as two area parks. The hard thing for T is the distance she has to keep from the baby. In her words, "I could hold her all day and all night." - but she can't for now. There isn't a "difficult" thing for Micah...she continues to do as she pleases.

We are thankful for a foundation of faith and for family/friends. Thank you all and blessings to you.

sister support

we're with ya, sis!

more faith

The doctor read the x-rays this afternoon as good with no signs of anything like Emory’s had previously. The concern remains her increased effort to breathe. This could mean a few things, but we have no answer yet. We are to closely monitor her (we’ve already been practicing this for days now) and return in the morning for another appointment.

This evening we had a time of prayer and Communion as a family. We focused on many of the promises in God’s word. We are greatly encouraged as we remind ourselves that Emory is the Lord’s and his love for her is even greater than ours. We remember many scriptures that give us strength and peace.

God is either in control or He isn’t. We believe He is. We continue to lean on Him.


Psalm 139:13-16
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother's womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—and how well I know it.
You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.

more prayer

After a peaceful week at home, Emory began showing signs last night of very labored breathing. After phone calls to our doctors, the NICU, and the emergency room we prayed and decided to wait at home instead of the ER waiting room. Emory slept well and by morning her breathing looked better, shortly. The doctor wanted to see her immediately. To rule out any lung problems similar to her history we are now at the Imaging center for xrays and will return to the doctor after lunch. It is suspected that she has the beginnings of brochiolitis, less severe than RSV but we will wait for the reading of the xrays and another examination.

I am writing early, without a lot of info to again ask for prayer. We will update after the afternoon appointment.

i see you

The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned.
Isaiah 9:2

...2 weeks old...

We were reminded again of the mercy of God; his gift of life; where we had been and where we are today. Emory had her first appointment with a new pediatrician yesterday. This doctor had been recommended to us and the appointment went very well. As the doctor spoke with PJ, reviewing Emory’s days in the NICU, we understood in a greater way how delicate her situation had been. We also realized how much we had been spared. Watching the expressions of the doctor as she read the medical history, her referencing things that had been done to help Emory and things she hadn’t had to go through (ie. a chest tube), brought a deepening thanks and relief for all God had done on our behalf and to complete the plans he has for Emory. We also realized how much he had guarded our hearts with peace last week.

I say all this not to live in the past troubles
or to say look at our situation
and look how severe
and give me your attention, sympathy….
no, but to draw attention to God and His ever present help in times of trouble.

There truly is a peace that is greater than we can understand (Philippians 4:7)
God really is strong in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9)
The impossible for us is possible with our Lord (Luke 18:27)
How incredible to experience the words of God coming off the page, interacting with your life and becoming your reality, your experience. I am sure this happens all of the time, many times a day. The question is, am I conscious of it; do I recognize it? I can see it today, a little more clearly.

Emory is doing so well that the doctor didn’t ask to see her again until the normal 2 month check up. Emory will still see a lung specialist next month for another RSV vaccine. Other than that we are to keep her in the house and out of public areas; limit her contact with people; take extra care to keep her away from anyone with a cold or illness; and wash our hands until there is no more soap. The first two months are very important for her health we are told.

good morning miss morning

I woke up and asked PJ, “are you going to the hospital to feed the girl?” I just wanted to see the smile on her face when she said “No.”

The night went great. Emory slept well and hardly made a noise. We slept like parents of a newborn; wondering if she was still breathing. What a great day today was. All of us at home acting like a family.


Our home at the moment is in Hidalgo, TX. It is between McAllen and the Mexican border. We are blessed to be in a one bed room apartment given to us for a while by Calvary Commission. They are an International Mission organization. http://www.calvarycommission.org/

Emory is very alert and strong. She doesn’t look like she was in the NICU or has had any problem. We continue to watch her closely and have been advised to be careful with visitors and the weather. As best I can remember, her actions are like her older sisters when we brought them home from the hospital. Trinity and Micah are doing well with baby sister. T wants to hold her at all times. Micah wants to crawl up the side of the bassinet and say “baby sister sleeping.” (much cuter in her voice)

PJ’s blood pressure is fine and she is slowly recovering. We are encouraged by all the prayers and messages from you.

This experience is growing us in many ways. One of the most meaningful to me is a new care and desire to pray and stand with those who are battling pain, illness, long stays in hospitals, hurting loved ones. As trying as these past 2 weeks have been to us, I realize that others are enduring much more. As we left the NICU they were preparing for 23week old twins. Some times as we left the 3rd floor labor and delivery, the elevator doors would open on the 2nd floor ICU. The doors many times opened on to tears and desperate faces standing by the locked ICU doors awaiting some news. I am easily overwhelmed and busy with my own plans, thoughts, concerns, goals, and on and on. How many times have I been bothered, frustrated, burdened by something like slow traffic, a red light, a long line, a hitch in the plans I had for my day. All the while, to the left and the right, many were (are) struggling in life or death situations, deep matters of the heart, problems that look like unscalable mountains. And I am upset that McDonald's can't get my order right. Oh how much do I need to change. What a blessing the tension of life can be to blind eyes.

sisters

home

Psalm 30:5
For God's anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may remain for a night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.


PJ went to the hospital early this morning to nurse Emory. The nurse answered some questions and updated us on Emory and the NICU. Emory was third on the list of three to be moved to Intermediate Care. Her bilirubin levels had been up yesterday so another test was done this morning. When asked about a discharge date the nurse replied that the doctors like the 37 week mark, which meant until Monday or so if things were still well. All her levels remained good, she was eating well. Still, quiet and sleeping a lot.

I was on my way to the hospital about noon when PJ called. “Come get me, they’re discharging her!” The doctor had called, her biliruben level was good today, no reason to stay longer. Wow. Another call to the nurse about timing and discharge procedure and we had a 2:30 appointment to nurse the baby and check out of the NICU.

As we gathered our bags to be discharged I requested a couple of the NICU monitors, computers, and one nurse (trying not to ask for too much.) The doctor reassured us, and we were out the door. (without the nurse) We left the hospital with Emory Morning just before 4:00. She is sleeping now in her bassinet; Beautiful and well.

Emory will see the pediatrician Monday and has an appointment with a lung specialist in a month. Right now it looks like just normal baby stuff. We will have better photo opportunities now, so keep checking back. We will continue to use the blog to stay in touch since we are usually far away.

What do we say as a family to you for your love, support, prayers…. Thank you. Emory’s little grin says it much better. We are blessed and thankful. You are a great friend.


Delight yourself in the Lord
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him and he will do this:
He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
Psalm 37:4-6