Q:Why were we made?

A: To glorify God. (Children's Catechism)

We have had such a scare with our little girl due in March, and such a wonderful outcome that I must share with everyone how thankful we are that God listens to our prayers and has designed our baby so wonderfully.

Here's the history of the scare:

At our 20 week ultrasound, we found out we were having a girl and that our girl was measuring 10 days off her due date, placing her in the third percentile for her size. We went to see the specialist who changed our due date, and this put the baby in a normal size range for her age. Nothing to worry about.

Three weeks later I went back for a follow up and the specialist told me that she and my OB were not confident about changing my date, and after repeating the ultrasound, that the baby was still in the 3rd percentile and had been the whole pregnancy. Babies this small (with symmetrical growth, as our baby did) have about a 20% chance of having Downs, Trisomy 18 or 13. After doing much research and praying, I decided it was possible our baby could have these problems and I wanted to know. If our baby had Trisomy 18 or 13, she would not survive long after birth. I thought it would be much easier to know this ahead of time than to go through labor thinking I had a healthy child, only to have the child die soon after.

So, we scheduled the amniocentesis for the next week (Tuesday the 16th). It was a long week, but I am so thankful we were able to share our situation with a few friends and family and have their prayers support us and give us hope through this time. I was surprised at how calm I could be and how much hope I was given. Even on the day of the amnio, I became excited to see the rooms where I hope to give birth again.

I also struggled with what it would look like for me to trust God when he gives me a baby who has Trisomy 18 or 13, or a baby born with a disability. It seemed impossible to me; it seemed too scary. Denney was absolutely ok with having a special child, and that was strange for me to hear, and gave me hope knowing that at least one of us could see past the struggle of it. Yet, I came to have a peace with this too, though dealing with the idea and the reality would be two completely different things, I'm sure. It was wonderful to feel so secure in the hands of God to face a situation with minimal fear.

Oh man...the amnio was the most nerve wracking thing to me. I hope I never have a reason to have another. The procedure seems so much more risky than the numbers indicate. Right before they do the amnio, they run through the list of possible complications and I was freaking out (myself, on the inside, though Denney was visibly anxious to me). I heard the nurse mention rupture of membranes! Why didn't I have nightmares about that happening?!

We saw the baby on the ultrasound screen as they looked for a place to insert the needle; they looked for what seemed to be forever. Finally they found a spot behind the baby's head (yikes) and then we saw the needle on the ultrasound right next to the head. I felt as if any movement I made would send the baby straight into the needle. I didn't watch the needle on my belly at all, just the screen. As I'd hoped, it was over before I knew it. Needle in and out in about a minute. No baby/needle contact. No water breaking.

Our doctor said she didn't expect any complications, and we have had none! The baby did great, and I didn't move or pass out:)

Results expected in 48-72 hours. Emotionally Wednesday was great. Thursday had a bit more pressure on it, but the worst part was answering the phone when the genetic counselor called exactly 48 hours after the procedure.

Good news! Definitely no Downs or Trisomy 18 or 13. The full chromosomal screen to be back in a week, but the counselor says those usually confirm the same results. At this stage in the pregnancy, those three disorders (which are definitely ruled out) are about the only ones in which the baby would have survived. We were thrilled, and shared the news immediately with all who knew because the only thing we should do is glorify God with this news. There is also a chance the due date is off, not making this baby as small as they think she is. I was a 10th percentile baby, and we're thinking she takes after me.

It is so easy to forget how desperate I was, and think that there was no problem all along and that I wasn't saved from anything. But I want to remember how hard this could have been and how much grace I've been given. I don't deserve to be given a healthy baby...God is just loves us that much.

My parents made us (yes, made us) learn the Catechism. My brother learned the whole thing, and I never leaned the entire thing. I guess their expectations loosened by kid #2. But I am glad I know that I was made to glorify God, and this baby is made to glorify God. And that's what I'm gonna do.

You see...he made this baby. Isn't that amazing?

Our Own Wonderland

This morning Sylvie woke up uncharacteristically early, and I decided it would be a great morning to finally check out the orchard we haven't been able to schedule in yet. We arrived at 9:15 at an empty Orchard entrance...no one in sight except for the two sweet dogs Sylvie chased around and petted. The man in the apple stand informed me there were only Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, and Ida Red. I wasn't super excited to hear that, or to hear that the raspberries were gone, but we set off to 'run, run, run' through the rows of the orchard.
Turns out, Golden Delicious can actually be delicious when picked right off the tree and I started filling the bags. Sylvie loved the apple, and did a very impressive job munching it considering she eats like a bird.
After filling our bag we hopped back in the car to explore. I was tempted to do doughnuts around the trees b/c we were so far away from anyone. No one else picking apples, no cars, and no orchard workers. Denney told me it was own 'own little wonderland' when we called him from the orchard. It totally was:)

We drove up and down the orchard, explored the ponds, took some pictures, and generally had a good time. By the time we left, there were lots of visitors and I was glad to get a head start on the Columbus Day rush:)

Its a Good Day for 30 Rock

I started my day by ripping the sheets off my bed again, as Sylvie had another blowout while we were playing in bed. It was my fault, I hadn't changed her overnight diaper yet. The mess had no where to go but all over my clean sheets.
Also, I can't breathe out of my nose, and feel like the poo on my sheets this morning, so I think a little Best of 30 Rock [You Tube Style] is the best medicine.
Laugh with me:)

Adventures in Overestimation of my Skills...

Isn't this the cutest coat you've ever seen!

So, I really want to make this coat! I have never ever made a coat before, but since they say it is 'easy to sew', I am tempted to boldly go where my skills are not strong enough to carry me.

Wish me luck...

Pattern

Sharing Some Beauty

Sylvie Dances
First Birthday Card Shot!
Squinty Faces





Hi! I've been absentee again; its almost official...worst blogger ever. Since my last post, I am 4 wisdom teeth lighter, an official year older, and Sylvie is one month older. She is dancing, clapping, singing, signing, and getting into trouble. That's about all I've been doing too. I've alse been crocheting anything that stands still long enough. JoAnne's should have frequent flyer miles. I would win.

My life is hugely and directly affected by what Sylvie does. So, updates on Sylvie also reflect my state of being. That being said, Sylvie has teeth! (I did not sleep much the month of January) She is sleeping much better now, thanks to a little sleep training and prayer which involved minimal crying (both the training and the prayer). I prayed big, and God answered prayers. Sylvie sleeps much better, and even sleeps through the night most nights. Meaning, I get lots more sleep. I've learned not to get too excited too soon; things change and Sylvie will probably be back to keeping me up soon, but not now! Right now, I sleep:)
I'm planning her first birthday party, and wanted to share some beautiful and funny pictures of our little girl.
She does a really cool squinty face, which she pulled out for the camera today. I finally got a picture with her pointer finger up as she signs FAN. I've been wanting one for her 1st Birthday Invites, and I got my wish.
I'm off to sing another round of, 'If You're Happy and You Know it Clap Your Hands!!' We've added a variation; 'If you're happy and you know it do your dance'...and Sylvie dances. I'm pretty proud:)
ps
I have a mean sore throat and sound like a smoker today:( Sniffle.

Trifecta

Three posts in three days! It wasn't my goal to do this, but these pictures I took of Sylvie were just too beautiful not to share with my readers (Mom) who are stuck inside today. Sylvie has slept in our bed the past two nights, because she's not feeling well and is quite pitiful. I've enjoyed almost every minute of it; watching her play with her hair as she falls asleep, hearing her hum along with my singing as she falls asleep, and feeling her snuggle in the middle of the night. Pretty sweet;)

Also, it is white outside!!

Lights, Camera, Regretsy

We were given a really nifty little lighting studio for Christmas that is made specifically for selling objects on Ebay and such. As I mentioned in my last post, I tried it out soon after getting home, and it proved too complicated for me. So I dumbed it down, used just the mini lights, and took these photos of my little handmade goods:











As you can see, there's a reason we pay professionals to do this, but I'm happy with quirky imperfections in these photographs and so I'm going to stick with this as the best I can do for now, and keep experimenting.

Also important to share with you is this photo of Sylvie, taken as we were getting packed up to leave for Christmas Vacation. I figured since she was always trying to look into the laundry basket, it would be a perfect place for her to hang out while we buzzed around her (or just packed leisurely, stopping to watch the Christmas special on TV)

It seemed like a good idea in my head; execution of the idea was kind of fuzzy. Sylvie played along for about 15 mintues, then realized how uncomfortable it was. Keep in mind, this idea came out of me before our Christmas vacation. You should hear my ideas now; my best so far has been apple, avocado, and cabbage salad with a vinegar-y dill dressing. Understand, I don't really use the word 'best' in the most genuine way. I pretty sure Denney would classify it as my worst idea yet. He did not even try it.

And speaking of bad ideas...

This was posted on regretsy.com, a spoof of etsy.com (it just realized it is kind of raunchy, I don't really recommend browsing the site). I had to erase a bad word in the title, but you get the [bad] idea. Knitted toilet paper. Pretty ridiculous, huh? :) Somewhere, deep deep down, I'm kind of scared something I sell will end up on regretsy.com. Crossing my fingers.

1,789 miles of Christmas Vacation...in a car

Well, well, well...

I guess I've been to0 busy to blog lately, but I am happy to say I'm hoping to change that and keep my readers ( Hi, Mom!) more up to date with this life we're blessed with [and tiny tidbits you could really get by without].

So, since I've last written, I've performed in the Nutcracker, sold 28 items from my shop at sweetandspontaneous.etsy.com , went to Wal-Mart on Christmas Eve, came out alive, traveled 1,789 miles during our Christams Vacation, had Christmas in Cincinnati and Alabama (on the same day), went to the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, and watched Sylvie crawl to me for the first time on Christmas Day!!! So when we came home tonight, we were kind of happy to be home. I guess each of these events could be a blog post, but I'll spare you. Wow, that was a lot of info about me. I guess I've been holding it in while riding in the back seat of my 2 door scion (packed full of Sasha, Sasha hair, Sylvie, clothes, gifts, and the other essentials of Christmas travel). It kills the spirit, kind of like a jail cell.

But, you know, all this travel kind of makes me feel important. Like I could imagine I'm a jet setting super mom . It makes me feel important enough that I pulled out our new little miniature professional light studio when we got home to take pictures of the boots I made during the 28 hours in the car (it was a Christmas re-gift). It didn't go as well as I'd imagined, and I'm going to try again tomorrow with some natural light and while corralling our newly mobile baby. I imagine it'll be good fun.

Right now, all you really need to know is that we took Sylvie to dinner in the French Quarter on New Years Eve, and its a good thing we weren't there with her a couple hours later because its a lot like Mardi Gras (if you know what I mean). And that we have a powerful God who kept us safe, blessed us with lots of great family, and cares about little babies' digestive systems (I know this because he answered our prayers while Sylvie was having issues.:)

Happy New Year to you, and here's to more posts with less about me in them:)