It's Like Christmas Morning

That's how Travis always terms unexpected surprises.....the really good ones that warm your heart even though they may not be that big. It makes me think about how I would sometimes get some things in my stocking that I hadn't asked for, I hadn't even ever thought that I wanted them, but they were my most favorite gift that year. That's kinda how our doctors visits felt to me this week.

I guess when you're expecting bad news, just a little good news is great!! Because my fluid levels had gotten significantly higher last week, I guess I just expected that trend to continue and I was fully expecting that the baby would show at least some signs of hydrops (again meaning that he would be retaining fluid around his heart, abdomen or brain). However, when we got to our appointment at CMC on Tuesday, the baby showed no signs of hydrops and my fluid levels had maintained where they were last week if they haven't dropped a bit. I was so very thankful as God answered some very specific prayers I had listed last week.....again He shows me how faithful He is when I lay things down at His feet. On top of that, the baby's growth curve had jumped back up to normal and if he continues at this rate he should be around 8 lbs. at birth (assuming we make it till January 21st)!!! The ultrasound technician also said that the baby had tons of hair....I think the term he used was "dread locks"?! That came as such a surprise to both Travis and I because he looks "exactly" like Jack and since Jack didn't have any hair until he was almost two, it's really hard for me to envision this little version of him with a Bob Marley wig. I guess we'll just take the technician's advise and take a brush to the hospital with us?

This week was really great news for us. We know that the baby's condition is severe, but any other development that shows signs of normalcy gives us great hope. As I have mentioned before, there was a time when I knew that the Lord was taking us into a very dark valley and I had to come to a point of surrender where I was willing to say, "I will follow you through the deepest, darkest valley even though I don't know where we're going or what our next step will bring. I will hold fast to your guidance and I am believing that you will bring us out on the mountain top". This week for me was a glimpse of the mountain top. We still may be a long way off before we reach the top, but when we get there, we'll know that it was only by the grace of God and through his miraculous nature.

Have a very merry Christmas. May God bless your lives in a very real way during this time of year.

Loving you all!

Betsy, Travis, & Jack