The Lord Answers Prayers!

Praise the Lord! We got the cat scan results back and Lily does not have to have any kind of surgery or helmet! It turns out the place on her head is just going to heal itself and she doesn't need anything! She did get put on medicine for acid reflux because she has not been eating too well and they think it may be due to acid reflux. I just pray she starts eating better and we can get her all fixed! I go back to work on Monday so it is certainly going to be an adjustment for me! Until Ford finds a job he is going to be keeping her so I am thankful for that especially since she has not been eating well. We are just so thankful that she does not need a helmet or surgery and just praise the Lord for it!

Update on Lily!

Well we went last Thursday to the neurosurgeon and he sent us yesterday for a cat scan of Lily's head. He said that one part of her skull is higher than the other and that is the reason for the ridge in her head. He said that if it has fused together any than she will either need a helmet or worst case would be she would need surgery. We pray that it is not fused but if it is we pray that it can be fixed with a helmet. Some insurance company's will not pay for the helmets so we would have to do a fundraiser to try to raise the money because a helmet is around $2000.00. We had to take her to the doctor today because she has not been eating too well and he said that she had thrush in the back of her throat. If she doesn't start eating by Thursday then we have to go back to him and he will look at the possibility of her having acid reflux. My poor baby is just going through it and we appreciate all the prayers. I told Ford the other day that the Lord must have something really good for Lily to do in her life because the devil is really been after her in the womb and now. Once again thank you for the support and the prayers I will keep you posted.

Lily at 2 Months!

We went last Friday for Lily's two month appointment. She is developing well and was up to 9lbs 13oz (30th percentile), and 23 inches (80th percentile). She has rolled over twice already but I don't think she really understood what she was doing because she hasn't repeated it for a couple of weeks. She is doing really well holding up her head and smiling more and more each day. She had to get her shots one in each thigh and then one that was given orally. It was so sad seeing her get her shots and it is one of the top three things I hate doing as a parent but must. The doctor was concerned about her head and is sending us to a neurosurgeon next Thursday to get x-rays done to make sure her head has not closed prematurely. We are praying that it is nothing and that if it is something that it can be fixed by Lily wearing a helmet and that she would not have to have surgery of any kind. We are trusting in the Lord and no matter what He has given me a peace about it. Thank you for all of you prayers and for your continued support I will keep you posted!

Easter Lily!

Here are a few pictures from Easter sorry about the last one it didn't turn the way I thought it would but I left it to show off her cute little Easter dress! Also, Lily is actually six weeks old today I miscalculated on Thursdays post!

Lily Six Weeks Old

Lily is six weeks old today! It is hard to believe how much she has grown. We went to the doctor on March 22nd and she weighed 8lb 6oz and was 21 1/2 inches long. She is now smiling and focusing on people when they talk to her. She rolled over for the first time this past Saturday and is now in size 1 diapers! It makes me sad how fast she is growing!

Lily at six weeks!

This picture below was taken when she was one month old!

Visit from Lily's Cousins

Lily was able to meet her cousins Rody and Anna Kate when Randy and Katie visited at the beginning of March. Anna Kate and Lily are just 17 days apart! We were also able to celebrate Rody's birthday early when they visited as well.

Mom and Dad with all three grandchildren!

Katie with Lily and Me with Anna Kate

First Bath Pictures

Here are some pictures of Lily's first bath she did not like it at all but now she seems to like them. She was 3 weeks old when her cord feel off and we were able to give her a bath!

More Baby Pics!

She is Finally Here!

Lily Ann Rose Cole

Born: Feb. 18, 2010

Born at: 9:03pm

Weight 6lbs. 11oz and 19 inches

Happy Birthday Lily!

Well it was the day that we all have been waiting for and now she is finally here! Lily was born Thursday Feb. 18, 2010 at 9:03pm after over 15 hours of labor. Lily weighed in at 6lbs 11oz and 19 inches long. Here is how the story goes: Ford and I went in for our amnioscentisis at 9:00am on Wednesday morning and heard at noon that her lungs were mature and that she would be healthy if she came early. My OBGYN wanted me in his office at 2:00 to discuss what we were going to do and we discussed putting me in that night to start inducing my labor. So at 5:00pm Ford and I got to the hospital so they could start the process of inducing my labor. Wednesday night they started antibiotics because I tested positive for strep B and started the induction process with a cervidal. When I got to the hospital I was already 2cm dialated and 50% effaced so no matter what this little one was going to be early! Bright and early Thursday morning they started the pitocin to increase my contractions that I had been having throughout the night. My goal was to make it to 5cm before getting an epideral and I made it to 5cm and told Ford our code word "Mayday" and they gave the epideral. Lily is headstrong like her mama and was not wanting to move down and they said that if she didn't make progress they were going to do a C-section. Praise the Lord Lily moved down a little the next time they checked me and said that they would let me go vaginally but that I would probably be pushing for three hours. When they said that I had a little conversation with Lily and we decided we were going to get her out quicker that three hours! After an hour of pushing Lily made her apperance and was actually delivered by the nurse and didn't wait on the doctor. Like the whole pregnancy the delivery had it scarey moments when Lily came out not breathing because the cord had wrapped around her neck twice and they had to resucitate her with the bag. It was so scary and all we could do was pray and after a few minutes (it seemed like an hour) we heard her sweet little cry. The Lord saved my little girl and has just protected her throughout the whole pregnancy and in her delivery! She is such a sweet miracle and Ford and I are so blessed to be her parents.

Lily on the Way!

Well we went to the specialist yesterday and they were concerned because Lily's movements have decreased and it took about 15 minutes to see her move on the ultrasound. With that being said he is going to do an amniocentesis tomorrow to check her lung growth and if they are developed they will induce me this the end of this week. So just pray that her lungs are developed and that we will be able to get her here safely this week. He said we are at a critical time where we have to weight whether it is better for her to stay in or for her to come out. I am just ready for her to be here and safe! We will keep you all posted and thank you for your continued prayers and support!

36 weeks!

On Monday we went to the specialist for our 36 week checkup and everything is still looking good! At the 35 week checkup Lily was actually weight 6lb 15oz which was about a week and a half early! We discussed with the specialist when he thought he might take her since she was measuring big and came up with a plan! Praise the Lord my blood pressure has been really good and in fact yesterday it was 110/60 which was excellent! Since my blood pressure has been staying under control he is going to let me go longer than we originally thought. The plan is to check her measurements on Feb. 22nd and if she is measuring really big he will go ahead and do an amniocentesis to measure her lung develpment and if she is ready will induce me that week! If her measurments are good then he will let me go to 39 weeks which will be Feb. 27th and then induce probably on Monday March 1st. The ultimate goal of course is for her to come on her own so that I won't have to be induced so that is what we are praying for! Well I will try to keep everyone up to date as much as possible. Thank you once again for all of your prayers and support!

Lily in 4D!!

Well, where do I start to explain what all has happened since my last blog post? First I spent a few days in the hospital after my blood pressure shot up to 160/90 and they were testing me for eclampsia. Well praise the Lord I did not have eclampsia they just said that I had Gestational Hypertension and that eventually it would turn into eclampsia so they wanted to start monitoring me weekly. They also said that I have Gestational Diabetes which means that I have to prick my finger four times a day and I am taking a low dose of insulin by mouth in the morning and at night. With all that being said I am now seeing a specialist every Monday and my regular OB every Thursday until I deliver. I told Ford the other day that the Diabetes is very difficult and that if it wasn't for her then I probably wouldn't be so compliant. Lets just say if it wasn't for her I would have had a huge piece of my shower cake at work! I have cut out all sweets altogether and have only been eating sugarfree or no sugar added things. The doctors are more concerned about the hypertension and they say that as long as my blood pressure stays low then they will not take her early! The gestational diabetes could inhibit her lung growth if it gets out of hand so I want her to stay in as long as possible. They said they would not let me go past 39 weeks and if my blood pressure goes high they will take her right then. I will be 35 weeks this Saturday so the goal is to make it to at least 37 weeks so please pray that my blood pressure continues to be good. On a more positive note since we see the specialist every Monday we get an ultrasound now every week! This past Monday they turned on the 4D ultrasound and we were able to get a profile view. Now when looking at the picture below you are looking at her face with her left arm/hand up by her face. On Monday Lily was oblique and according to the ultrasound tech she looked like she was laying in a hammock however, today Lily was back head down so hopefully she will stay that way this time. Once again Ford and I appreciate your continued prayers and support. Please continue to pray that Ford will find a job as well.

Out with the Old in with the New!

Well it is hard to believe that it is already 2010, time really goes by quickly! This past year was a year full of blessings and sadness. The biggest blessing this year was to find out in June that Ford and I were expecting our first child. I also started a new job this year assisting in the opening of The Woodlands at Furman and that has been an experience. We have also had our share of difficult times this year with the loss of Ford's cousin Holly and Ford losing his job at the beginning of December. As we are getting ready for this new year I am appreciative of what the Lord has blessed us with. The Lord has been so faithful to Ford and me and he has always been there to pick us up when we were down. I am also thankful for having such a supportive husband who puts up with my crying spells and constant tiredness lately. Ford is so sweet to me and the best part of all is he doesn't judge me. I have learned recently that I have to quit trying to please everyone in my life and to just focus on pleasing the Lord, Ford and myself. Ford has always supported me and reassures me how proud he is of me which is always nice to hear. I am thankful to have a good support system in our family and know that Lily is fortunate in her grandparents and fortunate to have a great-grandparent. As this year ends I am setting goals for this next year beginning with growing closer to the Lord and being more aware of His voice. I am also excited about the journey of parenthood we are about to embark on and my goal is to be the type of mother the Lord wishes for me to be. I want to be a better person this year and teach that to Lily. Thank you all for your support and continued prayers as we continue our journey.

Christmas Eve Blessing!

On the Wednesday before Christmas Eve I received a scare when at work I started cramping and presented with two other signs of pre-term labor. I have been very busy lately at work and decided to go ahead and complete a contract with one of my families and then call the doctor. I called my doctor's office around 4:45pm and they told me to go home right then and lay on my left side and drink lots of water and that they wanted to see me first thing in the morning. I called Ford and actually had him pick me up from work so I didn't have to make the trip to my car and went home and rested the rest of the evening (except for the multiple bathroom trips from being pregnant and drinking lots of water!) Ford and I went to the doctor at 9:30am and they put me on the monitor to check Lily's heartbeat and to check for contractions. The doctor said that the bottom part of my cervix was open some but that the top was still closed. The doctor said that she is also still far up therefore he was not concerened that I was in pre-term labor (Thank you Lord!!) I have started feeling my braxton hicks contractions already and that showed on the monitor. The doctor just told me that when I start to feel tight to sit down and relax especially at work and to just take it easy. I told Ford that it is scary the changes your body goes through when your pregnant that you don't understand! I am just thankful that everything was alright with Lily and now just have 10 weeks left! Thank you all for your continued support and prayers!

Chunky Lily!

Ford and I went to our appointment yesterday and received another ultrasound just to see how Lily is growing. She is a little chunk weighing in a 2lbs 7oz and is now measuring two days early so a due date of March 4th now. During the ultrasound they were unable to accuratly measure my fluid so they are sending me back to Dr. Gregg's office who is a specialist on Monday. Lily's heart rate measured at 132 which is normal and healthy and they were happy with how much she has grown. I will update everyone after our appointment on Monday thank you all once again for your continued support and prayers!

Lily on the Move!

Some of you already know that I have what is called an Anterior Placenta which basically means that Lily takes a back seat to the placenta. My placenta is positioned in the front of Lily blocking her movements and that is the reason it was so difficult to hear her heart beat at times. It is a common thing for women to have and does not put Lily in any danger whatsoever. Well that being said I felt her move for the first time last night and it was the sweetest and most precious story! Ford and I have decided to start doing a devotion together at night so we read our Bible and discussed the chapter and then said our individual prayers. We then decided to pray over Lily and in the middle of the prayer I felt her move! It felt like a little flutter and I just started to cry while Ford continued to pray. I have been waiting to feel her for so long and it could not have come at a better time! After we finished praying I told Ford I felt her and we started singing "Jesus Loves Me" to her and I continued to feel her little flutters. I was so disappointed that I could not feel her before but the way that I felt her was the most precious memory and I would not change a thing. It is amazing how the Lord works everything out for the better! Thank you all for your support and for you continued prayers!

Lily Ann Rose Cole

IT'S A GIRL!!

I know by now that most of the people that look at my blog are also my friends on facebook however I did want to make a post letting everyone know that we are having a little GIRL! Ford and I are so excited and can not wait to meet our Lily Ann Rose Cole! We had our ultrasound last Friday and she is feisty already (just like her mama!) She was not wanting to turn for the ultrasound tech and at one point you saw her punch at us and it was so cute. We go for our regular check up on the 20th and have another ultrasound on the 29th because they were unable to see two things they wanted to see. The doctor said that the ultrasound looked great last Friday and that she presents as a healthy little girl. The doctor went on to say that he is not concerned about any types of birth defects or down syndrome and that she looks good. She weighed in at 10 oz which is almost a can of soda to put things into perspective. Ford and I started registering on Saturday and tomorrow are planning to start cleaning out her room. We feel so blessed that we are going to have a daughter and are so thankful to the Lord that she is healthy. Thank you for all of the support and prayers!

Four Wonderful Years!

Ford and I have been married for four years today! We have had ups and downs along the way but the Lord has always brought us through! We are closer today than we have ever been and are both excited about the journey of parenthood we are about to embark on. Ford is a wonderful husband and my best friend. Thank you Ford for the love that you show to me and for the support you give to me especially with my crazy mood swings! I love you very much!