The Mercy That Covers Me

It was a long day.  Chris and Coeur d'Lane found time to catch a nap.  Coeur d'Lane had another blood draw to check her billirubin levels.  Prayerfully they are continuing to trend down.  Went to visit Lennon.  Coeur d'Lane is not able to go in with us.  So, I usually stay in a nice lounge that is set up for families with babies in NICU or Intermediate Care while Mommy and Daddy visit.  No worries though, Gigi gets to visit after they do. Lennon has the biggest, brightest eyes.  Hoping she will be home soon.  There was a little bump in the road tonight but not a setback.  The results of Lennon's head ultrasound showed a small bleed.  Very common for babies born premature with such a low weight.  The doctor is not concerned at all and will not even need to repeat the ultrasound. Brooke is such a wonderful mother.  Shown here giving Lennon explicit instruction to hurry up and start eating on her own so she can...

This pic of Coeur just about sums up our day.  While it was a very busy day there was some good news!  First, we took Coeur to the lab to have her blood drawn.  Her test results for jaundice are dropping!  So, we can stop using the billi-blanket.  While Chris and I took her to get her labs, Brooke went to spend time with Lennon.  Lennon is up to 3#7 and was able to nurse well today.  If she keeps this up she'll be home in no time. Chris and I went to spend time with Lennon while Brooke fed Coeur.  After that we took Coeur out for a dining experience at Third Street Cafe.   Not a peep out of her - slept thru the whole thing. Tomorrow is another busy day doing the same thing as today.  We'll probably skip eating out and get everyone back home.

Today was bittersweet.  Coeur d'Lane and Brooke were both discharged but Lennon has to stay in "Feed & Grow" for a bit longer.  It's going to be a tough bit while Lennon is at the hospital and the reality of caring 24/7 for a newborn at home.  If I know one thing - Chris and Brooke can do this! Picture is of Coeur d'Lane in her going home outfit.  It's the same dress her mother wore when she came home from the hospital. Meanwhile, I miss #1 Grandson terribly, well and the rest of the family too!  Maybe we can video chat tomorrow night.

Nothing can separate Even if I ran away Your love never fails. I know I still make mistakes But you have new mercies for me everyday Your love never fails. You stay the same through the ages Your love never changes There may be pain in the night but joy comes in the morning And when the oceans rage I don't have to be afraid Because I know that you love me Your love never fails. The wind is strong and the water's deep But I'm not alone here in these open seas Your love never fails. The chasm is far too wide I never thought I'd reach the other side But your love never fails. Those are the words that I listened to between April 22 and April 27. Over and over, just under 100 times, and yet it wasn’t until yesterday, three months later, that these words would be completely understood by me. I believe that each of us is here on this Earth for a purpose. It’s not random. Each of us – no matter how smal l, how big, how young or how old – has a purpose....

Enjoy these pics of the girls and family. Lennon with her Aunt Kristy. Coeur d'Lane with her daddy. Nose to nose! Papa and Lennon Cousin Adriane and Coeur d'Lane Granny Stivers (g-grandmother) and Lennon

The Story of Their Birth I'll set You as a seal upon my heart As a seal upon my arm For there is love that is as strong as death Jealousy demanding as the grave And many waters cannot quench this love On Wednesday July 27, 2011, Brooke went to see Dr. Tabb for her routine weekly visit. She had made it to 35 weeks and 2 days! I was unable to be at that appointment. As is customary , Chris would text me updates. He started with his own concerns about Lennon and her not really growing much in the last two weeks. It would turn out th at Dr. T was not concerned at all about Lennon's growth. In fact he thinks they are both growing just fine. He was concerned about Brooke's hig h blood pressure. Normally her blood pressure is low to normal range, today it was dangerously high. Even on a repeat check it continued to be high. Dr. T made the decision to send Brooke to the hospital to monitor her blood pressure and draw labs. It may be something simple like pregnancy i...

It's 4:15 AM and we just got back from the hospital. Zoe is snuggled up between Ray and I. Ray is already sleeping, loudly :-) I have to post a couple of pics of the girls before I go to sleep. For you birth junkies and detail-loving folks, I will post the birth story later today. Meanwhile, enjoy these pics (CdL on Left and Lennon on Right)! Goodnight! Gigi