January 25, 2012 (A post from Tiff)

Hi Friends and Fam! 

Just wanted to give an update since we haven’t posted in a while! Today we had another appointment with the neonatologist at Riverside. We were INCREDIBLY thankful to hear that Kenzie’s condition is still stable! YAY! THANK YOU LORD!! After being torn away from his morning workout to come see us, our doc told us that her heart to chest-cavity ratio has remained the same over the last 3 weeks, that she has very little additional fluid built up around her heart, and that she’s still growing strong! She currently weighs 2 pounds 2 ounces which is typical and is still kicking up a storm. The doctor also informed us that the fact that he was able to find her pulmonary arteries (although very small) shows that there’s still hope that some blood might be making its way through them to her lungs. Definitely encouraging news!

On a side note, as the weeks go by and we get closer and closer to her due date (I learned today, Lord willing, that I’ll most likely be induced around April 20), I find that I’m allowing myself to be more hopeful that she’ll be okay. Up to date I had decided not to decorate her room at all, not to have any baby showers, and I hadn’t even bought a single item in anticipation of her. Not that I don’t want to do these things of course, but just as a little protection for myself. Although the risks are still high, I believe the Lord is helping me open up a bit and let go of some of the fear of losing Kenzie. In fact, with a little urging from Ryan, we even bought some adorable little clothes for her yesterday (below). Not the absolute best stuff I’ve seen out there, but the cutest pieces we could find at Kohl’s! ;) They are so precious and I just love looking at them!

 

We are continually humbled by the love and support shown to us by you all with your faithful prayers and encouraging notes and messages. A few sweet things… Just today, my friend gave me a beautiful necklace specially made with the Matthew 17:20 verse that we had posted in our last update. How incredibly sweet!! Also, several of you sent us a link to the song “All of Me” by Matt Hammitt from the band Sanctus Real. He wrote this song after his son was diagnosed with congenital heart disease. I absolutely love it and I think Kenzie likes it too because she kicks a lot every time I play it! J Here’s the link in case anyone is interested: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARIe3PUgu84

Our next BIG appointment is with the cardiothoracic specialist on February 16 when we’ll have another echocardiogram. We’ll post again as the time approaches!  

So do not fear, for I am with you,
Do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
-Isaiah 41:10

And no, I do not expect anyone to make me a necklace with this verse on it! ;) Love you all and God Bless!

<3 Tiff