32 Week Milestone - A Special Gift

We have hit the 32 week milestone today! This means that Levi, if born today, would have a 95% chance of survival!

The highlight of our week, besides hitting this milestone, was an unexpected gift. A group from Calvary Bible Church in Bakersfield, California made a beautiful prayer quilt for Levi. On the back of this quilt is a touching memorial to Malachi. This group came to know about our situation through one of its members whose granddaughter is the co-worker of Drew's Aunt Jan. We were blown away. The generosity and support of so many people around the country has been a true testament to God's hand on our lives.

Below I have included photos of the gorgeous quilt that we received. Thank you ladies of Calvary Bible Church. God has used you to bless our family!

This is the beautiful dedication and memorial on the back of the quilt.

The quilt is a Noah's ark quilt... it is ADORABLE!

Levi - week 31

I am frequently asked "how I am feeling" and I thought I would try to answer that question in a post. For most of this pregnancy I have felt VERY similar to when I was pregnant with Naomi. I have been blessed with very little "morning sickness" in the first trimester. I have maintained a fairly nice level of energy (well this third trimester has been a little slower). I have been able to keep up with my day to day life. I have often answered this inquiry with this response: "Honestly, if it had not been for weekly ultrasounds, I would have never known anything different in this pregnancy." The things that have been more difficult in this pregnancy have been having a toddler (you cannot relax when your body feels like it); heartburn (especially before my procedure and now as Levi gets bigger); and the sense of risk that surrounds this pregnancy. It is often hard not question if a new pain is normal, a new symptom can be ignored or if a contraction should cause alarm. I am constantly reminding myself to "Trust in the Lord with all my heart" (Proverbs 3:5)

I will say this second pregnancy has given me an added respect for my sister-in-laws, Martha Armbruster & Jessica Norton! While I enjoy every kick and movement and while I love Naomi more than words can express, I really cannot imagine doing this more than twice!

God continues to give little blessings along the way. This past week my perinatal doctor, Jessica Nyholm, called to let me know that my full amniocentesis test results were back. Levi's chromosomes are perfect! We really never felt concern, but it is always nice to receive confirmation. One thing we were curious about was the potential hole that Levi may have in his heart. It was possible that this could be caused by a chromosomal defect, but we now know that is not the case. If he does have a hole in his heart it will be the result of some other abnormality!

Next week we hit another milestone! Once a baby reaches 32 weeks their chance of survival outside of the womb is 95% (at 34 weeks it basically becomes indistinguishable from that of a full term baby)! This boy has an amazing story already.

9 More Weeks?

It had been two weeks since I last had an ultrasound, so I was excited to see Levi yesterday! He is getting big... starting to look uncomfortable in the womb. He is measuring at 3 pounds 13 ounces which places him at 31 weeks and 1 day (a week ahead of schedule). Three weeks ago there was a concern with his leg measurements (they were only measuring in the 5th percentile); however, yesterday he was right back on his original track. Malachi (the Acardiac twin) is now only 2% of Levi's size! INCREDIBLE - he has gone from 53%  just 6 weeks ago to 2%! I could tell yesterday even the doctor was amazed!

Levi continues to sit breech and I am beginning to think that this will not change. He is Frank Breech, meaning he sits in a U-shape (looks very uncomfortable) most of the time. His position also makes it near impossible to get ultrasound photos of him ;) He is waiting to surprise us with his good looks I guess.

This past Monday I had an appointment with my OB. Everything looks great. At that appointment we scheduled a tentative c-section (for those who don't know, Naomi was born via c-section). I had originally hoped to deliver this baby in the "normal" fashion; however, if he doesn't turn (he has been breech for 9 weeks now) we will not have this option. As long as Levi does not protest his birthday will be May 13th! For those keeping count, that is only 9 weeks away!!!!! And, for those praying specifically for 37 weeks, it would place me one day shy of 39 weeks!

Thank you for your continued prayers. It has been incredible to see God's hand on this little man. Yesterday, I could see hope on the doctors face that 39 weeks was possible (something they were not so sure of just 6 weeks ago). We will see what birth date God has picked out for this little one.

Due to the excellent report yesterday I get to go a WHOLE 3 weeks until my next appointment this time ;) April 1st I will begin my weekly trek to the doctors office once again!

Praying Specifically and Persistently

This past week a staff member from the church we attend asked if there was a specific way the church staff could be praying for us. This question gave me reason to pause. Was there something I was specifically asking God for in regards to Levi? I mean God has already been so gracious... isn't it presumptuous to continue to ask God for specific things?

This week I have been reading in the book of Luke and I came across the parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18:1-8. This parable tells of a widow who persistently comes before a judge who does not really care about her plight; however, after her repeated pleas to him he determines to see that she receives justice due to her persistence. Luke 18:1 states that this parable was told by Jesus to His disciples as an example of how they should always pray and never give up! I needed this reminder.

It is not that I have stopped praying for Levi but I had stopped praying for a specific request. When our church contacted us and asked for a specific prayer request I realized that I did have one. I am praying that Levi is born at 37 weeks or later! Or in other words, that Levi will make it to full term in the womb. I want to be like the persistent widow and ask God for this repeatedly every day!

I invite you to join me in praying that Levi stays in the womb until at least 37 weeks. I am currently at 29 weeks, so I am asking for at least 2 more months. At 37 weeks he would no longer be considered premature! Would you join me in persistently praying that God keeps our little man safe and sound in the womb?